Gardener’s Market- fresh food and fun
Variety is added to a 20-year tradition as artists and live musicians accompany green thumbs at the Logan City Gardener’s Market.
“This really isn’t a farmer’s market, it’s a mini Summerfest,” produce seller Richard Wagstaff said.
No longer a place for gardeners only, vendors selling anything from massages to specialty dog treats are found beneath white and green canopies at Pioneer Park.
Signs boasting “Kat’s Kafe,” “Hip Mama’s Lemonade” and “Spirit Goat: handmade goats milk soaps,” can be found on any given Saturday morning from May to October.
It all began about 20 years ago when community members got together to share their seasonal crops with those who didn’t have gardens, Tom Proffitt, chairman of the gardener’s market advisory board said Saturday.
“We had a few odds and ends to sell that first year,” Wagstaff said.
Since that first spring get-together, the market moved to various locations throughout town before arriving at its most recent dwelling.
Wagstaff now sells an array of fruits and vegetables from his 10-foot by 10-foot plot, including sweet corn, peppers, onions and heirloom tomatoes. Wagstaff said he grows most of the produce himself on two one-third acre gardens, though he does collect and sell his neighbor’s crops for them, including his 90-year-old neighbor’s green beans.
Over the last couple of years, the market became more organized and an advisory board and committee was established to monitor and create regulations for the bizarre items, Wagstaff said.
“Unless you make it or grow it, you can’t sell it,” Proffitt said.
Since becoming more formal, the size of the market has taken off, as Proffitt reported a 50 percent increase in vendors over the last three years. Last year, the market was held at Garff-Wayside Park and maxed out at 66 vendors. One Saturday this summer brought out a record high of 91 vendors, he said.
“It was huge, it was a great day,” Proffitt said.
Market regular Amanda St. Ivany said she gets fresh vegetables weekly from Tveitt Gardens and really enjoys the atmosphere. She participated in an African dance exposition Saturday, which featured live drums and instruction.
Bio-veterinary major Pamela Fox makes and sells pet treats from her booth on the north end of the park. Her company, Kat’s Kafe, caters to an animals’ taste buds, withs products like frosted cakes and cookies safe for pets. Cat, dog, horse and bird owners buy treats like “Mailman Munchies” and “Bow Wow Brownies.”
“We’ve even had people buy them for flying squirrels,” said her roommate, Camilla Brown.
Fox’s operation is just one of an assortment of unique vendors and Proffitt said he welcomes anyone to set up a booth, including children.
“We’re encouraging kids, artisans and gardeners alike,” he said.
The vendor application fee is $10 and vendors must pay an additional $5 per week. The application fee is waived for children, however, and the weekly fee for them is reduced to $1.
The look of the market will continue to change as USU landscape architecture students have been commissioned to create a hypothetical redesign of the market. Landscape architect major Kevin Jensen said he is working with other USU students to create a “vision of the future” for the market. The group will present two designs, one of Pioneer Park, and one of city block near the county courthouse, to the market committee for review.
The market operates each Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will close this year on Oct. 14. It will also be closed on Sept. 23 for the Top of Utah Marathon.
-mof@cc.usu.edu