Farmers markets offer local charm

As the fall season starts rolling around the corner, local vendors at farmers markets are keeping their tables full of seasonal produce, baked goods and even locally processed wine. Greene County hosts two farmers markets: Waynesburg Farmers Market and Fencerow Farmers Market, both open through mid-October.

Waynesburg Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and usually has six consistent vendors each week, plus other possible vendors. The market is located next to the Greene County Courthouse on E. High St. in Waynesburg. Although it has only been at this specific location for a few years, the Waynesburg Farmers Market has been in the county for around 18 years, said Market Manager Tanner McKnight and many of the vendors have been selling there for at least 15 of those years.

“Everyone loves the farmers market,” McKnight said. “They see it, and it’s something they can go do.”

McKnight said the farmers market helps the community by supporting local businesses.

“It helps with staying local,” he said. “The money is going into [the community,] and then it goes back into Greene County, so I think it helps keep sustainability.”

Included in the list of vendors that consistently sell at the Waynesburg Farmers Market are Harden Family Farm, Sue’s Bakery, Autumn’s Boutique, Willow Tree Farms and Plum Run Winery, Inc.

Fencerow Farmers Market is located at the Greene County Historical Society at 918 Rolling Meadows Road, Waynesburg. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Kevin Paul, owner of the market for 10 years, decided to move it to the Greene County Historical Society just this year as a benefit to the organization. Paul, who grew up a mile down the road from the historical society, said he has a special connection to it because of his own family’s history with the organization.

“The brother of my seventh great-grandfather was the original owner of the grounds,” Paul said. “Due to the family history, I’ve always had an interest in the historical society…so, I thought we’d try it here and see how it went.”

Up to 42 farms have done business at the market in the past, and so far this year, the market is doing well at its new location, averaging 32 visitors to the market each week.

The vendors at the market are currently selling in-season peaches, apples, sweet corn, tomatoes and more.

Paul said the market supports local businesses and keeps money circulating in the area, benefiting the community as a whole.

“You support the local merchants, which support other local merchants,” Paul said. “All the ones I deal with are at least second or third generation, and one was further back than that, so it helps those families stay on the family farm and keep things going. It’s good for the agricultural community.”

Fencerow Farmers Market will be at the Harvest Festival Oct. 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this year at the Greene County Historical Society, and Paul said it may be open during the Christmas Open House in Waynesburg when winter comes around .