Happy Spring everyone! I am pleased to announce that it is time for the Fort Dodge Farmers Market to begin.

Kemna is hosting us again this year and we would like to thank Cary Kemna and his team for their generosity.

Our opening day is Saturday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is our 41st year and we have a lot to offer you this season.

This year, we have a couple of vendors that have locally produced beef and pork. This is the first time we have had this at our market and we are excited about them joining us.

Another first this year are some unique jewelry makers. We will have polymer clay jewelry and something called permanent jewelry. If you are curious about what these are, come visit the Farmers Market and check them out, and our other talented jewelry makers as well.

We will also have many craft items like home-sewn clothing, crocheted merchandise, hand crafted candles, and homemade soaps.

New food items this season include homemade tortillas, plenty of new baked items and an assortment of different flavors of lemonade.

If greenery is your thing, we will have home grown flowers, plants, herbs, and ornamental grasses.

Of course, where would we be without all of our veteran vendors? Your favorite merchants, such as the honey producers, vegetable growers, amazing bakers, and home canned food producers will be there to satisfy your cravings. Don’t forget the kettle corn.

This season is our biggest yet. We have over 50 vendors signed up so you are sure to find something you need. You might even find things you didn’t know you needed until you see it. We are looking forward to sharing our Farmers Market with you.

The market is on Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 11 N. 25th St. in the Graham Collision parking lot. Be sure to check out the Fort Dodge Farmers Market on Facebook for information on upcoming events. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, you can fill out an application on Facebook. If you would like to present your civic group at the market please contact us at fortdodgefarmersmarket@gmail.com. If you don’t have Facebook, contact Craig Stripling at 515-351-1736 or David Ash at 520-400-1900.