The Homer Regional Farmers Market has existed in many shapes and sizes before, but this summer, it will be held weekly, and it will be more than just a place to pick up some vegetables.
The Homer Regional Farmers Market’s grand opening is 9:30 a.m. May 25, on the Center for the Arts of Homer lawn.
Each week, between 15 and 25 vendors will sell items such as sourdough bread, vegetables, nut trees and homemade leather goods, a news release from the organizing committee says. There will also be activities and entertainment, such as yoga and community art projects.
Bryn Carr, a member of the organizing committee, said the location is perfect because the market can exist alongside the many summer events that happen in Homer.
“We don’t want to feel like we are competing with the village for space,” Carr said. “We don’t want to literally be running on their turf. If they have other events planned like Magic on the Main or Brockway or the Route 90 sales, it can be frustrating for them to have to juggle us around.”
The first 150 households to attend the grand opening will get a free bag. More giveaways will be offered in other weeks, the release says.
The grand opening will have raffles from vendors and a station for people to plant seeds. The weekly market will feature different bands, art projects, activities, a drumming circle and meditation, Carr said.
“There will be all sorts of events happening at the same time,” she said. “It’s a real event, and not just come through, shop and see the same vendors… the idea is kind of the vibe of Ithaca, with the affordability of Homer.”
Karlyn Fendya, a member of the organizing committee, will sell vegetables from her micro-farm, Freetown Food Forest.
“Cortland County is just ripe with these farms, and all sorts of agricultural producers,” Fendya said. “I grew up in the county, and I didn’t even know what I was growing up amongst, so I’m hoping to open up everyone else’s eyes to what is going on. There’s food, fiber and all these other great agricultural products. You don’t have to go to the big box stores, you can ask your neighbor for them, or find them right here at the market.”
“I think we are such a rural community, and farming has always been the lifeblood of this area, so connecting our local farmers and makers is so important to keep that alive,” Carr said. “It really promotes the local economy and the community, and serves as a place for people to meet during the weekends and really connect the more rural areas with the village itself.”
One of the final projects in the wish list for Homer’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative is a more permanent version of this market.
If funded, there would be a year-round farmers market, commercial kitchen and community center at 41 James St, which would require $822,500 in funding.
“I’m really proud that one of our biggest goals for the market is having community-based activities and entertainment, free of charge, every week,” Fendya said. “It’s going to stand out as something that’s very community-based. It’s not just a sales outlet for our vendors, even though that’s very important. It’s going to be an opportunity for people to come together and connect, not only with each other, but connect back to their community.”
If you go
WHAT: Homer Regional Farmers Market
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. Saturdays from May 25 to Oct. 26
WHERE: Cayuga and Main streets in Homer
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WHAT: Cortland City Farmers Market
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays starting May 18
WHERE: 13 Court St.
