Farmer’s market returns to Clemson campus this spring

Published: March 1, 2010

By Hope Snipes

CLEMSON — Clemson University’s Farm-Fresh Market will return this spring with four dates — March 10, March 24, April 7 and April 21 — in Johnstone Meadows located at the corner of Klugh Avenue and Fort Hill Street.

Last September marked Clemson’s first-ever Farm-Fresh Market. Student Ashley Adams wanted to support local agriculture. As the daughter of an agriculture education major at Clemson and the granddaughter of a South Carolina dairy farmer, Adams grew up with an interest and love for agriculture and decided to bring a farmer’s market to campus.

“Each market presented new successes and new conflicts, but were overall better than expected,” said Adams.

Adams learned about the campus farmers market at the University of South Carolina in the fall of 2008 while working on a career project with Hugh Weathers, South Carolina commissioner of agriculture, in Columbia.

“If USC can do this, Clemson can do it better,” she said.

Last year’s vendors included Friends (“Food with a Flair”), Split Creek Goat Farm, Billy’s Boer Meat Goat Farm and the Lollypop Lady.

Recruiting for new vendors is about to begin, and this semester’s market manager, Brooklynn Wynveen, will work more closely with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to ensure that their prepared food vendors are correctly certified. There will be live music at each market and other products will be available besides produce. New for this semester will be Uncle Pete’s BBQ Sauce. Possible new vendors may prepare baked goods, candy, boiled peanuts or crafts.

To get involved this semester, see the market’s Facebook page or e-mail Brooklynn Wynveen at brooklynnj@yahoo.com.

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