Where: Tuesdays, Ashland Armory Thursdays, Medford Hawthorne Park Saturdays, Ashland Oak Street Saturday, Grants Pass Downtown

Learn more about the Ashland Farmers Market, its schedule, and location, here.Times: Tuesdays, 7:30 - 2:00 or Thursdays, 7:00 - 2:00 or Saturdays, 7:00 - 2:00 Seasonal and winter markets also take place throughout the year, including a Thanksgiving Market the Saturday before Thanksgiving, a Holiday Market the 3rd Saturday in December, and 'Renegade Markets' every other Saturday throughout the off-season. By now, I consider many of the vendors and customers a part of my extended family!”Īshland Farmers Market takes place seasonally May-October on Saturday mornings from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm in front of Ashland Town Hall (121 Thompson Street). “I love being a part of this farmers market because of the friendly vibe and great products. “I started out as a customer in 2003, became a vendor in 2009, and then market manager in 2016,” Christi said. “The market also helps the local economy by attracting customers from all over the region who stop in our shops and restaurants after visiting the market.” “The Town supports the Ashland Farmers Market because it provides an additional healthy food source for residents, and supports local producers both in town and those nearby who also call Ashland their hometown,” said Matt Reynal, Assistant Town Manager. Market vendors pay dues to the Town, and the Town compensates market staff and covers market expenses, such as signage.

Sponsored by the Town of Ashland, the farmers market is a division of the Town government, much like Carter Park Pool. It’s always such a pleasure and comfort.' “We love the sense of community we get on our weekly visits and meeting friends and family there. 'The Ashland Farmers Market is such a special place,” said Kristy Severin, a Town of Ashland resident. At the peak of the season, the market hosts 15-20 vendors selling everything from seasonal fruits, vegetables, garden and landscape plants to honey, pastured meats and eggs, cut flowers, home-baked goods, pickles, jams, and jellies. While some vendors may sell a limited amount of craft items, the focus of the Ashland Farmers Market is heavily on food and agricultural products. “We also remain ultra-local, with everything sold at the market being produced within 30 miles of Ashland, Virginia.” This means that the customer is buying directly from the person who grew or made that product,” Christi said. “Our market is unique because it is a producers-only market - no reselling is permitted. It’s an ideal location for community gathering with ample space, a stage for musicians, a grassy lawn and picnic tables for market-goers, and excellent visibility for visitors and cyclists seeking a taste of Ashland’s farm-to-table food offerings and vibrant and diverse small town culture. Upon construction completion in 2021, the market happily returned to the heart of downtown Ashland directly in front of the new Town Hall. When construction on the new Town Hall began in 2019, the market temporarily relocated to Henry Clay Elementary School’s parking lot. The Ashland Farmers Market began in 1999 on Duncan Street but eventually moved to the vacant lot behind Ashland’s former Town Hall where it stayed for many years. While some customers want or need to get in and out quickly, many plan a morning of it.” “We are a medium-sized market - not overwhelmingly huge, but big enough to be worth your while, with a great selection of products,” Christi said. In addition to selling homemade baked goods as a market vendor, Christi also works as the farmers market manager, helping schedule vendors and live music acts to keep the market lively and welcoming. At a little after 9:00 am, the market has just opened for the day, but seasoned market-goers are already perusing and purchasing, their bags overflowing with Hanover tomatoes, grass-fed beef, potted herbs, cookies, and scones. It’s a muggy Saturday morning in July and Christi Macomber is setting out fist-sized cinnamon rolls at her market stall. Stay tuned throughout the season for spotlights on some of our market vendors and the wide variety of locally-grown and produced items they bring to share with this community each week.

The Ashland Farmers Market will kick off its 2022 season on Saturday, May 7th! To celebrate and get those tastebuds primed for all the berries, cinnamon buns, and heirloom tomatoes you can carry, we're re-sharing a story and photos we ran last year on the market.

Ashland harvest market