The heat of the summer has worn down the vendors of the Geist Farmers Market in the parking lot of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. On a recent visit to the Thursday afternoon outdoor market at the corner of Fox and Oaklandon Road, I found a lot of empty spaces that were once filled by local and regional farmers. Even though some of the vendors have elected to not participate, the majority of the vendors are optimistic about the future.
“For the produce people, this summer has been pretty busy, but it hasn’t been so busy for the hand-craft people I don’t think,” said Karen Green, a Holy Cross church member selling handmade quilts, baby blankets, and other handwoven items.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/1zXR9fXD8fw" width="300" height="250" wmode="transparent" /]
“We’re just trying to figure out how to reach the Geist market,” said Robert Engleking of Engleking’s Country Beef Shop in Charlottesville, Indiana.
“We’ll be back next year,” said Jeff Jager from Bramblebush Farms in Michigan. His large yellow truck filled with fresh produce from northern Indiana and Michigan makes the trip every week to participate in the Geist Farmer’s Market.
“It’s the only one we do down here and the response has been good so far,” he added.
Pricing on items was a bit higher than what you’d find across the street at Marsh Supermarket, but the selling point is not price necessarily at a farmer’s market. Supporting local farmers and access to healthier foods seem to be the calling card of these weekly vendors.
Organic foods of all types are available direct from the farm, like Barb Smith’s assortment of organic cheeses from southeastern Hancock County. Engleking’s meats are from grain-fed cattle, both raised on their farm just minutes from the I-70 Mount Comfort Road Exit. Marvin Miller sells apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and sweet corn from his Rush County farm where he also abides by a non-pesticide oath.
“I just like to meet the people,” said Janice Holland from Rushville who sells handmade jewelry and watercolor paintings from a tented table.
“They say it takes several years for a farmer’s market to get up and running so I’ll hang in there and see how it does,” said Karen Green as she grinned and continued with her knitting.
Everyone in the Geist area should stop by and at least talk to the vendors of the Geist Farmers Market. In a stop-and-go world, it is not often that we can actually talk to the farmers that grow the produce and meats that we consume on a daily basis. As an added bonus, you are also helping the local farming community.









Read more