It was hard to miss the weekly Farmers Market on June 12 off Highway 71 north in the old Pamida parking lot - a horse was tied up to one of the sign posts.
Every Friday from June through September, farmers, bakers and assorted vendors set up shop to sell their home-grown or homemade wares.
Among them was Ira Caminong, a worker at Gardens Gourmet near Henning. A native of Los Angeles, Calif., Caminong is traveling around the United States to work on organic farms. Despite his distance from home, he said "it's good to stay local for better produce."
Rainy Villarreal, a resident of Elk River, who was visiting in-laws for the weekend, echoed Caminong.
"I always like to check out local farmers' markets wherever I go," she said.
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Many of the vendors take great pride in their organic, chemical-free produce.
"If people want good lettuce, I'm where they get it," said Kathy Connell, who was accompanied by her son and grandchildren.
Given the spring season, not everyone is selling produce just yet. Verndale farmer Deb Erickson, for example, was selling primarily baked goods, though she plans to provide more produce as it becomes ready.
Having been chemically injured at her previous job at a beauty shop, Erickson said it's important for people to know "how detrimental chemicals are to our health." Her inability to be around chemicals safely led to her new passion of gardening chemical-free.
In an effort to promote the market and draw in customers, the Wadena Area Growers Association has begun holding drawings for a free bag of donated goods each Friday afternoon at the end of the market.
They have also started a program so that anyone who charges $5 to the EBT on their debit or credit card will receive five "Market Bucks," which will be matched by a "free" $5 from the Blue Cross Blue Shield.
"We've grown a lot out here," said Diane Webb of the Growers Association about the 30 year history of the market. Though seven booths were set up on June 12, in 2014 there was a high of 14 booths present at the season's peak.
If transportation is an issue, they've got that covered as well. Passes for a free ride to the market on the Friendly Rider bus are available for any Friday from June through September. The bus picks up at 2:30 p.m. at Humphrey Manor East, 2:40 p.m. at BN Park, 2:45 p.m. at 2nd Street and Greenwood Avenue and returns on its route at 3:30 p.m. from the Farmers' Market.
