Joe’s Farmer’s Market returns for another season

Published 12:00 pm Thursday, May 12, 2022

Folks who are eager to find items like fresh produce, baked goods and even handmade crafts need not look further than Joe’s Farmer’s Market at Duckworth Farm Supply.

Each Saturday during the summer, patrons with an interest in those things that are homegrown or handmade have a variety of options to choose from at the Milledgeville farmer’s market, which began last year when a group of friends came together to make it happen.

Lori Archer, who has been a vendor since the beginning, said it all began when longtime friend John Yongue called her and her husband to see if they were interested in selling some of the produce from their farm. He had a couple of other vendors in mind as well, and he extended an invitation to them too.

“And after a time or two, a few more vendors approached and wanted to know could they participate,” Archer said. 

The group found that vendors who had traveled to other counties were eager to participate in a local market.

“Because people in Milledgeville want a market, they do,” Archer said.

After a successful first year, Joe’s Market returned last Saturday. 

Joe Duckworth said he hopes that patrons who visit will have an all-around good agricultural experience from the parking lot to those who venture inside his store.

“From my standpoint, I appreciate the fact that we’ve got people that are wanting to bring stuff to sell, and then you’ve got people that are looking for locally grown items and handmade things, and that’s kind of in line with what’s going on,” Duckworth said. “More and more people are trying to source their foods from local growers [rather] than depending on the grocery stores, and that provides an opportunity for these people that are willing to grow stuff and then have a place to go and set up to sell it.”

Archer said folks visiting the farmer’s market can expect to find a good variety of homegrown and handmade items. In the past, vendors have brought a wide range of products including baked goods like cakes and cinnamon rolls, jams, jellies, relishes, pickles, boiled peanuts, fresh pork skins, fresh herbs, vegetables, lemonade, honey, homemade skin products, fresh flowers, crafts, handmade jewelry, home decor, handmade bags and much more.

For her part, Archer brings items that are homegrown right on her farm, Rocking A Farm. Her selections include beef, milk, eggs, produce, bread and even homemade soaps.

“So, why go to the grocery store, right?”

Live music is often on hand provided by Archer’s father, Bill Wiggins, and his friend, Bill Rivers, better known together as The Two Dollar Bills. 

Joe’s Farmer’s Market will be open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Duckworth Farm Supply, 122 N. Elbert St. Vendor cost is $10, and those interested should check with Duckworth. 

Archer said when people visit their local farmer’s market, they can get a better product while supporting small businesses.

“First of all, you’re supporting small farms, you’re supporting small businesses, you’re keeping things local and you’re getting a better product,” she said. “You’re getting fresh-picked versus something that’s been shipped across the nation or from another country…You get a fresh product, you get a local product. You can taste the difference between a homegrown cabbage and one that’s been sitting in the grocery store and the outer leaves have dehydrated. It’s juicy, it’s sweet, it’s better.”