Record crowd on opening day at StateoftheOzarks Farmers Market

Below is an interview with Joshua Heston of the StateoftheOzarks Farmers Market.

Heston (Photo submitted)

BG: Was May 2 the opening day for the market?

JOSHUA: Yes, we had a record crowd and a record number of vendors (17 total) for opening day. I attribute the success to the inclusion of the Derby Dash, the great weather, our sustainability of markets (every Saturday for the past 12 months except for a Christmas break), and our great partners, vendors and customers.

BG: How many years have you been overseeing this?

JOSHUA: I and Dale Grubaugh have been managing the market since 2020, first as the Hollister Farmers Market (owned by StateoftheOzarks) from 2020 to 2024, and now the StateoftheOzarks Farmers Market since May 2024. We moved our market to Vintage Paris Coffee last year. Any other market in the area is not a part of StateoftheOzarks or our vendor family.

BG: Are the majority of the vendors selling homemade and homegrown items?  

JOSHUA: Yes, the vast majority of vendors sell their own homemade or homegrown items.

BG: What are the days/hours of the Farmers Market?

JOSHUA: Wednesdays are from 2-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

BG: What dates do you operate through?

JOSHUA: For both days we will operate, May through October. Then, we expect to continue the Saturday only Food & Craft from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. November through April again.

BG: Anything else you would like to explain or add? Media events, address or such?

JOSHUA: Yes, you can find us here at our website at: www.stateoftheozarks.net

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