Frontenac Farmers Market Seeking To Mentor New Growers

Jeff Green | Apr 26, 2023

When Tarra Williamson wanted to move into full time farming and try her hand at selling at a farmers market, she had a lot of questions, even though she was not really new to markets.

“I had been doing markets for years as an artisan, but selling produce at a market was a different story altogether. I did not know how to set up, how much to bring. I had a lot of questions, but in the end I did it anyway,” she said, in a phone interview from her Petworth Road farm property this week,

One year later, Tarra is the convenor of the Frontenac Farmers Market for the 2023 season, and in addition to many changes in the market, she is also thinking about making it easier for new growers to get started at the market.

“When I took on the organising role last fall for the market, I thought there must be people who have extra stuff and might want to start selling at the market but don't want to make a year long commitment, and don't know what they need to buy in order to set up.”

So, using some of the limited funds left over from last year, she picked up some tables and tents, and developed a mentorship program for this year's market. For a fledgling grower, that means they can try the market for a week or two during the season, and will have a table and tent, if necessary, provided, as well as advice about what to bring, and how to set up.

“There is a growing community of growers in South Frontenac, and this is all part of helping build up the community and make it stronger,” she said, “which is what the new version of the Frontenac Farmers Market is really all about.”

Anyone interested in taking advantage of the program is encouraged to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get started.

The mentorship program is only one of the many changes coming to the market this year. The market has a new home, at Centennial Park in Harrowsmith, and new times, 3pm – 7pm on Fridays, starting on May 19.

It is also returning as an official Ontario Farmers Market, with over 50% of the vendors selling products grown and raised on their farms.

Through a lot of networking and some cajoling, there are 32 vendors registered for this year, and there are many added features, which will be highlighted on opening day, which has been granted a special event permit by South Frontenac Township.

Harrowsmith Brewing will be running a beer tent on the 19th, and throughout the season the Kick and Push Brewing Company will have a booth, selling their award winning Relax Alice Amber Ale and their other beers.

Nomad Yogini is offering yoga classes for a very low price at the market this summer as well, and the notsoamateuramateurs have signed up for free face painting, and balloon art, all summer. The majority of the farms at the market this summer are run by women, part of a changing demographic in the farming community. The produce, flowers and other products will represent the diversity of the new farming community in the region.

And, on May 19, there will be a seedling sale, featuring vegetables, flowers, hanging baskets, and berry bushes.

There will also be live music throughout the afternoon, a fitting start to the summer season

For further details, go to the Frontenac Farmers Market Website https://frontenacfarmersmarket.com/ Facebook or Instagram pages, or look to Everythingfrontenac.ca for special events throughout the market season.

This new chapter holds a lot of promise for a market that has had its ups and downs, but has managed to carry on since it was founded almost 20 years ago, at that time as a Saturday Market at the Verona Lions Park.This new chapter for the market holds a lot of promise for a market that has had its ups and downs, but has managed to carry on since it was founded almost 20 years ago, at that time as a Saturday Market at the Verona Lions Park.