While it is not a business in and of itself, the Warren County Farmers Market is a hub of agricultural activity in the spring and summer.

The Farmers Market is a highly anticipated feature of the warmer seasons and for good reason.

Fresh and locally grown produce is the primary selling point for the venue, but there are no shortages of baked and canned goods or crafts for guests to peruse.

According to Farmers Market Manager Ginger Wanamaker, it’s more than a place for fresh produce.

“I appreciate the friendships you make through the Farmers Market and the family atmosphere,” Wanamaker said.

“You get to see familiar faces every Saturday and Wednesday and you get to know people and their families, whether you are a vendor or shopper.”

Wanamaker indicated there were about 75 to 78 regular vendors during last season and many vendors re-applied to set up for the season this year.

With a focus on produce first and foremost, all fruit and vegetables must be grown in Tennessee to be sold at the market and canned or baked goods must follow all Cottage Law requirements.

Throughout the season, the market features several themed days.

Strawberry Day is coming up next month, but a day has not yet been set due to potential strawberry shortages.

Squash Day, Ice Cream Day, Corn Day and Melon Day are set to take place over the course of the coming months as well before Customer Appreciation Day takes place in September.

October, the final full month of the market, has different activities every weekend including a pumpkin-carving contest hosted by 4H and a costume contest for kids on the final weekend of the month.

“The Farmers Market is an important source of fresh, home-grown produce for the area,” Wanamaker said.

“A lot of the produce at the market is grown without insecticides and its all fresher than what we can get at grocery store chains. You don’t know where vegetables you get at the store come from, but you can speak directly to the farmer who grew what you buy at the market.”

Long-time vendor Bain’s Greenhouse & Farms is a fixture of every market day. Brent Bain and his family bring everything from plant starters to colorful hanging flowers and, as of this year, succulents.

“We’ve been established in Warren County for over 50 years. My dad and I started it about 30 years ago and named it Bain’s Farm. Then, we opened the greenhouse and it became Bain’s Greenhouse and Plants,” Bain said. “Now, we offer a little bit of everything for the garden. Geraniums are probably our best-selling flower and we sell thousands of tomato plants every year.”

Bain explained he and his family attended the market every Saturday and Wednesday, but they can be reached by phone or text at (931) 743-7870 and website, too, for your garden needs on all the other days, too.

The Bain’s Greenhouse & Farms website is bainsgreenhouse.com and it has a Facebook page under its name.

“I’ve always loved working with plants and grew up helping in my grandmother’s flower beds, my parents’ farm and it’s just second nature for me now,” Bain said.

“I enjoy seeing people and talking with them during the markets. You come to know people and stay in touch with your customers, and it is time spent with my family, too.”

The Farmers Market is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday from the first weekend of April through a couple weeks of November when it gets cold and produce winds down for the year.

Beginning May 3, the market will begin opening on Wednesdays as well during the same hours.

Wanamaker can be reached at (931) 259-0727 for those with questions or inquiries about becoming a vendor at the market.

The Senior Farmers Market program is a collaboration between Warren County Health Department and the Warren County Farmers Market, with the health department qualifying senior citizens 60 and over who meet an income guideline. They receive a voucher for a certain amount of money to be used at the Farmers Market, allowing them to procure fresh and nutritious produce they otherwise may not be able to afford. The vouchers are accepted through July and August, and sign-ups for the program will be announced in the near future.