Meet at the market: Seasonal venue at shelter popular with farmers, consumers

NORTH VERNON — The Jennings County Farmer’s Market has become known for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere since it started in 1998.

The seasonal market operates from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from April to October at Shelter House 2 in North Vernon City Park. It gives a variety of potential customers and farmers an opportunity to interact in an open area where locally grown produce, baked goods, flowers and other items are sold.

That atmosphere is an attraction for David McLean, 22, a Westport resident.

“The people here are very nice and polite, and you can get a lot of advice from the farmers. It’s very relaxing to walk around and look at the different items people have. I like supporting the local farmers here and it’s a very nice place to go,” McLean said.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery

More than 180 farmer’s markets operate in Indiana according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and nationwide the total number increased 76 percent from 2008 to 2014.

Clarence Wullenweber, the organizer or “market master” since 2000, said the farmer’s market had more than 52 vendors at the end of October last year. This year, the market recently had about 20 vendors, but Wullenweber was hopeful that by the end of October there would be more than 60.

Vendors at the farmer’s market must follow specific rules, such as keeping produce and goods in check with the Jennings County Health Department and Indiana laws, Wullenweber said.

Vendors also must take responsibility for their own items and goods. There are procedures in place to follow if vendors violate rules. The market master and Farmers’ Market Committee consisting of six board members have to approve an appeal if drastic measures must be taken.

Wullenweber and his wife Patty, who live in Commiskey, have been farming since 1974 and selling produce since 1998. They commonly sell onions, green beans, corn, tomatoes and strawberries, along with other produce.

“We enjoy the people and being able to sell produce,” Patty Wullenweber said.

Paul Kindt, of North Vernon, has been selling a variety of trees and shrubs at the farmer’s market for more than two years. He began in 2014 by taking cuttings of shrubs and trees and creating them into their own plants, letting them grow their own roots.

“I do this in my yard. I have trees growing all over the place. I don’t have room for a garden, so I sell them here,” Kindt said.

John and Reagan Gatrell, of North Vernon, are a father/daughter vendor team that has been selling produce and homemade goods for three years at the farmer’s market.

John Gatrell had a garden for 15 years prior to selling at the local market. His daughter sells homemade goods such as noodles, bread and jam, while her father sells vegetables and produce.

“We enjoy the atmosphere and being able to sell stuff. It’s also nice to be able to meet new people here,” Reagan Gatrell said.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

What: Jennings County Farmer’s Market, a seasonal open-air market featuring fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers raised by local farmers.

When: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays April through October

Where: Shelter House 2 in the North Vernon City Park, 604 N State St.

Information: 812-346-9371.

[sc:pullout-text-end]