Hillsdale: family, tradition, and opportunity. Not only are these words the motto for the city of Hillsdale, but they also capture the essence of an experience at the Hillsdale County Farmers Market. The crisp fall air, homemade artisan products, and familiar faces make a morning at the market feel like home.
The Hillsdale Farmers Market runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday, May through October. Located in the Hillsdale County Courthouse parking lot, the market boasts a multitude of different vendors selling baked goods, fresh produce, flowers, and home decor items.
Hillsdale College senior Meghan McKeogh shops exclusively for her groceries at the market. “I’ve been shopping here since I was a sophomore,” said McKeogh. “I didn’t realize the assortment of food here was enough to put together food for an entire week.”
McKeogh said her favorite vendor is McElroy Farms, a family farm who sells their grass-fed beef at the market. The farm maintains high standards for both their grazing processes and environmental footprint, which in turn produces high-quality and high-nutrient beef for the community.
Food isn’t the only thing you can purchase at the farmers market. Judy Czarnecki, a Hillsdale local, sells her hand-crocheted and knitted items at her booth titled Things Homemade. Judy explains that her favorite part of working and shopping at the market is socializing with people in the community. “Get down here,” Czarnecki said. “We get to see a lot of people we haven’t seen for a while and it gives a lot of our local farmers a venue to bring in their items.”
When asked what advice she would give to people who are considering becoming vendors, Czarnecki explained the simple application process to join the market. New vendors are welcome to apply and are not required to pay for a spot at the market.
Selling and purchasing products at the market has become a family affair. Liz Wells, from Wells Sugarbrush, explained that she began selling her maple syrup at the market because she was inspired by her daughters who sell their own products.
“My husband began selling maple syrup in the mid-70s and passed that down to his kids and my daughter, Audrey, who makes all of the confections here,” said Wells. Her favorite part of the market is being able to spend Saturday mornings with her two daughters.
While so many local Hillsdalians take advantage of the market for family bonding time, it also provides students and faculty from the college the opportunity to explore downtown Hillsdale and engage with the community beyond the college.
Margaret Braman, who works in the Hillsdale College Admissions department, and her husband Michael, have been coming to the market for over a decade. A trip downtown to shop local artisan goods has become a staple in their weekend routine.
“I’m just really happy the farmers market is here because it’s an opportunity, more than anything, to come see people you know, and then a sense of community for local growers to have opportunities to sell their vegetables,” said Braman. Even during the hustle and bustle of modern-day living, the market lends itself to be a weekly opportunity for cultivating relationships.
While everyone has their favorite vendor at the market, shoppers were quick to share what their dream product would be. The Bramans came to an agreement on cinnamon rolls, a morning breakfast treat, while McKeogh would love banana bread with chocolate chips or watermelon.
No matter what new products spark the community’s attention, or what products they hope to see in the future, the Hillsdale Farmers Market continues to be a place of refuge and fellowship for the people of Hillsdale county. From 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Hillsdale County Courthouse parking lot, it feels like home.
