Gaylord Farmers Market

Gaylord Farmers Market. The market is a popular destination in Otsego County, Michigan, attracting visitors from nearby Petoskey, Michigan, Charlevoix, Michigan, and Traverse City, Michigan. It offers a wide range of products, including fresh produce from local farms like Shetler Family Dairy and Black Star Farms, as well as handmade crafts from artisans like Michigan Guild of Artists & Artisans. The market is also a great place to find unique gifts, such as those sold by The Cherry Republic and American Spoon.

Introduction

The Gaylord Farmers Market is a United States Department of Agriculture-certified market that showcases the best of Northern Michigan's agricultural products, including those from Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula. Visitors can sample local foods, such as Pasties from The Pastie Shop and Cherry Pie from Grand Traverse Pie Company, while enjoying the scenic views of Otsego Lake. The market is a great place to meet local farmers, like Bill Spencer of Spencer Farms, and learn about sustainable farming practices from organizations like Michigan State University Extension and National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. The market is also a popular spot for Michigan State University students and North Central Michigan College students to explore.

History

The Gaylord Farmers Market was established in 2003 by the Gaylord Downtown Development Authority in partnership with the Otsego County Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The market was created to promote local agriculture and support the local economy, with the help of organizations like United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Farmers Market Coalition. Over the years, the market has grown in popularity, attracting visitors from all over Michigan, including Detroit, Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Lansing, Michigan. The market has also become a hub for community events, such as the Gaylord Summer Concert Series and the Otsego County Fair, which are supported by local businesses like Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau and Otsego County Chamber of Commerce.

Vendors_and_Products

The Gaylord Farmers Market features a diverse range of vendors, including local farmers like John Hanson of Hanson Farms and Tom Funke of Funke's Farm, as well as artisans like Sue Johnson of Sue's Crafts and Mark Smith of Mark's Woodworking. Visitors can find a wide variety of products, including fresh produce, meats, dairy products, baked goods, and handmade crafts, such as those sold by The Cheese Lady and Field & Fire Bakery. The market also offers a range of value-added products, such as jams and jellies from The Jam Kitchen and honey from Sleeping Bear Farms. Many of the vendors participate in programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which are supported by organizations like Feeding America and Food Bank Council of Michigan.

Location_and_Hours

The Gaylord Farmers Market is located in downtown Gaylord, Michigan, near the intersection of Main Street and Court Street. The market is open every Saturday from May to October, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, and on Wednesday evenings from June to August, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Visitors can park in the nearby Gaylord City Parking Lot or on the street, and can access the market via M-32 or I-75. The market is also within walking distance of several local hotels, including the Hampton Inn Gaylord and the Quality Inn Gaylord, which are popular with visitors from Chicago, Illinois and Cleveland, Ohio.

Community_Events

The Gaylord Farmers Market hosts a range of community events throughout the season, including the Gaylord Summer Concert Series, which features live music from local bands like The Petoskey Steel Drum Band and The Traverse City Jazz Orchestra. The market also hosts a variety of festivals, such as the Otsego County Fair and the Gaylord Oktoberfest, which are supported by local organizations like Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau and Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. Visitors can also participate in workshops and demonstrations, such as cooking classes with Chef Eric of The Cooks' House and gardening workshops with Master Gardener Sue Palombo. The market is a great place to meet local residents, including Gaylord Mayor Steve Baker and Otsego County Commissioner Ken Glasser, and to learn about community initiatives, such as the Gaylord Community Garden and the Otsego County Food Pantry, which are supported by organizations like United Way of Otsego County and Otsego County United Way. Category:Farmers' markets in the United States