Recently the Union County Farmers Market held a winter market in the Maynardville Elementary School gymnasium.
Although winter is the “off season” for most of our local farmers, there was still a large turnout of vendors. Unfortunately, the customer turnout was dismal.
However, those who missed out on this event will have the opportunity to catch the spring Farmers Market on March 18 at the Union County Farmers Market Pavilion.
Despite the lack of fresh produce at the winter market, there was still plenty of shopping to be done. There was a multitude of delicious eateries and crafts, including fresh beef, honey products, bread and canned goodies. There were also some fresh young faces who will become a regular presence in the summer during the regular farmers market season.
One of these new vendors was seven-year-old entrepreneur, Lauviah, with “Queen Bee’s Slime.”
Lauviah is the daughter of the farmers market resident chef, Mama Lana. Following in her mother’s footsteps (Mama Lana sold painted pet rocks door to door when she was seven), Lauviah has created her first business with homemade slimes.
After working hard to perfect her slime recipe, Lauviah has created an entire line of bright and sparkly slimes that come in an array of sizes with optional add-ins.
Her slime creations range in price from $1 to $5, so that her customers can afford them. “My customers are mostly kids and they don’t have a lot of money.”
Alongside Lauviah was another young entrepreneur, seventeen-year-old Samuel. He was selling his artisanal, hand-carved walking sticks alongside his father, Lee Helton. His father is a blacksmith and woodworker who sells beautifully made knives and custom woodwork at local events but plans to keep a booth during the summer.
You can find Lee and Samuel at the next Farmers Market with an array of woodwork, walking sticks and hand forged knives.
In addition to these young business savvy kids was an array of locals, including HomeTown Shack, Mamma’s Queen Beez, G&G Farms, Southern Sour, Seven Springs Farm to Table, U.T. Extension, Staff EZ and East TN Crafting.
Everything from delicious pickles and fresh eggs to cake pops, honey-based products, goat’s milk soap, jewelry, custom tumblers, baby blankets, high quality hand carved pens and fresh bagels were available at this market.
The UT Extension Office also had a booth with free informational pamphlets on gardening. Extension agent Alyshia Victoria had her table full of free products that she was giving away. Some of her free goodies included tomato and cucumber seeds, veggie scrubbers, hand sanitizer and measuring cups.

If you missed out, be sure to catch the next Farmers Market on March 18. There will be more vendors, fresh eggs, bread, crafts and some early spring veggies at the event. Don’t miss out!
Follow the Union County Farmers Market on Facebook to keep up with local events at https://www.facebook.com/UnionCountyFarmersMarket.
Many vendors have their products available during the off season through the farmers markets online market. To place an order or browse, visit the online market website at https://www.unioncofarmersmarket.com/.