UT Extension and the Union County Farmers Market are at it once again, partnering to create healthier, more active lifestyles. Opening Day at the market will be Saturday, May 4 with a Cinco de Mayo theme – come prepared for some fun! Due to more construction at Heritage Park and the pavilion, the market will be located in the Union County High School student parking lot for the 2024 season. Following are some of the popular programs to look forward to once again this year.

Plant and Seed Share: yes, it’s back! Gardening is a great way to stay active, plus it provides healthy, fresh and beautiful plants to nourish both body and mind. Shannon DeWitt, UT Extension Director and Agriculture Agent, as well as Aurora Roberts, Master Gardener, will both be on hand at the opening market to answer gardening questions. All plants and seeds are FREE! We have generous gardeners that have too many plants; plants that need dividing, plants that are not getting enough sun, plants that are getting too much sun, plants they started from seed but have more than they need…generous gardeners. There are also gardeners that save seeds, some that order too many seeds…generous gardeners! Generally, gardeners just want their plants to find a new home where they will be loved so, join us, give some plants a new home and help Keep Union County Beautiful!

Nourish Moves: once again, we will be partnering with Nourish Knoxville to provide the market bucks that serve as an incentive to “walk the market”. Market Bucks can then be spent on fresh produce at the market – a win/win for both you and our farmers! This program seemed to foster a lot of community last year which the market loves as their slogan has always been “where our community meets”.

Nourish Kids: a kids and parents favorite as children ages 2-12 try farm fresh produce, participate in a fun and educational program and receive $5 in Produce Bucks for doing so! This program is also sponsored by Nourish Knoxville and will take place on opening day as well as the 3rd Saturday of each month. Our opening day program will be led by the FFA students at the high school and should be lots of fun! Each child participating will be taking home a plant to grow and….if you arrive at the right time, you might even get to participate in the pinata opening!

Farm Market Fresh: will resume later in the season! This is your chance to discover new recipes, maybe even try some produce that you have never experienced before. We’ll be looking forward to having you visit with us at the UT Extension booth.

In addition to these programs, the market will have themed days like the opening theme of Cinco de Mayo; special events like the Corn Festival; music and lots of other fun. Join us every Saturday, “Where our Community Meets”.