Area farmers are working to sow interest in a farmers' market, which is slated to open in April at the Walker County Agricultural Center in Rock Spring.

The market will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon.

“It will be for farmers from Walker, Dade, Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon, Whitfield, Catoosa, Hamilton, Jackson and DeKalb counties,” said David Matteson, Walker County Young Farmers advisor. “This includes all the counties surrounding Walker. If they don’t live in those areas, then they cannot sell.”

Matteson, through an informal poll, found 40 farmers interested in participating in the market, he said.

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Matteson expects all types of vegetables, melons, homegrown eggs, plants, flowers, shrubbery and other locally grown produce will be available, he said.

“We are proposing to organize a co-op with a board of directors and incorporate it,” Matteson said. “The proposal is $20 per member per year. We also will charge $10 per (vendor) space (rental) each time they come.”

Georgia law requires farmers participating in the market get a licensed permit to sell their produce.

“This is really a federal initiative through Limestone Valley Rural Conservation and Development,” Matteson said. “Walker County is a member of the 14 counties in Limestone Valley. They are trying to get us a $10,000 grant for advertising and promotions to get started.”

Doug Kay oversees Limestone Valley RDC and is the contact person for the young farmers.

Walker County Young Farmers is also working with the National Conservation Resource Service in LaFayette and will be working with all the extension services in all surrounding counties.

“One of the things that we want to do is work with agriculture education teachers to allow Future Farmers of America students to market their produce,” he said. “This would give them an avenue that they don’t have. FFA members and 4-H members can join for free and just pay $10 (vendor space rental) to sell.”

Walker Young Farmers

Contrary to the name, the average age of a Walker County Young Farmer is 57.

“Our membership runs from ages 19 to 80, and they have to be a high school graduate to be a member,” Matteson said. “We have educational meetings on agricultural issues and technology issues that affect farming.

I have been teaching them how to survive today, because everything changes so fast,” he said.

Local Young Farmer President Karen Bradley, Vice President James Burton, Secretary-Treasurer Mike Peppers and public relations official Thomas Fricks raise cattle.

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For more information on joining the Walker County farmers' market or joining the Georgia Young Farmers Association, call David Matteson at (706) 638-7739.

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Normally the group meets at the LaFayette High School, but met on Wednesday, July 14, at the Ag Center to envision the farmers' market.

Wendy Crager explained how Cotton Mill Farmers’ Market in Carrollton has succeeded and offered tips to ensure the Walker market harvests public support.

Walker Young Farmers has 120 members, and the county itself has 400 farmers, he said.

“I work with about 150 farmers, not just in Walker County,” Matteson said. “There are 54 chapters across the state apart of the Georgia Young Farmers Association, with about 3,850 members total.”

The organization aims to provide farmers with a market for their produce, to bolster the agriculture industry and to offer consumers better quality, local produce