Category: Uncategorized

Ashe County Farmers Market is excited to announce that the market will open for the season on Saturday, April 8th for Easter Weekend.  Market hours are 8 am until 1 pm.   More to come about opening day!

The Ashe County Farmers Market (ACFM) annual arts and crafts jurying process is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 at the Ashe County Library at 148 Library Road. The jurying will take place in the downstairs community room.

Existing market vendors with new crafts that have not been juried and potential new vendors interesting in joining the Market for the purpose of selling any arts and crafts are asked to drop off samples of their finished products for review between 9:15 am and 10:00 am on March 14 in the Community Room at the Ashe County Library. Samples will not be accepted for review after 10:00 am. In addition to samples of their work, the artists should bring examples of their display setup or photos of their display. Samples must be picked up following the review process between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm the same day, at which time a determination will be available. All decisions are final.

In addition to presenting arts and craft samples, participants are required to complete and submit the ACFM Arts and Crafts Jurying Form. Each item being presented should be listed separately on the form. The form may be downloaded from the website at www.ashefarmersmarket.com under vendor forms or email [email protected] and a form can be emailed to you.

The Ashe County Farmers Market opens for the 2023 season on Saturday, April 8th at 8 am.

For more information, please contact Market Manager Carol Griffith at [email protected] or (336) 588-0348.

Join us starting Saturday, November 19 at the Ashe County Farmers Market to kick off our Annual Holiday Markets. 3 markets to follow on Friday, November 25, Saturday, November 26 and the final market will be held on Saturday, December 3. Special Hours are 10 am until 2 pm. We have holiday decorating items such as fresh garland, wreaths, arrangements, ornaments, woodwork, fiber arts, quilts, soaps, and candles. We will also have fresh baked goods, meats, sweet potatoes, potatoes, fresh greens, local honey, maple syrup, doggie treats, teas, etc.

We are located in the heart of downtown West Jefferson on 108 Backstreet and the event will take place rain, shine or snow under our market shelter. Parking is available along the backstreet and also in the grassy area in front of First Baptist Church. It is an easy walk from the stores and eateries that line Jefferson Avenue.

We look forward to seeing you at the Holiday Markets!

Events will start at 10 am and will run until the close of the market at 1 pm. Hope to see you there!

2022 Vendor Registration is now open for Ashe County Farmers Market. Please fill out vendor registration form, produce/nursery form, organic declaration if applicable and mail forms along with check to the following address:

ACFM, PO Box 21, Jefferson, NC 28640, Attn: Carol Griffith

Forms and Checks are due by Friday, March 18th

All forms can be found on this website under the Vendor Tab.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

The Annual Ashe County Farmers Market craft jury will be held on Thursday, March 24th at the Ashe County Cooperative Extension conference room. All items to be juried should be dropped off between 8:00 – 9:30. For more detailed information and jury forms, please contact Carol Griffith at [email protected]

 Statement
“Ashe County Farmers Market is where residents and visitors connect directly with local farmers and artisans to bring fresh, nutritious food and artisan crafts to the community in a vibrant welcoming atmosphere reflective of the mountain culture.”

Vision Statement
“Sustaining our cherished mountain traditions of small family farms and artisan crafts while welcoming all the possibilities of our evolving community by embracing an entrepreneurial spirit and our enduring commitment to our community and one another.”

Core Values
• Quality/Fresh: We bring fresh nutritious food and artisan crafts to the community reflective of the mountain region, made with care and thoughtfulness, with high quality in mind first to meet the high standards of our customers.
• Local: Promoting local farmers, artisans and the mountain tradition that make their products unique. We accomplish this by developing, mentoring, and encouraging existing and future local farmers and crafters.
• Fun: Foster a climate that engages the vendors and visitors of all ages through personal interaction, educational activities, and special events.
• Sustainability: Provide a venue for local farmers and artisans to sell their products and provide high quality foods and crafts in an eco-friendly manner.
• Welcoming, Friendliness: farmers, artisans and customers celebrate a vibrant market environment and are inclusive of all people.
• Community Connectedness: Develop a community among farmers, artisans and the public that addresses their wants and needs and provide an avenue to access nutrition and products that are not normally found elsewhere.

Strategic Priority 1: Provide creative solutions and a structured plan to communicate to our customers prior to and during the market.
Objectives
• Connect vendor products to the customer
• Connect market functions/activities to the customer
• Connect market to locals to increase community participation
• Connect nutritional benefits to our customers

Strategic Priority 2: Promote vendor sustainability through programs that support vendor success and satisfaction
Objectives
• Identify opportunities to increase vendor success through increased income
• Identity products and vendors needed to expand the diversity of products
provided at the market
• Develop processes that support vendor retention

Strategic Priority 3: Engage with the key entities within the community to positively influence the benefits the market provides.
Objectives
• Work with various farming programs/business leaders to promote the market • Work and promote key youth agricultural and artisan programs within the community
• Expanding the availability of produce to other parts of the county

Strategic Priority 4: Develop a governance structure and facilities plan that support our mission and vision
Objectives
• Review and modify the governance structure as necessary to be supportive,
flexible, and fluid to meet the direction the market is growing
• Offer a facility environment that is clean, fun, welcoming, and inclusive meeting the future needs of vendors and the growing demand of customers