Farmers’ Market in Medina will highlight local participating farms this Saturday

MEDINA – The Canal Village Farmers’ Market will have a special feature on Saturday, as they celebrate the family farms who have supported them.

Earlier this month, market manager Gail Miller was trying to figure out how to celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week.

“I wanted to make our market celebration a celebration of the farmers that make up the farmers’ market,” Miller said. “I thought of my own farm history. It was such hard work every day, but my siblings and I remember the fun we had picking cherries with classmates, while WKBW played on the radio, and the long walks in the orchards. I remembered going to the large Buffalo market at 2 a.m. with my father. My family often talks about growing up on the farm, and I thought it would be nice to find out about the history of the market’s farmers.”

Miller knew several of the farms, but wanted to share the history of all the farmers at the market.

“Many friends fondly recall their experiences on family farms, and I hope this will bring back memories for them, as well as allow people who are unfamiliar with farms a chance to get a glimpse of farm life,” Miller said. “It is important to celebrate the farms and farmers who grow our food.”

At the market this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a few antique farming implements on display from the Medina Historical Society, Miller’s family farm and another vendor’s father who collects farming equipment. There will also be old pictures and books on display, with a short summary of each farmer’s history on their tables.

There will also be picture opportunities and a chance to speak with the farmers, who will include Baker Farm, Human Farms and Greenhouse, Bower Family Farm and Greenhouse and Rosario Farm, a first-generation farm. History will also be available on Miller’s family farm, the Herbst Farm, and the Larry Jantzi family farm.

“It is my hope that people coming to the market will see that many farms and farmers have been working their farms for a few generations,” Miller said. “Also, that they will note that all of the farms are very local in Orleans and Niagara counties. Hopefully, market visitors will find the displays interesting and educational – showing how labor intensive farming was and continues to be. There is such a rich history of farming in our two counties.”

There will also be a game on Saturday for kids to identify some historical items found at the market.

The Canal Village Farmers’ Market is located at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue.