The Milledgeville Farmer’s Market is a fun and interactive event that occurs the first and third Friday of each month and has lots of fresh organic produce, handmade crafts and live music for anyone to enjoy. 

There are many different vendors there selling a variety of goods, ranging from jams and jellies to goat milk soap and even fresh fruit popsicles. There is something for everyone and all the vendors are more than happy to talk about their work and their farms. 

“We collaborate, help each other,” Andrea Perkins from Unity Grove Farm. “Not just in selling products but in doing the things that farmers need to do. There is a lot of back and forth in help, which is really what a wonderful community is all about.” 

“It’s a good place,” said Alan Carr from Bone Creek Farms. “Lots of friendly people. The college is very supportive of the market and the locals also. So, it’s really good.” 

Establishing a strong community is something very important to feel connected and be able to help each other. Unfortunately, the Milledgeville Farmer’s Market has had its troubles in the past, where they were unable to host it. 

“It took a minute to come back with COVID,” said Luke Opperman, one of the organizers and vendors of the market. “I’m really happy that several people who are here and have been regulars for this last year are new in the area.” 

Another issue with reestablishing the Farmer’s Market was finding vendors to apply and take the time to come out to it. 

Debbie Waugh, another organizer for the Farmer’s Market, takes great pride in being able to provide fresh produce to the people of Milledgeville and is working hard to ensure all the vendors are able to come together. She said that there are no vendor fees, and that they provide bathrooms, electricity and water.

“Appreciate Debbie so much, for knocking on doors and finding people who are willing to come out on good days and rainy days,” said Opperman. “It takes some digging.”

Many of the vendors they have been farming and crafting as a side hustle and enjoy now being able to get out with the community. 

“We bought our farm in 2016, and we’ve been doing these things [making jam and honey] since then,” said Perkins. “We did it in our retirement. We work now harder than we did beforehand. We named our farm Unity Grove Farm because that’s what we’re striving to build in our community is unity.” 

Some of the vendors will be hosting their own events, such as Unity Grove Farm hosting hayrides every weekend for October, or the Caruso Candle Company, which is partnering with the local nonprofit arts organization, Allied Arts, for a candlemaking class. 

To get fresh produce or just enjoy an afternoon out, the Milledgeville Farmer’s Market is the place to be. They will continue to host on 22 East Hancock Street until the first Friday in November, then plan to be back again the following spring.