EVERYDAY HERO

Bob Shepherd has been organizing and managing the Washington Farmers Market since 1988.

Originally, the Farmers Market was organized by the Chamber of Commerce. Shepherd asked the chamber if he could take charge in organizing the event, and the chamber said yes.

At that point, he changed it to Thursdays and moved it to the square.

Shepherd said the atmosphere of the square is conducive to the event, and during the summer, the trees keep the area cool.

The businesses around the square were, and still are, supportive of the event, Shepherd said.

The first market Shepherd organized had six vendors, four growers and two bakers.

By the third market it grew to 16.

Everything at the market is baked or grown by the sellers and completely local.

There has been a mix of vendors throughout the years, with some new people every year but many regulars. Shepherd said there is one grower left of the original six.

New vendors bring new products.

Over the years, the market has added a variety of crafts and baking. This year a popular item was homemade face masks.

The produce selection has grown and changed, Shepherd said people are now able to know what type of tomato or sweet corn they want.

Shepherd said the market has developed into a group effort, with the advisory committee helping to add different features such as food trucks every week, representatives from Wooden Wheel giving samples and an enhance social media presence.

For vendors, the fee is small and not determined by the amount of product.

Shepherd said the market wants to remain a source for people to try different things and socialize with their fellow community members.

Though this year was a little different, Shepherd said they had a great turnout, and he is looking forward to it becoming the social event it has been in the past.