Farm markets bursting with fresh fruits and vegetables

Article featured in July 2008 issue of All Around Kentucky
By Lindsey Coblentz

Fresh fruits and vegetables bursting with flavor and colorful blossoms are ripe for the picking at the 82 Kentucky Farm Bureau Certified Roadside Farm Markets located across the state.

There is something for everyone at these markets, with everything from mouthwatering peaches to festive Christmas trees available throughout a season that extends to the holidays at some locations. Entertainment for visitors of all ages is offered at some with hayrides and seasonal festivals scheduled in addition to food items to make each trip special.

One thing visitors will always find at a Kentucky Certified Roadside Farm Market is value, as a requirement of participation is that a majority of each market’s product must be produced locally.

That is a key ingredient in what makes the Kentucky Farm Bureau roadside market special, said Jeremy Hinton, who co-owns Hinton’s Orchard and Farm Market in Hodgenville with his wife Joanna. “We want to make sure we provide a fresh, quality product.”

Hinton, who has been a member of the program since opening the orchard in 2002, said the publicity Kentucky Farm Bureau gives its farm markets has kept his business booming at minimal expense to him and other participating operations.

“Farm Bureau publications go to a lot of people, and that gives us a lot of exposure,” he said, adding “there’s no way” he could afford the other promotional space that Kentucky Farm Bureau uses to publicize the program.

Sweet, crunchy apples, juicy peaches and festive pumpkins are currently the staples of the Hintons, who also offer homemade jellies and apple butter and are in the process of growing their merchandise.

“We’re trying to expand all the time. This is the first year we’ve had flowers and bedding plants,” he said.

The orchard is a hit with children during the autumn season. “We see 1,500 to 1,600 kids in the fall,” said Hinton.

Hayrides, a grain bin play area, and the ever popular corn maze keep youngsters flocking to Hinton’s every year.

In honor of the nationwide celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday 200 years ago near Hodgenville, this year’s maze will be a Lincoln penny. How is Hinton making the special bicentennial maze? “It’s a secret,” he said with a smile.

For Hinton, the farm market business is all about people. “There are a lot of really great people we get to work with everyday and get to see their kids grow up, and they get to watch our kids grow up. It’s a lot of fun.”

The newest addition to Kentucky Certified Roadside Markets is the Roadside Rewards program. Market visitors can pick up a rewards card at any of the certified markets throughout Kentucky and collect stamps to earn a free gift. For every $20 customers spend at a certified farm market, they will receive a stamp that can be redeemed after 10 stamps are collected.

“Quite a few folks have already turned in those cards, so we believe that it’s working,” said Jeff Harper, Kentucky Farm Bureau’s commodity director.

The Certified Roadside Farm Market program was started in 1996 to help Kentucky farmers in the transition from tobacco production to other sources of income.

“Kentucky agriculture is diversifying,” Harper said. “We believe that this program does provide producers a service.”

In striving to increase farm income, he said, consumers benefit from easier access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables and a pleasant excursion to a colorful world of flowers and fun.

Certified markets are listed in an annual directory brochure and distributed at state parks, tourist sites and other locations throughout the state. A map and information about each certified farm market are included to guide visitors to the market that is right for them.

For more information about Kentucky Certified Roadside Farm Markets or to request a brochure, contact Harper at roadside@kyfb.com or visit www.kyfb.com online and click on the Roadside Market link.