Strengthen Your Community through Volunteering

Six years ago, a group of volunteers decided to make a difference in our small town. We donated our time, talent and expertise to create a farmers market. It gives the community a chance to support local farmers and artisans and to enjoy healthy, fresh, local food and more!

The Wayne Farmers Market in Wayne, Nebraska, continues to be wildly successful through such innovative programs as "Yoga on the Green." Source: Heidi Claussen

From its earliest days the Wayne Farmers Market in Wayne, NE, has been community-driven. It developed slowly. Now every Thursday and Saturday you’ll find locally-grown produce, family-farm raised meat and eggs, honey, jams and jellies, artisanal bread, but that’s not all.

Through volunteer efforts, the market has been successful at also integrating cultural opportunities. Thanks to a talented musician in the community, folks can enjoy live music while shopping the market and connecting with friends and neighbors.

And how many markets can say they have “Yoga on the Green”? The Wayne Farmers Market can because of the generous volunteer efforts of three local yoga instructors. Each Saturday morning, community members and out-of-town visitors can come get their yoga on in a beautiful, outdoor setting.

The Wayne Farmers Market also hosts special events such as barbecues, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, fall celebrations, and more. All of these are again made possible by volunteers.

The core of the Center’s mission is to establish strong rural communities. By volunteering in our communities and engaging with our fellow community members, good things happen – even some surprises.

If you’re in the neighborhood, come to the Wayne Farmers Market on the lawn of the beautiful Wayne County Courthouse and check it out for yourself. Or better yet, share your volunteer stories with me. We’d love to feature you in one of our newsletters and on our website!

By Traci Bruckner, tracib@cfra.org