Late spring through early fall is often considered farmers market season. Some people travel for miles to check out different markets, and others are lucky enough to have one located in their hometown.
Folks in the Missouri Valley, Iowa, area are now going to have twice as many shopping options, as their community will be the home to two farmers markets. Located on U.S. 30 between Logan and Missouri Valley, they can find the Welcome Center Farmers Market, which has been around for almost two decades. New this year is the Missouri Valley Gathering Market, which is conveniently located in the Missouri Valley City Park and will be open the third Saturday of each month, starting in May.
“We currently have a small farmers market that runs on Thursday evenings, and that is why we didn't want this one to be named the same thing,” said Aneitah Garmann, president of the City Parks Board and assistant to the farmers market manager. “Plus, we intend for this one to grow into something much bigger over time. Many folks have said that it's difficult for them to make it to the Thursday market, so hopefully with another one on Saturdays, we will be able to service more of the community.”
The idea for a new farmers market got casually tossed around among the members of the Missouri Valley Parks Advisory Board in December 2024.
“Myself, along with a few others on the board, love plants and gardening,” said Aneitah. “It just seemed like a no-brainer to look into a Saturday farmer's market that the Parks Board could run.”
However, the logistics were more challenging. First, they sought approval from the Missouri Valley City Council to be able to start the market. Next, they had to figure out how to route the funds.
“The City has agreed to let us use their bank account as a line item in the Parks Board budget, but going forward, we intend to have a 501(c)(3) in place,” said Aneitah. “Now, we are working on the branding, marketing, and training. We have a lot of work ahead, but we will get there.”
Because of ambitious board members and the right connections, they secured grant funding, as well as formed a relationship with the Center for Rural Affairs. Center staff have been able to assist the fledgling market by providing vendor and manager training, technical support and resources.
“The Center has been fantastic to work with so far,” said Aneitah. “The fact that we have an advocate that works so closely with us is such an incredible asset to being able to make this happen.”
Deborah Solie, senior project associate with the Center, has been assisting with the market’s creation over the last few months.
“It’s been exciting to work alongside the Missouri Valley team as they build a market that reflects their community’s needs and energy,” said Solie. “This kind of local leadership is what makes these efforts successful.”
To stand out from other markets, they want to go beyond offering produce and crafts and eventually would like to introduce a flea-market type atmosphere where a person could go to find something different every week. Eventually, the market will include children's events, all-ages educational events, hands-on crafting, and more.
Located in Missouri Valley’s largest park, the market will have a covered area for vendors who don't have a tent. This space will also serve as extra seating for the food vendors they eventually hope to bring in. It also features a covered gazebo for musicians, as well as buildings that could be used in case of bad weather.
The market is shaping up to be a family-friendly event. The biggest children's park in town is right next door. They hope to team up with Watson Station, a 100-foot long replica of an old-time small town railroad depot, so that they will be open and running every time the market is going. As the market becomes more established, there will also be music entertainment and food trucks.
“We will be approaching local businesses in our community to see if they would like to participate with booths or other ideas as well,” said Aneitah. “We want to include all involved that want to be involved.”
Currently, they are recruiting vendors that sell produce, herbs, plants, crafts, etc., and the handful of markets they have planned for this season will be free to vend at. Also, they plan to invite the current vendors of the Welcome Center Farmers Market to sell at the Missouri Valley Gathering Market.
“We have said all along, and still stand by it, that we won’t ever compete with that market,” said Aneitah. “We hope to simply be an extension of it. We will help promote theirs as well as we hope they intend to reciprocate with us.”
Starting out, the market will accept cash, local checks, and whatever methods each vendor is already set up for. In the future, they hope to accept Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Eventually, they plan to set up a Missouri Valley local shops voucher program to help generate extra business for local community shops.
“We hope that more folks will be able to take advantage of being able to buy good, wholesome local produce and get to know their community farmers,” said Aneitah. “Not to mention the 'community gathering' part of the market—hopefully it will become something that people begin to look forward to.”
As the inaugural season of the market draws nearer, Aneitah would love to see the market become a mark on the map for Missouri Valley and attract people to town who haven’t been there before.
“Bottom line, we want the Missouri Valley Gathering Market to be just that: a place to gather; a place to find good food, great homemade items, and a community that welcomes everyone, supports local makers, and brings neighbors together in joy, creativity, and connection,” Aneitah said.
The Missouri Valley Gathering Market will open the third Saturday morning of each month, starting May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Missouri Valley City Park, 800 W. Huron St.
Funding for this publication was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.
To learn more about our work with farmers markets, visit cfra.org/farmersmarkets.
