In July 2016, the Webster County Farmers’ Market was established and opened under the name “Webster County Farmers’ Market #1WC”. Over the past two years, the market has had as many as 11 paid vendors that provided locally grown fruits and vegetables, value added products and beef, pork and poultry cuts of meats to many patrons. 

Webster County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources led the task of organizing and opening the market. Since the markets inception, the ANR agent has served as market manager and offered various trainings for vendors.

According to results of an on-line social media survey and a paper survey given at the market, customers identified the need to expand the market to multiple days and multiple locations within the county. Webster County Extension organized meetings with vendors, community partners, and elected officials to evaluate the potential for market expansion and the requirements to be able to expand and continue to be successful. In 2018, the market was approved for SNAP Senior Voucher program and to accept SNAP/EBT cards. This allowed market vendors and Cooperative Extension the opportunity to meet the needs of an under-served audience in Webster County. The Webster County Farmers’ Market also expanded its hours of operation to three days each week and three different locations. This expansion has given vendors more opportunities to sell their products and given Extension the opportunity to offer programs at the market to new audiences. 

The Webster County Cooperative Extension Service has been a vital part of the establishment and expansion of the farmers market.