Marshall County, Kentucky, is a rural community rich with hardworking farmers and innovative entrepreneurs. However, for years, these producers lacked a proper venue to market their goods. The Marshall County Farmers Market operated out of the Extension Office parking lot—a temporary setup that limited visibility, accessibility, and vendor participation. By the end of the 2024 season, only a handful of consistent vendors remained.

That all began to change in 2022, when the Marshall County Extension Office purchased a new property—ten acres of potential just waiting to be realized. With the support of the Marshall County District Board, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Nikki Rhein took bold action. She applied for a Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy grant to construct a dedicated farmers market pavilion as part of the property's renovation. The proposal was successful, securing approximately $186,000 in cost-share funding for the new facility.

Construction of the pavilion was completed at the close of the 2024 market season—just in time for a fresh start.

The 2025 season will be the first in the new location, and the excitement is already palpable. Interest among vendors has surged, with a remarkable 280% increase in attendance at the market planning meeting compared to the previous year. The new facility promises not only to improve vendor visibility and community access, but to breathe new life into the local economy.

Nikki Rhein looks forward to the long-term impact this investment will have—helping farmers and small businesses thrive, strengthening community ties, and turning Marshall County’s farmers market into a model for rural revitalization.