Marshall County Kentucky is a small rural community filled with farmers and entrepreneurs but lacked an appropriate venue for them to successfully market their products. The Marshall County Farmers Market was held in the Extension Office parking lot. Due to the lack of a proper facility, the market struggled. At the end of 2024 there were only a few consistent vendors at the market. 

In 2022, the Marshall County Extension Office purchased a "new to them" facility that they later remodeled. The new property included around 10 acres of land. This land provided a new opportunity for growth. With the Marshall County District boards blessing, ANR Agent Nikki Rhein pursued a KY Office of Ag. Policy grant for a farmers market structure to be built during the new Extension property remodel. The Marshall County Extension Office was rewarded a cost share grant for approximately $186,000 to help build the facility. The pavilion construction was completed after the close of the market season in 2024. 

2025 will mark the first season at the new farmers market. There has been a surge of new vendors interested in selling at the facility. In fact, there was a 280% increase in vendor participation at the market planning meeting than the previous year. Nikki cannot wait to see the long term impact the facility will have on this community and its farmers/small businesses.