The Perry County Farmer’s Market is in its’ fifteenth season. 2019 has been another successful market season. Final accounting is not available but numbers through September show an increase in gross market sales over the 2018 season which was $61,000. Goals for the market is to increase market sales by 20% at the end of the 2020 season.

The market participates in the Senior Voucher Program and WIC, and through a Community Farm Alliance Grant, participates in the Double Dollars Program. The market also participates in the Carrot Cash program for children. These programs have returned more than $9000 to customers and $6000 to the vendors. This is up $2500 from last year representing a 71 % increase.

This market also has one of the highest Senior Voucher redemption rates in the state.

     It has 40 registered vendors and a regular vendor base of 23. All certified in Produce Best Practices (PBPT) by the Perry County Extension Service. It is the goal of the Farmer’s Market Board to increase regular vendors to 28 by the 2020 season.

     The Perry County Cooperative Extension Service is heavily involved in the Market. The County Extension Agent for Agricultural and Natural Resources conducted all the PBPT trainings, and is a six- year Board member. The Perry County Extension service also provides annual production training to Vegetable producers and makes regular farm visits to assist growers. Perry County Extension EFNEP and Snap-ED Assistances are regulars at the market conducting food demonstrations, teaching food safety and providing recipes which promotes consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

     The Perry County Farmer’s Market Board just recently wrote and received funding for a $100,000 USDA Rural Development Grant. This grant will be used to construct a permanent Farmer’s Market Pavilion in downtown Hazard. The Perry County Extension Services assisted with a $100,000 matching Agricultural Development Grant for the new pavilion. This grant was recommended for approval at the State Agricultural Development Board meeting in September. This pavilion will provide a permanent home for the market which will provide stability and ensure it continues providing a much needed service to Perry County residents by providing fresh wholesome locally grown fruit and vegetables and a market outlet for fruit and vegetable growers.