Market and More

We spent yesterday in Brattleboro, completing our work day for the Winter Farmers' Market. We rose early, arrived early, and stayed late. Although we won't be selling at the market until January, we wanted to get the work requirement out of the way and reconnoiter the market scene. The morning included greeting farmers, helping them unload their goods, and assisting with setup; the whole thing ran like a well-oiled machine. The afternoon, however, was the exact opposite. Liz and I were both tiring, and loading things back into vehicles proved to be a far more time-consuming and involved process, mostly due to the unfortunate parking situation at the River Garden. The venue sits at a busy intersection where parking is sparse and the curbside serves as a bus stop, so market participants have limited options for parking. But we managed to make it through, despite the dwindling thanks and random gestures of gratitude (which, for a few farmers, came across as a bitter sense of entitlement, as if we had just magically appeared to lug their belongings to and fro). There were 35 vendors in all—selling veggies, breads, baked goods, cheeses, jellies, clothing, jewelry, birdhouses, cast iron towel bars, soaps, hand-crafted wooden chairs, prepared foods, even kimchi (that is so good!), and more—and the place was packed with patrons. These photos were taken before the masses arrived:




One long and tiring day led to another, as we spent the majority of today at our warehouse space, getting as much done as possible between the two of us. We cleaned, affixed plastic sheeting to the walls of the incubation room, and even managed to erect a few walls. There's still so much more to do, but these small accomplishments help to spur us on.

Posing with the first wall

Incubation room—almost there

Some friends have offered to help us next weekend. We'll need it if we're going to have mushrooms to sell in December!