Out & About: Vershire joins Upper Valley communities with farmers markets

By LIZ SAUCHELLI

Valley News Staff Writer

Published: 05-03-2024 5:30 PM

Vershire is the latest Upper Valley community to establish a farmers market.

The Vershire Artisan & Farmers’ Market will begin Sunday, May 19 and take place every week from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. through Sept. 15 outside Vershire Town Center, located at 27 Vershire Center Road. More information, including a list of vendors, can be found at vafm.mailchimpsites.com/.

Lucas Daniels, a Vershire resident who owns Broken Shovel Farm with his wife, Meg, came up with the idea for the market and has been leading the organization efforts. Daniels, who is also on the board of the nearby Chelsea Farmers Market, thought Vershire could help fill a need. Chelsea’s market, for example, takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. on Fridays.

“There’s a scarcity of Sunday markets and the concept has been pretty well received locally,” Daniels said in an interview. He noted that people on weekend trips often drive through Vershire on Route 113 and the farmers market’s location off the busy state highway could entice visitors.

The Vershire market will be hosted under the umbrella of VerShare, a nonprofit organization that supports community programs throughout town, and will be entirely run by volunteers. In launching the market, Daniels has received guidance from the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, or NOFA-VT, and connected with other farmers market organizers who have provided valuable advice.

“It’s been daunting, but there are a lot of resources that Vermont makes available,” Daniels said.

So far, 15 vendors have signed up. Daniels is particularly excited about featuring Vershire businesses, including Goat Ridge Hemp, which sells hemp and CBD products, and Copper Blossom Farm, which sells flowers, herbs and vegetables.

“We’re encouraging of vendors who are just starting out,” he said. “To be able to draw some of these local businesses and encourage newer business owners means a lot to me.”

Upper Valley Farmers Markets

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Email additions and updates to calendar@vnews.com.

Canaan: Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 19 through Oct. 6, Town Common, 7 On the Common Lane (intersection of Routes 4 and 118). Facebook: “Canaan Farmers and Artisans’ Market” or nhcanaanmarket@gmail.com.

Chelsea: Fridays, 3 to 6 p.m., May 24 through Oct. 11, North Common, Route 110 and Route 113. chelseafarmersmarket.org.

Enfield:Second and fourth Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 11 through Oct. 12, Huse Park, 308 Route 4. enfield.nh.us/parks-recreation.

Hartland: Fridays, 4 to 6:30 p.m., May 31 through June 28 and Sept 6. through 27; Fridays, 4 to 7 p.m. July 5 through Aug. 30. Hartland Public Library fields, 153 Route 5. hartlandfarmersmarket.com.

Lebanon: Thursdays, 4 to 7 p.m., May 16 through Sept. 26, Colburn Park, 51 N. Park St. lebanonfarmersmarket.org.

Newport:Fridays, 3 to 6 p.m., May 24 through Sept. 27, Town Common, North Main Street. newportfarmersmarketnh.com or 603-304-8328.

Norwich: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 4 through Oct. 26, 281 Route 5. norwichfarmersmarket.org.

Sunapee: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, May 25 through Aug. 31, Ben Mere Park, Lake Avenue and Burkehaven Hill Road. sunapeefarmersmarket.com.

Vershire: Sundays, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., May 19 through Sept. 15, Town Center, 27 Vershire Center Road. vafm.mailchimpsites.com.

West Hartford: Tuesdays, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., June 11 through Sept. 10, West Hartford Library, 5133 Route 14. 802-295-7992.

Woodstock: Wednesdays, 3 to 6 p.m., June 5 through Oct. 16, Woodstock Green, Route 4. woodstockvt.com/events/market-on-the-green.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.