Gathered & Growing
Etna’s Vibrant Farmers Market Makes Local Living Delicious…
A community that feeds itself is a community with pride and health,” explains Kyle Peterson, one of a core group that helped get the Etna Farmers Market off the ground in 2012. “People in Scott Valley take pride in farmers and self-sufficiency, and sharing food is a key part of the culture. There was always a joke floating around about not leaving your car window down in the middle of summer on Main Street because you might end up with a bag of zucchini on your front seat.” That communal food sensibility has extended to the market. “What’s happened is even a lot of backyard farmers participate. They’ve maybe decided there’s someone that grows better tomatoes, so they’ll get those from the market instead of growing them. Maybe their garlic didn’t do so well, so they’ll pick some up from the market. And there’s a lot to choose from. The first two markets of every season we focus on starts. Then we have root crops, soaps, honey, jams, jewelry, and baked goods. There are a couple of vendors that make scones and organic brownies. We have vinegars, spices, and granolas. We have vendors with pork, beef, lamb, and chicken. There are always garlic and onions. We get apples and peaches if the crops are good. And, we’re really known for having greens,” says former Market Manager Shirley Johnson.
Having local people buy local food reaps all kinds of tangible benefits throughout the community. “All of our producers and vendors use GMO-free seeds and grow their food naturally without pesticides. And one of the things that’s been my passion is to educate people on the increased nutritional value of locally-sourced food, and how much more energy you gain from eating a tomato that’s been grown in a local garden versus having it shipped, because when they’re shipped, they’re never picked ripe,” explains Johnson. There’s a proven financial boon as well. “Local dollars circulate seven times typically in a community. While if those dollars leave our area, they don’t come back at all,” explains Sheryl Wilkins, the current Market President.
Now in its 13th season, the market is thriving, thanks to the passionate contributions of its vendors and longtime organizers. “It’s a dedication to commit every Saturday of the summer. You have to believe and enjoy it that much,” says Wilkins. The commitment has evidently paid off. “As the manager for all these years, people often come up and ask me questions. I’ve learned that there are many people who come from Weed, Dunsmuir and Yreka because they’ve heard through the grapevine that this is the best market in Siskiyou County. It’s really become something of a destination,” says Johnson. But, as Wilkins helps takes the reigns of leadership this year, she adds they’re always looking for ways to build, train and encourage when it comes to encouraging the local market. “A lot of us (producers) are limited either in land size or by other factors, so we always need more food. And that doesn’t mean just being able to provide more food, it’s helping our producers grow, and helping the home gardener realize that they can do it too.”
Peterson stresses the ongoing importance of the market’s presence. “There’s a growing number of people who don’t have either the time, space, or knowledge to grow and put up their own food. And without access to locally-grown produce, they have to rely on the industrial agricultural system to feed themselves and their families. That comes with costs to health, both from exposure to pesticides and highly-processed foods. I believe it also comes with costs to the fabric of the community because breaking bread together is what community is about. And, going to a local farmers market is a moment in time where people congregate to exchange food as well as news and knowledge.”
Wilkins expresses excitement about where the Etna Farmers’ Market is headed. “Going forward, we have identified that this is an important social event for a lot of our community. And, I think taking what we do, where we continue to provide good local food, a strong social environment and entertainment, and just growing those elements into an even bigger community hub. That would be my vision.” •
Saturdays 10am-noon, May 24th—Sept 27, 2025. etnafarmersmarket.org
