National Farmers Market Week, observed this year from August 3–9, 2025, is a time to recognize the vital role farmers’ markets play in supporting local agriculture, improving community health, and strengthening rural economies. Here in Clay County, the Clay County Farmers Market has become more than a place to buy fresh produce; it’s a community gathering point, a hub of local culture, and a bridge between neighbors and the farmers who feed them.
Located on the Hayesville Square at 25 Herbert Street, the market operates each Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May through September. Every week, vendors offer a wide selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, and more. By shopping at the Clay County Farmers Market, customers directly support local farm families and small-scale producers, keeping money circulating in the local economy. Studies show that farmers’ markets return more than three times as much money to the local economy compared to chain retailers, and every million dollars in direct sales creates approximately 13 full-time farm operator jobs.
In addition to the economic benefits, shopping local also means eating food that is fresher, more nutritious, and often grown using sustainable practices. Produce sold at farmers’ markets is typically harvested within a day or two of the market, meaning it retains more nutrients and flavor than items that have traveled long distances. Local food also has a smaller environmental footprint, requiring fewer resources for transportation and refrigeration. Supporting nearby farms helps preserve open space, maintain scenic landscapes, and encourage responsible land stewardship.
Farmers’ markets also provide a space for community engagement. They offer the opportunity to build relationships with the people who grow your food, ask questions about production methods, and learn about seasonal eating. Many shoppers come not just to buy groceries, but to catch up with neighbors, listen to music, or bring children to explore. This sense of community is one of the most valuable, and sometimes overlooked, benefits of shopping local.
The Clay County Farmers Market is a reflection of our agricultural heritage and the strength of our rural community. It’s supported by the Clay County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension, whose mission is to provide research-based education and outreach to improve the lives of North Carolinians, as well as Babe’s Corner Store and Clay County Government. During National Farmers Market Week, we invite everyone, residents, visitors, and supporters of local food systems, to stop by the market, meet the farmers, and be a part of something that’s rooted in tradition and growing toward the future. For more information on the market or becoming a vendor, visit our website.
