When longtime gardener and homesteader Jesse Johnson came across a YouTube video about starting a farmers market, she was struck with an idea. Her city, Everson, didn’t have a farmers market, despite being surrounded by farms that sold their wares in Bellingham and Lynden. Johnson asked around, and after receiving positive feedback from her neighbors and other locals she jumped in, investing her own money, and the EN Valley Farmer’s Market opened in June of 2022.
“That first year was fun, we learned a lot. And it was very, very small. There were quite a few weeks where it was actually just me, and then a couple weeks where we didn’t have produce.” Johnson says. “My one supporting farmer that year was Savannah [Flynn] at Flynn Farms … that was the only veg we had.”
There’s only one grocery store in central Everson—Johnson worked there when the market first opened in 2022 and the lack of produce available was noticeable. The only farmers markets in Whatcom County were too far for some Everson locals to get to. Johnson saw the farmers market as a place to fill the food deficits she observed in town.
Katy Gormley, the owner of Toad Lake Homestead and one of the first vendors to join the EN Valley Famer’s Market in 2022, offered to help when she realized Johnson was running the market all on her own. Katy helped bring in sponsorships and other forms of support from the community, which helped pay for signage, growth of the market year after year, and generally made Johnson’s life easier.
Photograph by Ellie Coberly
“Katy is the one that got us business sponsors to start, which I would have never had the bravery to do myself. I’m like I’ll do it myself; we’ll just suffer. She really took us to the next step,” Johnson says. The market is not a nonprofit yet, but they’re working to become one.
The EN Valley Farmer’s Market is unique; alongside their regular market vendors with fresh produce and handmade items, each week of the month hosts its own theme. The first week is a wellness market, highlighting vendors focused on self care and support of a healthy lifestyle.
Week two is for young entrepreneurs, where kids are encouraged to come gain experience and confidence with their own businesses. Vendor spots are restricted to young people under 18 who want to sell their paintings or crafts and get a feel for the market, and prices vary but are usually pretty low.
Week three is an art walk day, giving artists a regular opportunity to shine. Artists are encouraged to come and sell their work, and the market acts as a large gallery for those attending. The art walk started as an annual day, but it was so popular that it’s now held once a month.
The fourth week promises live music to serenade guests as they shop or eat lunch from the weekly food truck. The market invites buskers and artists to play throughout the day in the Everson park gazebo, which adds to the ambiance and welcoming vibe of the farmer’s market environment. It’s a lively and fun-filled day, accompanied by lovely local tunes.
Photograph by Ellie Coberly
Over time the market has grown to include several full-time farms and a variety of local artisans of all skills and ages. This year they have three farms committed to attending the market every week: Sunset Farms, Broad Leaf Farm, and Lone Willow Farm. They also have a local grass-fed beef farmer coming on the first Sunday of each month and a local fisherman with his Alaskan catch starting a monthly appearance in late July. The market is approved for SNAP and EBT, as well as WIC and the Senior Farmers Market Nutritional Supplementation Program (Senior FMNSP).
“The EN Valley Farmer’s Market is truly a heartfelt grassroots effort between two hardworking, passionate young moms, whose friendship has grown to make a blossoming and successful farmers market for all to enjoy,” Katy says.
The EN Farmers Market is held at Everson Park May through September, every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 201-205 Lincoln St., Everson, envalleyfarmersmarket@gmail.com, facebook.com/people/E-N-Valley-Farmers-Market
