I love being a vendor at the Boulder Farmers Market…most of the time. I probably spend way too much time thinking about Saturdays, scanning the weather forecasts, and preparing product. I am in my 4th season and am now having fun with regular customers and enjoying meeting new ones.

Little by little I work to bring the business along to meet the needs of my community, listening to their wishes for locally made, clean products. Working with the plants in this way brings a lot of joy. Every week or so, I highlight what is new–my latest inspiration, my new product, a new branding step. My business is growing and that is awesome!

Meanwhile, back at home, there is much that happens. Gardens require regular maintenance, weeding and care. I am harvesting and drying plants, and every corner of the home is used to infuse herbs in oils and or store glass jars filled with herbs. Supplies are ordered, labels are being updated, and marketing and social media efforts are tended to.

There are times that the fun of being part of the market is dimmed by the harsh realities of the Friday night frenzy of organizing the boxes and products by the front door, setting the alarm and settling in for a restless sleep in which my head is thinking again of all that still might need to be done before I leave the house by 6:30-7AM.

A typical market day starts early. I appreciate all the help I can get from my family. I ask for help to drive down the center of 13th Street (yup, last year I lost my day’s earnings due to clipping the side mirror off the van that was double parked, and I was even being guided through). That was enough to shake my confidence. So, there is a basic flurry/frenzy that happens as we find our spot and quickly unload.

Tent set up is a bear. We muscle and wrestle with the different sides to lock it in to position and then squeeze it into place. If we are late arriving, it is extra difficult because the other vendors have theirs up and there is little wiggle room. We are tent to tent and there isn’t even an inch to work with most days.

Signage goes up next. I have a banner that goes on the top and front and then a large backdrop that provides pictures and story but also gives me a sense of protection in the back space.

Tables are unfolded, covered with table cloths and arranged so that the display area is high for customer comfort. The back table serves as a place for extra products and under the table is storage. Most things are packed in waterproof containers so in the event of the unpredictable Colorado weather, I can quickly get things packed away and kept dry.

The market gong goes off at 8AM.  Ready, set, go!  The entire day is an experience that can change dramatically if weather or other activities (e.g., concurrent art shows) occur.  What happens between those hours can be exhilarating, exhausting, intense, and quiet…. I run on sheer adrenaline and other peoples’ energy!   

The market gong signals the close of the day at 2PM, and you can usually see me running to the porta-potty at that time…

Breaking down the booth is relatively easy–much easier than getting the van through the other Farmers Market vehicles eager to pick up and head home. 

Overall, the market is the only place I could imagine being on Saturdays.  It is full of excitement and community. It defines my work at the moment. Every exchange with a potential customer is an opportunity for me to learn something new about myself or about the industry. It is alive, exciting and, best of all, a landing place to return to every week, checking in with my vendor neighbors and to deepen the resolve to support each other in tough times. Supporting local businesses and knowing the people behind it all is a ton of fun. 

And, when I come home and have unpacked, just give me a few moments of utter silence and feet over my head before asking anything of me. Phew!