The Great Santa Rosa Farmer's Market Controversy

I am so proud of my family.

My parents sole means of providing for themselves and their family is by selling their local honey and seasonal fruits and vegetables at these farmers markets. Being honest, and hard-working farmers are their only jobs.

They don't cheat farming whatsoever. They don't buy any products from outside farms. They don't use ANY type of chemical or pesticide to get rid of bugs. They don't feed their bees "sugary water" in place of real nectar from local flowers to produce honey. Raising bees is a 3rd generation deal. My dad and mother slave away in their farm everyday. On Fridays, before the weekend markets, they have stayed up until midnight or later getting things ready. And waking up early to beat the first few customers.

I also love the integrity of the Certified Santa Rosa Market. These vendors have worked as hard as my parents to bring these products for their customers for over 45 years. I love helping my family and seeing our regular customers, meeting new ones, and seeing our friends that are fellow vendors.

I recently heard that Paula is retiring this year. I am so thankful for the markets she has help build. She has delt with so much, keeping a balance between farmers and customer needs is not an easy job.

The original market feels alive to me still, even if it's at the new location. The music, the people, the food, and the vendors. I am proud to be a part of a group of farmers that decided to stick together, and continue the treasure of a market they have built.

The other market now sits at our old location, where we spent years of giving that place it's character. But they figured out a way to pay the high fees, and are trying to give chance to more farmers to sell where they think they feel is best. Good luck to them. In my opinion, it would serve customers ultimately best if they didn't have to choose where their faith lies, but instead have the original market on its original day of Saturday, and the new one on a new day of possibly Sunday. Like what mudwoman suggested. Let's remember it isn't the competition of markets or vendor disputes, it's for the customers, right??? I really appreciated Neil's reply. I also don't want to choose sides, as my family has friends who are vendors at both locations. And my father was recently asked by a member of the other market if he would like to sell there. My heart hurts at decisions like these that farmers had to make, like my father. And my heart hurts for the customers who also have to make that decision of where they choose to go as well.

Whatever the new market decides to do, and whatever may come of this split, I hope our community chooses the best for its people. As far as the Certified Santa Rosa Farmers Market, it is the original. And I will always be proud of it.