Our farmers markets are application-based, and there is often a lot to learn about the history and mission of each vendor from their submissions. In their application, farmers Michele and Manny kept it simple, "Canales Produce has been growing certified organically since 1994. We believe in taking care of the land and growing healthy food for everyone."

No strangers to hard work, David Mackie and Bonnie Briggs of Skinny Kitty Farms found their way to farming through an unexpected journey. Our own Sarah Schu had the opportunity to photograph the pair in a day in the life on the farm, along with their son Jasper. In this photo essay, learn more about Skinny Kitty Farms, and take a peek behind the scenes.

True farmers market lifers, Farmers Blong and Chor Cha have been selling flowers at the West Seattle Farmers Market since week one 21 years ago, and can also be found at the Univerity District and Lake City farmers markets. The Cha family grows a variety of gorgeous flowers as well as some produce. In the spring of 2020, their daughter Nikki Cha was kind enough to ask her father, who manages the farm, about his growing methods, and lessons learned along the way.

When visiting the Wanderwood Farm stand at market, you’ll find gorgeous produce piled high atop tables, complimented by buckets of fragrant flowers waiting to be made into bouquets. In farming, Jen and Colin have found an outlet for their creativity, love of the outdoors, and getting their hands dirty. Read on to learn more about Wanderwood Farm.

Broken Shovel Kiwi Farm is one of a kind- the only vendor at our markets growing and selling hardy kiwis. Farmer Robert Williams is the one-man show behind Broken Shovel, an enthusiast put on earth to spread the word about the incredible little berry. “What I want to emphasize is it’s not just that [hardy kiwis] taste great,” Robert told us, “The health aspect is what got me interested.” Learn more about how Robert’s curiosity about hardy kiwis turned into a lifestyle.

Farmer Chris runs a tight ship at Windy Acre Farm, a roughly 3 acre mixed vegetable farm nestled in Kent, WA. At 25, he is still considered a young farmer, though his experience rivals that of many of his older peers. Farmer Chris started Windy Acre when he was 15 years old and runs the business with the goal of working with nature, not against it. Learn more about this incredible young farmer!

Nature’s Last Stand has a diehard following. The farm has gone through a few iterations since it began at the University District Farmers Market 25 years ago. These days, John and his partner Caroline have had to pivot yet again as restrictions due to COVID-19 make it impossible for John to sell breakfast sandwiches at market. You can still find their globally inspired hand-crafted sausages, like their takes on the Filipino loganisa sausage, the North African merguez lamb sausage, and their Spicy Thai sausage, at market and online. Read on to learn more about this beloved farmers market staple, and how you can support!  

If you've ever visited the University District Farmers Market, chances are you've seen Farmer Katsumi Taki surrounded by his incredible specialty crops. Fresh and candied ginger, chestnuts, yuzu, Japanese cucumbers- the list goes on. Farmer Taki himself is hard to miss- his beaming smile beneath a weathered straw hat warm you right up on even the drizzliest of market days. Read on to learn more about this wonderful farmer.

Meet Jim and Carmela Cook, the two total sweethearts behind Little Wing Farm. In 1989, Jim and Carmela invited friends Scott and Wynne Beaton to check out a piece of land in Chelan, WA, which would later become Jerzy Boyz Farm. You might recognize the name, Jerzy Boyz sells apples the University District Farmers Market to this day! Driven by an urge to expand beyond apples, Carmela and Jim decided to start their own farm, Little Wing, on the same property. Read on to learn more about Little Wing Farm!

Lee Lor Garden holds a special place in our hearts. They have been with us almost as long as the organization has existed, joining us at the West Seattle Farmers Market every Sunday since day one twenty years ago. Lee and Blia Lor's children grew up helping out in the booth and on the farm, and it has been a joy watching them grow up. We reached out to Lee and Blia’s daughter Melisa for a little context about the Lor family, and the history of their business.

Richard Ness and Mary Young-Ness of Kittitas Valley Greenhouse have magical powers- They can make summer come early. Or at least that's how it feels when they arrive to market with big, beautiful tomatoes way at the beginning of May. The secret is less of an alchemy and more of a science, (stop reading here if you want to preserve the image of farmer Rich waving a wand)…

Which came first, the farm, or the tractor? In Farmer Ryan’s case, definitely the tractor. ”About 10 years ago I purchased an antique tractor, and that kind of started my farming career.” Learn more about what’s going on at Steel Wheel Farm and the creative folks behind it.

As much as the Barraza family of Big Brother Farms has learned at the farmers markets, we, in turn, have learned a great deal from them. Their positive and caring attitudes are wonderful to spend time around, and watching this multigenerational operation grow with such joy is an inspiration. Read on to learn more about Big Brother Farms.

Jeremy Faber’s goals for Foraged & Found to protect the ecosystems he and his products depend on, working with natural cycles rather than attempting to manipulate them. Read on to learn more about this sustainable local business!

If you’ve ever bought delicious cherries or stone fruit from the AG Family Farm stand at the Capitol Hill, Columbia City, Lake City or Magnolia farmers markets, you have definitely met Arturio Guerrero. Read on to learn more about Arturo and his passion for farming and family.