A record-breaking season for Sisters Farmers Market

Playing host to a record-breaking number of visitors, accepting a range of new vendors, and trying out expansions of its physical footprint, Sisters Farmers Market just closed out its biggest season yet.

"We had a great season," market manager Willa Bauman enthused. The final market, October 27, marked the latest time of year Sisters Farmers Market has ever been open.

"The last day was really great. We got blue skies right at 10 o'clock after a rainy morning. It was a nice crisp fall day," Bauman said.

Since nonprofit Seed to Table (STT) brought the market under its wing in 2020, the market has grown consistently. The 2024 season brought an ambitious expansion with new opportunities for programming and vendors-not to mention more shoppers than ever.

Photo by Whitney Whitehouse

A growing Sisters Farmers Market closed out its season just over a week ago, a longer market season than ever before.

"We recorded our highest attendance ever in a single day: 2,136 visitors on Opening Day," Bauman said. A record 87 different vendors brought farm produce, handmade goods, art, and locally made foods over the course of the season.

Expanding its physical footprint to an empty lot across the street allowed for more space and more vendors. "First Interstate Bank gave us a generous in-kind donation to use the lot," she explained. "That meant we could invite in larger farms like Rainshadow Organics, Marquam Hill Berries, and Baird Orchards."

Bauman and STT leadership decided to extend the market season based on feedback from vendors. "As we get closer to holiday gift shopping, it's a crucial time for people selling storage crops, pantry staples, crafts, jewelry, bottled sauces, and other gifts," said Bauman.

The longer season also allowed Double Up Food Bucks customers more time to use their extra dollars on farm-fresh produce and other goods.

Vendors and visitors alike enjoyed another addition to the market's offerings: an indoor space provided in cooperation with Sisters Makers.

"When we had smoky weather early on in July, a month before we normally need to worry about the smoke, it was crucial to have that indoor space," Bauman said. "We could invite in people with health issues around smoke, and vendors selling products that needed to get out of the heat."

Workshops were also held indoors: making wildflower seed bombs with Worthy Environmental and School of Ranch, coffee tastings, and a series of workshops covering electrical and home repair, gardening, and other hands-on activities.

Customer feedback showed local appreciation for the added variety that new spaces and new vendors offered: meats, more bakers, and fresh pasta among them. "As we improve the market, we take into account how we can bring more diversity in terms of what is offered each Sunday," Bauman explained.

Community support fueled the market's expansion and season extension, which involved planning, working with the City of Sisters, and business sponsorships. "We're thankful to have their input and support," said Bauman.

Why are vendors attracted to Sisters Farmers Market? Lillian Owen, co-owner and baker at Curmuffins, appreciates the market's friendly vibe and direct connections to local ingredients.

"The wonderful thing about the farmers market is we get to feature fresh local produce in our bakery, and get to know the farmers," she said. Working in the culinary industry in Central Oregon previously, she found that many people claimed their foods were local while sourcing their produce from places like Portland.

At the Curmuffins booth, usually tucked into a corner near Sisters Historical Museum, Owen said she can point to her baked goods and identify which farms at the market provided ingredients for each item.

She said some of the new foot traffic flow felt different and she expects the market will "tweak it. I think it's great that the market has expanded and let more vendors in because it's such a great market. The relationships, the Sisters community, have always been nice and friendly," Owen said.

One record-breaker for 2024 caused difficulties: more conditions of smoke and excessive heat than any season since STT brought the market into its fold. A new grant from Oregon Farmers Markets Association will help the market address those issues next year.

Focused on climate resiliency, the grant will improve the comfort and health of vendors, staff, performers, and visitors. Misting systems and making cold water available on hot days will help vendors on days when the smoke and heat are troublesome but not high enough to cause a market closure.

The grant also funds a promotional campaign around eating local all season long and encouraging visitors on those days with less than ideal weather and air quality.

Bauman is excited to keep refining and improving the market. Finishing out her second season as the market's director, she said, "I feel so grateful and supported by our community. We have a really creative group of people."