ST. Paul, Min. — For some, it's an unofficial sign that the seasons have changed. Minnesota farmers markets are starting to come back.
The St. Paul Farmers Market opened for the season Saturday morning, celebrating its 170th anniversary.
“I think we were here a year before we became a state, which is pretty good,” market manager Jim Golden joked. “For us, this is really the kickoff of summer. It's the kickoff of spring, and it's the kickoff where everything starts.”
Golden, who is in his 40th year with the market, described the group as like a family, and Saturday's return was a reunion of sorts.
“It goes back many generations,” he said. “Kids work here, they grow up, families start farms and they start having children.”
In the case of flower man Justin Nelson, his family owns and operates Nelson Greenhouse and Veggies in Big Lake.
“I've been coming here since I was a kid. I've just been helping out since I was probably 10 years old,” Nelson said. “Many of the people here have family members helping them out, just like we do. Their parents work outside the home, and their children help out.”
Golden and Nelson say they are keeping an eye on the weather this year. after years of drought – They are praying for a “normal” weather season.
“That's on their minds. People are worried about the weather,” Golden said.
The Minnesota Farmers Market Association says this is the case across the state.
MFMA's Sheena Waugh said, “2020 was a period of great growth.” “Then we had a pandemic, and then we had drought, drought, drought. There's uncertainty, but we're optimistic and we're trying to stay optimistic.”
