Editor's Note: The incorrect article was mistakenly printed under this headline in our 6/11/25 print edition. The correct article will run in our 6/18/25 edition. We apologize for the error.
The Newton County High School chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA) is set to host their first Farmer’s Market of the summer on June 12, giving students and residents alike a great way to offer or purchase local products in a wonderful community atmosphere.
Hosted in the parking of the district’s Career and Technical Center, located at 16839 Highway 503 in Decatur, Thursday’s market is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. Merely days after the 2024-25 school year ended, NCHS FFA co-advisors Matthew Breland and Jim Savell have been working diligently to make this the best Farmer’s Market to date. To date, items that will be offered include locally grown produce, homemade salsa, fresh baked goods, handmade game calls, crotchet items, potted plants and flowers, live animals (rabbits), cutlery, and more. Food and drinks will also be available for those shoppers who work up a thirst or appetite.
“In the past, this started as something for our students to come and sell produce that they made, or for instance, canned peppers that their grandparents made,” said Breland. “But we also offer an opportunity for the community to come sell their products.”
According to Savell, they’ve put an emphasis on getting former members and the community involved with this year’s Farmer’s Market.
“I’ve tried to reach out to a lot of the former FFA members around the county, or those that are still local, that may not have known about what’s going on around here,” Savell said. “One of our main objectives is we want the community involved. In other words, everything here is something that goes all the way across the county. There’s something here for everybody, even if you’ve never been in agriculture before.”
Savell added that there are all kinds of local FFA alumni and community members that do things agriculture-related, not just farming, that they’re wanting to get involved.
Vendor fees are only $10 for the entire summer, while students can offer their good free of charge. And there’s still time to sign up and take part.
“If you show up the day of, we will hook up,” exclaimed Savell.
“The fee is just to say they are committed, it’s not really to raise a lot of money,” said Breland. “And we don’t charge our kids. They’re here to learn how to produce and sell.”
This year’s scheduled Farmer’s Market’s includes two Thursday evening markets (June 12 and July 10, 4-8 p.m.) and two Saturday morning markets (June 21 and July 19, 8 a.m.-noon.), giving the community of early risers and late evening shoppers ample opportunity to come check them out.
“This is not exclusive to just the Decatur community, we’re looking for everybody in the area to come and enjoy a wonderful community atmosphere,” said Savell. “Come out and support one of the top FFA organizations in the nation.”
“We don’t advertise this as a fund-raiser; we do this for the community. And it’s a good time to get to know your community, too,” said Breland. “And we want our kids to see the great examples of the community who come together and sell their homegrown or homemade products, which they’ve put so much time and effort into providing.”
For more information on the Newton County High School FFA Farmer’s Market or to sign up to become a vendor, call 601-527-7719 or 601-635-4138.
