Marianna Farmers Market Celebrates 50 Years with New Name, Bigger Vision
By: Shelia Mader
The Marianna Farmers Market is marking a major milestone this spring, celebrating 50 years of serving Jackson County while also stepping into a new chapter of growth and expansion.
The market traces its roots back to April 1976, when then-extension agent Charles Brasher helped establish a small, local marketplace for area growers. Five decades later, that modest beginning has grown into a thriving community hub that continues to evolve with the needs of both farmers and customers.
In 2011, the City of Marianna procured the land at the top of the hill on Madison Street and created Madison Street Park. With a grant from Rural Development and the promise to always have a Farmer’s Market in place, the City was able to have the pavilion built. That’s when the Grower’s Association, now doing business as the Marianna City Farmer’s Market, then moved to its current location.
“For a small town like this to have a farmer’s market going for 50 years consecutively, I think is pretty big,” said longtime market representative Sally Waxgiser.
Today, the market is stronger than ever. What was once a seasonal operation running only a few months out of the year has expanded into a year-round destination. Membership has grown to around 50 regular vendors, with new applicants reaching out weekly.
The market has also broadened what shoppers can expect to find. While it remains rooted in locally grown produce, it now includes plants, handmade arts and crafts, and cottage food items such as baked goods prepared in home kitchens under state guidelines.
Even with that growth, organizers say quality remains a top priority.
“We’ve been really very strict on what people bring,” Waxgiser said, noting that all items must meet clear standards and be made or grown by the vendor whenever possible.
One of the biggest changes this year is a new approach to sourcing produce. Vendors will now be allowed to offer items grown within a 400-mile radius, expanding availability while still keeping products fresh and regional.
The shift means shoppers can expect a wider selection throughout the year, including items like Homestead tomatoes, Mississippi sweet potatoes, and Chilton County peaches, all while staying within a “local” footprint.
Looking ahead, the market is also rebranding to reflect its expanding reach. Beginning in May, the organization will officially transition from the Jackson County Growers Association to the Tri-State Community Market, acknowledging participation from vendors in Alabama and Georgia as well as Florida.
To celebrate both the anniversary and the new direction, the market will host its annual Spring Harvest Festival on the first Saturday in May.
This year’s event will include a community-wide logo contest, with a $500 prize awarded to the winning design. The rules for entering the logo contest are on their website, mariannacityfarmersmkt.com. Finalists will be selected by the market’s board and members, with the public voting on the winner during the festival. The new logo will debut that same day as part of the market’s official rebranding.
Included in the celebratory day will be games, crafts, seed planting for the kids, as well as Henrietta’s Hen House. Partners for Pets will be fundraising with selling hot dogs, walking tacos and much more.
The celebration also reflects the market’s growing visibility. Weekly Facebook Live broadcasts now draw thousands of viewers, helping connect more residents with local farmers and vendors than ever before.
After 50 years, organizers say the goal remains simple: support local agriculture, strengthen the community, and keep improving what the market can offer.
“We are growing,” Waxgiser said. “And we’re excited about what’s coming next.”