You could finally see it starting last weekend, the welcome sight of the tents going up at the Homer Farmers Market.  This Memorial Day weekend the Market starts at 10 a.m. Saturday.  As the weather would suggest, things are growing like crazy so you will be able to find all kinds of eager veggies to take home and starts for your own garden.

You also will get a surprise at the Market when you go to find your old favorites. In a constant effort to improve the parking and flow of the Market as it grows, the whole Market layout has been turned 90 degrees.  (Vendors and vendor helpers: Don’t forget to park in the new south parking lot.)

There are a lot of details when it comes to running a farmers market, whether it is booth layout, or planning who goes in which booth. Just so you know, that’s not my job. I’m just a fan. Robbi Mixon is the amazingly wonderful market manager. People often get us mixed up.

That got me thinking. If folks don’t know who the real market manager is, how can they know who their farmers are? So, I thought I would focus on introducing you to at least one farmer a week.

It is easy to decide who I should focus on first. Christina Castellanos of Snowshoe Hollow Farm has already been selling arugula, spinach, chard and radishes for three weekends now. This is her eighth year selling at the Farmers Market. At first she started small, learning from other Market vendors and just watching nature. Then she got a high tunnel three years ago and has been extending her season ever since.  

Relying solely on homemade compost to revitalize the soil, Snowshoe Hollow Farm uses no chemical or synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Christina’s favorite specialties are pumpkins, corn and artichokes, but her truly favorite part of the farm is all her animals, ranging from her pony to goats, chickens and rabbits.

So, come down to the Homer Farmers Market this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for opening day to see what Christina and all the others have to offer.

Kyra Wagner is the director of Sustainable Homer and the Homer Farmers Market’s biggest fan.