Farmers markets kick off for season

From the vibrant display of sunflowers to a dozen fresh eggs, Clovis residents crowded the North Plains Mall's parking lot for a chance to buy some fresh, home grown produce on the first day of the 2023 Clovis Farmers Market on Saturday.

Hosted by the Portales and Clovis Farmers Market, several different farmers pitched tents and sold a wide variety of wares. A farmer at the market for 17 years, Don Wiley said markets like this give the community a chance to be a family.

"It gives people an opportunity to try different things that you can't ordinarily buy in the grocery store," Wiley said. "The things you buy in the grocery store are grown several hundred miles away and the fresher something is, the more nutritious it is."

After retiring from the Air Force, Wiley said he found his green thumb by taking an interest in gardening. Wiley said he grows over 50 different types of produce, including squash, onions and garlic.

"I started a garden," Wiley said. "And it just kept on getting bigger and I had too much stuff. So I found this farmers market and started sellin'."

For Brittany Owens, who moved to Clovis a year ago, finding a farmers market she could trust was essential. Owens said being in a military family, she always makes sure to hunt down a market wherever they're stationed so that she can enjoy the fresh produce.

"Local produce, you can't beat that," Owens said. "I didn't even think of the herbs and flowers to plant, so that's even exciting as well."

With a bag of fresh dill, lavender and jalapenos, Owens said she likes to challenge herself by buying random ingredients from the market and seeing what dishes she'll make at home. Her next destination was to stop at the market's meat stand, to see if she could make some jalapeno poppers later for her family.

"Any chance to support people that are taking the time and are dedicated, it's just an amazing thing to be a part of," Owens said.

Toby and Kimberly Bostwick, owners of Elevated Eggs, had a line around the market as customers came by to purchase a dozen of their fresh farm eggs. Kimberly said this was their second year being a part of the farmers market and that they were nearly sold out within an hour of putting their tent up.

Kimberly said they originally had only a handful of hens, until they decided to expand their farm and farming practices. Elevated Eggs now homes about 1,000 laying hens that roam around pastures, Kimberly said.

"We feel pretty passionate about the importance of local foods," Kimberly said. "Our chickens are free to eat grass, bugs, insects, anything they can find in the pasture. Because of that their yolks are bright orange."

Eggs change based on the season and what the chicken consumes out on the pasture, Kimberly said. She said markets like this give farmers a chance to get their name out there and show off the hard work they put in all season.

"Your farmers are working hard to produce a quality product," Kimberly said. "The product is local, we are trying to produce quality food for those in our community. It's a great way to build community and to know where your food is coming from."