Photo: Hernando Community Development Director Gia Matheny is the Farmers Market Executive Director. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Two events shared the Hernando Courthouse Square on Saturday with the county’s annual observance of Earth Day sharing the square with the opening of the annual Hernando Farmers Market.
Earth Day in DeSoto County promotes environmental awareness and community engagement. Expected were over 50 organizations that offered a variety of exhibits focused on environmental education, conservation, and sustainable practices.
The event featured numerous activities for children, including 4-H demonstrations, animal exhibits, and interactive learning opportunities.
Saturday was also the first day for the award-winning Hernando Farmers Market. Established to provide local agriculturalists with a retail outlet for their products, the market has grown significantly over the years, featuring over 80 vendors and generating more than $600,000 in sales in a single season.
The market offers a diverse array of locally sourced products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, local milk, pork, pasture-raised eggs, honey, canned and preserved items, baked goods, nursery plants, and handmade crafts .
The market hosts the Children’s Day Power of Produce (POP) program on the last Saturday of each month, providing children with activities and $5 POP Bucks to encourage healthy eating habits. Senior Days occur monthly, offering the first 100 senior citizens a $5 token to purchase items, promoting social interaction and well-being among older adults.
The Hernando Farmers Market has received several accolades, including being named “Mississippi’s Favorite Farmers Market” by the American Farmland Trust and being recognized as the state’s largest outdoor market in 2017 . In 2023, it was a finalist for the Mississippi Pinnacle Awards, highlighting its excellence in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
As a Mississippi Certified Market designated by the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the Hernando Farmers Market ensures the availability of fresh, local food and products. It also participates in programs like Double Up Food Bucks Mississippi, allowing SNAP recipients to receive additional tokens for free fruits and vegetables, thereby enhancing access to nutritious food for all community members.
