Farmer's Market Will Be Saturdays This Season

The Dixon’s Farmer’s Market will start in downtown Dixon the morning of the May Fair Parade and run through the summer on Saturday mornings 8 a.m. to noon, according to Susan Motley, Vice President for the

“We are an agricultural community so we have wonderful access to fresh fruits and vegetables in our own backyard and it will be a great day to kick it off, “ she said. “There will be a lot of people there.”

Motley, who owns , says it will be a certified Farmer’s Market through Solano County Ag Department  and she’s working to have forms online for easy access for potential vendors.

Taking over the market from a sub-contracted organizer to local organizers as well as the move from Thursday to Saturday mornings were encouraged and supported by Mark Heckey, Economic Development Director. Heckey said the original goal of the DDBA and the Pacific Coast Farmer’s Market was to become self-sufficient after three years. Heckey is a city representative to the DDBA meetings.

Heckey has worked with Motley, and farmer Liz Robben on a committee to prepare for this year’s market season.

“The goal and the hope in the re-organized Farmer’s Market is that there is more focus on local farmers and agriculture related business than there has been in the past,” said Heckey. “And, too, that there is higher consumer participation by moving to Saturday. We think it will coincide with a more traditional family shopping day.”

While the PCFMA steadily reduced it’s cost as it increased vendor participation, all three committee members felt that it was time to make the market uniquely Dixon’s.

“We’re hoping that the increased local involvement will not only bring it success but will lower the cost and overheard of producing the market. It should be more effective,” said Heckey.

“At this point, we have about eight farmer’s and/or vendors who have committed,” said Liz Robben, owner of ‘R Grand Ranch’ who sold vegetables and flavored almonds at the Dixon markets. She has long wanted more Dixon farmers to take advantage of the local venue.

These are the businesses and their products Robben reports has committed thus far: blueberry jam from Dunnigan; fresh strawberries and fresh eggs from Grown Right Farms on Pedrick Road; and flavored almonds, honey and olive oil from R Grand Ranch. In June, there will be peaches, nectarines, cherries, and apricots from Winters.

“We are working with FFA and hope to have them represented as well,” said Robben. “We are also going to have organic beef from Ron Gilliam’s Lucky Dog Ranch and Sandy Lupita with Mexican pastries, tortas and coffee. And, Bud’s will be doing breakfast burritos.”

The committee is also planning to have Juanita Luna will sell jewelry items and they are working with crafters who may sell handcrafted aprons, candles, and birdhouses.

For more information, contact Susan Motley at  (707) 695-1809 or call the DDBA office at (707) 678-8400.