RIDERS MARKET: New venue in Hulbert offers another opportunity to farmers, vendors

Jul. 11—HULBERT — Opening day for a farmers market in Hulbert created a space for community members to sell and buy items created in Cherokee County

The July 11 market hosted various vendors, who sold eggs, bread, vegetables, and canned goods, as well as home goods, such as soap and crafts.

Savannah Anderson, Riders Market board member, said the decision to offer the event was personal for board members, as each live and are active in the community. Part of the Riders Market mission is to help Hulbert become self-sufficient through teaching effective farming methods, ensuring access to local produce, and by supporting local farmers who take part in sustainable agriculture.

"Hulbert is home to many farmers and ranchers, and the market provides a fantastic opportunity for them to share their goods with the community while receiving support in return," Anderson said. "We are also passionate about teaching our youth the importance of growing their own food and sharing it with others."

Anderson said those with the farmers market hope to create a space where the community can come together as one, and support local egg producers, bakers, farmers, crafters, and ranchers. The Riders Market will also educate youth about growing and making their own food, while also shopping locally.

Heidi Carter, a Riders Market board member, said the farmers market is looking to form a partnership with the Hulbert School District, so they can teach students how to grow a garden and then sell the items at the weekly event.

"We have some of the best farmers, bakers and producers around," Carter said. "We want to encourage and support them to share their wonderful harvest with others. In the end, our goal is to help make Hulbert a self-sufficient community between our farmers and consumers. How awesome would it be to be able to purchase most produce we consume that has been grown right next door? It's as fresh as it gets, and we are helping our community become healthier."

Amanda Blackman, owner of 4B Ranch, was a vendor at the Riders Market, where she sold snickerdoodle cookies and sourdough breads, such as Princess Bread and jalape?o/cheddar bread. Blackman is a Hulbert resident, and the July 11 event marked the first time she had set up in such a situation.

Blackman said she believes the market was creating a sense of growth throughout the town and letting the younger generation see where their food comes from.

"I think it's going to be great for the town. All of our elders who are local, who don't have transportation, live just up there, and I think it's going to be great to bring in all that local and fresh vegetables and everything to the community," Blackman said.

Taylor Craig and Amanda Craig both attended the market, representing Taylor's Treats and Craig's Creative Soap Co. The duo often sets up shop at the Tahlequah Farmers Market. The Craigs said they hope the Hulbert market provides a place for people to shop locally and support community members.

The Riders Market will take place at the Hulbert Park Pavilion each Thursday, 3:30-7:30 p.m., until October. Anderson said there are several reasons for holding the market during the week and during the four-hour time slot, with accessibility being the main one,.

"There are other farmers markets held on Saturdays that we love to support, and this also gives customers an opportunity to shop not only on Saturdays but throughout the week," Anderson said. "We chose the time because many local businesses in Hulbert have employees who get off work at 3:30 p.m. We wanted to make it easily accessible for them to swing by on their way home and get what they need."

The most difficult aspect of creating the market was steering the through rules and licensing requirements. But Anderson said the group has received guidance from the Tahlequah Farmers Market, Shortline Produce Co., the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, and the Oklahoma Nutrition Information and Education.

"Hulbert has an incredible potential," Carter said. "It's a small town with a major highway running right through it. The park has a nice pavilion surrounded by huge shade trees accompanied by a creek. The park is easy access from the highway. And of course. traffic must slow down so any visitors will be able to see the market and may stop by to check it out. Families can enjoy the park while shopping at the market and even sit down, relax and have a snack from the delicious items bought from the vendors."

Check it out

The next Riders Market will be Thursday, July 18 at 3:30 p.m. at Hulbert Park Pavilion.