Aiken County Farmers Market

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Ranked #655 in Local, #68,881 overall

Get the Best Local Produce

The Aiken County Farmers Market has a long history of providing excellent locally grown produce to discriminating shoppers. It is open year round Monday through Saturday from 7:30 am until 4:30 pm. Come early though to get your pick of the best, because things often sell out in the morning, especially during the peak summer months.

The market is a place for small family farmers and growers to sell their products and they work very hard to provide the very best quality produce. In the spring and summer the tables at the market are loaded with an array of just picked, delicious selections of all kinds of fruits and vegeatbles that are local to South Carolina. You can buy everything you will need for your whole dinner - and even get advice on how to cook it.

During the winter months from January through March the market is quieter, but you can still get winter produce and hydroponically grown tomatoes and lettuce. Tuesday and Saturday are the days with the most sellers during these months.

What can you find at the market?

Local fruit
Fesh vegetables
Eggs
Cheese
Farm fresh milk
Meats
Herbs
Bedding plants
Cut flowers
Baked Goods
And much more

So you see it's well worth a visit. See you there soon!

Aiken County Farmers Market History 

Williamsburg Street between Park and Richland Avenues was the site of the Aiken Cotton Platform and Scale. The Farmers' Grange with county chain gang labor erected the current structure, designed by Woodrow Jackson, in the parkway. Work began in 1952 and was completed in 1954. The farmers and their families built the 45 tables, which are still used today. By 1962, cotton was no longer sold at the Market and it had become an open-air curb market where farmers sold homegrown produce, flowers and homemade goods. In 1980, plans were made to sell the property for commercial development. Thanks to the efforts of Rosamond McDuffie & the Aiken Historic Preservation Commission, the Market was rescued. In 2003 the Aiken County Farmers' Market was designated a Landmark in Aiken. It is the oldest (in continuous operation at the same location) county farmers' market in the State of South Carolina.

2009 Events at the Aiken Famers Market 

It seems there is always something fun, educational, or tasty going on at the market. Mark your calender!
  • April - November - First Saturday of the Month
    The Master Gardeners from the Clemson Extension are at the Market to answer gardening questions. The service is FREE.
  • April 4
    FFA Plant Sale - A large variety of herb, flower, bedding and vegetable plants will be available. The small family Farmers will be at Market with fresh locally grown broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, English garden peas, Irish potatoes, green onions, lettuce, radishes, spinach, squash, hydroponic tomatoes and specialty items.
  • May 2
    Master Gardeners Scholarship Plant Sale & Clemson Days at the Market The plants offered for sale include: day lilies, ferns, bedding plants, shrubs, exotic plants, herbs and more. The small family farmers will have locally grown carrots, cucumbers, green beans, herbs, cut flowers, dairy products, beef, specialty items and much more.
  • June 6
    Hydrangea Plant Sale - A wide variety of hydrangeas and shrubs will be available. Local small family farmers will have blackberries, blueberries, peaches, plums, tomatoes, squash, carrots, cucumbers, corn, green beans, herbs, okra, eggplant, watermelon, dairy products, black eyed peas, specialty items, cut flowers, beef & more.
  • July 11
    Tomato Festival and Largest Tomato Contest - 8am to Noon - Free
    Bring your homegrown tomato and enter it in the "Largest Locally Grown Tomato Contest." Locally grown grapes, watermelon, blueberries, blackberries, field peas, cantaloupe, squash, cucumbers, peppers, peanuts, peaches, okra, corn, herbs & flowers will be in season and offered for sale. Beef, dairy products, specialty items & more will be available.
  • August 1
    Market Birthday Party - 8am to Noon - Free
    The Market is decorated for its Birthday Party. Cake is served to guests at 10:30. This is a fun day for everyone. Fresh floral bouquets, locally grown farm fresh squash, corn, cucumbers, pears, peppers, grapes, figs, blueberries, watermelon, dairy products, beef, herbs, plants and specialty items will be available.
  • September 12
    End of Summer - 8 am to Noon
    Summer is over, the children are back in school and The Market has end of summer and early fall items - pumpkins, sweet potatoes, field peas, green beans, kiwi, pears, cantaloupe, apples, grapes, specialty items and crafts.
  • October 3
    Fall at the Market - 8 am to Noon
    Aiken High FFA mums, South Carolina Mountain Apples, locally grown farm fresh sweet potatoes, greens, pumpkins, winter squash, pecans, rutabagas, turnips, onions, collards, dairy products, plants, herbs, specialty items and quality crafts will be offered for sale.
  • November 7
    Old Time Homecoming - 8 am to Noon
    This is a day of sharing memories, sharing recipes and old fashioned good times. The farmers dress in vintage clothing. There are antique farm implements, cars and kitchen gadgets on display. Retired farmers and their families attend to see old friends and reminisce. Children can learn about the "good old days". Locally grown farm fresh produce, dairy products, beef, plants, specialty items and quality crafts from local artisans will be offered for sale.
  • December - Every Saturday
    Holly Days
    The Market will have locally made (from fresh greenery) wreaths, garland, decorations and centerpieces. Gift items from local artisans, gift baskets, dairy products, beef & a large selection of fall/winter vegetables - greens, collards, turnips, rutabagas, peanuts, pecans and sweet potatoes will be in season. Customers may place Holiday orders and specialty items will be available each Saturday.

How to Find It 

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Fruits and Vegetables Available at the Aiken County Famers Market 

And approximately when to find them.


FRUITS
Apples ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aug - Dec
Blackberries ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jun 1 - Sept 15
Blueberries ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jul - Aug
Cantaloupes ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jun - Sept
Figs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aug - Sept
Grapes ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aug - Sept
Peaches
  Clings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ May 15 - Jun 15
  Semi-Freestones ----------------------------------------------------------------- Jun 15 - July 15
  Freestones ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jul 15 - Sept 15
Pears -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aug - Nov
Pecans ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nov
Plums -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 31 - Jun 15
Strawberries ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr 15 - May 15
Watermelon ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jun 15 - Oct 15


VEGETABLES
Asparagus -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr 1 - May 15
Beans
  Butter ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jun - Oct
  Green ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ May 15 - Jul 15
  Green - second crop -------------------------------------------------------------- Sept - Frost
Beets -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - Jun
Broccoli ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - Jun
Cabbage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - Jun
Carrots ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - Jun
Cauliflower ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - Jun
Collards ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - Apr
Corn --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Aug
Cucumbers ------------------------------------------------------------------------- May - Frost
Eggplant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Frost
Greens -All ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - May
Kale --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - May
Kohlrabi ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - Dec
Lettuce ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - Jun
Okra -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Frost
Onions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Oct - Jun
Peas
  Black Eye, Pink Eye, Crowder; Lady Finger & White Acre------------------- Jun - Frost
  Butter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Oct
  English ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - May
Peanuts ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Nov
Peppers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Nov
Potatoes
  Irish ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - May
  Sweet ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sept - Jun
Pumpkins --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sept - Nov
Radishes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - May
Rutabagas -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - May
Spinach ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr
Squash ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr 15 - Frost
Swiss Chard ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - Apr
Tomatoes -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Oct
  Hydroponic Tomatoes ----------------------------------------------------------- Dec - Jun
Turnips ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - Dec

At the Market 

Click on a photo to enlarge it.

April 25, 2009
April 25, 2009
Temporary residents
May 2, 2009

News Flash

You don't have to go to the mountains to get great apples. They're straight from the mounatins right here a the market!

Largest Tomato Contest! 

Saturday, July 11

We had some really big tomatoes! The winner was grown by Jeff McDaniel. It weighed in at 1.51 lbs. It not only is big, but it looks delicious too.

Vote for Our Market 

If you are an Aiken County Farmers' Market customer, or if you just want to support our market please click on the link below and vote for us.
Love Your Farmers Market Contest sponsored by Care2.com and LocalHarvest.org
Help your local farmers market win $5,000 in the Love Your Farmers Market contest sponsored by Care2.com and LocalHarvest.org!

And Here 

Click on the image below and cast another vote at American Farmland Trust

America's Favorite Farmers Markets

Certified South Carolina Grown 

The Certified South Carolina program is a new, exciting cooperative effort among producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) to brand and promote South Carolina products. Our goal is for consumers to be able to easily identify, find and buy South Carolina products.

To become a member of the program and be eligible to use the Certified South Carolina Grown logo, the grower must be approved by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. The member shall agree that the SC Grown logo shall only be used on first quality products, grown in South Carolina, that meet the US #1 Quality Grade Standard, or higher U.S. Grade Standards.

Our Aiken Farmers' Market Participants:
Aiken Hydroponics, Inc.
B & M Farms
Butter Patch Jerseys
D. W. Farms
Herb-n-Berries
Hill View Farms
Hollie Farm
James A "Buck" Livingston
MiBek Farms

Find out more at Certified SC Grown

Aiken County Master Gardeners 

This volunteer program is administered by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. Introduced to South Carolina in Charleston County in 1981, the Master Gardener program is now offered in 36 counties. Aiken has a thriving program with many friendly and knowledgeable members.

Got a gardening question? Come get answers from the Master Gardeners the first Saturday of each month from April through November. Bring your specimens.


 Find out more at the Aiken Masters Gardeners Website.

Other Websites to Visit 

Farmers Market participant's websites and other sites about Aiken and South Carolina.

MiBek Farms
Our family farm, near Barnwell, South Carolina, specializes in the production of Natural Pasture Raised Beef. Dry-aged freezer beef available at the Farmers Market or online.
Sensational Suds of the South
Handmade soaps. Find me at the market most Saturdays from April thru December.
City of Aiken, South Carolina
The Farmers Market page plus alot more great information about Aiken, South Carolina.
Aiken County Visitors Center
Find out what to see and do in beautiful Aiken, South Carolina.
SCIway.net
Aiken County at the South Carolina Information Highway Website
A great site to find out all kinds of information about South Carolina. Maps & Transportation, Accommodations, Recreation & Entertainment, Government, and more.

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by Mtodd

I grew up in Aiken, SC, moved away for over 30 years, and now I'm back. I enjoy selling handmade soaps at the Farmers Market, visiting with people,... (more)

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