Project 2 — Maggie Crouch

The Mid-Town Farmers’ Market caters to people in the Oxford community who seek fresh, locally-grown produce and baked goods. The market has been a part of the community since 2011.

Van Cheeseman of Bluebird Farms located in Holly Springs, Mississippi awaits her next customers. She specializes in cut flowers and produce and focuses on gourds in the fall season.

Van Cheeseman, owner of Bluebird Farms, dries out gourds and paints them in bright colors and patterns making for great centerpieces and decor around the house.

Bost Farm, a small family-owned farm located in Water Valley, Mississippi, provides produce ranging from tomatoes, squash and cucumbers to eggplant, okra and mustard.

Clear Creek Produce, based out of a farm in Oxford, Mississippi, offers a wide variety of pumpkins for customers.

Oxford residents and customers Charlotte Young, Bunny Doris, and Olivia VanderLeest enjoy the mini pumpkins at the market. “I love coming here because there’s always fresh food and seasonal goodies to buy,” Young says.

Patton Farm makes their own salsa using the tomatoes they grow on site. This is the second year in a row they have sold their home-made salsa, and they are excited to bring it back.

“The Salsa Ladies” of Patton Farm bottle their salsa in Mason jars to add a southern touch to their product.

Debbie Maddigan, owner of Debbie’s Cakes and Delights based out of her home in Oxford, Mississippi, has been selling cakes for the past few years. These cakes range from chocolate and carrot cake to pumpkin spice and cheesecake.

Bunny Doris bites into Debbie’s Cakes and Delight’s apple spice cake. “It tasted like fall in my mouth,” Doris said.

Greg Johnson and Shaundi Wall perform their folk-inspired music all around the Oxford community. When the duo plays at the market, they play for tips and produce instead of getting paid.

Pumpkins are a big hit at the Mid-Town Farmer’s Market during the fall. “I love the variety of shapes, colors and textures that all the pumpkins have,” Olivia VanderLeest said.

Yokna Bottoms Farm, located in Oxford, Mississippi, is run by individuals who work together to produce locally-grown produce. Unlike typical farms, people can buy shares to fund the farm and can then go pick up the produce grown weekly.

Yokna Bottoms Farm prides itself in its produce that is free of chemical and artificial fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and GMO’s.

Phil Karr works to make sure his produce is not only looking good at the market, but also is healthy, tasty and fresh.