Please Don’t Email Me About the Apostrophe
If you want to understand the Randolph Farmers Market, you have to start with the truth: it’s not always bustling. Some Saturdays feel, well... a little quiet. The tents and tables are spread around the green in the shape of a large oblong rectangle with more open space than foot traffic. The breeze carries a hint of manure; I have yet to figure out where it’s coming from because there are no fields nearby. It’s one of the seven wonders of Hospital Hill. And I do love the smell of manure.
Summer is short in Vermont, and there are a lot of farmers markets competing for the same handful of sunny weekends. Some of our biggest farms head to Montpelier because they can sell more product there, and you can’t blame them. But when people do come to our market, they’re almost always glad they did. They linger. They chat. They buy their greens and their maple syrup, their eggs and poultry, their pork and red meat — plus whatever surprise they didn’t know they needed. And that’s the part Angie Whitney is working hard to build on.
Before we get into the market itself, Angie has a Randolph story. She moved here twenty years ago from the Northeast Kingdom and has spent the last decade working closely with the market in nearly every role it has. She lives in Randolph with her husband, Doug, and their son, Riley. She’s a metal artist at heart — crafting sterling silver and pewter jewelry by hand — and that creative work remains an important part of her life. Talking with Angie is calming; she speaks about the market’s future with an ease that makes you believe her.
Imagine a food truck or two parked along the edge of the green, the smell of something sizzling drawing people in. Imagine more animals for the kids to pet, more games, more hands-on activities, more reasons for families to stay a little longer. Imagine performances that complement the live music, and a crowd big enough that vendors feel the momentum we're undoubtedly seeing downtown. That’s the vision Angie is steadily working toward — because she knows that when more people come, more options follow.
Angie schlepped to meet me at the Town Hall, where we had a chance to talk about the upcoming Farmers Market’s season (apostrophe fully intentional, no emails please). My wife and I have an ongoing debate about whether Farmers Market should have an apostrophe at all — we discuss if farmer is just a descriptive word or a possessive one — and apparently, we’re not the only household overthinking grammar. When I mentioned it, Angie just laughed. “People email me to tell me the sign is wrong,” she said. “But honestly, we’re too busy running the market to worry about an apostrophe.” Well said. And with that, we refocused on the market itself. Here’s what I learned:
Still going after 25 years
This year’s season opens May 16 and runs through October 24, and Angie is already fielding messages from musicians, vendors, and new faces hoping to join the oblong rectangle. “Three new musicians reached out in January,” she said, still amused. “I think everyone had cabin fever.” The new performers — Danny Roda, Laura Fidele, and one more soon to be announced — join a beloved roster of regulars: Sean Murray, Barry Hayes, Gail Osha, Roger Ennis, Pat Smith, Michael Stridsburg, and Granville Daze
And yes, the monthly car show is back, run by Gary Chapman, whom many folks still remember from his years cutting hair at Ken’s. Gary has some of the funniest stories I’ve ever heard, and a few of them I could share, but most are better left in my head. Those who know Gary know exactly what I mean — his humor can wander into territory only Gary could get away with.
These days, he’s often spotted buzzing around on blue Cushman step-through scooter that looks like it rolled out of the 50s. It’s adorable, it’s loud in its own way, and it’s unmistakably Gary. “People love the car show,” Angie said. “It’s wild how much they love it.” Oh, they do — and I love Gary, which is one reason that when my wife Cindy asks if I want to join her, I make sure it’s on a Saturday when Gary’s going to be there.
If you want to understand how Randolph’s farming community has evolved over the past two-plus decades, Angie has a front-row seat. “It’s definitely a younger crowd now,” she said. “COVID got a lot of people into raising chickens, gardening, canning. People want to be closer to their food.” Longtime farms like Floating Bridge remain anchors, but newer operations — like Gabriel and Joe’s off-grid farm — represent a new generation of small, creative growers. They’re raising animals, experimenting with crops, building CSAs, and selling directly to neighbors. It’s a different model than the big farms of the past, but it’s one that thrives in a place where people genuinely want to support local agriculture. And that’s the through-line: the market’s health is a reflection of the town’s values.
Running a farmers market is not glamorous. It’s early mornings, vendor spreadsheets, tent weights, and hoping the green dries out after a storm. I’ve seen more than one argument break out over who was supposed to bring the weights, usually while someone is hanging onto a tent leg to keep it from taking flight. Vendor fees — $200 for agricultural vendors and $150 for crafters and prepared food — cover music and activities, but not much more. “We don’t have a lot of funds,” Angie said. “We make it work." Gifford's generous donation of the Gifford Green, large performance tent, and ample parking goes a long way. Angie is building a sponsorship program to help pay musicians $100 for their four-hour sets. She’s reached out to local businesses and is waiting to hear back. And if you’re feeling generous, this is where you drop Angie an email — or nudge one of your friends into making an anonymous donation, just because Farmers Markets are cool.
One of the most meaningful parts of the Randolph Farmers Market is something many residents don’t know: the market accepts EBT, and through NOFA’s Crop Cash program, families can double their spending power. “If you spend $20 on your EBT card, you get $20 in Crop Cash for fruits and vegetables,” Angie explained. “And another $20 in Crop Cash Plus for other foods. It’s like tripling your money.” Thirty to forty percent of all market sales go through EBT. That number represents neighbors getting real food with real choice, and the dignity that comes with it. Supporting local agriculture is a tradition, and at the farmers market it’s equitable too.
The Randolph Farmers Market reflects Vermont's commitment to agriculture. Angie put it best: “People come for the food, but they stay for the community.” After spending time with her, I want to do more, because her positive energy is infectious. I want to do more because I can see how important the market is for all of us in Randolph. Thank you, Angie!
(Ari Lattanzi and Matt of Make. Do. Farm; Barbara Meaney, retired farmer; SE and Jem of Fenmire Farm)
Spring Market
Saturday, April 18
Judd Hall • VTSU–Randolph
9 AM–1 PM
Confirmed Vendors: Bobbie's Hobbies, Wonky Potter, Floating Bridge Family Farm, Mountain Boys Homestead, Jazzle Jams and More, Cedar Brook Homestead, Chelsea Mountain Handwork, Jeezum Crow Kitchen, Heart of Vermont Soap, Nancy Wankka, Fenmire Farm, Crumbustion Bakery, Making Scents Organic, New Traditions of Vermont, Ruthie's Creations, Woodsong Herbals, Carolyn Kelly Flowers
Confirmed Seasonal Vendors 2026
Woodsong Herbals, Bagged in 802, Fenmire Farm, Mountain Boys Homestead, Cedar Brook Homestead, Jeezum Crow Kitchen, Bobbie's Hobbies, Wonky Potter, Jazzle Jams and More, Chelsea Mountain Handwork, Heart of Vermont Soapworks, Jody's Pies, Ruthies Creations, Nancy Wonkka Quilting
Interested in Joining?
Agricultural vendors are now being accepted. Reach out at [email protected] to learn more.
