Find the berry best
at the Lincoln City Farmers and Crafters Market
By Sabine Wilson
For the TODAY
There are few sounds that radiate as organically as the hustle and bustle of a farmers market, where people kneel to pet one another’s dogs, purchase hand-crafted pieces for their loved ones and sample succulent, locally-grown produce.
If retail therapy can bring happiness, then shopping at the farmers market can fuel the soul. And lucky for us, the Lincoln City Farmers and Crafters Market is back, but in a new location.
“The Lincoln City Cultural Center had been planning to have the renovations for their lawn, where the market usually has been, for this summer so we needed an alternative location,” said Lori Lemons, market manager. “Salishan graciously stepped up and offered us their south parking lot area, which also houses the Salishan Artisan Faire Fridays and Saturdays.”
Featured farmers at the Sunday market include Fernando Guerrero of Guerrero Produce, who began berry picking when he was 11 years old. Now, he and his family work together to tend their own farm in McMinnville.
“We have about 10 acres of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and we also grow vegetables,” he said. “We grow zucchini, squash, onions, lots of variations of tomatoes and more.”
At the Guerrero Produce booth, there is much to look at and enjoy but it is the smell of the plump and juicy strawberries that steals the show. Not only are they incredibly sweet and delicious, but they are vibrant and gleaming. In addition to produce, the Guerrero family also makes other delectable items for market-goers.
“I’m excited for people to try our homemade salsas,” Guerrero said. “But we also sell our own pickled jalapenos and jams with different flavors like strawberry, blueberry or raspberry. We also offer our own raw honey from the strawberry field.”
Joining the market for the first time is Annie Purkey, an artist who paints original and custom art pieces and prints. She also uses pyrography to decorate wood, hats and dried mushrooms.
“Pyrography is art with fire,” she said. “I go and harvest mushrooms locally and sustainably and then I wood-burn designs on the front. I do the same thing to hats.”
Inspired by nature and the world around her, Purkey is very hands-on with all of her work, particularly with her mushroom art.
“When I harvest the mushrooms I have to be very careful not to touch the face because it’ll stain,” she said. “I have to allow them to dry for at least two weeks before I do my wood-burning on them.”
Since this is her first time displaying her work through her business, Annie Purkey Art she looks forward to getting to share it with more people.
“Getting my art out there is exciting,” she said. “I’ve been doing art for a really long time so taking the step to show it to more people and having it be well-received is very encouraging.”
Another newcomer to the markets is Heather Shepherd, who started the business “Flowering Fields Forever” 18 months ago from her farm off Drift Creek Road.
“Our goal is to become a source for the community for succulents, houseplants and seasonal flowers,” she said. “We grow and propagate all of the plants ourselves and use regenerative agriculture principles to maintain soil health and biodiversity and try to use as many native sources as possible.”
Flowering Fields Forever goes further than just beautiful bouquets and plants at the markets. In July, Shepherd plans to open up her home to the community.
“Saturdays will be open farm days where people can come and hang out,” she said. “We’ll set up cornhole, facilitate nature-inspired crafts outside and offer hay bale seating to spend time outside.”
Shepherd uses only recycled pieces for the containers of flowers and succulents and also works hard to price items so that they are accessible for all.
As Flowering Fields Forever grows and welcomes the community, Shepherd says she’s enjoying her time at the markets.
“I really appreciate getting to know the community,” she said. “We are very fortunate to have this beautiful piece of land, so if there is a way to do what I love and support myself and the community then that’s a win-win.”
The Lincoln City Farmers & Crafters Market is located at the Salishan Marketplace, 7755 N. Hwy. 101 and is open from 9 am to 2 pm on Sundays through mid-October. For more information, go to lincolncityfarmersmarket.org.