Connect with locally made products and local homesteaders on April 25
The Prairie Spring Homesteading Farmers Market is coming to Little Britain Church in Lockport once again to connect local residents to people who make, bake, sew and grow.
Some vendors from a past year’s Prairie Spring Homesteading Farmers Market
“We hand-picked the vendors ourselves, and we don’t want anything like brought in products that you’ve not made yourself. It’s promoting the fact that we’ve got small business families who are trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle, and we want to share that with them,” said Karen Insley, co-organizer of the Prairie Spring Homesteading Farmers Market.
This is the third year that this event has taken place in our region.
In past years, they’ve hosted large presentations at the event, but since that took small business people away from their booths while they did presentations. They are trying something different this year by encouraging vendors to have samples to show and educational material for residents to bring home with them.
“We want to get the customers and the visitors to interact more and meet the makers and get more interaction with the vendors at their table, so that they can explain why they’re doing what they’re doing,” said Insley.
Because of this, residents are encouraged to walk up to vendors at this event and ask questions.
Insley said that in addition to specifically making sure the vendors for this event were local people making specifically their own products, she also made sure that each vendor was happy to share their stories and answer questions about more than just the products, but also to share their knowledge at the event.
For example, Insley and her husband run Clover Honey Pot out of their property in Springfield. They sell both honey and skincare products, and all of the plants used in their products are grown in by themselves. You can learn more from their website about why this is so important to them.
The other vendors who will be at this event, in addition to Clover Honey Pot, are:
The Candle Corner
T-Beach
Bunn’s Creek Pottery
Jaya’s Preserves
Petal & Pony
Gabby’s Gluten Free Goodies
Mothermade
Dragonfly Wing Creations
Barr Soap
The Sunshine Project Adventures
Smiley Farmers
Anishinaa-Bakes
With Green Intentions
1882 Fruit Based Hot Sauces
Microgardens
Dyke & Dam Jams & Jellies
Barkx Motel
Insley hopes that these vendors don’t just inspire people to buy but also inspire them to create something themselves. With prices only seeming to get higher, she explained that making things yourself can be cost-saving and learning a little and trying products from those who already make the items might be just the inspiration you need.
“It might encourage and inspire somebody to go and try something themselves, and even if they think, ‘Oh, this is still outside of my wheelhouse,’ at least we want to put it in front of everybody that there are really passionate quality vendors that live that life,” said Insley.
She also explained that even if you are a creator of a locally made product, this market will likely have something for you, as there is no way that people can do everything in life for themselves, and so, connecting with a community of local makers is essential if you want to expand your use of local products and support local businesses.
The Prairie Spring Homesteading Farmers Market is taking place on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone from the region is welcome to attend for free.
And, they will again this year be offering free tea, coffee and water for attendees who need a little pick me up.
Insley hopes to see many residents stop by the Prairie Spring Homesteading Farmers Market.
“Come and take a look. It’s not far out of Selkirk, and it’s a great little community, a lovely venue,” she said.
