Latah Farmers Market brings rural residents, farmers and craftspeople together
Colorfully packed soaps are on display at the Heritage Farmstead booth at the Latah Farmers Market in Troy.
Story and photos by Katarina Hockema
The Latah Farmers Market is in the midst of its second season as a small-scale, local market catering to county residents–vendors and visitors alike.
Organizer Erika Sattler, originally from California, moved to Deary, Idaho, in rural Latah County to expand her regenerative cattle-raising business, Texas Ridge, taking advantage of the expansive space and resources that Idaho has to offer. She eventually compounded this interest by founding the market during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We saw a community of people who were being underserved, and that had disruptions to access to a free market for ... all kinds of goods, food services, crafts, resources,” she said. “And recognizing that the entire country, we had no control over, but we started to make access and outlets for a new emerging group of producers.”
Some of Sattler’s goals for the market center around inclusivity, focusing on self-sufficiency, boosting the local economy, and being 100% local and tailored to increasing access for more rural or underserved community members.
The market started in Troy, a town of about 800 people east of the county seat, Moscow. In the 2022 season, it added a location in Potlatch, a similar-sized town on the north side of Latah County.
Sattler said she is not currently looking to expand the market beyond these two locations.
“We're really happy with how it's going right now. We're still loving the support we've got from our community,” she said. “I think as people get further away from the pandemic, it's harder to see why there was a need for a smaller market a whole year ago. But I think that everything's gonna start to sort of settle out and people will still really be drawn to a more localized economy and continuing to have an outreach and out resource where they can connect with their friends and neighbors.”
The owners of Sweetie Pie stand at their booth at the Latah Farmers Market in Troy. They started their bakery in August 2022.
A Variety of Vendors
The market supports a wide variety of vendors and products, promoting everything from handmade wood crafts to food trucks to live musicians to small-scale bakers.
At Sweetie Pie, a small bakery booth started in August 2022, owner Harper Wallen said she enjoys providing differently sized and flavored homemade pies made for every type of pie enthusiast, whether a snacker or someone looking for classic desserts.
Putting the farmer in farmer’s market, Michelle Johnson, co-owner of Heritage Farmstead, said she is happy to be participating in her second season with the market selling soaps, washcloths, produce, jams, lip balm and more in both the Troy and Potlatch locations. The Farmstead, operating since 2019, provides a business outlet for the Johnson family, who are residents of nearby Potlatch.
“We also attend the Moscow Farmers Market and craft shows around the county,” Johnson said.
People of all business levels and trades can participate in the Latah Farmers Market, and the market features an accessible online registration portal for vendors, musicians and others.
“It's been a great way for people who really had always wanted to do a business kind of thing or do business on the side to be able to try it,” Sattler said.
Looking forward to 2023
The final days of the 2022 Latah County Farmers Market season are Sept. 28 in Potlatch and Oct. 8 in Troy. The Troy location will host a community apple cider pressing Oct. 8, where people can bring their apples to be pressed for free.
There are no late fall or winter events planned, but the market will return for a third season in summer 2023. The market opens on the first Saturday in June in Troy, and on the first Wednesday in July in Potlatch.
MORE ABOUT THE MARKET
Troy Latah Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 8 in Troy City Park, just off State Highway 8.
Potlatch Latah Farmers Market: 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 28 at The Depot, 185 Sixth St.
Learn about scheduling, vending options, volunteering, products and more at www.latahfarmersmarket.com.
