Last week was Minnesota and National Farmer’s Market Week, and venders and shoppers came together at the Becker Farmer’s Market to take part. Some were there for the first time, others were long-time participants.

Located in the parking lot of Becker Furniture World, the Becker Farmer’s Market is open Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m. through the middle of October. There customers will find a variety of venders selling their wares, from the expected fresh garden produce to handmade craft items, and grass fed beef to hemp products.

Kiley and Joe Paggen are selling produce for the first time this year after dad retired and began growing vegetables as his new hobby. It was Becker resident Judy Russell’s first time shopping at the market, and the greens and kohlrabi at Paggen’s stand were just what she was looking for.

This is Little Bit of Heaven Farm’s first year at the market, too. Ronnie Cazares-Euerle and her husband, Josh, used to sell their produce at the end of their Becker Twp. driveway. It worked so well they decided to try the farmer’s market. 

Along with a full array of garden vegetables, Little Bit of Heaven sells a variety of potatoes, and baked goods can be preordered. They also sell canned products, the most popular of which is their homemade salsa; people come back for it every year.

“We want to help build up the Becker Farmer’s Market,” said Czares-Eurle. “We moved here three years ago so we’re excited to be a part of it.”

Next to Little Bit of Heaven is Nita Morris, a farmer’s market regular for 10 years. Her farm, The Little Red Shed, is near Santiago, and offers seasonal vegetables, all grown chemical free. They also offer home-made goat milk soap and canned products such as salsa, jellies and jams.

“This year has been great!” said Morris of the Becker Farmer’s Market. “It’s a nice location.”

This is Jeremy Pebbles’ second year at the Becker Farmer’s Market. The Clear Lake resident sells CBD products from Hemp Worx through his company, The Hempturtles. All products sold are made with certified organic hemp, are 100% free of synthetic or artificial ingredients, and everything is tested at an FDA approved facility. None of his products contain any THC.

Popular products from The Hempturtles include their CBD oil and relief cream, which is similar to ‘Icy Hot’ and works well for arthritis. 

Nadine Race is also from Clear Lake. She sells her homemade products at her stand, Lou Lou Craft. This is her first year selling at the Becker Farmer’s Market; she decided to try it out and build up a little community at the same time.

At Lou Lou Craft’s you can find things such as pillowcases, bibs, burping cloths, aprons, washcloths, bowl cozies, and car seat canopies. Some of the most popular items are her dish towels, casserole holders and potato bag, in which you can microwave a potato, corn on the cob or tortillas.

Steve Mauch sells Forest Prairie Meats, which raises beef, pork and chicken on a small scale with no steroid hormones and no antibiotics. All animals are cage-free, and their Lowline Angus cattle are grass fed.

“We raise Berkshire Mangalica cross pigs,” said Mauch. “It’s a red pork, not white, and is very juicy, not dry.”

It’s Mauch’s first year at the Becker Farmer’s Market. 

“It’s been going great,” he said. “It’s an excellent location.”

Norm’s Farm Market has been selling at the farmer’s market for nearly 15 years. They sell homegrown produce and flowers along with 100% pure maple syrup, honey, canned goods and ground chili pepper. They grow the chili peppers, hang and dry them over the winter, then grind them up and sell them the next year.

“This year has been absolutely amazing,” said Jean Johnson of Norm’s. “The City of Becker has assisted us a lot. Venders are increasing and there’s a good variety.”

Although some venders are at the Becker Farmer’s Market every Friday, others are only there on specific dates, and new venders show up nearly every week. There are always new products being offered, so people are encouraged to stop by each week to see the latest.