Our wonderful city of Philomath – near the heart of the great Willamette Valley has seen grocery stores come and go. Meanwhile, folx have become better educated on the need for sustainable, regenerative, and energy-efficient agriculture. In the year 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic gave us reason to source food locally. Citizens began calling on nearby organizations for access to fresh, local produce, and conditions were ripe for a market to grow.
Discussions for our market began within Philomath Community Services (PCS) in 2019. Early the following year, the market concept was entrusted to the nonprofit Bountiful Backyard 501(c)(3). Bountiful formed a steering committee for the 2020 pilot season, which included representatives from PCS, the City of Philomath, the Oregon State University Small Farms Program, the Corvallis-Albany Farmers’ Markets, and various farmers. These thoughtful contributors formed the basic design of our hometown market, and its official name: Philomath Farmers’ Market.
In 2021 Bountiful hired a wonderful Market Manager, and the season included 16 Sundays, longer hours, and music! With hopes of bringing our neighbors together, away from the screen; to empower small farmers who grow food in healthful ways; and to demonstrate a localized economy; our hometown market began to grow heartily.
In 2022 the market ran for 20 weeks
2023 the market ran for 21 weeks
2024 has expanded to 22 weeks
The Philomath Farmers’ Market is a program of Bountiful Backyard 501(c)(3).
In the News
- Love of Learning: What we love about Philomath (Philomath News)
- Farmers’ Market sees success in Philomath (Philomath Express)
- Farmers’ Market a Big Hit (City of Philomath)
- Farmers’ Market to Launch Sunday (Gazette Times)
- Farmers’ market moving forward with pilot project (Philomath Express)
- Newsletter Announcement (City of Philomath)