The growing season is in full swing here in Morgan County, and that means lots of great locally- and regionally-grown fruits, veggies, flowers, and other farm products can be easily found at the Farmers' Market, area Farm Markets and even Roadside Stands throughout the county! So, what's the difference between the Farmers' Market, a Farm Market, and a Roadside Stand, anyway?
Farmers' Market
A Farmers' Market is the most organized of the three and is typically a larger market that features multiple local farms and other related vendors, many times organized by an independent board of directors or sometimes by a city parks department or other entity. Here in Morgan County, the Morgan County Farmers' Market Association features a twice-weekly market that features a wide variety of vendors that are members of the association. The Market provides a set time and a central location for vendors to set up that makes it easier to market the event and also helps make it easier for customers to find multiple suppliers in one location.
Morgan County Farmers Market Association
Find the Morgan County Farmers' Market on Tuesdays from 3-6 pm in Mooresville at the Mooresville Friends Church (50 N. Monroe Street) and on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm in Martinsville at The Main Connection (460 S. Main Street). They occasionally even have live entertainment at the Market!
Farm Markets
Farm Markets are typically small stores or shops set up by a single farm on their own property. Examples would include Anderson Orchard in Mooresville, Martin Farm in Martinsville, Crone Farm Store in Monrovia, Shively Farm and Crop Shop in Wilbur and others. These small shops primarily feature products from the operating farm, though some also have strategic partnerships - for example, did you know you can find cheesecake and other goodies from Sara's Goodies at Shively Farm & Crop Shop? Here's a list of Farm Markets you can find throughout the County:
Allen & Richardson Produce
Morton Avenue, Martinsville
This locally-owned farm stand features a wide variety of items throughout the growing season, including fruits and vegetables, melons, plants and flowers, mums and pumpkins the fall, even morel mushrooms in the spring! Items are sourced locally, but may also be brought in from outside the immediate area to provide you with more variety and a longer season. Canned items, honey and baked goods also available.
Anderson Orchard
369 E. Greencastle Road, Mooresville
Anderson Orchard opens for the season on the first Saturday of July. You'll find their own home-grown apples, garden veggies, and other fruits through out the season as well as some things brought in from around the region. Depending on how the growing season is going, you may be able to pick y our own apples, berries and pumpkins in the fall! The store also features some baked goods and canned items. Apple cider slushies are available any time and their concession area is open on weekends, and during their Fall Break activities.
Crone's Farm Fresh Market
3882 W. Hinshaw Road, Monrovia
This family owned and operated farm market features their own home grown beef, pork, chicken and eggs, as well as garden produce, as available. They're open Wednesdays and Fridays from 3 to 6 pm. Enter their drive near the house on the north end and exit near the barn on the south end. Please park along the U-shaped drive and not on the grass.
Gray's Plants & Produce
158 N. Morton Avenue, Martinsville
This locally-owned family business grows and sells beautiful bedding plants, herbs, hanging baskets, vegetables and more. Availability changes with the seasons and includes everything you need to get your garden started in the spring, lots of flowers and veggies through the summer, and pumpkins and gourds in the fall.
Henderson Farms
205 W. Main Street, Monrovia
This family-owned farm store offers a wide range of fresh, local products including meats, eggs, and more, from their own farm in Monrovia and from a select list of partners, all featuring local products. The store is located on Main Street in Monrovia. Stop in and check out what they have to offer.
Hunter's Honey Farm
6501 W. Honey Lane, Martinsville
You can't have a list of local farms without Hunter's Honey Farm. This iconic Martinsville attraction has been keeping bees and making live sweeter in Morgan County for multiple generations! Their store features honey, honey comb, candy, snacks, bee pollen, beeswax candles, natural skin care products and much, much more. "Bee" sure to enjoy some honey lemonade while you're there, and don't miss the demonstration hive in the store - see if you can spot the queen! Tours are also available - please reserve your tour in advance.
Martin Farm
3711 Leonard Road, Martinsville
Martin Farm is a fruit and vegetable store that also specializes in beautiful cut flowers! The stand is usually open Friday through Monday. Produce and flowers vary throughout the growing season with what's available, but there's usually a variety of offerings and you choose to build your own bouquet of cut flowers, or choose one that's already been arranged. Flowers are all grown on site; produce is grown on site and sourced from four other local farms. This is a self-serve stand, but they do take Venmo or PayPal in addition to cash. Look for their handy QR codes posted on the wall.
Shively's Farm & Crop Shop
6182 Wilbur Road, Martinsville
Open Thursday through Saturday on Wilbur Road, just west of Martinsville, Shively's Farm & Crop Shop offers local produce, meat, baked and artisan goods from their own farm and a few strategic partners (including that cheesecake from Sara's Goodies in Martinsville). You'll find farm fresh eggs, locally grown produce, crocheted items, soaps, candles, jewelry and more at this fun, eclectic, and tiny little shop.
The Wool Shed at Breezy Manor Farm
5803 E. Watson Road, Mooresville
The Wood Shed at Breezy Manor Farm features the work of Indiana Artisan member Donna Jo Copeland. It's located on site on her farm where she raises animals for their fibers, which she then spins, dyes, and creates beautiful yarns! Fiber arts enthusiasts will love purchasing her unique yarns, or anyone will love purchasing her completed items ranging from clothing to pillows to wall hangings.
Walker's Homestead
1465 Bill Smith Road, Martinsville
Best known for hosting their popular Little Red Farm Market events in the fall, Walker's Homestead is also a goat milk soap company that shares their expertise through classes, a farm store, dog food company and also offers goat hoof trimming services. (Yep, you read that right - they have many talents!) Open Friday - Sunday, Walker's Homestead offers lots of fresh, locally grown produce, meat bundles, soaps and lotions, and more. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for upcoming classes on soap making, too!
Willowfield Lavender Farm
6176 E. Smoky View Road, Mooresville
You won't find fruits and veggies here, but Willowfield Lavender Farm is always a must visit location on our list of local farms. Their Farm Store features all things lavender, including plants (limited quantities available), cut lavender (while it lasts), dried lavender, plus a multitude of products featuring the fragrant plant, such as soaps, lotions, sachets, and more. You'll also find other lavender-themed items, their famous lavender cookies and signature teas, and handmade pottery from owner, Libbe.
Zink Berry Farm & Kiko Goats
5878 S. Skinner Road, Morgantown
While this one isn't exactly a market, it's essential to know about if you're looking for fresh berries in the area! Zink Berry Farm grows blueberries, red raspberries and blackberries. They typically open in June and remain open throughout the season while they have berries. Hours are daylight to dark and you can either pick your own berries or purchase some that are pre-picked and ready to go. They take cash, check or Venmo.
Roadside Stands
Roadside Stands are a bit of a different animal and can vary in terms of what is offered and how frequently they're re-supplied. Roadside Stands can be very common in rural areas, often showing up in front yards and at the end of driveways, and can even be found in town! Really, anyone with an over-abundance of garden veggies can open up a roadside stand to share the results of their green thumb. Many times these are unmanned, and operated on the honors system, though sometimes they can be accompanied by lemonade stands from the younger set as well! Keep an eye out for unexpected Roadside Stands throughout the county - they can be as simple as a table in the front yard loaded with an abundance of zucchini. As Roadside Stands can pop up anywhere or anytime, we don't keep an active list of them, but we do encourage you to keep an eye out for them as you travers the scenic backroads of Morgan County!
