For the past several years, the Hattiesburg area has offered a few options for farmers markets, including the Downtown Hattiesburg Farmers Market at Town Square Park and the Forrest County Farmers Market held on Corinne Street.
However, that option has mostly been lacking in Lamar County, which led Lindsay Thomley to bring that initiative to the site of Thomley’s Christmas Tree Farm off of U.S. 98 in Hattiesburg. The market, which was recently approved by the Lamar County Board of Supervisors, will host its initial event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 27 at 50 Hegwood Road.
“I definitely saw a need for (a farmers market), just because we don’t have one in west Hattiesburg,” Thomley said. “Downtown has a fabulous farmers market, and the Lucky Rabbit has their markets, and so I figured this would give west Hattiesburg a chance to have something great like that too.
“Secondly, I selfishly wanted all the fresh goodies at my doorstep … and to be able to connect and support the local community (is a great opportunity). We have so many great people doing things, that it just makes sense to bring everybody together.”
In addition to the usual items like fruits and vegetables, the farmers market will offer things such as meat, cheese, bread, plants and some crafts. After the initial event, which is expected to feature at least 40 vendors, the farmers market will be held on the last Saturday of each month until August.
“All throughout last season, I talked to customers and just kind of took a verbal poll … and people got so excited, so I knew there was really a big draw for it,” Thomley said. “So I created the event on Facebook, and I think right now we have (more than) 1,200 people interested in the event, so you can tell west Hattiesburg is excited for it, for sure.
“I think they’re going to show up in a big way for our vendors, and everybody’s going to support each other, and it’s going to be a great time and it’s going to grow.”
In the future, Thomley also would like to offer classes at the market, whether that be quilting, canning, gardening or other similar measures.
“I think all that kind of stuff is so important to remember,” she said. “Eventually, along with the classes and workshops, I’d like to start a community garden, and that way we can get the community even more involved out there.
“That’s a big part of doing this – supporting local, supporting the community – but then remembering our heritage and where we came from, and how we got where we are today. We don’t want to forget all the skills that we had, from quilting and canning to foraging and survival skills. Anything like that, I think is going to be really fun – more community time, less time on your phone and more outside time.”
Thomley’s Christmas Tree Farm, which was established in January 1967, offers Christmas tree sales of species such as Virginia Pine, Leyland Cypress and Fraser Fir. Customers also can find a gift shop, a glass-blowing hot shop and tree flocking services.
Because of the farm’s long-standing service to the community, Thomley feels like it will be the perfect location for the farmers market.
“I think people are so used to coming out to the farm already, everybody enjoys it, and so it’s a good a good expansion to diversify what we’re doing out there already,” she said.
