FELLSMERE — There is a movement afoot in the City of Fellsmere to bring back a piece of its heritage – a farmers’ market complete with fresh, locally grown produce and farm-raised animals.
The brainchild of City Councilwoman Sara Savage, the Fellsmere Farmers Market and Mercado has grown out of the Community Garden effort, which now spans multiple properties throughout the city and gives residents a plot of land on which to grow tomatoes, peppers and more.
Among those involved in the effort to bring a twice-monthly market to the Old Fellsmere School is real estate agent Chanda Mundy, of Dale Sorensen Real Estate. She and her husband recently moved to Fellsmere and started their own farm, called Jive Turkey Acres.
It was meant to be a small operation of two cows, two pigs and 20 chickens.
But, unbeknownst to Mundy, she had to buy her chickens in groups of 50. So, the plan had been to keep 20 and sell 30.
It wasn’t meant to be, she said, explaining that in no time at all, the whole lot was sold off. So, another 50 were bought – then sold. In short order, the Mundys have sold 900 chickens and turkeys.
The endeavor led her to Savage and the twice-monthly live farm animal sale held at the Hay Station on 101st St. west of Babcock. Now, along with the animals, Mundy sells all the equipment necessary to raise the poultry.
It’s that kind of venture that Savage and Mundy – among others – want to encourage and support with the twice-monthly market at the old school.
Mundy envisions mini-classes after each few-hour long markets to teach and train those interested in becoming self-sufficient, entrepreneurs, and to live off the land.
“Fellsmere’s the place to do it,” Mundy said, given the city’s history of being an agricultural community.
Bonnie DiCrocco drove from West Melbourne to purchase a rabbit from Savage during Saturday’s live farm animal sale. She is a supporter of what she calls “homesteading” – an effort to be self-sufficient and live off the land.
She currently lives on a small city lot in town, but was able to cut her grocery bills in half by raising rabbits for meat and growing a garden, she said.
DiCrocco said her family is now looking to make the move to Fellsmere and would welcome having a twice-monthly farmers’ market in town.
“We’re actively pursuing the dream,” she said while holding the box containing a female rabbit Savage sold her.
The rabbit will be a breeder, producing those that will later become meals for her family.
“They’re great for protein,” DiCrocco said, and very lean.
Savage has been raising meat rabbits for a couple years, culling the warren (a group of rabbits), weeding them out according to her specifications.
Now, she sells them at the farm animal sale to others looking to do the same.
Savage said the official Fellsmere Farmers’ Market and Mercado could have more than rabbits. She envisions chickens, ducks and turkey, pigs and goats – small farm animals.
The twice-monthly event will be a way for those participating in the Community Garden to sell their produce and make a few dollars, as well as a way to promote local products.
The “Mercado” part of the event is expected to have a variety of offerings, handmade and homemade products crafted in the USA. There will also be a flea market area for most everything else.
“We didn’t want to say ‘no’,” Mundy said of putting limits on the vendors that can participate in the twice-monthly market.
Instead, the six-member board voted to give everything a try first and see how it goes.
“We have high hopes for it,” Mundy said of the market, beginning with the start date.
The board would like to be able to start the market on Sept. 7 to help get it established before season starts.
Considering the paperwork needed to get set up, it could be a tall order.
Vendors need to be vetted – making sure they are licensed and have their own documentation in place.
To that end, there is an application vendors need to fill out before being allowed to participate.
In the meantime, Mundy and others are taking the next few weekends to travel to other farmers markets around Florida to see how they operate and to take note, she said.
Along with the market comes the opportunity for some possible partnerships with the city, according to City Manager Jason Nunemaker.
He explained that as the city moves forward on grant applications for that general area, the market could be incorporated into the plans. Doing so might garner more points with the granting agencies.
“To me, I think the possibilities are wide open,” he said.
Anyone interested in participating in the Fellsmere Farmers’ Market and Mercado is encouraged to contact Sara Savage by calling (772) 413-1784.
A related website and Facebook page are under construction and are expected to be live soon.
