Across the Acres

Maryah David

Miss M’s Loaves of Love

Appleton | Swift County

Tell us about your business and what you sell at the market. Miss M’s Loaves of Love is based out of Appleton. I started last July after getting approved for my cottage baking registration and didn’t waste any time jumping into the farmers market scene, with our first one being just a week after getting approved. Typically, we have at least three to five flavors of loaf breads and cakes with some fun, creative flavors such as loaded peanut butter cake, watermelon cake or strawberry crunch cake along with the classics such as banana chocolate chip bread, pistachio white chocolate bread or raspberry lemon bread. We usually have a variety of sizes from our mini loaves — perfect for trying a new flavor without the full commitment — all the way to our large pans that are ideal for family get-togethers or church brunch.

What does a typical preparation day look like for you to get ready for the market? A typical preparation day includes lots of baking, labeling and final touches of frosting or drizzling. We have to make sure we have all our market essentials such as tables and chairs, a canopy, a money bag, signs, etc. There are also extra things we try to remember to bring to make our lives a little easier for those “just in case” moments, such as extra Sharpies, extra labels, extra tablecloths, etc.

What do you enjoy most about interacting directly with consumers? I think my favorite part of interacting with the customers is hearing everybody’s stories and what they come to the market looking for. Everybody has such a unique story, and it is so fun to see people from different places come to the markets looking for their favorites while also supporting somebody’s dreams and goals. The customers are always such a hoot to chitchat with.

How do you feel buying local goods impacts rural communities? I think buying local goods impacts our rural communities in the best way possible. You’re not only supporting that small business, but you’re supporting somebody’s dreams and hobbies. Buying local isn’t just about the product; it’s about investing in the people who live and work alongside you every day. Whether that is the senior couple bringing their fresh-from-the-garden goodies, the sweet woman making candles, the truck full of sweet corn from the local family farm or kids just trying to make some summer money, we are all doing what we love. It strengthens personal community connections, keeps dollars local and helps small towns thrive for future generations.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since you started? I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned since I started is that there’s always going to be somebody with a bigger setup, fancier signs/packaging, a larger canopy, etc., and that’s OK. In the beginning, it’s very easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to everyone else, but I’ve learned those things don’t automatically make somebody “better.” What really matters is the heart behind your business, the quality of what you bring and the personal relationships you build with your customers. I’ve learned people really appreciate authenticity, kindness and honesty. There’s room for all of us to grow and succeed in our own way. We all bring something different to the table, and that’s what makes our local small-town markets so special. At the end of the day, we’re all out there sharing what we love, supporting one another, having fun and hopefully making a little money while doing what we love.

Lauren & Colter Combellick

Evergrow Homestead

Starbuck | Pope County

Tell us about your business and what you sell at the market. My husband and I have been homesteading for many years, but I officially started Evergrow Homestead in spring 2024. We sell baked goods, canned goods, garden produce and farm-fresh eggs at markets. We also offer whole chickens for sale, but those are only available for sale on our homestead.

What does a typical preparation day look like for you to get ready for the market? It’s always a rush, no matter how organized I am. The last two years, my main focus for market products has been baked goods, so the day before a market day is baking from about 7 a.m. until sometimes 10 p.m. or later. I do my best to prepare as much as I can earlier in the week whenever possible, but I try to save the baking for the day before, so the products are as fresh as possible. I also have three little boys home with me, so it’s a balancing act.

What do you enjoy most about interacting directly with consumers? I love getting to know people in the communities around me. It’s so fun to connect with people and hear their stories, and I also love connecting with the other vendors. I learn so much from others.

How do you feel buying local goods impacts rural communities? It has a huge impact. Every purchase made through me directly supports my family. And knowing the impact it has had on my family has also impacted my own purchasing habits. I also believe the quality of local goods is so much better, so it’s worth every penny. These small communities can only survive when we support each other.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since you started? This is a hard one to answer because I’ve learned so much. I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that I can’t possibly know how to do everything, and people are willing to help. I’ve connected with so many other vendors, and we are all so supportive of each other. It really does make the time and work we put in worth it.

Ashlee & claudy Francois

C-Fresh Garden

Hancock | Stevens County

Tell us about your business and what you sell at the market. We operate two high tunnels and grow fresh vegetables that we sell for about 10 months of the year. Recently, we added a cottage food license, which has allowed us to expand our offerings to include homemade bread, cookies, coffee cakes, granola and a variety of other baked goods. We love providing our community with both fresh produce and homemade treats.

What does a typical preparation day look like for you to get ready for the market? Market days are busy. We usually start early in the morning by harvesting vegetables while the temperatures are still cool in the high tunnels. Once everything is picked, we wash, package and store our products in a cool location to keep them fresh. In the afternoon, we load everything up and head to the market. Most of the day is spent preparing, organizing and making sure everything is ready for our customers.

What do you enjoy most about interacting directly with consumers? One of our favorite parts of selling at the market is seeing how excited people are about fresh, locally grown food. We value healthy living and enjoy helping families bring nutritious, high-quality products into their homes. Building relationships with our customers and hearing how they use our products makes the experience even more rewarding.

How do you feel buying local goods impacts rural communities? Buying local has a positive impact on the entire community. It supports local families, strengthens small businesses and helps keep money circulating within the local economy. When people choose to buy local, they invest in the success and sustainability of their rural communities.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since you started? The biggest lesson we’ve learned is not to be afraid to start. Beginning something new can feel overwhelming, and there is always more to learn. Over the past three years, we’ve gained valuable experience not only in growing and selling products but also in marketing, presentation and customer service. If you wait until everything is perfect, you’ll never get started. Growth comes through taking that first step and learning along the way.