By Guest Author Rory Groves

It was a hot and humid September day for our first time vendoring at our town’s farmers’ market a few years ago. Crayons were melting in the black walnut crayon holders I made earlier in the week. Our main products were free-range chickens that were raised on our farm, but we also offered a selection of homemade crafts. We ended up rotating the crayons with frozen chickens in the ice chest to keep them from melting. As a way to trial the farmers’ market business concept, we signed up for two weekends at the end of summer. “What do you want to bet next time we’re here we’ll be in winter jackets?” Becca asked me as we sweated and enjoyed our Hawaiian shaved ice from the neighboring booth.