Who We Are
OUR MISSION: Haymaker Farmers' Market provides a connection between producers of local food and the community by creating a vibrant and sustainable gathering place promoting direct access to fresh and prepared food, agricultural and environmental education and the arts.
ORGANIZATION HISTORY
Haymaker Farmers’ Market is governed by our all volunteer Board of Directors and led by our Market Director, Andrew Rome. We are dedicated to delivering on our mission for our community. A balanced composition of vendor and community representation is just one way we elevate the mission of Haymaker Farmers’ Market. Market History Haymaker Farmers’ Market was founded in 1992 as a shared vision between Jo Anne Jones, Fritz Seefeldt and Rick Hawksley. The “Haymaker Farm Market,” as it was then known, opened with just four vendors and an article in the Record Courier. The market was organized to provide an outlet for locally grown agricultural products, as well as to encourage enterprise in Kent’s struggling central business district. Traffic was slow those first few Saturdays, but as awareness grew, so did the popularity and attendance. At the conclusion of the market’s second year Rick decided to step away from his role, and in turn his wife Joan Inderhees joined the team until 1996. Joan’s valuable contributions included developing a new logo and much-needed creative work on signage design, as well as the vendor brochure. During these early years, local farmer Dan Kamburoff helped with bookkeeping while simultaneously providing the growing farm market a bountiful supply of fresh sweet corn and assorted locally grown produce. Donna Pawlicki contributed by painting the market name on the trim of the vendor umbrellas. Fritz Seefeldt and Jo Anne Jones managed day-to-day operations by setting up street side signs, arranging newspaper advertisements, paying bills, and contacting area farmers about selling at the new market. As a volunteer, Fritz Seefeldt managed the day-to-day operations for over 20 years and witnessed the success and growth of the market. In 2013, Fritz passed the baton to the market’s first paid manager, Kelly Ferry, who oversaw the market’s transition to year-round with over 45 vendors offering a wide variety of local fare. Kelly introduced educational programming, a successful Indoor Market during the winter months, and a market-funded program that matches SNAP benefits for families that struggle to access fresh food. In 2016, Andrew Rome started as Market Manager and became Market Director in 2023. Haymaker Farmers’ Market continues to grow and fulfill our mission to connect local people through local food.
What We Do
Haymaker's programs include a variety of food access programs that get more healthy, fresh local food to people who need it. We distributed $100,000 of food benefits in 2024! We educate the community about local foods with our programs - like our July 2025 Farm Tour and our "Edible Kent" demonstration garden and our "Power of Produce" kids club - and through partnerships with other non-profits. Haymaker also support local arts, with free public concerts at Market all summer long, and the installation of our "Market Stanzas" mural under Haymaker Pkwy bridge.
The Haymaker Farmers’ Market is open, year-round, every Saturday morning in Kent. Open in downtown Kent on Franklin Ave, under Haymaker Pkwy bridge, April to November. Open 9am-1pm. Portage County’s oldest producer’s only farmers’ market offers a wide variety of locally grown and produced item including: prepared foods; fresh fruits; vegetables; herbs; fresh cut flowers; garden starts; perennials; jams and jellies; preserves; grassfed beef, pork, and chicken; pastured eggs; honey and honey products; maple syrup and maple products; baked goods including traditional, vegan and gluten free; locally roasted coffee and whole beans; tea; magical medicinal remedies; gourmet culinary herb blends; kettle corn; handmade soaps, lotions, and body care products; art and more!
PROGRAMS
- Weekly, year-round farmers market
- Summer children's program - "Power of Produce" kids club
- "Music at the Market" free, public concert series
- "Art at the Market" monthly arts events in summer
- Food assistance programs at Market - year-round
- "Edible Kent" public demonstration food garden in downtown Kent
- Events, including Farm-to-Table Dinner fundraiser, Haymaker Farm Tour, Community Potluck, & mor
