What Does It Mean to Savor the Season?

You might have seen the Grinnell Farmers Market new slogan, “Savor the Season” on our promotional materials and social media platforms this season. But what does that *really* mean?

Just like our available produce at Market (highlighted on our monthly seasonal guide), the Farmers Market season is fleeting! Rhubarb and asparagus, for example, were available in large quantities at the beginning of the season, but now, they are only at the Market in limited quantities. Like our local farmers’ harvest, market season won’t last forever — the off-season will almost feel ever-so agonizing! So make sure to savor every vendor, every taste, and every fun activity we organize at our Thursday and Saturday markets!

And remember: even though we are already saying farewell to some seasonal items, we should express gratitude that we still get to savor the next month's produce! Next month, prepare to hear more from our “Savor the Season” campaign!

In This Newsletter:

• Announcements
• A Message from Our Presenting Sponsor
• Meet the Vendor: Rose’s Art Stand
• Grinnell Farmers Market Instagram Tutorial: How to Stay Informed
• Supporting Olson Garden Market
• Savor the Season with our Seasonal Guide!
• Sponsor Spotlight: Community 1st Credit Union
• Upcoming Market Events
• Savor the Season Tip

Juneteenth is Tomorrow!

Happy Juneteenth on behalf of the Grinnell Farmers Market! What is Juneteenth?

After the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, enslaved Black people were forced to continue working for another two and a half years. But on June 19, 1865, American forces arrived in Texas to finally enforce the end of slavery. As a result, Juneteenth marked the first day of real freedom for Black communities across the United States.

In honor of Juneteenth, the Farmers Market information stall will have coloring pages of the Juneteenth flag for children and adults of all ages. Rose’s Art Stand will also have blank flag magnets to paint the Juneteenth flag during her Make a Rock, Take a Rock event. Come celebrate with us!

Punch Cards

Grinnell Farmers Market provides punch cards to all Market shoppers! With each Market purchase, a vendor can sign off a slot on your punch card. With 10 purchases marked on your punch card, you are automatically submitted into a basket drawing for amazing Farmers Market goodies, including baked goods, produce, and more!

Start a punch card or turn in a completed one to our Market Manager, Lauren Emge, who is under a green tent at the corner of 4th Ave. and Broad Street. Drawings will start in July.

Special thanks to our fabulous Farmers Market vendors who donate products for our drawings!

Know any Musicians?

The Grinnell Farmers Market is planning programming for July! If you know anybody who is interested in performing live music at the Farmers Market, encourage them to contact communications@getintogrinnell.com, or call 641-236-65555.

Call for Part-Time Vendors

We are still looking for part-time vendors! Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, so apply on www.grinnellfarmersmarket.com. Vendors are required to sell items that are entirely grown or made by the vendor or immediate family members in the state of Iowa.

Play Bingo at Farmers Market!

Kids and families can play a June-specific bingo card! Reminder: one completed bingo card counts as three purchases on your punch card — or if your kid doesn’t want a punch card, receive a sweet treat instead!

Collect a card at the Grinnell Farmers Market table on the corner of 4th Ave. and Broad St. Bring your own pen or have a vendor sign off on a spot.

Investing in Education

Grinnell Mutual actively supports education to strengthen communities and their future workforce. In 2025, the company and its Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation will be awarding nearly $140,000 in scholarships for secondary education in Iowa and the other states in our footprint. And, as part of our commitment to ongoing education and continuous improvement, our employees have access to free industry education and financial help for degree seekers.

Rose Mary Pirkle

If you’ve come across Rose Mary Pirkle’s stall at the Farmers Market, chances are you were bedazzled by not only her smile, but by her colorful magnets, rocks, and ceramics she has carefully laid out on her table. She is a familiar face at the Grinnell Farmers Market — a long-standing vendor of 12 years!

During Farmers Market, Rose Mary loves to engage with the community the most. “I love all the smiles and the ‘oohs’ and the ‘aahs,’” she says, smiling. She especially loves to see her repeat customers from summer to summer. 

“They always ask me in wonder, ‘How do you do this?’” she laughs. Rose makes her cement pieces from scratch and then waits for them to dry (for about a week!) before painting them. While she waits, she gets inspiration for her pieces by strolling through Dollar Tree or second-hand stores. She also creates resin pieces, which means she takes a liquid mixture to shape molds into beautiful designs of her choice. This year, she is selling resin turtles and worms, as well as new cement items like ice cream cones, butterflies, pyramids, and more! On Juneteenth, she will be hosting a Make A Rock, Take A Rock event for people of all ages! She will show how to make magnet molds and afterward, she will gift magnets to attendees to paint at home!

Fun fact: Rose Mary grew up on a farm in Wisconsin, planting and harvesting vegetables. No wonder she’s a lover of the Farmers Market! Now retired, she cares for her husband at home. Rose Mary takes custom orders for pieces, so make sure to request an order with her at the Farmers Market. She is there every Thursday and Saturday, so stop and say hi! As always, savor the season!

Do You Know How to Navigate our Instagram Page?

You may have noticed our Instagram page has become a bit more lively ahead of the 2025 Farmers Market season! One new addition this year is our Instagram highlights. When you click one of those little circles (as shown in our picture below), you can find information about the following four things:

• The month’s seasonal guide
• Our upcoming events
• Information about SNAP/EBT at Market
• A Recap of our Opening Day on May 8

As the season moves forward, we will update our highlights with new event posters, produce guides, and more!

Bonus Savor the Season Tip: Click the pink/orange ring on our Grinnell Farmers Market logo to view our story — that is where you can find our trivia games and discover new, fun information, too!

On Friday, June 6 long-time Grinnell Farmers Market vendors Olson Garden Market experienced a devastating barn fire.

Most of the tomato field, all of the cherry tomatoes, kale and some peppers were lost. Irrigation systems were melted, and the barn was a total loss. Thankfully, a few crops survived - but the losses are significant.

Grinnell Farmers Market is partnering with Grinnell Farm to Table in asking our community to come together to help one of our own recover from this accident. If you are able to support, you can do so online. Of course, we encourage you to support them - and our other vendors - by shopping at Grinnell Farmers Market all season long.

With June markets nearing the end, see what in-season produce our vendors are selling! On our Instagram story highlight and our Facebook page, stay up-to-date as new seasonal items come full bloom at Market.

Big thank you to our produce vendors for helping making this guide possible!

Savor the Season Tip: We Accept SNAP!

The Grinnell Farmers Market accepts cash and token transactions — but most importantly, money from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)!

What can you buy with SNAP/EBT at Famers Market?

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants, those that produce food for the household to eat.

You can also double your purchases for free with Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB)! Contact the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, 641-236-6555, with questions or visit the DUFB website.