Western Sustainability Exchange (WSE) is proud to announce that Vicki Petry will be the new Farmers Market Coordinator. Everyone at WSE is really excited about the experience and enthusiasm Vicki will bring to the market. Besides being a former vendor herself, she lives here in Livingston and frequently attends the farmers market with her family. She’s extremely community-minded, has coordinated events such as St. Mary’s Bash, and has a degree in public relations, which can only help with promoting the market. Vicki will collaborate with the same team of WSE staff and volunteers who worked with former long-time Farmers Market Master, Rob Bankston, to organize and grow the Livingston Farmers Market. Miranda Bly, WSE’s Office Manager, will continue in her role of vendor registration, manning WSE’s booth during the market, and promoting the market to radio and print media. This will be her fourth year with the farmers market. WSE’s new Development Director, Heidi Barrett, whom most people know from the Senior Center, has taken an active role in securing business sponsorships and planning the market’s special days. She is also lining up some great bands and entertainment. Tyrrell Hibbard, WSE’s Producer Coordinator, is continuing his role of produce and meat vendor recruitment.
As always, WSE’s Executive Director, Lill Erickson, is working behind the scenes, supporting the staff and helping to make any major decisions about the market. According to Erickson, “We estimate that last year’s Livingston Farmers Market generated over $245,000 for its 224 vendors over the course of the summer and at the Holiday Farmers Market. We had vendors from all over Montana in attendance.”
The Livingston Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday from 4:30-7:30pm and will run from June 1st through September 21st, except for the August 17th market, which will be a special county-wide farmers market in conjunction with the National Park Service’s centennial birthday and the corresponding week-long celebration in Park County. This market will run from 3-7:30 pm and will include vendors from the Shields Valley and Gardiner farmers markets. Wildfire Preparedness Day will kick off the season on June 1st. Park County FireSafe Coalition will offer wildfire safety information and organize activities for the kids, including photo ops with Smokey Bear and a fire engine or two. Park High Band will provide music, and the Yellowstone Ballet School will also be performing. As always, public admission is free for this weekly community event on the banks of the Yellowstone River, where you can enjoy locally-grown produce and meat, quality handmade crafts, jewelry, and artwork, food and drinks, and entertainment. Future live music will be provided by Dan Dubuque during the June 8th Market and Petty John’s Underground on June 15th. See you at the Market! •
