Lauri Jones is an Organic Gardener and Chicken Herder at Lauri's Garden at the Vineyard in Dixon. Photo courtesy of Downtown Dixon Business Association

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Since the rain gave California farmers a nice edge for crops, this year’s Downtown Dixon Farmers Market will be kicking off from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6, with plenty of offerings in the Dixon Women’s Improvement Club Park on the corner of North First and C Streets next to the public library.

“We will have locally grown vegetables, fresh fruits, and fresh baked breads plus a few activities for children every Thursday,” reported Downtown Dixon Business Association President Jill Orr.

There will also be homemade salsas and tamales, hummus, olive oil and an opportunity to meet your local farmers.

“I hope it’s well patronized by the locals,” said Simba Baratti who is organizing the Dixon location alongside his partner, Becca Bernard. The couple has several Farmers Markets they manage. 

Fresh vegetables of the season will be available at this year's Farmers Market in the Dixon Women's Improvement Club Park starting June 6. Photo courtesy of Downtown Dixon Business Association

“Early on, I thought that practicing medicine would provide the best opportunity to heal and support those in need, so I chose biology as my field of study in college. Paying tuition and strenuous financial circumstances had me juggling multiple jobs along with my heavy math and science class load,” he explained about how he started getting involved with ag markets. “Fortunately, I landed a job with a local organic farm working their farmers markets on the weekends. Within months, I was hooked, but this time by a new path to fulfill my goals of healing and supporting my community.”

Together with Bernard, who is a middle school science teacher, they started their “first generation farm” which is currently on one and a half acres in Lincoln. They grow a wide variety of crops ranging from rare round cherries to common crops such as carrots and kale.

They enjoy organizing and running about a dozen farmers markets in the surrounding area, including Davis and Woodland.

This is not Dixon’s first Farmers Market. The first one was brought with help from then Downtown Dixon Business Association’s Board of Directors for three years beginning in 2009 and the past year was run by Susan Motley and Sommer Sanchez.

With the growth of new residents in Dixon coupled with some pleasant forecasts, this year’s Downtown Dixon Farmers Market looks promising and is set for every Thursday, June 6 through Sept. 26.  For the exact dates, go to downtowndixonca.com or email [email protected].