Next summer, the Mason Village Market will return to the town’s common, after a successful first year for the fledgling farmers’ market.

In June, Mason held the first of a monthly summer market on the green, hosting local farmers and crafters every third Saturday of the month in June through September. The market was organized after Selectwoman Kate Batcheller approached some local farmers about their interest in hosting a market. 

“People have been wanting to do it a long time,” said Nate Choquette, owner of Rustic Wolf Farm in Mason and one of the market’s organizers. “Our small farms, to make it to them, you’d be driving around for an hour-and-a-half to get meat, greens, eggs and produce.”

Farmers’ markets can be a linchpin for small farmers, said Choquette, who added that he was in his third year selling his produce, and that the majority of his sales come from his farm stand.

The intent for the market was to be hyper-local to Mason producers, providing common farm items, as well as having community draws such as live music, food trucks and movie nights. Organizers began planning the market late this spring, and were able to get it off the ground as planned for the third Saturday in June, despite somewhat rainy weather.

Paula Babel of Babel Sugar Shack in Mason said her family had never participated in a farmers’ market prior to the Mason Village Market, and that it was a good way to get out name recognition among residents, who could become regular customers.

“To be able to get the word out and have people sample our product is kind of exciting for us,” Babel said during the first market.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.