Kevin Clifford/Nevada Appeal Leslie Irwin, left, of Dayton, looks at Maria Masini's produce Thursday evening during the Dayton Farmers Market at the Community Roots nonprofit nursery.
Fresh-food lovers can get their fill of produce and help pay for Lyon County's youth programs at the same time.
A new farmers market is back in Dayton at the Community Roots nonprofit nursery on the corner of Highway 50 and Second Street. The nursery is run by Healthy Communities of Lyon and Storey Counties Inc., which funds youth programs in the two counties.
Eight booths featuring fruits and veggies of all kinds, as well as fresh flowers and fresh lavender along with lavender products, garden decorations and fudge were available.
Wendy Madsen, who runs the nursery and farmers market for Healthy Communities, said there is no fee for booths, but she did request the vendors make a donation to the organization.
The farmers market, now it its fifth week, has become a meeting place of sorts for Dayton residents, said Harriet Pfrenzinger, of Dayton. "Every week it's more and more cars. More and more people are finding out about it."
Kathleen Keys, of Dayton, said fresh is the best way to buy produce.
"It reminds me of when I was a kid, when my aunt and uncle had a farm in the San Diego area," she said.
Not only locals, but passersby driving on Highway 50 have been stopping too. Delora Snapp, of Hawthorne, said they were headed to Fallon's farmer's market, but stopped at Dayton's as they passed on the highway.
"I've been missing the markets," she said. "I like fresh-grown products."
Vendors came from Dayton, Yerington and California.
"It's getting better and better," said vendor Maria Massini, of Yerington. "People are glad we're here and it's right on the highway where folks can see us."
Debbie Garrison, of Fresno, Calif., makes her living going to farmers markets for two California farms, CJJ Farms of Brentwood and G&S Farms of Santa Maria. She also works markets in Fernley, Nevada City, Calif., and the Bay area.
Healthy Communities itself has a booth, and all the funds raised go to youth programs. Madsen said her group hopes the nursery can become financially successful, thereby lessening the need for grants and donations.
She hopes to keep the farmers market, held from 4-7 p.m. Thursdays, going through September, or "as long as the weather holds out."
• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@ nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.
If you go
WHAT: Dayton Farmers Market
WHEN: 4-7 p.m. Thursdays
WHERE: Highway 50 and Second Street, Dayton
CALL: (775) 246-7550
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