In May, the Argyle TX Farmers Market opened behind Holt’s business, Argyle Party and Gift, which is located at 409 US 377 S. The market, which carries goods from Texas farmers and ranchers within a 100-mile radius, is open from 9 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of each month, said Holt, who serves as the market manager and advisory board head. The market will remain open until October and will be open April-October next year.
“There had been a lot of Facebook posts asking for a farmers market, and the challenge with Argyle is people don’t have a place to do things,” Holt said. “We don’t have a town square or any place [to gather]. That was the challenge of getting it going. I lease this place for the store, and there is a great backyard area, so I was like, ‘Hey, let’s do it.’”
The background
Holt hails from a farming family in Kingsville that had a huge home garden, so she said the farmers market is “very foundational” to her life. She added that her background provided the impetus for her to pursue it.
The market has a maximum of 15 vendors and features a booth with a different local nonprofit each month. At the booth, a book about Argyle written by Lynn Sheffield Simmons, an author, educator, historian and community volunteer who was a freelance writer for several newspapers and magazines, will be available for purchase, according to the farmers market Facebook page. Simmons died last year.
Zooming in
The market is not an artisan market, so items such as jewelry, T-shirts and candles are not sold there, Holt said. Among the goods the market offers are meats, eggs, honey, dairy products and canned items.
“We are always searching for more produce,” Holt said.
Holt said the feedback from the community has been “amazing.” She added the July 13 market day will include a raffle for items from vendors.
She said the market will require continued support for its success, as vendors, including those who come from outside the area, need assurance they will have consistent sales.
The market is one of only three Texas Department of Agriculture-certified markets in Denton County, Holt said. More information can be found at www.argylefarmersmarket.com. Market officials can be contacted at [email protected] or 940-464-0129.
