The Rutherford County Famers Market (RCFM) is celebrating its 40th Anniversary next Friday, June 26th, from 7am to 12 noon. Activities for this event will include demonstrations from Eva Berg of Everich Farm, the Rutherford County Beekeepers Association, all ages weaving with Catie Beth Thomas, and environmental education from the MTSU Stormwater Program.

The Discovery Center's S.T.E.A.M. Bus will be on hand with fun activities for kids. In addition to the wide range of market products, attendees may also try samples provided by MTSU Dairy and the TN Pork Producers Association. Our 9am class that day is an indicator of the many changes seen at the market since 1975, with a class on Tai Chi, an ancient form of meditation, relaxation, and fitness. All ages and abilities are welcome to this introductory class.

The RCFM was founded in 1975 as an outlet for local agricultural producers to meet more of their customers face-to-face. Over the years, the market has evolved to provide much more than a retail space.

Extension Agent and RCFM Coordinator, Janie Becker describes it this way, "Being managed and operated by UT/TSU Extension of Rutherford County, education is at the heart of our mission. We teach consumers what it mean to support local farms and the value of great nutrition, while also exposing them to the vast offerings of Extension. Behind the scenes, we also work with producers to help them farm more efficiently and effectively. We are a 100% ProducerOnly market, meaning that the products sold by a vendor are grown, raised, and/or processed by the vendor. No exceptions. Over the past 40 years, we have grown alongside Rutherford County. We continue to demonstrate our agricultural heritage by supporting fresh food, local agriculture, and strong community ties."

The Rutherford County Farmers Market is located in the Lane Agri-Park Community Center at 315 John R. Rice Blvd. in Murfreesboro. Through October, regular market hours are each Tuesday and Friday from 7am to 12 noon. Programs are offered to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability, and both UT Extension and TSU Cooperative Extension Program are Equal Opportunity Employers. For more information about this event visit extension.tennessee.edu/Rutherford or visit and Like us on Facebook: Rutherford County Farmers' Market