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Anna Norris, Editor-In-Chief of The Powderhorn
All photos taken by Anna Norris on April 25, 2026.
Vendors kindly assist a customer purchasing products from Heritage Homestead Goat Dairy.
How the Watauga County Farmers' Market Serves More Than Shoppers
How the Watauga County Farmers' Market Serves More Than Shoppers
As Watauga County residents stumble out of bed on a crisp Saturday morning, local vendors diligently prepare fresh produce and handmade gifts in their stands at the Watauga County Farmers' Market. Although Western North Carolina is known for its vibrant landscape and greenery, there is little awareness surrounding the challenges local farmers and artists face in trying to maintain sustainable practices. From unpredictable weather and rising production costs to limited resources, it is difficult to maintain environmentally friendly practices while still financially supporting themselves. Even with these obstacles, vendors continue to show up week after week, providing fresh, locally sourced products to their customers.
"Not having help at certain times can be extremely difficult because it's not a steady 9-5 job," said Bill Moretz, owner of Moretz Mountain Orchard and Farms. "You may have one week where you're working daylight to dark, and not having the help to get all of the harvesting or planting done can be challenging."
The Farmers' Market not only allows Boone locals to enjoy the homemade goods and welcoming family-friendly atmosphere, but also supports small businesses and helps preserve and strengthen sustainable practices.
Amber Toombs, Owner of Rustic Roots Heritage Homestead, sells out all products during the Farmer's market.
Rustic Roots Heritage Homestead
"Processing day," said Toombs. "Processing days are the hard days. It's rewarding because you get to see the quality that you've raised and you've produced, but it's hard to say goodbye.”
Amber Toombs, Owner of Rustic Roots Heritage Homestead, has one of the most popular stands at the Watauga County Farmers' Market. She strives to farm, emphasizing transparency and humane animal welfare.
"Sustainability means having a closed loop system while prioritizing your animal welfare and providing healthy, nutritious, whole, real food in my community," said Toombs.
Creeksong Farm
Creeksong Farm has recently faced one of the most familiar challenges known to farmers: marketing their produce. Located in Zionville, North Carolina, Creeksong Farm has been selling produce at the Watauga County Farmers' Market since 1979.
"I'm really good at being alone and growing, and I'm not very good at talking myself up at all or stuff I do," said Will Thomas, Farmer of Creeksong Farm. "I think marketing's a challenge. think it's easier to grow too much of something than it is to get rid of too much of something."
Creeksong Farm is a successful and well-run business, yet its struggle to predict production is increasingly common. While overproduction is less destructive to small-scale agriculture, it still threatens natural resources and degrades soil health.
Handmade Goods Available:
In addition to freshly sold fruits and vegetables, the Farmers' Market also supports small businesses that create paintings, wood-carved bird feeders, and ceramics. Supporting these businesses means lower carbon emissions from shipping and more ethical practices across Watauga County.
Moretz's Mountain Orchard and Farms of Boone, NC.
"We have a lot of different fruits, apples, pears, plums, some unusual stuff, like kiwis and berries, of all types," said Bill Moretz, owner of Moretz Mountain Orchard and Farms. "Also, we do some sweet potatoes and vegetables like that."
For Moretz, sustainable farming goes beyond producing healthy food. It creates a personal connection between the caring farmers, the food, and the friendly customers who visit the market every week.
"Yeah. I'm always out there eating the berries," said Moretz. "There's a nice little tree, as you're going on the farm. And, of course, I do huckleberries, which are... Oh yeah. They're kind of a wild native year. Mm hmm. Also known as Bilberry, which is supposed to be really good for your eyes. Yeah. Yeah, it's really interesting. So, I mean, we think of food as just nourishment, but it's also mental. "
The Farmers' Market: Through the Community's Eyes
The hard work, difficult hours, and daily challenges vendors at the Farmers' Market go through do not go unnoticed. The Watauga County Farmers' Market is one of the most popular and exciting events for residents and Appalachian State students. Whether customers are enjoying the family-friendly kids area or live music, the Farmers' Market continues to give back to the local community and support sustainable agriculture.
"The farmers market is a great place to experience what the community in Boone is really like," said Watauga High School Senior, Annie Willis. "You get to see smiling faces, buy cool things people have made, like good food or beautiful flowers, and listen to great music. It is a place where the community comes together to enjoy each other's presence while also supporting one another by buying things that interest them."
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