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BEMIDJI 鈥� When perusing the fruits, veggies and goodies of a farmers market, many may not realize the work it takes to make it all happen.

The Bemidji area is host to many local farmers and food producers. Right here in town, Bemidjians have two different farmers markets to take advantage of, the Bemidji Area Farmers Market and Bemidji鈥檚 Natural Choice Farmers Market, which both provide a variety of fresh produce and delicious goods to community members. Along with markets in Blackduck, Bagley and Walker, to name a few.

In honor of National Farmers Market Week 鈥� an annual celebration organized by the to honor all the value farmers markets bring to local communities 鈥� which recently took place Aug. 7-13, here鈥檚 a closer look at the options available to folks in the region.

The Bemidji Area Farmers Market is open twice a week on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m., in the parking lot of St. Michael's Furniture.

One of the vendors, Ter-Lee Gardens 鈥� started in 1989 by Terry and Loralee Nennich just a few miles south of Bagley 鈥� has participated in the Bemidji Area Farmers Market for 24 years. They also participate in the Bagley Farmers Market from 3 to 6 p.m. on Fridays each week.

鈥淲hen we bought our farm 35 years ago, it was with the plan to go into farming vegetables,鈥� Loralee said. 鈥淢y husband used to work for the University of Minnesota Extension as the fruits and vegetable specialist for the state, so this is his thing.鈥�

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

Terry grew up on a fruit and vegetable farm in southern Michigan, hoping to have his own one day. The couple moved to the Bagley area with their three children in 1988 and purchased a run-down dairy farm that would one day make Terry鈥檚 dream a reality.

When all three of their children graduated and departed for college, Terry and Loralee lost most of their help, but their goal of selling high-quality fruits and vegetables at a good price remained.

鈥淲e used to sell on a commercial basis when all of our kids were home, we sold our products to warehouses,鈥� Loralee said. 鈥淲hen the kids graduated, it left mom and dad at home contemplating what we could handle on our own. We kept doing the vegetables and it鈥檚 just gotten bigger and bigger from there.鈥�

Farmers like the Nennich鈥檚 work long, hard hours behind the scenes to make fresh and healthy produce accessible to community members at the market each week.

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

鈥淟ast week, I don't think I made one dinner, we just don't have time,鈥� Loralee said. 鈥淲e go out in the mornings to harvest and very rarely make it back in for lunch, and sometimes we鈥檙e out there until dark.鈥�

According to Loralee, it鈥檚 a full-time job and then some. As the couple reaches their mid-70s, she admits that they鈥檙e slowing down through age and the work is getting harder.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot more aches and pains,鈥� Loralee said. 鈥淭ruth be told this might be our last year of the farmers market, it鈥檚 getting to be too hard to handle it on our own.鈥�

The couple has proven that nothing substitutes hard work and experience. Farmers markets provide the space for farmers and consumers to connect and educate each other. Loralee mentioned she鈥檚 going to miss the camaraderie most of all.

鈥淚 just love visiting with the people, it's just fun to see the people that have been coming back year after year and enjoying our goods,鈥� Loralee said. 鈥淚t makes it all worth it when people recognize all the work we put into this and I hope people are healthier because of it.鈥�

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

For more information, visit the

Bemidji鈥檚 Natural Choice Farmers Market is a collection of vendors selling a slew of goods such as fresh produce, mushrooms, homemade lefsa, breads, canned goods and jams, along with household items such as homemade soap. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday throughout the summer in the Frizzell Furniture Gallery parking lot.

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

Jeff and Jacki Molnar have been a part of Bemidji鈥檚 farmers markets for about 40 years. They own 90 acres of land about 15 miles northwest of Bemidji where they raised their six children who come back to the farm to help when needed.

The Molnar's were named Beltrami County鈥檚 Farm Family of the year in 2021 , with eight acres of vegetable gardens and 60 acres of pasture that鈥檚 home to a sheep flock. The Molnars are committed to natural gardening using organic principles and share their crops with the community at the farmers market.

鈥淥ur farming is all natural, ever since day one I've decided not to use chemicals,鈥� Jeff explained, who also serves as vice-chair for the Bemidji鈥檚 Natural Choice Farmers Market. 鈥淪ome people use weed killers but I never did. I always had to think of ways around weed killers and got pretty good at it, it鈥檚 the hard way but it pays off.鈥�

Jeff also mentioned that he a few months ago where he shares the family's 40-plus years of gardening experience, including things like gardening tips, cultivation, natural fertilization and weed control for viewers looking to grow their knowledge.

The Molnars pride themselves on the quality of food they provide to their customers and give them the same level of quality foods they would want to eat.

鈥�(The farmers market) means everything to us,鈥� Molnar said. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen so many customers throughout the years that come every week and they always tell me how much they love it and how good it all is. They鈥檙e happy because they have fresh goods and I鈥檓 happy because I have a business.鈥�

For more information, visit

There are many reasons to support local vendors and attend farmers markets. From finding fresh produce to unique handmade gifts, visiting these local markets offers customers the chance to connect with vendors while also supporting the local economy.

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

Customers can ask farmers questions directly and learn about how the food was grown, or a specific craft item was created, and get it right from the source. Something that is obviously not an option when shopping in a regular store.

Another reason to support local farmers markets is to help reduce the distance the food and items have to travel.

Items at the farmers market travel fewer miles and use fewer natural resources. By decreasing the costs of packaging, marketing and shipping, a larger percentage of each food dollar is returned to the vendor, which in turn helps strengthen the community and the local economy.

There is also the added value of being able to purchase produce at its peak freshness, for greater nutritional value and much better taste.

As Loralee puts it, 鈥渆verything here is 2,000 miles fresher.鈥�

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

The Bagley Area Farmers Market is open each Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. through the end of September, as weather permits, in the grassy lot next to Galli Furniture, one block south of the stoplights. Customers can find a wide variety of fresh produce, homemade canned and baked goods, maple syrup, honey, craft items and much more. For more information, visit the

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

The Blackduck Area Farmers Market is open from 3 to 6 p.m. each Wednesday at the Blackduck Wayside Rest. Customers can find fresh produce, canned goods, homemade treats, honey, maple syrup, seasonings, flowers, crafts, soaps and much more.

The is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays at Green Scene Market, Eatery and Cocktail Bar, 617 Michigan Ave. W. The market serves as a gathering place for community members and visitors. Guests can find vendor-grown produce, specialty foods, baked goods, crafts, jewelry and much more. There is live music every week with breakfast, lunch and drink specials available in the eatery and cocktail bar.

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer