It’s Farmer’s Market Week! Fresh from the farm in Southern Fauquier on Saturdays

In its third year, the Southern Fauquier farmers market in Bealeton expects to grow as the season progresses, according to the founder and manager Teresa Shifflett. She started this market because there was nowhere, on this end of the county, for local farmers to sell their products.

Now, both ends of Fauquier County are covered by the markets in Bealeton and Warrenton. Eventually, the full market will have jams and jellies, baked goods and craft vendors in addition to produce and meat.

“The market is starting slow because of the heat, but a lot of people said they’ll be joining. One is waiting for a permit to sell dairy goods, and others are waiting for crops to come in,” said Shifflett.

Shifflett is a beekeeper and sells honey, lip balm, pollen (a dietary supplement), baked goods, spices and bee jewelry. She and her partner Jerry Headley also operate a barbeque stand, which they started last year.

She said Honey Hog Barbeque does well at the Bealeton location and at their storefront in Remington and events in Front Royal.

Mike and Suzanne Hicks, who own Silverhixx Farm in Sumerduck, were selling frozen pork and fresh-picked squash, zucchini and cucumbers from her mother’s garden. He said the pigs are raised 100 percent grain-fed and the meat is USDA-inspected.

Suzanne added, “This is our first year here. We’re enjoying ourselves and meeting a lot of nice people.”

Hayden Eustace was manning the Willowlyn Farms’ produce stand. On this day, the Catlett farm had zucchini, yellow squash, corn, green beans, potatoes, onions, cabbage and blackberries. Eustace said this was a good day for sales.

Open Saturdays through October 26 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., the Southern Fauquier Farmers Market is located at Liberty Station on US 17, just south of the intersection with Route 28.