County Farmers Market gets a makeover

A fresh coat of paint can liven up a building, so just think what a building-wide mural can do.
With scenes of green fields, apple trees, tractors and colorful vegetables, the county’s newly spruced-up Farmers Market at 1920 Pageland Highway, Lancaster, is attracting attention. And that’s the point, said Julie Walters, who represents the county’s second district on the Farmers Market Commission.
“People really and truly didn’t know it (the market) was there,” she said. “We’re trying to enhance it and make it more appealing to the eye.”
The small building and its overhang, which provides space for multiple vendors and located across from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, was in need of some upgrades, Walters said.
One of the most eye-catching upgrades is an expansive painting, created by Kershaw muralist Kim Twitty. The mural, which wraps around the market’s main building, was painted during three weeks in November and December.
“She came in, did a base coat and then started painting those rolling fields,” Walters said. “The mural shows the beginning stages of farming on one side and then harvesting and selling the items at the market.”
Walters said the commission paid for the mural with money from its annual budget. Next up, the commission has asked Twitty to paint “Welcome to the Lancaster County Farmers Market” on the structure.
Other efforts
With the help of two local farmers, Walters also pitched in to help with the beautification of the market by improving the property’s landscaping. Over the course of two days, she helped plant new flowers, such as roses and lilies, and bushes on the property.
“We dug all the holes and planted all the plants,” Walters said. “We got plants from a wholesaler who owns a nursery and we bought them at cost.”
The commission also enlisted the help of a local landscaper to help put pine straw down, as well as local organization YouthBuild, which helped build a new sign on the property. Money and some materials for the sign were donated by the Indian Land Rotary Club.
“This was a community effort to get it all done,” she said.
Walters said the beautification of the market has been a year-long initiative.
“It shows if we all work together we can make a positive situation in our county,” Walters said.
Other improvements at the market include the newly updated commission website, which is part of Lancaster County’s overall website. The website includes harvest schedules, frequently asked questions and information about the commission members.
“We’re trying to let people know, farming is not just 100 or 50 acres, it’s also small pieces of land,” Walters said. “We’re encouraging anybody who grows herbs or seasonal plants in their yard, or even craft vendors, to participate in the farmers market. We’re trying to take it in a new direction and give people more variety.”
Walters touts other small additions found at the market, including a bulletin board where farmers can learn about state-sponsored farming classes, as well as a suggestion box for use by vendors and customers. The commission also worked with the S.C. Department of Transportation to create and post new highway signs letting the public know where the market is located.
“Now people can notice it,” she said. “We just wanted the public to know we’re out there and wanted the community to know we’re doing something good.”
The commission previously received a $1,000 grant from the state of South Carolina, which Walters said was used for vouchers to be given out at Christian Services and HOPE in Lancaster.
“The vouchers were given to needy families to provide food on a weekly basis,” Walters said. “This was a win-win for those at the farmers market and for citizens.”
 

Aaron Morrison/staff photographer

There have been several upgrades to the Lancaster County Farmers Market, including a mural by Kershaw muralist Kim Twitty. The mural features the different phases of farming – planting, harvesting and selling.

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