Summer days mean fresh veggies for Dayton shoppers

A quaint downtown, a booming population and a family-focused farmers market - this is what Truddie Arkell wants people to think of when they come to Dayton this summer.

Arkell, Dayton Valley Floral & Nursery manager, is organizing the community's first farmers market, and she's betting it'll be a success.

"We decided over a year ago that we wanted to bring a farmers market to the community," she said Wednesday. "We wanted to promote locally-grown produce from Dayton, Carson City, Reno Fernley, Smith Valley, Yerington and Fallon."

Arkell is applying for a special use permit to run the market from June 2 to Sept. 15 at the 209 Dayton Valley Road nursery. She has been busy contacting local farmers and growing interest in Dayton's first market.

"We'll offer a variety of locally-grown or home-grown items, such as herbs, vegetables and honey," Arkell said. "I also had a lady interested (in selling) who produces natural soap for cancer patients."

So far, she has signed on Smith & Smith Farms of Dayton, Sue's Gardens of Carson City, potpourri made by Susan Dyke and Joy's Honey Ranch of Reno. Arkell would like to have about 30 vendors, who will set up inside the nursery's pavilion. And she hopes to have local bands playing in the background and activities for children. The nursery partnered with Dayton Valley Chamber of Commerce to develop the farmers market.

But Arkell said this is about something more than making money, and she doesn't even know how much it could earn, it's about building a society.

"All of our lives are so busy that we have lost touch with community, with other people," she said. "We look at this as a way for people to gather and get back in touch."

Brenda Smith, of Smith & Smith Farm, will set up her booth in the nursery's pavilion this summer. She grows vegetables and cut flowers for bouquets.

"We grow in Dayton so we really wanted to be a part of the community's farmers market," she said.

Sue Young, owner of Sue's Garden, has grown vegetables commercially on her two-thirds acre for the last six years. She will share a booth with a Carson City woman who makes homemade potpourri.

"I grow vegetables for myself, my neighbors and my customers who want to eat chemical-free food," she said.

- Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.

Farmers markets

• Dayton farmers market at Dayton Valley Floral & Nursery

3-7 p.m. Thursdays

June 2 to Sept. 15

• Summer market in the Pony Express Pavilion, Mills Park on Highway 50 East and Saliman Road

3:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays

June 8 to Aug. 31

• Spring market on Telegraph Square

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

May 14 to June 4

• Fall market on Telegraph Square

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday

Sept. 3 to Oct. 1