Personal Narrative-Mollie From Jennings Brae Bank Farm

It was an autumn morning- the crisp September breeze was rattling the newly bare tree limbs, leaves of crimson red, orange and golden tones covered the ground like a soft blanket, and the smell of freshly bailed hay roamed the little parking lot full of vendors. As I got out of my car to walk under the festive tents a lady who seemed quite important and knowledgeable about the Bridgeport Farmers Market walked by ringing a bell. People started traveling through the tents discussing with vendors and other shoppers about an array of things; like the weather or ‘this eggplant color is so rich’ or ‘the healing power of the cookbook.’ Quickly, the small little shopping center that was filled with vibrant colored fruits, vegetables, and flowers became extremely loud. Conversations and chatter were surrounding me as I began to enter the tiny outdoor supermarket. In the little grassy area that was still damp from the morning dew were a group of 5 year olds giggling as they

One lady especially caught my attention- Mollie from Jennings Brae Bank Farm. She seemed to know more about the Farmer's Market than I would ever need to know. However, I wanted her to teach me as much as she could. She with majority of the other vendors at the Bridgeport Farmers Market did not truly have the title of an “organic” farm. “We practice all the same methods needed to earn the certification, no GMO, pasture raised, but it is too expensive to get an organic stamp.” She told me all about how you have to pay for each field you own when trying to reach that status. “It is just too difficult, but if we practice under the same standards than we personally do not need the stamp.” I thanked her for her time and commented just how welcoming the Market’s people and vendors truly were. She was not surprised by that and said, “This is how it always is. We come together as a community at Farmers