By Carolina Lysse, Manzanita Farmers Market Manager
Spring is here, and a new season at the Manzanita Farmers Market is around the corner. My name is Carolina Lysse, and I’m the new manager. I’m thrilled to be stepping into this role! I was a full time market farmer for 20 years, first at farms outside Eugene, and then for 14 years at Corvus Landing Farm in Neskowin. I closed the farm and moved to the big city of Nehalem in 2023, and I’m now the assistant manager for a construction company in Manzanita. I’ve been a farmers market board member, performer, crafter, community tabler, and farmer, and I’m happy to finally complete my set with the manager role.
The board and I have been busy getting the season up and running. We are currently accepting vendor and community booth applications (link to apply at manzanitafarmersmarket.com), and we’re building a great roster of new and returning vendors. We’re securing our funding for SNAP match (did you know you can use SNAP benefits at the market? And get an extra $20 to spend every week that you do?!) We are working with the city to make sure our site is ready to be transformed into a thriving market each week starting May 16!
Market is on Fridays from 4-7 from May 16-September 19. It is located in the field behind the new city hall, 635 Manzanita Ave.
What’s new for 2025?
–We are starting one week earlier! The first market will be May 16, the week before Memorial Day. The market will be 19 weeks this year, going through September 19
–We’ve made it a priority to rebuild our volunteer corps. We need your help to make the market happen every week, and we are looking for volunteers to help with set up, break down, directing parking, welcoming visitors, and special projects. You can sign up for our volunteer list at manzanitafarmersmarket.com/volunteer
–The new city hall will be open soon after market starts, with additional parking, indoor restrooms, and many opportunities to interface with the beautiful new building
–We have lots of new vendors, and I’ll be highlighting some of them here on BBQ as the season goes on. We’re also hoping to add a kids activity booth.
I’ll be posting periodically with updates and news about the market, so stay tuned for more details. See you at the market on May 16!