The mission of Davidson Farmer’s Market is to sponsor a weekly farmer’s market in Davidson which provides locally grown food, educates the public about nutrition and the importance of eating locally grown foods and offers musical entertainment, special events and cooking and other demonstrations to create a community festival for the Town. DFM’s goal is to create a vibrant community gathering place with locally grown agricultural and horticultural products and family-friendly educational, musical and entertainment activities.

The market offers locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats, and cheeses produced by sustainable or organic methods when possible. Other agriculturally based products such as breads, flowers and soaps are also offered.

The Davidson Farmer’s Market began as a grassroots effort when a number of citizens independently contacted Kate MacIntyre, the late Director of Downtown Davidson Inc. in the spring of 2007, asking if there were any plans in Davidson’s future for a market. Kate set up a meeting, the conversation started, and it has grown from 12 “founding farmers” to more than 35 farmers and producers in two years.

Since its debut in May 2008, the DFM has been supported by a dedicated group of volunteers.  A part-time market manager was hired in 2009 to supplement the growth of the Market.

Market Manager – Mary Jane Leach With a work and educational background in nonprofit and public administration, Mary Jane also farmed field grown cut flowers and sold at farmer’s markets in the NC mountains.  She and her family grow much of their produce at their Davidson home.  Her interest in the farmer’s market is to promote a successful local farming economy and increase the consumption of fresh, seasonal foods. Mary Jane, her husband and two young children moved to Davidson in June of 2006. [back to top]

Kathy Pearce, Chair/Treasurer, has an MBA, 25 years experience as a finance executive at Xerox Corp. and six years as Executive Director of a small faith based non-profit in Rochester, NY, which served free meals daily.  She has lived in Davidson with her husband and two children since September 2008.

Kealy Devoy, Secretary/Events Chair, is the Sustainability Fellow at Davidson College. She graduated from Davidson in 2008 with a degree in environmental studies, with a focus on human interaction with nature. Kealy’s interest in the farmer’s market stems from a love cooking, and as such works with the chef demonstration program at the market. She is also interested in traditional food preservation methods such as canning, freezing, and dehydrating. [back to top]

Shelley Rigger, Secretary, is a Davidson resident and political science professor at Davidson College. She served on the Davidson planning board for 10 years. She also was a member of the Growth Management study group for the Davidson Comprehensive Plan. She joined the DFM board in 2010.

D. Roy Alexander, Grounds Chair, is the Executive Director of the Davidson Lands Conservancy and an Organizing Committee member of the Davidson Farmer’s Market. Roy graduated from Davidson College and received his Master’s from UNC-Chapel Hill. His professional background includes working as a Cooperative Extension Agent for Mecklenburg County. [back to top]

Patti Hubbell, Volunteer Chair, a Davidson resident since 1995, has a background in education and massage therapy and currently works for a software company in Davidson. Her interest in nutrition and healthy eating has grown into a passion to help local farmers while promoting local, healthy eating. Patti has started her own garden and helps other families build gardens so they are able to grow their own fresh food. [back to top]

Carol Harris Mayes, Vendor Chair, is past chair of the DFM and has more than twenty-five years of professional experience conserving natural lands, and developing successful community-base conservation programs and raising funds for conservation. As an organizing member of the Davidson Farmer’s Market, Carol works closely with farmers and producers. In 2001, Carol co-founded Mayes Wilson & Associates, LLC, a firm that assists organizations, agencies and individuals to increase their capacity to conserve land and waters. Highlights of her career prior to starting Mayes Wilson & Associates, LLC, include serving as The Nature Conservancy’s founding Director of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Eastern Caribbean program, and as the Director of Science and Stewardship for the North Carolina Chapter. Carol trains and lectures nationally on a variety of conservation issues and has published articles on ecological topics. [back to top]

Edie Surratt, Fundraising Chair, spent 16 years working in broadcasting, as Retail Marketing Manager for WRFX-FM and then as a New Business Director for Premiere Radio Networks. Edie also worked as a Corporate Support Representative for Classical, 89.9, WDAV. Currently, Edie is VP of Account Services with Smarthinking PR, a public relations and marketing firm based out of Chicago. She has lived in Davidson since 1993 and is married with two children. [back to top]

Tim Dreffer currently serves as a Commissioner on Davidson’s Town Board. Originally from Huron, OH, a small farming town on the shores of Lake Erie, Tim graduated with a BS degree from The Ohio State University majoring both in Transportation Logistics and Marketing. After moving around quite a bit (Lexington, KY, Atlanta, Cincinnati), he and his wife Diane moved to Davidson in 2000 and both became active in the community. Tim served on the executive committee for Downtown Davidson Inc. when the decision was made to join the initiative of launching and supporting the Davidson Farmer’s Market. A small business owner, Tim’s office is located on Main St. in Davidson. [back to top]

Alicia Frank is a rising senior and economics major at Davidson College from Charlotte, NC. Her areas of interest include land conservation, local food and community development. As a member of the Board of Directors, Alicia assists in special event planning and serves as a student liaison between the Farmer’s Market and Davidson College. [back to top]

Abbey Thibeault is a sophomore history major at Davidson College. She is a member of the Environmental Action Coalition and the Patterson Court Sustainability Council. She is also a member of the Davidson cross country and track teams. [back to top]