Jackson County Farmers Market was founded by Karen and Johnny White along with Christy Bredenkamp, NCSU Extension Agent. White, a WCU Nutritionist, published a memo about the need for a farmers market in the area and took the lead as Market Manager for the markets first seven years.

Founding members included the Whites, Christy Bredenkamp, the Arps, John Beckman, Steve Whyman, and a few others. In 2001, Jim Sellers, Neil Dawson, and others would bring in truckloads of apples, watermelon, corn and other vegetables as well as nursery starts. Later on that same year, Cathy Calabrese, Thomas Crowe, Aquilla Greene, and more vendors joined them.

For the first 5 years, the market remained small, with no more than 10 booths.  The only rule was that vendors only sold what they grew.  Also, there were no vendor fees but they did have a collection basket for vendors to contribute whatever they felt was appropriate. Support from Cooperative Extension was no longer needed by 2004, and Karen White and the vendors took responsibility for the market, eventually hiring an official market manager in 2007. Susannah Patty and Jenny McPherson, the first two such managers, developed the first set of written guidelines and application.

Under Jenny’s tenure as manager, the market grew to exceed 30 members, and began its winter crafts market.  A board of Directors was established under Jenny’s and her advisers care.  The Jackson County Farmers Market was incorporated in late 2012.  The market also began to accept SNAP/EBT in 2013.  After diligently working for four years on developing the market, Jenny McPherson stepped down in 2016.

The Jackson County Farmers Market continues to provide a vibrant space for local businesses and entrepreneurs to gather weekly to do business with the fine people of Sylva and the surrounding area every Saturday at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva, NC.