This is the most bountiful time of the year!

If you haven't attended the Farmer's Market lately. . . you are missing the bounty of Indiana. Each market in the area has its own unique personality and vendors. You can almost find a market every noon or evening of the week to run by and pick up fresh produce or baked goods.

I don't have a complete list because markets often spring up at local churches and now even hospitals, but check out these markets:

There are more markets in surrounding areas like Greenwood, Fishers, Zionsville, Noblesville, and Saxony. Each market has special vendors and seasonal offerings in addition to weekly entertainment.

Let me just tell you what you are missing if you can't take advantage of these markets. You can find all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and herbs grown locally. The meats vary from organic lamb, chickens, beef, pork, and bison. You can find cheeses, breads, pies, jams, honey, and baked goods. Flowers and plants are bountiful. Sunflowers are particularly eye catching! You find specialties like local crafts, scents, oils, dips, dog gourmets, coffees & teas, and pastas. Breakfast sandwiches, tamales, crepes, pizza, ice creams, and all good eats are available too.

My favorites are the flavored oils and vinegars, the fresh herbs, the mixed bouquets of field grown local flowers, and the wonderful sweet corn and tart apples. It is the weekly trips to the market that I miss on a cold January day when the world is asleep under snow. To taste the fresh Indiana berries and produce just can't be beat. Our markets are a little bit of heaven each week.

You might even find crafts, cooking classes, a strumming minstrel. The people watching is the great, and the dog watching is the best. Bring a tote and load up. See your neighbors and talk to the vendors. This is truly farm to your table. The markets are even a great place to take children. Give them a few dollars and ask them to shop. It is amazing what catches their fancy. If they buy it, they will more likely eat it! The markets are also a great place to bring guest from out of town. These small markets are like a preview to Indiana State Fair. . . also a wonderful place to enjoy the agriculture and the produce of our state. What a delightful way to share the bounty and pleasures of Indiana. I hope to see you at one of the markets in the coming weeks.