This is the most bountiful time of the year!

If you haven't taken in a Farmers' Market lately, you're missing the natural goodness of Indiana. Each market has its own vendors ― and unique personality. You can pick up fresh produce or baked goods almost any day of the week at various markets.

I don't have a complete list because markets often spring up at local churches or even hospitals, but I can advise you of the following:

• Broad Ripple Farmers Market - Saturday mornings
• Binford Farmers' Market, 65th & Binford - Saturday mornings
• Carmel Farmers' Market at Carmel Palladium - Saturday mornings
• Farmers' Market at Indianapolis City Market - Wednesday mornings
• Abundant Life Church Farmers' Market, 86th & Hague - Thursday evenings
• 38th and Meridian Farmers' Market - Thursday evenings
• Geist Farmers' Market - Thursday afternoons
• Stadium Village Farmers' Market (near Shapiro's downtown) - Tuesdays
• Traders Point Creamery Farmers' Market - Friday afternoon and early evening

There are more markets in surrounding areas including Greenwood, Fishers, Zionsville, Noblesville, and Saxony. Each market features seasonal offerings and many have weekly entertainment.

Let me "beat the drum" for the great items that await. You can find all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and herbs grown locally. The meats range from organic lamb, chicken, beef, and pork to bison. There are cheeses, breads, pies, jams, honey, and other scrumptious baked goods. Flowers and plants abound. You may also find specialties including fresh backyard birdseed, local crafts, scents, oils, dips, dog gourmets, coffees, teas, and pastas. Breakfast sandwiches, tamales, crepes, pizza, and other ready-to-eat treats are sold too.

My favorites are the flavored oils and vinegars, the fresh herbs, the mixed bouquets of field-grown, local flowers plus the wonderful sweet corn and tart apples. I so miss weekly trips to market on cold January days that I make a point of getting to them in the growing season. When time is right, the taste of succulent Indiana berries is not to be missed. Our markets are a little bit of heaven each week, and the array is ever changing.

The markets are a great place to take children. Give them a few dollars and let them shop to encourage healthy eating. You may be amazed by what catches their fancy. The markets are also a great place to bring guests visiting from out of town to provide the flavor of our community. These small markets provide a preview of the Indiana State Fair, showcasing our agriculture and ingenuity. Here's hoping to see you at one of the markets in the coming weeks.