were invited to sell at the market . At first , they didn ’ t think they had anything of interest , but when asked if they had firewood , cow manure , or eggs they found customers , even for the manure , used to fertilize down-county vegetable gardens and rose bushes .
By June , 31 women were selling , and the market moved to the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Leland Street . By November there would be forty-two participants and a waiting list . Households re-organized themselves around the market , with children pitching in , leaving mothers time to bake or dress chickens for the Saturday market . Customers clamored for fresh , high-quality farm products — spareribs , hams , and head cheese ; milk , butter , and cream ; relish , piccalilli and , potato salad .
The market was a success , but when the women eyed the vacant
Piggly Wiggly store near Edgemoor , it was too much for the posh neighborhood , whose residents enlisted political leader E . Brooke Lee to stamp out the idea . Corwin was fired , but the market continued under its tent . It was featured in Reader ’ s Digest and would count General Eisenhower , who placed a special order for Macie King ’ s hominy grits , among its customers . To sell , the women wore white dresses and clean aprons , expanded the market hours to include Wednesday , and priced their goods cooperatively .
At a time when women were referred to by their husbands ’ names , couldn ’ t serve on a jury , or record their name on a property deed , the Cooperative decided to buy their property on Wisconsin Avenue and construct a market building . By 1945 they were able to burn their mortgage after paying it
off with the profits from jams , pies , and sauerkraut .
The women took their domestic skills into a commercial arena to help support their families . Local and seasonal food has a market advantage and value-added farm products like honey , soap , bread , and cut flowers are traditional domestic products that can earn a premium for farmers . Today , many of the Agricultural Reserve ’ s producers use this model in their operations . At the Farm Women ’ s Market , local farm sellers have dwindled , but the market endures with a few produce sellers , a baker , craftspeople , and a local cheesemonger . The vendors may have changed , and men may sell as well as women , but each stall is still an independent business .
The building was designated as a local historic landmark in 1979 , though since then , sellers have
The Farm Women ’ s Cooperative Market then ( ca 1937 , Courtesy , Library of Congress , Harris & Ewing Collection ) and now . Right : Rachel Easton of Windy Hill Produce . plenty I summer growing 2023 37