Wisconsin summers are pretty glorious. From pontooning on the lakes to road-tripping to music festivals, the energy in this state is palpable during the warmer months. Another reason to love summer Farmers’ Markets. They’ve become a staple in communities across Wisconsin. Here’s just a small smattering of markets worth visiting this season:
- Dane County Farmers’ Market

Madison has a lot to be proud of: The city is home to a world–class university, a collection of beautiful lakes and one of the best farmers’ markets in America. Located on the Square, the Dane County Farmers’ Market is also one of the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the U.S. It takes place every Saturday April through November from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. Have your rain boots on standby because this farmers’ market occurs rain or shine!
Vendors to look for: Look for Renaissance Farm out of Spring Green, which offers herb-based special food products. (They are especially well-known for their cinnamon rolls.) There’s also Mineral Point-based Hook’s Cheese, which has been blessing us with artisan cheddars, blue cheeses and other varieties of Wisconsin Cheese for over 45 years. Learn about the benefits of emu oil soaps when you visit the Valley View Emus booth at the Dane County Farmers' Market.
- Beloit Farmers’ Market

Located in the heart of historic Downtown Beloit, the Beloit Farmers’ Market has been a community tradition for 50 years and currently boasts over local 85 vendors weekly. The market takes place every Saturday May through October from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. You are sure to find something unique to Wisconsin here!
Vendors to look for: When visiting the Beloit Farmers’ Market, be sure to check out B & T Belts and Prairie Inn Gourmet Dips. B & T Belts is located in Janesville offering handcrafted leather items such as belts, water bottle holders, dog collars and harnesses, dream-catchers and more. Prairie Inn Gourmet Dips is out of Poynette and produces seafood and cheese dips from the finest Wisconsin cheeses. Stop by for a little sampling.
- Downtown Oshkosh Farmers’ Market

Hosting nearly 150 vendors, you are sure to find what you are looking for at this farmers’ market, which was ranked one of the Best Farmers’ Markets in America by The Daily Meal. Downtown Oshkosh Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday June through October from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Expect plenty of Wisconsin homegrown farm products including produce, baked goods, meats, poultry, cheese, eggs, cider, plants and more.
Vendors to look for: When you visit Downtown Oshkosh Farmers’ Market this summer, be on the lookout for Always & Forever Designz, Whispering Pines Farm - Grandma Blake’s and Mr. Ed’s Garden. Always & Forever Designz is located in Fond du Lac and offers jellies and jams from fruits, vegetables, wine and beer. Based right in Oshkosh, Whispering Pines Farm - Grandma Blake’s makes delicious salsas and jams with ingredients that they grow. They have a wide selection for you to choose from and they’re all packaged in old-fashioned mason jars. Our last recommendation, Winneconne-based Mr. Ed’s Garden, makes salsa and dill pickles using fresh produce that is locally grown. These are some great additions to your summer cookout!
- Downtown Appleton Farmers’ Market

With more than 150 vendors, Downtown Appleton Farmers’ Market is a great place for you to find fresh produce, exotic meets and cheese, breads and baked goods, specialty food and hand crafted items. Our crew filmed at the market last summer and loved not only the amazing variety of products, but also the live music and entertainment at Houdini Plaza. Pick any Saturday morning from June through October for a trip to the Downtown Appleton Farmers’ Market.
Vendors to look for: First, look for the guys from Mad Dog & Merrill. These two craft delicious sauces and spices and are wildly entertaining too boot. Another #DWcrew favorite is Main Lea Cooking, where you can stock up on natural salts and oils for your cooking needs.
- Eau Claire Downtown Farmers’ Market

Let’s head to the western party of the state, shall we? The Eau Claire Downtown Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May through October. You can find locally grown produce, eggs, cheese, meats and more every weekend from various vendors.
Vendor to look for: Cook Creek Family Farm is one vendor that you won’t want to miss at the Eau Claire Downtown Farmers’ Market! They offer delicious organic chicken, turkey, eggs and vegetables raised on their small family farm located in Mondovi. They also offer soap made using fresh milk from their Alpine dairy goats.
- Cameron Park Farmers’ Market

Head south from Eau Claire and you’ll find yourself in the beautiful river city of La Crosse and it’s Cameron Park Farmers’ Market. This unique farmers’ market experience boasts goods sold from vendors within 100 miles of La Crosse, including produce, plants, meat, dairy, baked goods and more. Enjoy some live music while you browse through the famers’ market and stop by for some yoga and cooking demos. The market runs May through October every Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Vendors to look for: When you stop at Cameron Park Farmers’ Market, some vendors you’ll want to look for are The Great American Pancake Company, Kickapoo Gold and Hickory Wind Farm Alpacas & Fiber. The Great American Pancake Company, located in Cashton, sells—you guessed it!—delicious pancake and waffle mixes ranging in flavor from cinnamon to peanut butter to chocolate fiesta. Located in Viroqua, Kickapoo Gold manufactures pure maple syrup that is organic certified and 100 percent pure maple syrup from the sap of wild maple trees. From Bangor, Wis., Hickory Wind Farm Alpacas & Fiber specialized in alpacas, quality fleece and unique hand-crafted items.
- River Falls Farmers’ Market

If you are looking for some locally grown produce or plants, look no further! River Falls Farmers’ Market requires their vendors to be within 35 miles of River Falls. You will find locally grown produce, apples, free-range chickens, honey, maple syrup, organic meats, bedding plants and fresh flowers. Stop by River Falls Farmers Market every Saturday during May through October from 8 a.m. to noon to see what the vendors have to offer!
Vendor to look for: Falcon Foods is one vendor at River Falls Farmers’ Market that you will want to be sure to check out. Located in River Falls, Falcon Foods produces cheese, meats and premium ice cream. UW-River Falls students actually work under the management of a full-time plant manager to produce these delicious foods.
Have a favorite farmers’ market in Wisconsin or a Special Something from Wisconsin™ vendor? Let us know in the comments below!
The Wisconsin Ag Tourism Association is a member of Something Special from Wisconsin™ is a trademarked program administered by the Division of Agricultural Development at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection since 1983. Every dollar spent on Something Special from Wisconsin™ products and services supports local farmers, food processors, entrepreneurs, our communities and livelihood, as well as the Wisconsin way of life. Something Special from Wisconsin™ products are unique and of the highest quality, making them perfect for gift-giving, special occasions and every day!
Glacier Rock Farms in Lebanon is starting a farmers market on sundays, noon - 3pm, may1-oct. 30.
Stevens Point has a nice farmers market. My wife and I visit there on many Saturday mornings. If you go, go hungry!
Yes! Does the French bakery still come from Wausau with their delicious goodies? My mouth waters just thinking of it.
Barron has a great one 5 miles north of Barron. Thursdays from 2 until 8. Lots of vendors for just about anything. Lots of food including home made ice cream made with a steam engine. aaaaaalaove it.
Got to check out the market in New Berlin on Saturday mornings from 8 to noon. They even have a guy playing music to add to the atmosphere.
Wausau Farmers Market on River Drive every Wed. and Sat. until 2. Good variety of items.
Thank you for the nice words. Tammy and I are looking to it this year with some new things that we have. You need to come down to the market we both like to meet all of you and show you what we have and tell our story.
DEFOREST, located strategically off of hwy 51 and I39 just north of Madison. Serving customers in Waunakee, Lodi, Dane, Arlington, Token Creek, Windsor, Poynette. Weekly musicians, 20 plus vendors and special Events!! Avoid the Madison crowd and enjoy a simplier shopping experience in DEFOREST!! Go local and support the Farmer's in your area!
Barron has a great farmer's market at the Country Lane Pantry every Thursday in the summer and early fall! Great food, crafts, and produce!
West Bend has Farmers Market that's second to none.
Phil is right, Stevens Point has a great farmer's market. Great prices and variety, open Mondays-Saturdays in the summer.
You really need to explore Elkhart Lake's farmers market on Saturday mornings! It's a destination event!
Waukesha has a really nice Farmers Market right on the river walk area. I go almost every week. Afterwards we get coffee and teas at the local coffee houses. Waukesha has more and more to offer each year.
Farmer's Market on Broadway Green Bay is superb!
Wednesdays, I believe 3-8pm.
Downtown Green Bay has a wonderful market on both Thursday nights and Saturday morning. Both have fresh foods, plants, crafts, you name it!
Kenosha's Harbor Market runs year round-inside at the Rhode Theater during the winter & outside west of the Museums during spring-fall.
Let’s not forget Kenosha HarborMarket, a bustling European-style mixed market presenting 150+ vendors each week during the outdoor season. It's within steps of the Lake Michigan shore.
The Wood County Farmers Market is held every Thursday and Saturday at the Wisconsin Rapids Mall in the JC Penney Parking lot. They have a ton of vendors displaying fresh fruits and vegetables as well as baked good, homemade eggrolls (you can not come and leave without sampling them) and a ton of crafts. The market is opening up this year on May 14th. Check out the Rapids mall web site for more information
I ENVY all of you. West Allis is nice. But I have been to the Appleton Farmers market while visiting Friends. Makes me want to see my Friends more. Great time...
Jefferson has a great market starting this week at the corner of East Racine, and S. Center Avenue every Thursday. On May 12th, the Market will host a Market Preview. The Seasonal
Farmers Market begins on June 9th, -October 13th, 2016 from 11am to 6pm. For more information on being a vendor contact us at http://www.jeffersonwis.com by clicking on the Farmers Market Link.
Whitewater City Market!!
Whitewater City Market is every Tuesday from 3:30-7:30 at Cravath Lakefront Park. They have live music , activities, plenty of food and the vendors are amazing. Please come out and join us .
The Antigo Farmers Market is the only market in Langlade County. It is small in size, just like the town, but adds a lot of life to downtown to every Saturday morning June 4- October 1st, 8 am to noon.
[…] by themselves, but they also make incredible pies, jams, and toppings. Head out to one of these seven wonderful Wisconsin farmers’ markets for the missing ingredients and share your favorite fruity recipes […]