“We are not outside of nature. We are part of nature.” For Eddie Fowler, executive director of the Franklin County Farmers Market since the summer of last year, the outside world is our connective tissue. “We are actually one.”
As a lover of nature, his job connects to his passion. Growing up, Eddie had a little garden and vastly enjoyed it. It manifested the idea to him that gardening can give us a better understanding of our world.
Eddie’s origins began right here in Frankfort. Born and raised, he attended Good Shepherd School and went on to graduate from Western Hills High School in the summer of 2003. He continued his education at the University of Louisville for five years, earning a masters in mechanical engineering.
Eddie Fowler is the executive director of the Franklin County Farmers Market. (Photo by Hannah Brown)
Coming to terms that the corporate world wasn’t to his liking, he decided to devote his time to other projects. One of them consisted of starting a farm with a few friends in 2013. A farm that he still owns to this day.
“It’s a very fun path, going through different aspects — from working on different farms, doing market scale productions, helping someone strip tobacco and plant tomatoes on large scale acreage.”
As a former Americorps member of the farmers market from 2003 to 2005 his role was assisting in the food access programs. Throughout his time at the Franklin County Farmers Market, he’s served various roles from sustain profitability, to food access coordinator, to the position he now holds, which consists of developing the farmers market and developing programing that would ensure sustainability of the market.
Although he played no role in the change of location, Eddie still feels exuberant that it will be a welcome change.
“I think that it is actually closer to a larger group of residents. It offers a chance for the farmers market to act like a hub for any other development going on on Home Street. So we can all come together.”
Within the space of his early beginning as executive director, Eddie has learned that many hats are involved in a role such as his. From working with farmers, to the community finally coming to understand that “it takes a village to do a farmers market. It also takes will, especially if you want to continue serving the needs of the community” — a community that he finds appreciation in.
Debra Rhody talks with customers Abbie Preston and Mary Grace Welch at the Morgan Rae Farms booth at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)
This appreciation is morphed into a means in which people can attain food.
“Franklin County Farmers Market specifically is very unique in the fact that we offer a lot of food access programs,” he said.
Some of the programs include Kentucky double dollars that allows individuals with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to be able to double their dollars up to $20. So they get $20 off their snap card, but receive $40 to shop. Additionally, there’s also a WIC nutrition program, senior nutrition program and a partnership with Locals Food Hub.
Connection, food access, nature — these are just a few of things that excite Eddie. To him, nature, and especially green spaces, are paramount.
“It allows me to reset. Slow down. And just appreciate things more,” Eddie said. “It’s not just beneficial for our mental and physical health, but also our environmental health because we have to look out for and be good stewards for all the other plants and animals that share our planet.”
Aubrey Brooks, 14, and Kourtney Skinner, 13, keep the vegatables looking fresh at the High Five Farm booth at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)
Eddie additionally serves his community as a garden manager with Frankfort Independent Schools, helping to manage many of the farm-to-school green spaces.
The Franklin County Farmers Market hosted its season opener on April 25 at its new location at 203 Holmes St.
In person markets will take place every Tuesday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Tuesday markets wil run through September. Saturday markets will run through November.
The Franklin County Farmers Market opened its season April 25 at its new location at 203 Holmes St. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Emmett Thomas, 3, looks at 3-D printed fidget toys for sale at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Chelsea Barbour, owner of High Five Farm, and Aubrey Brooks, 14, work their booth at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Plants were available for purchase at the Salad Days Farm booth at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Eggs from Earthrun Farm were available at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Strawberries from Vegetable Man Produce were available at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)The Franklin County Farmers Market opened its season April 25 at its new location at 203 Holmes St. (Photo by Hannah Brown)The Franklin County Farmers Market opened its season April 25 at its new location at 203 Holmes St. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Eddie Fowler is the executive director of the Franklin County Farmers Market. (Photo by Hannah Brown)The Franklin County Farmers Market opened its season April 25 at its new location at 203 Holmes St. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Shannon Stanley sold her Green Penguin Hot Sauce at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Deyago Urrutia and Patricia Shivers packs up purchases for customers at their Pies with Purpose booth at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Mini pies were available at the Pies with Purpose booth at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Spring onions were available at the High Five Farm booth at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Raddishes were available at the High Five Farm booth at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Marigolds were available at the Morgan Rae Farms booth at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Plants were available at the Morgan Rae Farms booth at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Soaps were available for sale at the Promised Land Homestead booth at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Stefanie Sharp, with Promised Land Homestead, and Michelle Kinne, with Whimsical Stitches, were at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Strawberries from Vegetable Man Produce were available at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Brittany Kennedy sells Kim Young a bucket of strawberries at the Vegetable Man Produce booth at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)John Antenucci, of Lazy Dog Honey, talks with customers at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Honey, from Lazy Dog Honey, was available for purchase at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Maya Judy, of Papaya Maya Creations, sold her painted gourds at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Franklin County Farmers Market Market Manager Kellie Sebastian, Executive Director Eddie Fowler and Market Volunteer Alicia Jacobs pose for a picture during the market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)Kids Day activities took place at the Franklin County Farmers Market on April 25. (Photo by Hannah Brown)
