How Farmers’ Markets Became a Year-Round Movement
If you’ve ever wandered through one of our local farmers’ markets past tables piled high with sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, cartons of just-laid eggs, you know it’s more than just a shopping trip. It’s a scene that feels like home. Kids run off with fresh-baked cookies, neighbors swap recipes over baskets of greens, and every purchase keeps our farms thriving.
That sense of connection doesn’t happen by accident. Over the past several years, Oneida County Executive Tony Picente has made it a personal mission to ensure farmers’ markets aren’t just a seasonal treat, but a way of life here. Today, from Camden to Clinton to Whitesboro—and even in the heart of downtown Utica—you can find a market almost every day of the week. 
From Vision to Reality
Earlier this summer, Tony unveiled the county’s 2025–2030 Agricultural Strategic Plan—a big-picture roadmap created with Cornell Cooperative Extension and LaBella Associates. On paper, it’s about preserving farmland, strengthening the local food economy, and preparing for the future.
In practice, it’s about making sure every resident of Oneida County has access to fresh, local food—no matter where they live or what season it is.
As Tony put it when he announced the plan:
“We are not just preserving farmland, we are building a system that supports our farmers, grows our food economy, connects our communities and makes Oneida County a model for agricultural innovation and resilience.”
And that’s exactly what’s happening.
A Market in Every Corner
Not long ago, you had to plan ahead if you wanted to catch a market. Now, it’s woven into the weekly rhythm across the county:
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Mondays: Whitesboro
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Tuesdays: Vernon Center
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Wednesdays: Rome, New Hartford, Utica
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Thursdays: Oriskany, Boonville, Clinton, Vienna
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Fridays: Camden
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Saturdays: Oneida County Public Market at Union Station (year-round)
That Utica market has become a showpiece. By repurposing the old REA wing of Union Station, the county created more than a place to buy vegetables—it’s a community hub, a gathering spot that’s been nationally recognized three years running.
As Tony said when the market earned its latest honor:
“We envisioned this market [becoming] one of the top markets in the country.”
It’s the kind of success story that proves a farmers’ market can be both an economic driver and a cultural anchor.
Community Partnerships Make It Possible
While County leadership has driven the expansion of farmers’ markets, partnerships have played a huge role in their success. Local nonprofits, small businesses, and even national brands rooted in our region, like Chobani, have stepped in to support food access and community health.
Chobani’s commitment to sourcing locally and funding programs that bring fresh, nutritious food to underserved areas aligns perfectly with the county’s vision. It’s a reminder that when the public and private sectors work together, the benefits reach every corner of Oneida County.
The Bigger Picture
The strategic plan isn’t just about selling produce—it’s about building an entire ecosystem to support our farming future.
The early action items are practical and forward-thinking:
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Giving farmers access to tools like grants, revolving loans, and tax incentives.
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Creating apprenticeships and internships to bring young people into agriculture.
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Helping farms prepare for climate challenges with hazard-mitigation resources.
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Working with municipalities so zoning laws protect farmland instead of paving it over.
Those may sound like behind-the-scenes moves, but they’re what keep markets stocked, farms open, and rural communities thriving.
Why It Matters
For the people who sell at these markets, the difference is tangible. More locations mean more sales. More sales mean more stability.
And for the rest of us, it means access to food that’s not only fresher but grown right here.
The impact is also cultural. Farmers’ markets bring people together in a way that few other spaces can. You meet the person who baked your bread or pulled your carrots from the ground that morning. You connect with your neighbors. You keep your dollars local.
And in a county as geographically spread out as Oneida County is, that’s no small thing.
Looking Ahead
With the new agricultural plan in motion, there’s every reason to believe this is just the beginning. Working groups are already meeting to turn strategies into programs—whether that means expanded winter markets, more support for new farmers, or infrastructure that helps producers weather whatever nature throws our way.
Tony summed it up best:
“This is more than a plan, it’s a commitment to our farming families, our rural economy, and the next generation of growers.”
Your Market Awaits
This September, as the tables start filling with apples, squash, and pumpkins, take a moment to appreciate what it took to get here—the work, the planning, the belief that every resident should have access to fresh, local food all year long.
Whether you’re stopping by Camden on a Friday for a dozen eggs, making a Monday night run to Whitesboro for sweet corn, or spending your Saturday morning at Union Station with a cider donut in hand, you’re part of the story.
And it’s a story that, thanks to Tony Picente’s leadership, will keep growing season after season.
Want to be part of the Oneida County Public Market? Download the 2025–26 vendor application at oneidacountypublicmarket.com (click “Vendor Info” in the top menu, then “Vendor Application”).
Oneida County Farmers’ Market Schedule
(SNAP-eligible markets marked with an asterisk)
Mondays
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Whitesboro: June–September, Village Green (Main & Clinton), 2–7 PM
Tuesdays
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Vernon Center: June 3–August 26, Vernon Center Park, 3–7 PM
Wednesdays
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New Hartford: June 11–August 27, Village Green (Oxford Rd), 2:30–6:30 PM
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Rome: May 28–October 1, 502 W Chestnut St, 2–6 PM
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Utica*: June 28–October 25, Chancellor Park, 9 AM–5 PM
Thursdays
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Boonville: June 12–October 2, Upper Erwin Park (Rt 12), 12–5 PM
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Clinton*: June 5–October, Clinton Village Green, 10 AM–4 PM
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Oriskany: June 19–September 25, Trinkaus Park (420 Utica St), 2–7 PM
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Vienna*: May 8–October 23, North Bay Fire Department, 2–6:30 PM
Fridays
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Camden*: May 9–October 24, Camden Life Center, 2–6:30 PM
Saturdays
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Oneida County Public Market – Utica: Year-round, Union Station (321 Main St), 9 AM–1 PM
