The Grand Maple Ballroom was the backdrop for some of Vermont’s growers, bakers and artisans to promote locally produced baked goods, maple syrups, jams and hand created jewelry on April 20. Davis Center EcoRep Caylin McKee, a junior at UVM, was responsible for putting together the farmers market. “We’ve had some bad luck with the weather lately,” McKee said. “Our farmers market on April 5 was cancelled due to rain, but luckily we were able to move this one inside.” The rain didn’t stop UVM students and community members from coming to support the local economy and celebrate Earth Week with local food. “When the farmers market is outside it is hard to miss but since it’s inside the people that come have a goal, when they get here they know what they are looking for,” McKee said. “And the students, they come for the free samples.” Many students opted out of dining at one of the eating facilities in the Davis Center for a fresh, locally produced meal from the farmers market. “Everything looks so good, but unfortunately I can’t buy from every vendor,” sophomore Jennie Kogan said. Feel Good, the grilled cheese stand, regularly on the first floor of the Davis Center, seized the opportunity to move location and join the festivities. “There is a lot of traffic into the tunnel but not as much as at the farmers market where people are walking around scoping for food,” senior Katie Sacks of Feel Good said. Common Ground Farm, a student-run farm at UVM, was present as well, selling T-shirts, raw honey and flowers. “My favorite part of coming to the farmers market is talking to people,” senior JC Himes said. “Common Ground Farm makes an effort to come to every farmers market but it’s difficult because our farm is run by students and we have time constraints.” Baker and Burlington resident Jay Gradziel of The Bakers Corner, has been baking breads, pastries and pies out of his home for eight years to sell at farmers markets. “Being at the farmers market is great exposure and there is such a diverse community here at UVM,” Gradziel said. Not only was food offered to attendees, but jewelry was sold as well. “I began jewelry-making and selling jewelry at the farmers’ market while living in the L/L Jewelry Suite,” senior Christie Burke said. “It’s great to have a free space to sell my jewelry and students really like it, I do pretty well.” EcoReps are planning on hosting a farmers market like this one once a month next semester.