By Amy Joles (Contact / Staff Bio)
May 20, 2009 - 09:59 a.m. EST

CARO — If you’d like to sell your crafty creations or locally-grown produce on the courthouse lawn, Jim Caruthers is the man to see.

Caruthers was hired this year as the Caro Farmers Market manager. This is the first time the market has ever had a paid market manager.

“I’m always looking for new vendors,” said Caruthers. “If somebody gives me a name, I can go shake a bush!”

Caruthers earns a commission for every new vendor that he recruits to the market. However, not all vendors will be accepted.

“We’re looking for crafters, vegetables, baked goods - all kinds of things, but no flea market junk,” he said.

Earlier this year, the Caro Farmers Market began operating on the courthouse lawn each Saturday from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. The market was located for years in the back parking lot of local businesses, near Schall Elementary School.

A recent survey of community members and business leaders asked that the farmers market be moved to a more visible area. With the cooperation of several organizations and local leaders, the market was moved to the courthouse lawn.

“The cooperation of the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Task Force, Board of Commissioners, Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office, the village - all of them made this possible,” said Brenda Caruthers, Executive Director of the Caro Chamber of Commerce.

Jim Caruthers said he has been doing “a lot of running” since taking the market manager’s position. He has pursued several vendors and continues meeting with them and making contacts for the summer.

“(Former market manager) Lota Hartel has really been a big help to me,” he said.

Vendors continue to sign up for the market, offering soaps and lotions, beaded jewelry, Michigan clocks, outdoor framed photography, barnyard crafts, produce and plants.

If interested in selling at the Caro Farmers Market, call Jim Caruthers at (989) 325-0066.

The fee for a normal-sized selling lot is $10 per week. Vendors will be allowed a 12-by-12 selling space. Vegetable or plant vendors may set up in two parking lot spaces near the courthouse.

MSU Extension has developed a template on the development of the Caro Farmers Market that can be utilized in other communities. Hudson said he has already been contacted by one community that wished to revamp their market as Caro has done.

Amy Joles is the editor of the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at joles@tcadvertiser.com.