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MTSU’s Small Farms, MT Athletics bring True Blue f...

MTSU’s Small Farms, MT Athletics bring True Blue flavor to Murfreesboro Saturday Market

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Small Farms laboratory will again offer student-grown produce as a full-time vendor for the 2025 Murfreesboro Saturday Market season coordinated by Main Street Murfreesboro.

MTSU Small Farms, which will be among the 85 vendors at this year’s market, will be joined periodically at the popular weekly event by representatives from MTSU Athletics.

Running each Saturday from May till the end of October, the Saturday Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon around the historic Rutherford County Courthouse downtown. 

The market features a variety of specialty farm vendors (lavender, honey, and flowers), four locally raised meat producers, a trout farm, seven bakeries, 17 prepared food vendors, 26 artisans and crafters, and more, according to a Main Street Murfreesboro news release.

Christopher Hall
Christopher Hall

MTSU’s Small Farms is the only USDA-certified organic grower at the market, providing attendees with a variety of crops from which to choose as selections change through summer into fall. Small Farms sells a mix of vegetables and fruits, along with flower bouquets.

“Customers appreciate that everything we sell is USDA Certified Organic, grown with care, and backed by the transparency we bring to our work,” said Christopher Hall, the Small Farms manager.

“We grow a vibrant mix of seasonal crops, always with a focus on flavor, diversity, and sustainable growing practices. Our staples include tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, cucumbers, okra and eggplants,” added Hall.

Fresh produce like this grown by Middle Tennessee State University’s Small Farms will be sold at the weekly Saturday Market on the square in downtown Murfreesboro, Tenn. For the second straight year, MTSU’s Small Farms is a full-time vendor at the market, which will feature 85 food, crafts and specialty vendors this year. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)
Fresh produce like this grown by Middle Tennessee State University’s Small Farms will be sold at the weekly Saturday Market on the square in downtown Murfreesboro, Tenn. For the second straight year, MTSU’s Small Farms is a full-time vendor at the market, which will feature 85 food, crafts and specialty vendors this year. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)

MTSU Small Farms student employees help with production and oversee the entire process, from farm to market, to get a variety of hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. Student agriculture classes also participate along with interns and researchers, according to Hall.

In addition to the food and craft vendors, local organizations such as the Friends of Linebaugh Library, Rutherford County Master Gardeners, Storm Water Management and the League of Women Voters will host booths and activities at the Saturday Market, according to a Murfreesboro Main Street news release.

A new program called “Market Passport”  has started this season to encourage community engagement by allowing visitors to collect stamps each week they attend and be entered into a monthly drawing for a basket full of goods from a variety of vendors at the market, the release states.

“More than just a market, this is a hub for community connection,” said Linda Weeks, Market manager, in the release. “We’re especially excited to welcome several young, startup farmers this year who are building the future of local agriculture.”

The 2025 season is the third year of the MTSU Small Farms’ involvement in the market, and the second year of being a full-time vendor. MTSU’s School of Agriculture manages all of the farm laboratories.

View a full list of Murfreesboro Saturday Market vendors at www.mainstreetmurfreesboro.org.

— Jordan Reining (Jordan.Reining@mtsu.edu)

A customer looks at products grown and sold by Middle Tennessee State University’s Small Farms at the weekly Saturday Market on Saturday, May 17, on the square in downtown Murfreesboro, Tenn. For the second straight year, MTSU’s Small Farms is a full-time vendor at the market, which will feature 85 food, crafts and specialty vendors this year. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)
A customer looks at products grown and sold by Middle Tennessee State University’s Small Farms at the weekly Saturday Market on Saturday, May 17, on the square in downtown Murfreesboro, Tenn. For the second straight year, MTSU’s Small Farms is a full-time vendor at the market, which will feature 85 food, crafts and specialty vendors this year. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)
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