The end of spring and beginning of summer always kickstarts the ever-so-popular trend of farmers markets, a string of vendors in different municipalities that offer local and handmade goods.

People travel across the country for large and grand farmers markets, but chances are, you don’t have to. Locally, there are a ton, and you can find them right in Walden and Pine Bush.

The Walden First Reformed Church, located at 70 Scofield Street in Walden, just recently began their market on May 20, and will be held every Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m on the front lawn of the church. Last Friday, June 16, the weather caused less vendors to show;however, Christine Seger of Awake Seedlings and Pastor Jim O’Connell, who runs Dancing Hills Farms, still made the most of it. They sat in the rainy conditions with arugula, funky vegetables and a myriad of plants.

O’Connell said it’s his fourth or fifth year of doing the farmers market and that he hopes to have at least six to eight permanent vendors. Between their current vendors, they have an array of different vegetables, syrups, plants, soaps, lip balms and more.

O’Connell has an abundance of mushrooms, maple syrup and different plants. More seasonally, he’ll grow beans, squash, zucchini, eggplant and potatoes of all different colors.

Seger reuses KCups for seedlings and sells them, along with various produce.

When discussing the goals of the market, Pastor O’Connell mentioned that he’d like more people to join, as well as providing fresh produce and opportunities to locals. “It’s really threefold. One [goal] is to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the community. Another is to provide opportunities for people to get to know the church, to see the church, and ask any questions they might have about it. The third is to give local folks an opportunity to sell their stuff,” said Pastor O’Connell.

Pine Bush began their market May 29, and coordinator Douglas Drossell calls it a “small market with a big deal.” From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, vendors gather in the municipal lot on 62 Main Street to display their products. The Pine Bush Farmers Market began in 2001 and has only grown since then.

Though it has started a bit slow this year due to a lot going on, Drossell is happy with the attendance so far.

“With the amount of stuff going on in town, I was so pleased with the loyal customers coming out and supporting,” said Drossell.

Vendors include Dancing Hills Farms, Honeybrook Farms, Colden Springs Farms, Royal Acres Farms, Florida Bakery, All Things Delicious, North Wind Bread Company, and some part time vendors who sell crafts and jewelry. “If one comes to the market on Saturdays on Pine Bush Main Street Market, one could purchase pies, sweet breads, baguettes, pierogies, danishes, all sorts of produce and fruits in season, fresh meat, honey, mushrooms, pickles, house plants, soap, pickles, eggs, and more,” Drossell stated.

Drossell mentioned loving a lot about the market, but stated that the main objective is to provide locally sourced food.

“The main mission of the farmers market is to educate and have people be able to come and get good, locally sourced food,” said Drossell. However, he also mentions what it means for farmers who rely on a good amount of customers.

“They have to rely on the customers being consistent in coming each week,” Drossell mentioned, stating that big harvests sometimes mean a bigger selection.

He also stated the positive aspect of having so many local businesses around the market. There is also live music, events and giveaways.

Both farmers markets have only just begun, so make your way over one weekend to get some great, locally sourced goods.