Drought, Heat Ends Farmers Market Early

Blame it on the heat. This summer's extreme temperatures kept people inside and the drought made it more difficult for local farmers to grow their crops. Lack of attendance and lack of vendors have resulted in an early end to this year's Lake Zurich Heritage Farmers Market, which was being held at Lions Park on Saturday mornings.

"I hate to blame it on the weather, but I do think that was it," said organizer Rob Boyce, who is also an organic grower. "I love the markets and even until the last Saturday, it was just me, but it was fun."

Boyce sells his produce at other farmers markets including Deerfield, Skokie, Mundelein and Ravinia. He said the more established markets are not as packed as usual, due to the heat. Farmers with irrigation problems do not have as much supply and have to raise their prices, he said. 

Boyce said he's thankful for the support of the and the . 

As a strong advocate of farmers markets, he intends to try again next year. He said volunteers to help with promotion are welcome. 

He may experiment with holding the market on a different day. This year it was held on Saturday mornings and the previous year on Friday evenings. Boyce said more people came out on Friday evenings. 

"As a vendor, I had people no matter. They came and bought their greens and their kale and whatever they liked," Boyce said.

Residents can still buy produce from Boyce at this business  on Old McHenry Road.

Other local farmer's markets are at Community Park in Hawthorn Woods on Friday

3-7 p.m.; Mundelein on Friday, 3-7 p.m.; Barrington on Thursday, 2-7 p.m.; and Wauconda on Thursday, 3-7 p.m.