If you’re anything like us, you’ve missed the weekly Saturday community ritual of the Columbus Farmer’s Markets, abundant with friendly vendors, delicious food and loads of crafts.

This Saturday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. join vendors for a special Indoor Holiday Market at the Mill Spring Ag Center.

Grab locally grown, fresh-picked produce such as basil, rainbow swiss chard and celery grown aquaponically from Emerald Springs Farm.

June Ellen will be present from Beneficial Foods with fresh cilantro, seasonal squash, chard, along with other items ripe for the picking. The Mill Spring Ag Center’s Gardens are offering kale, collards and mustard greens. Cool Mama’s Bakery is featuring fresh baked bread and new treats such as cherry cheese danish and Amish Peanut Butter; if you come early, you might be one of the lucky ones to get the ever-popular cinnamon rolls too. Old Mule Farm will have pastured lamb cuts. Achin’ Back Acres will sell free-range eggs, grass-fed beef and pastured pork.

Speaking of pork, a special Farm Store tasting will allow visitors to try pulled pastured pork from Achin’ Back Acres slathered with Old Mule BBQ Sauce (also a great gift). Cinda will be on site with an abundance of Ooey-Gooey Bars for sale as well as complimentary tastings.

For the animal lover’s, there will be BoWoWzer’s dog treats for your favorite pooches’ stockings. Cake Pops will also be available.

Other food favorites such as Cinn-ful Nuts, WOW Bars, Kudzu-Chai Tea and Beneficial Foods’ Hot Cocoa mix make great stocking stuffers that won’t break the bank. Also new to the Ag Center is The Brown Bean coffee freshly roasted in Brevard and often percolating in the Farm Store.

Moving on from food will be an abundance of gift items in all price ranges. The Mill Spring Farm Store has pre-made gift baskets for your favorite local foodie. Gift certificates can also be purchased in any amount.

Onsite blacksmith George Matthews will have a myriad of artisan creations including towel holders, oyster shuckers, games and wall art. Wreath-making workshops will be in full swing too for those of you wishing to hand-make a wreath for your door or that of a loved one.

The Mill Spring Ag Center is located at 156 School Road in Mill Spring, near the intersection of Hwy 9 and 108. Support to this market ensures your holiday dollars stay local.

– article submitted by Mindy Wiener