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Fledgling Manitou Springs Farmers Market seeks vendors and entertainers
BY HEILA ERSHADI
Calling all farmers, artisans and musicians — and everyone who loves a good farmers market! The first Manitou Springs Farmers Market is set for 2-7 p.m. Sunday, June 2, at Soda Springs Park.
The market will take place Sundays at the same time and place through September. Founded and organized by husband-and-wife team Leilani and Vincent Coleman, applications are being solicited for vendors and entertainers.
“We would love to have organic produce, farm fresh eggs, humanely raised meat, baked goods, cheeses, local honey, homemade jam, crafted teas and other unique beverages, locally roasted coffee, or mocktails, fresh flowers, etc.,” Leilani said.
She said that they are accepting applications from only growers who “prioritize sustainable farming methods and minimize the use of synthetic pesticides and chemicals” and “certified organic farms will have priority.”
They’re also looking for arts and craft vendors who hand-make products such as jewelry, pottery, paintings, soaps, candles, lotions and yarn. However, they will not accept applications from resellers or multi-level marketing vendors.
And as for entertainment?
“We want to put on a show!” Coleman said, adding that they’re looking for local bands and dancers, and other types of entertainment — and are hoping to have ongoing entertainment for at least the last three hours of each weekly market.
“We believe that Manitou is a perfect place for a farmers market,” Coleman said, adding that she and her husband “want to contribute to the vibrant creative community in Manitou” by providing a venue for local artists and performers to be front and center each week.
“We hope that shoppers find themselves coming for groceries and art and staying to dance, mingle and enjoy the music,” she said.
Coleman also pointed to the wider benefits of supporting farmers markets.
“Farmers markets promote sustainable practices that benefit our community and the environment,” she said. “By choosing locally grown produce, you are not only getting better taste and more nutrients, but also supporting a healthier planet.”
Vendors will pay a weekly $50 fee that goes toward administrative costs as well as vendor parking, event advertising and paying performers to play.
Leilani said she and Vincent are “extremely excited” about the potential of the Manitou Springs Farmers Market.
“We hope that it has a positive impact on our community and grows into something special,” she said.
Farmers markets promote sustainable practices. – Leilani Coleman
Manitou Springs City Councilor Natalie Johnson expressed the council’s support for the new farmers market.
“A community without a traditional grocery store, our residents need creative ways to access food and other supplies,” she said.
“Knowing that our city-wide plans include solutions to our current food desert, the council supports citizen-led initiatives like this one. We look forward to attending the first market on June 2.”
Interested in becoming a vendor? Go to www.ManitouSpringsFarmersMarket.com, click the Market Vendors tab, then scroll down and click on Vendor Application.
Those interested in performing should go to the website and click on the Contact tab. The Colemans can also be reached by emailing ManitouFarmersMarket@gmail.com.
IF YOU GO
The Manitou Springs Farmers Market will take place 2-7 p.m. Sundays through September at Soda Springs Park, 1016 Manitou Ave. Information: ManitouSpringsFarmersMarket.com.
Q&A with Jennifer Peterson, longtime environmental advocate
INTERVIEW BY MIKE MAZZOLA
Jennifer Peterson has a passion for the environment and our precious public open spaces. Her life’s work was influenced by her childhood and has been cultivated throughout her time on the planet.
She’s humble and compassionate, but also confident and driven to make a difference. She’ll never reveal that she has a doctorate or talk about her accomplishments as a competitive runner and cyclist.
Instead, she shows up every day and continues to work hard to protect our natural resources. She also loves her family, friends and colleagues. She’s always willing to listen and offer friendship to the people she cares about.
As a Westside resident for a decade, you may see Jen running or cycling the trails in this part of town. Only look for her there during weekdays, though, because about eight months out of the year she is camping and backpacking in the Colorado wilderness on the weekends — enjoying the public spaces she works daily to protect.
Thank you, Jen, for all of your hard work and advocacy over the years!
Tell us about yourself.
I am an outdoor enthusiast at heart and am happiest when backpacking, hiking, cycling or doing any other activity that gets me outside. I grew up in a big family and moved around a lot growing up.
We were fortunate enough to live overseas for many years, and some of my favorite childhood memories were the many family vacations we took all over Europe. When we moved back to the states, the family vacations became weeks-long backpacking and camping trips to Colorado with my Dad and twin brother.
I was hooked, and knew that I eventually wanted a career working to protect these special places.
Talk about your career path and how it helps the environment.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had a career path that combines my personal passions with my professional endeavors. It truly doesn’t get better than that.
My first job in high school was working at a state park on the East Coast. I saw first-hand the challenges that land managers face in balancing use and visitation with the protection of the natural resource.
My first job out of college was as a watershed education specialist, where we tried to teach landowners about the benefits of land conservation practices.
I then eventually took the reins at a decades-old environmental stewardship nonprofit in Colorado Springs, where we worked to protect public lands through environmental stewardship and outdoor education initiatives.
Most recently, I joined a federal land management agency that works to protect our nation’s forests and grasslands. Playing a direct role in the conservation and protection of these incredible natural landscapes has been super fulfilling.
I was hooked. – Jennifer Peterson
Why is this work important?
Environmental stewardship and sustainability is incredibly important work that protects our Earth’s finite natural resources, enhances human well-being and increases our resilience in the face of a changing climate.
By investing in and committing to this work now, it means we can hopefully protect and sustain our environment for future generations.
What is the Pikes Peak region doing well regarding the environment and sustainability?
I’ve lived in the Pikes Peak Region for 10 years and have seen some really positive changes over the years, including greater investments in bicycle infrastructure (bike share, safer intersections, bike lanes), greater investments in land acquisitions to add to our city’s parks and open spaces, increased awareness about wildfire and general support for wildfire mitigation efforts, more infill development projects downtown, and a continued investment in maintaining our trails and open spaces so that we can ensure we are protecting what we have.
I was also encouraged by Colorado’s recent ban on single-use plastic carryout bags in stores and retail food establishments.
Where does our region need to improve?
Our region can always improve, but I’d like us to do a better job of celebrating and recognizing all that we have and all that we’ve accomplished in making the Pikes Peak region one of the most desirable places to live, work and play.
I’ve lived in a lot of different places, and nothing comes close to the outdoor amenities and access that we have right from the city center.