Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
Published on Jul 5, 2022
When you arrive in Ayer’s Cliff, it’s hard to miss the heritage site of the Stanstead County Agricultural Society, where the region’s famous agricultural fair has been held since 1845. But did you know that every Saturday from the end of June to the beginning of October, the Ayer’s Cliff Farmer’s Market is also held there?
The Ayer’s Cliff Farmer’s Market has welcomed visitors every summer since the late 1980s with the purpose of showcasing the work of local producers and farmers. It’s in fact, one of the only markets self-managed by the participating merchants. After all, who knows how to hold an event consistent with their own vision and meet the needs of the community better than the merchants themselves?
Tony Scott has been involved with the Ayer’s Cliff Farmer’s Market since 1991. So clearly, he understands all the mechanics of the event! It’s somewhat in spite of himself and because of his great involvement that today he holds the position of President of the event. Besides being responsible for organizing meetings between the merchants and dealing with the logistics with a coordination team, Tony is always on hand to offer his help. “I feel called upon by the people here, I want to be helpful and that’s the main reason why I’ve become so involved within my community.”
In addition to being at the core of the market’s organization, Tony and Ève, his wife and business partner, sell their products directly from their organic farm, the Ferme Maraîchère Way’s Mills vegetable farm. They repeatedly stress the importance of an organic production: the farm has been certified right from the start. “Having our organic certification is a way for us to guarantee our customers of our good practices, while being consistent with our values. What we want most of all is to bring fresh, healthy, local food to consumers.”
Over 30 years ago, Tony’s decision to establish himself in the Eastern Townships wasn’t a random one. After travelling across the country from Nova Scotia to British Columbia in search of the perfect place, he fell in love with the Townships and decided to settle here. “For the quality of the land, the ideal location and the beautiful hilly landscapes, but also for the community that evolves here,” he explains. “It’s a region full of excellent local products, organic farms and a very unique terroir.”
The market is the ideal place to share all this, and for fostering cooperation between producers, as well as for creating a privileged contact with consumers. And the response is excellent, with records being broken last summer. In fact, one day the market received over 600 visitors in only two hours! Twenty or so merchants welcome you throughout the warmer months, offering you fruits and vegetables, meat, bread, crafts and much more. A little extra: musicians are on the site every weekend and contribute to the market’s much appreciated ambiance. A not-to-be-missed stop to make this summer in the Townships!
The market is held every Saturday from the end of June to Thanksgiving, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the site of the Ayer’s Cliff Agricultural Fair.
Terroir Artisans
Marthe Tremblay – Founder and Coordinator of La Mante du Carré
Terroir Artisans
Marie-Chantal Houde — Co-Owner of Fromagerie Nouvelle France
Terroir Artisans
Marie Bourassa—Co-Owner of Deça Deci Agrotourism Farm
