My first impressions of the farmers market were that this was a really big place and the fact that it had a permanent structure, made me a bit skeptical. The farmers markets I was used to in Columbus were help on the “Main St.”of the city or suburb and was comprised of lost of make shift tents and long plastic foldable tables. The farmers came each saturday to sell their produce, meat, etc. So, to see a structure that stayed open every day of the week, made me hesitant to take the seller's word that this was really from a local farm and not some commercial farm that was shipping in it's produce. Even as I walked by tables laden with packages of “fresh” berries, I noticed that they were from “California,” now I am not sure how “fresh” berries can be coming in from the other side of the country.

The farmers market also seemed to sell a lot of goods that I wouldn't have thought to be typical of a farmer but seemed to fit in better at an artisan market. Such as specialty dog treats, flavored popcorn (which smelled amazing), sugar coated nuts, and even clothing. Maybe I am just narrow-minded and only think of food and food that can be grown or fresh food. But I wasn't expecting this. The smell of the popcorn seemed to follow me around the whole market, it was a great smell, just not what I had expected to smell at a farmers market.

I felt comfortable in this place as a consumer but the second I sat with a pen and paper to take in my scenery, I immediately felt eyes on me, cynical eyes. And I felt like I needed to defend myself. What if I had just been journaling for personal reasons and it had nothing to do with a research project. I wonder if I would have felt the same need to defend myself? It was a gorgeous day, brisk air with the sun shining, and a temperature of about 72 degrees out. I am nervous to continue to return to this space and fearful of my interviews with consumers/sellers. I don't want them to be on the defense but I feel like based on my experience this past saturday that it may be inevitable. I am already thinking of ways to record my information less conspicuously. Maybe, I'll use my phone and speak into my headphone which have a built in microphone or I can just take a smaller notepad?

I knew I was an outsider and could be recognized by the fact that I had a huge backpack on with my pen and paper in hand. Everyone around me was either actively selling or carrying plastic bags, recyclable bags or wheeling smaller coolers around. The fact that I was not a seller and had nothing that I had bought in my hands was a dead giveaway that I was an outsider. My husband had dropped me off and taken our goods back with him. I was thinking while I was sitting there that maybe I should have kept my bags or maybe I should buy something else. So even if I cause suspicion, I am still supporting the market.

I interviewed Smiley, of Smiley's produce and he confirmed a lot of my suspicions saying, “There's only a few people here who are actually farmers. Half the people that sell here are just one step away from being on the streets.” And when I asked him why people should support farmers market, he replied with, “You know why you should eat local...cheaper, fresher, tastes better.” And I replied that yes, I knew why and that was exactly why I did.

(These were just my first impressions after my first day at my site interviewing. However, this site will be changing to following an online blog on homesteading.)