About | Nevada City Farmer's Market

The Story

How the market started in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains

In 2007 the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce conducted the “Great Nevada City Survey” and 89% of respondents called for the creation of a walkable marketplace. Under the leadership of City Councilwomen Reinette Senum the Nevada City Farmers Market Association was created. It is a joint venture of the community, local farmers who practice sustainable agriculture, and local businesses.

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life and economic resilience of our community by providing access to high quality, locally grown products. To support regional, sustainable producers through direct access to consumers. To create a community meeting place and to foster consumer education.

Each Saturday from Father’s Day to Thanksgiving more than 30 vendors join a group of loyal volunteers to create a vibrant community event on Union Street in downtown Nevada City.

Meet the Board and Management

Tim Van Wagner

President

Tim Van Wagner is the owner of First Rain Farm, a diversified organic farm two miles outside of Nevada City. Tim has been involved in the local farming movement since 2007 when he moved back to his home town of Nevada City to farm with Leo Chapman at Bluebird Farm. In 2008 he co-founded Living Lands Agrarian Network and participated as a board member in the creation of the Nevada City Farmers Market. Tim has been an anchor of the Saturday Nevada City Market as a vending farm as well as a regular board member since its inception and continues to be inspired by the market and the people who make it what it is.

Michael Shapiro

Vice President

Michael Shapiro got his start in farming 10 years ago on a Biodynamic Farm in North Carolina. It was here that he discovered his true passion in farming. After years of working on other farms Michael knew it was time to pursue his dream of owning his own farm.

Michael had visited Nevada County annually with his family during his childhood. He knew this was where he wanted to start his farming career. It was in 2012 when Michael and his family started AM Ranch in Penn Valley, CA. His first few years involved bringing the property back to life and building up infrastructure to make the most of the ranch. Today, together with his partner Ciara, they raise cattle, hogs, sheep, and laying hens.

Jeremy Mineau

Vendor Board Member

Jeremy started Super Tuber Farm in 2012 where he grows potatoes, carrots, and cabbage, among other vegetables. He's a big farming nerd and enjoys vacations, good food and, most of all, his wife and baby daughter.

Leo Chapman

Treasurer

Leo Chapman has lived in Nevada County for 30 years. He started farming in the year 2000, and was a founding member of the Living Lands Agrarian Network in 2007. In 2008 he was involved in envisioning a Farmers Market for Nevada City and was on the first NCFM board as a farmer board member. In 2014-2015 he ran the Sierra Gardens program for Sierra Harvest. In 2016 he was a garden educator for the food love project for Sierra Harvest. He is currently serving as the treasurer for the NCFM board, as a community board member.

Peggy Peterson

Vendor Board Member

Peggy Peterson, resident of Nevada City for 34 years and owner of Asylum Down and Yabobo.

Jane Sangwine-Yager

Operations Manager

Jane retired to Nevada City in 2006 and was among the group of volunteers who helped start the Nevada City Farmers Market in 2008. She has continued to volunteer playing various roles including Treasurer, Board Secretary, and currently, Operations Manager. By training she is a mathematician and spent 28 years on the faculty of Saint Mary's College of California. Volunteering at the market combines her passions for gardening and working with young people.

Shaun Havard

Community Board Member

Shaun has lived in Nevada County almost 20 years with her husband and two (now grown) children, gardening every summer. She grew up in the Midwest where the norm was to eat canned or frozen vegetables and iceberg lettuce most of the year. After her first trip west when she ate an artichoke, she decided there was more to be discovered in life (food- wise as well as otherwise) and moved to California. She is passionate about eating fresh, local food and supporting producers in Nevada County who provide access to those items.

Jeff Wells

Vendor Board Member

Jeff has been actively volunteering/vending at the Nevada City Farmers Market since 2008. He was regularly involved with Living Lands and enjoys volunteering for other local nonprofits such as Sierra Harvest and SYRCL. He's lived in these parts for thirty plus years and has been steadily developing Sunrock Farm in Nevada City for the past decade. Look for his heirloom beans plus other specialty fruits and vegetables the next time you come to the market!

Stephanie Stevens

Market Manager

In 2016, Stephanie Stevens became the fourth manager of the Nevada City Farmers market. She is a member of the Nevada County Food Policy Council on behalf of the NCFM, runs her own micro farm, and is studying to become an agricultural attorney.