History

Chelsea legend says that our Farmers Market was started in 1975 by a teacher at CPS, making it one of the oldest Farmers Markets in the state! 
Throughout its existence, CFM has remained true to its originating principals of providing the Chelsea community with authentic, local produce.
Our guiding mantra is, “Everything sold at CFM must be grown, produced, or created in the State of Vermont." 

Our vendors offer a wide range of fresh, local produce (including pasture raised meats, eggs, and dairy products); baked goods and prepared foods made from the finest local ingredients; locally foraged foods; and a full range of local artisan crafts. The market has moved through many iterations in its lifetime and currently includes: Music every week (customers and vendors LOVE this); Children's activities and other fun events throughout the season.

A long-term vendor at CFM, who vends at several other local farmers markets, commented, “Chelsea is such a FUN market. It is the ONLY market I know of where people come and STAY to enjoy the music and the vibe.”

Families come and stay - kids play, parents chat w/ friends, enjoy live music and shop around the market. Our vendors are part of the Chelsea community family!

Board of Directors 

The board meets once every other month. We are seeking new members! If you'd like to attend a meeting as a potential board member, or as a vendor or community member, please contact: [email protected]

CFM Bylaws

President: Jennie Martin

Jennie Martin has lived in Chelsea for over two decades. She has served on several boards in town and beyond, including the Chelsea Farmers Market (CFM) board from 2014-2018. Following this, she was the market manager for the next two seasons. As a keen gardener and cook, she loves farmers markets and always seeks them out wherever she goes. Jennie considers it an honor and a privilege to be back working alongside the board and vendors of the CFM to bring this fine market to the community. 

Vice President: Stephen Devoto

Stephen Devoto and his wife Joyce bought an abandoned farm in Corinth Corner in 2021, and in 2023 he left his job as an academic scientist in order to become a farmer. Stephen served for many years in city government in Middletown, Connecticut. Joyce and Stephen have two children: Audra is the chief data scientist at a California biotech firm, saving money to buy a farm in the Corinth area, Clark is the farm manager at Crossmolina Farm. Stephen's brother Will and sister Bessie grew up and continue to reside in Corinth. 

Secretary: Susan Elder

Susan's work history evolved around the legal field: law firm support; the judiciary; the law school; court diversion; guardian ad litem; and town government. A ninth-generation Vermonter, Susan comes from a long line of sheep and dairy farmers. She owned a gardening business for 12 years and now just focuses on her organically grown blueberries and flowers with the help of her "retired" Shetland ewes. She has been selling blueberries at the farmers market in Chelsea for six years.

Treasurer: Jan Smith

Jan Smith is a substitute teacher/administrative assistant at First Branch Schools and Children’s Director at New Creation Fellowship in Chelsea. She and her husband Bill moved to Vermont in 2014 to start a church. The church has been a regular at the market since 2023 providing games and activities for children. She loves living in Vermont and working with children of all ages.

Other Board Members:

Margaret Loftus is the co-owner of Crossmolina Farm in Corinth and regular vendor at the Chelsea Market! She and her husband, Jonathan operate their highly diversified farm with the help of their three sons and a wonderful crew of family and friends. 

Luise Graf worked for Levitt and Sons (residential subdivisions) on Long Island, NY as a forms designer when she got out of college. It was there that she spoke with the lady who did the phone work. She had a nephew who was a real estate agent in VT who turned out to be Brian Button. This lady had a camp in Washington and her mother was Luise's music teacher as a child. She bought a house in Chelsea in 1970 and worked a lot of odd jobs, including at the Vt Law School Library when they were just opening; Dartmouth printing; shopkeeper and Chelsea Town Lister; White River Coop in Randolph; helped start the Chelsea market and sold at Randolph, Piermont and Groton markets; Hanover Coop; Kildeer Farm growing their tomatoes; and finally starting her own gardening business. Now back at the Chelsea market,  "I think I've come full circle."

Tristan Simon is a five year resident of Chelsea, owner of Baked by Trizmo and a Certified Pastry Chef from Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. Tristan is Mom to one human, 2 dogs, 4 goats & chickens. 2025 marks Baked by Trizmo's 4th year as a vendor in the Chelsea Farmers Market. Tristan looks forward to serving on the CFM Board. 

Patty Duffy is a retired agricultural banker and vet technician. She moved to Vermont in 1981 and has also worked throughout New England and New York. She has been an ox teamster since the age of 35 and has owned and operated a small, diversified farm for 38 years. Prior to joining the CFM board, Patty has served on the boards for The Carrot Project, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners, and Come Boating. Currently splitting her time between Belfast, Maine, and Corinth, Vermont, Patty sells for a small Maine bakery at three Maine Farmers Markets. Patty love cross county skiing and rows traditional Cornish Pilot Gig boats on the Penobscot Bay. In 2024, she competed in the World Pilot Gig Championship in Isles of Scilly, England.