History

Chelsea legend says that our Farmers Market was started in 1974 by a teacher at Chelsea Public School, making it one of the oldest Farmers Markets in the state! 
Throughout its existence, the Chelsea Farmers Market has remained true to its originating principals of providing the Chelsea community with authentic, local produce.
Our guiding mantra is, “Everything sold at the Chelsea Farmers Market 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 the Chelsea Farmers Market, 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:

Luise Graf moved to Chelsea in 1970 and worked a lot of odd jobs, including at the Vt Law School Library when they were just opening. She has worked at several local co-ops and farms and finally started her own gardening business. She helped start the Chelsea Farmers Market in 1974 and has vended at Randolph, Piermont, and Groton markets.

​Emily Reiss is a well-known member of the Chelsea Farmers Market, having been its manager for the past three years and a popular vendor of farm fresh food items. She and her husband, Evan, run Fledgling Farmstead in the hills of Tunbridge, alongside Emily’s mom and dad. Every summer they host Fledge Fest, a weekend of music, food, and community on their farm. 

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, and several chickens. 2026 marks Baked by Trizmo’s 5th year as a vendor in the Chelsea Farmers Market.