“The beginning is the most important part of the work.”

On a Summer morning, thirty-one years ago, Mary Soyenova and Renate Rikker set up tables outside of the Black Mountain Town Hall - selling produce to just five customers.

At the time, Farmers Markets were plentiful across the United States, but there was only one market (North Asheville Tailgate Market) in the area. 

The first three years were a labor of love, with low attendance and just a few vendors. But in 1995, Mike and Linda Kazulen of Mike’s Produce stepped in and focused on finding ways to garner community participation. With the addition of live music, Salsa and Apple Pie Contests...the Market began to come to life!

In 2002, under the leadership of Elaine and Harry Tamil, the weekly event became the "Black Mountain Tailgate Market" and moved to the grassy lot behind Louise’s and SunTrust Bank. Under the Hamil’s leadership, BMTM continued to prosper, and in 2007, the market moved to the parking lot of the Unitarian Universalist of Swannanoa Valley. In 2009, BMTM was incorporated with the Secretary of State, with a Member Vendor-run Board of Directors. After several years, the market was moved again... this time to the green space behind First Baptist Church.

At the end of last year, we transitioned to a community-led board. At the beginning of this year, we filed our application for tax-exempt status, and just last week, we received confirmation from the IRS that the Black Mountain Tailgate Market is now a federally recognized not-for-profit organization!

This Saturday, we open our Main Market season with a renewed focus on nourishing, educating, connecting, and meeting the evolving needs of our community. 

I imagine what life in Black Mountain might be like if Mary and Renate let self-doubt or impatience quash their dreams. I imagine what this precious town might be without a vibrant farmers market... what things might look like here, if the Kazulens or the Tamils had not been forward-thinking about community engagement and events. I imagine what might have been if not for strong leadership, the hard work and dedication of farmers, and the unwavering support of the community. I imagine this town without the Market, and I imagine my life without any of you in it. And, I don't like it one little bit. 

Since 2022, I've had countless conversations with devoted patrons about the function and facets of the market, and the overarching theme of these conversations has always been "nourishment." I distinctly remember the first time I heard a customer describe the market as a "sanctuary." It was late in the season of 2022, and I was new to the organization. I remember that word rolling around in my head and the feeling that the descriptor "sanctuary" was a confirmation of my suspicions (it was obvious that there was something magical about this market)... and a challenge. Sanctuary means: a consecrated place, such as a temple, church, or a place of worship; a place of refuge.

Wendell Berry wrote: "There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places.” And I've given a lot of thought to that assertion over the years.

Is it true?

If so, what does that mean about the way we move through the world, the work we do, how we treat others, how we make purchases, raise our families, and how we occupy public spaces? 

If Berry's claim is true, then it is a challenge to all of us.

With all that is happening in the world today - all of the heartbreak, injustice, exploitation, abuse, and despair - our challenge is the Sisyphean task of establishing, reclaiming, and maintaining the sacredness of the spaces around us. As I write this, the enormity of that task washes over me. After all, it is a work that can never be completed. 

I am deeply honored to continue to co-create this community gathering space with all of you. I am dedicated to the notion that this little market is a sacred space - a force of goodness, a constant in an unsteady world, and that each Saturday is an opportunity to create a place of refuge, of nourishment, sweetness, and LOVE. The hope, of course, is not to create a bubble, but a ripple effect - that the sweetness of our Saturday mornings will stick to those who join us, and will be carried out into the wider world, inspiring a more beautiful, bountiful future for generations to come. 

I hope that you will join us as we do the important work of beginning the Main Market Season, this Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm at 130 Montreat Rd, "under the oaks."

I can't wait to see all of your smiling faces this Season!