Boone, N.C. — The Watauga County Farmers’ Market has been honored as the No. 1 farmers’ market in North Carolina, according to the 2026 America’s Favorite Farmers Market competition organized by American Farmland Trust. Securing 2,222 votes, the market also distinguished itself by placing among the top five farmers’ markets in the Southeast region.
This significant recognition arrives as the Watauga County Farmers’ Market marks its 53rd season, highlighting a community staple that has consistently connected local producers with consumers even through challenging times. The market has navigated disruptions such as a global pandemic, a temporary relocation necessitated by park renovations, and the impact of Hurricane Helene, yet has maintained its vital role in the community.
Michelle Dineen Smith, the Market Director, emphasized the deep roots of this achievement. "This recognition represents decades of people showing up for one another," Dineen Smith stated. She added that it honors "generations of farmers, makers and organizers who built this market, and the community that continues to sustain it." Dineen Smith reflected on the market’s adaptability, having moved its operations and worked through unforeseen circumstances. She praised the producers for their unwavering work and the community for its consistent return, attributing the market’s worthy celebration to this shared commitment.
Despite the various disruptions encountered over the years, community participation at the market has grown stronger than ever. Shoppers demonstrate their commitment to local producers by attending in all weather conditions, enduring peak-hour parking challenges, and sometimes walking several blocks to reach the market. This robust support has, in turn, highlighted the ongoing need to improve ease of access for visitors. To address this, a new partnership with AppalCART now provides a park-and-ride option. The market is also actively seeking continued support from the Town of Boone to resolve parking and broader infrastructure limitations, aiming to enable even more residents and visitors to participate.
Established in 1974, the Watauga County Farmers’ Market has evolved into much more than a weekly retail space; it has become a cherished Saturday gathering place for the community. Beyond its social role, the market makes a substantial contribution to the local economy. Its estimated economic impact for 2025 was $1.83 million, illustrating how the regular exchange between producers and shoppers supports numerous livelihoods and stimulates economic activity across the High Country region.
Operating as a producer-only market ensures that customers have a direct link to the individuals who grow, raise, bake, and craft the products they purchase. Every transaction directly benefits the local farms, small businesses, and skilled producers that collectively define the unique character of the High Country. Dineen Smith underscored that the market’s full value extends beyond the visible Saturday morning activities. She noted that "Behind every booth are days of work and years of experience" and that familiar faces often represent relationships cultivated over many seasons. She highlighted that while the economic impact is crucial, so is creating a space where people feel connected to their food, their neighbors, and their home.
The market also extends its commitment to ensuring its fresh abundance is accessible to more households within the community. The Double Up Food Bucks program enhances food assistance by matching SNAP and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program purchases up to $75 per market day. Additionally, partnerships with Donation Station and the Harvest Table facilitate the distribution of local food to neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Beyond commerce, the market fosters community connection through offerings like live music, engaging children’s activities, and various community partnerships that bring together people of all generations.
The recent voting campaign that led to the market’s top ranking garnered widespread support from shoppers, vendors, local businesses, community organizations, and visitors who carried their positive experiences of the market home with them. This outcome not only acknowledges the high quality of the market’s offerings but also the depth and strength of the relationships forged there. Dineen Smith expressed gratitude, stating, "We asked people to help us tell the story of why this place matters, and they did." She extended thanks for every vote and every person who encouraged others to participate, emphasizing that the most effective way to honor this recognition is to consistently support the producers who earned it.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to celebrate this achievement by exploring the fall harvest at the Watauga County Farmers’ Market. The market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, continuing through November 28, at Daniel Boone Park, located at 591 Horn in the West Drive in Boone.
