In the 26 years since the Dane County Farmers Market on the Square was founded, it has achieved national acclaim. No. 2 among the top 10 green markets in the country, behind only Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market in San Francisco. While it is a great place to shop for produce, the Madison market reflects the spirit of a political city, which is home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Young shoppers carry backpacks stuffed with carrots, potatoes and onions.
Many vendors want to have fun, including one who sported real cabbage leaves on her head, like those babies in the Anne Geddes photographs. The market started humbly in 1972 with 11 vendors, including a cherry farmer, the mayor at the time and another city official who also was a vendor looking for space for a farmers market, said Mary Carpenter, whose family has been bringing a wide variety of products to the market for 16 years. Eau Claire and Door County. A farmer from Hudson, on the Minnesota border, drives more than four hours with his sheeps' milk yogurt, according to Carpenter, who also is the market manager. The market has a reputation for being well-run.