ABOUT

Vision, Mission, And Values

Our main goal is to support our local agriculture and the cottage industry community.

To do that, we are providing a location and promoting the sale of locally grown, raised, produced, and gathered products from our local area. This also provides the citizens of the community and surrounding areas to interact directly with each other and to support local families.

Get Involved!

Board of Directors

Melanie Keller
President
208-851-2299

About Melanie Keller

About Roxy DeVries

Roxy DeVries
Vice President
208-840-0404

Jessica Smith
Secretary
jlsmith298@gmail.com

I’ve lived in Preston for five years, but we also lived here many years ago while my husband was getting his MBA at USU. My husband's favorite aunt and uncle live in Franklin, and to him, Franklin was always heaven on earth. We always hoped we would be able to come back and raise our children in this little corner of Idaho.

I love the close-knit community here. It seems like every time you run into Stokes, you see someone you know. I love all the fun activities (Rodeo, Festival of Lights, Idaho Days...), the beautiful country, and the feeling that people really care about their neighbors.

I homeschool my children, which takes up a lot of my time and is something I really enjoy. In my free time I love going on walks, going out to eat, gardening, embroidering and sewing, baking sourdough bread, and having friends over for dinner.

I initially got involved with the market because I was interested in helping promote a program for the youth vendors. Since then, I’ve really loved being on the board because of the friendships I’ve been able to make. My family also bought a small farm a few years ago, so I’m excited to keep learning how to cultivate that piece of earth and contribute in a small way to the local agriculture and community that makes our market so special.

The hot summer evenings at the market are magical! I love visiting with people as they walk through, listening to the live music, and eating handheld berry pies from my favorite Mennonite baker. It can't get much better than that!!!

Jeni Barnett
Tresurer
801-634-7199

Chloe Simanton
Director
253-740-9010

Chloe Simanton was born and raised in Kent, Washington. Her senior year of high school she came to live with her grandparents in Preston, Idaho and graduated from Preston High School. From the year 2003, Chloe would spend nearly every summer in Cub River. The rodeo, Franklin County Fair, watching fireworks in the park, making s’mores at Albert Moser, Napoleon Dynamite Days, getting a fresh strawberry shake from Big J’s, swimming at Downata Hotsprings and going down the water slide at Riverdale Resort were some of the many memories made. As a senior, Chloe enjoyed buying puzzles from “Toy Land” in Kings, working at Heritage Home and finding the hidden treasures of Franklin County like the Flume in Weston.

Once Chloe graduated, she moved back to Kent and worked until she got her call to serve a religious mission in Provo, Utah. She met her husband while serving and started dating him after the mission in college. Chloe attended BYU Idaho for a semester and then got married in June to Jeffery. For a short time, Jeffery and Chloe lived in Texas when they found out they were expecting. With money being extremely tight and a baby on the way, Chloe called her grandparents and asked if they could live in apartment above the garage in Cub River.

Jeffery and Chloe moved to Preston and started their family adventures. They loved the bowling alley, Big Js shakes, camping at Willow Flats, renting movies at Adventure Video, shooting at the gun range, seeing movies at Worm Creek Theater and the changing seasons up the canyon. They now live in Franklin and love living in Franklin County. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else”, says Chloe, “We are home.”

Chloe has been in Franklin County for 9 years, 10 if you count her senior year. Chloe joined the Farmers Market board because she showed up. She wanted a place for people to gather and shop for healthier lifestyle choices. Chloe has a small business called, “Chloe’s Cuisine”. She makes homemade jams, jellies and preserves. She also bakes bread and yummy treats. Homemaking, being a wife and mother to 4, and feeding people are her joys.

Advisory Board

Stevie Emerson
Website & Social Media Manager

About Stevie

Bonnie Randall is an entrepreneur, marketing strategist, author, speaker, and educator with over 25 years of experience helping businesses grow from idea to impact. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from the Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah and has spent more than 15 years teaching entrepreneurship to youth and adults.

Bonnie is the founder of Bonfire Legends, a full-service marketing agency launched over 20 years ago, serving clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies in local and international markets. Her team’s work has helped generate over $200 million in sales and more than 8 billion views.

As a certified trauma-informed life coach and homeschooling mother of four, Bonnie is passionate about equipping young entrepreneurs with confidence, leadership skills, and real-world business experience.

Bonnie Randall
Youth Director

Our Roots: The Story of the Preston ID Farmers Market

The Spark of an Idea

The journey began with the "Preston ROCKs" (Recharge Our Community’s Economy) workshops, hosted by the City of Preston and co-facilitated by the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) and the Southeast Idaho Council of Governments (SICOG).

Starting in late August 2023 at the Robinson Building, these sessions weren't just about business—they were about "community visioning" and "asset mapping." Over several intensive workshops, local leaders, stakeholders, and community members identified a farmers market as a key opportunity to strengthen the local economy and build lasting community partnerships. A committee was formed to create a foundation for the market to be built upon.

From Vision to Action

By the spring of 2024, the momentum from the workshops transitioned into concrete action. Molly Beseris, representing the Four County Alliance of Southeastern Idaho (4CASI), spearheaded the transition from "idea" to "entity." In April 2024, a pivotal planning meeting was held at Preston City Hall. The discussion focused on the structural grit of the market: finding a permanent location and ensuring the market could stand on its own as a self-sustaining organization. The call to action was clear: for the market to succeed, it needed the hands-on involvement of the community members who dreamed it up.

The Farmer’s Market Board was chosen and the reigns handed to Melanie Keller, Aly Cole, Jessica Smith, Jeni Barnett and Chloe Simanton. Along with the help of Stevie Emerson and Marijka Hunsaker. Later during the first year, Kirstie Peck was added as the entertainment coordinator. Aly stepped down and Meg Boudrero became the Vice President. Roxy DeVries became VP the beginning of the second year.

A Grand Opening

Just two months after that final push in planning, the vision became a reality. On June 5, 2024, the Preston Idaho Farmers Market held its grand opening. Located at the City Park at 1st North and State Street, the inaugural market featured over 20 vendors, ranging from local produce and sourdough starters to handmade crafts and food trucks. The event didn't just provide a place to shop; it fulfilled the "ROCK" workshop's original goal—creating a space for community connection and a platform for local entrepreneurs to flourish.

Growth and Regional Success

Building on the momentum of its debut, the market’s impact has only widened with each passing season. By its second year, the initiative successfully expanded beyond its Wednesday roots in Preston to include Saturday markets in Franklin City, thanks to the support of Kevin Beck, creating a regional circuit that offered even more flexibility for both vendors and shoppers.

As the market entered its third year, the dual-location model proved its worth, becoming a permanent fixture of the local calendar. This continued success has transformed the market from a seasonal event into a vital community tradition, bridging the gap between Idaho’s historic towns and ensuring that fresh, local goods are accessible across the county all week long.

A Foundation of Partnership

This vision would not have reached fruition without the steadfast support of Preston City and the collaborative spirit of the region’s development leaders. The City’s commitment to providing a home for the market at the City Park was a critical piece of the puzzle, but the foundation was truly built through the combined expertise of the RCAC and SICOG.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to Preston City (Mayor Keller, City Councilmen, and Shawn Oliverson), the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce, University of Idaho--Franklin County Extension Office (Bracken Hendersen), and 4CASI (Molly Beseris), whose guidance helped navigate the logistical hurdles of starting a new entity. Furthermore, Franklin City’s support allowed the market to flourish in its second year. It is this unique partnership between municipal support and professional economic mentorship that has allowed the market to become a sustainable staple of Franklin County.

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