HANCOCK COUNTY — There are more than 600 farms in Hancock County, comprising nearly 166,000 acres of farmland, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture. Farmers and horticulturists from all over the county are lining up to share the fruits — and vegetables — of their labor at farmers markets. This feature will introduce one local producer who can be found selling goods at local farmers’ markets.
Jeniece Miller
Market master at Greenfield Farmer’s Market
Farm: Miller Produce, Rush County
How long have you been in business?
“At least 15 years.”
How did you get into farming?
“My husband’s a farmer, and we’ve been married for 30 years. I started with produce for our own family, and I thought I’d try and go into business since we grew so much.”
What do you raise or grow?
“We have five acres of produce — we grow everything. Green beans, corn, peas, tomatoes, peppers, everything.”
What’s your favorite part of being a farmer?
“It’s not the hard work; that’s my least-favorite part. Being a farmer takes a lot of work. Growing it from seed and all that stuff, weeding and taking care of it so it can grow, it’s a job.”
How long have you been the market master?
“14 years”
What responsibilities do you have as market master?
“I place everybody where they’re supposed to be, take the money to set up and just watch over everything. We usually don’t take crafty things, stuff like that. I have to make sure people are selling the right stuff and that it’s marked right.”
What’s been selling well this spring?
“Everything’s been really good. I’ve been selling strawberries for a while. Tomatoes, green beans and corn really go good. Summer squash, cabbage and broccoli are good in the spring.”
How has attendance been?
“The regulars that have come out for years come out all the time, and we have quite a few regulars there.”
