MASON — Mayor John McCurley wants his burgeoning city to stay close to its rural roots.

        That was his primary motivation for helping start a farmers' market in downtown Mason this summer. The market began July 21 and will continue on Saturday mornings as long as seasonal produce is available.

        “My dream was to bring the farm back to the city, and to create a place for people to gather, enjoy the morning air and the fresh produce that the farmers bring in,” Mr. McCurley said.

        On a recent Saturday, shoppers wheeled into the St. Susanna School parking lot and browsed the vendor booths, which offered everything from fresh flowers to organic meats. Don Eberhard and his friends and family weighed and bagged tomatoes, peppers and apples for customers.

        “The first three weeks (of the market) we were outmanned,” said Mr. Eberhard. “There was a line from here to the cars out there. Response has been outstanding, fantastic.”

        Mr. Eberhard was one of the first farmers contacted about a possible market.

        “The city got hold of us and asked if we wanted to start a farmer's market,” said Mr. Eberhard, whose property is among the few farms left in Mason.

        Sherry and Butch Schappacher have also found an enthusiastic market for their produce. They are now selling chrysanthemums, not edibles.

        “Corn's my big specialty,“ Mr. Schappacher said. “I had 300 dozen ears of corn for sale three weeks, and I'd go home with nothing. But our stuff's gone now, and we sell only what we grow.”

        Mr. Schappacher admitted to being skeptical when the mayor approached him about the market, but he looks forward to participating again next summer.

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