"Consume less. Share more. Enjoy life." - Penny Kemp & Derek Wall

The idea for creation of the downtown Slippery Rock Farmers' Market was mentioned at a downtown redevelopment meeting in the winter of 2001. At the time MS3 student Heather House was interested in becoming involved with the downtown redevelopment project and thought starting a Farmers' Market was one project that was feasible. As a graduate assistant at the Macoskey Center, Heather had close ties with area farmers and with production of organic produce at the Center.

In the summer of 2002, the first Slippery Rock downtown Farmers' Market was held in the parking lot of the First National Bank. It was a success with various vendors each week ranging from honey, produce, bedding plants, and baked goods. Everyone seemed to enjoy this new event in Slippery Rock. This was also a larger venue for the Macoskey Center to expand their organic produce sales. Previously sales were conducted on campus on certain afternoons, while also being available for odering via e-mail/phone and pick up at the center. This was a great opportunity to advertise local produce available from several area sources to the community.

The market continues today, now in its second season. Connie Lemley has taken over coordination of the Market and Market Gardens. The vendor and farmer base is growing and it is a hope of the Macoskey Center that a community farmer eventually take over the coordination, publicity, and overall management of the event into the future. This has been a success for the Slippery Rock community and the university.