Opinion: Farm Fest Silent Auction 2025 Creating Connection

Lexington Farmer’s Market 

Farm Fest Silent Auction 2025:

Creating Connection 

Kelly Carrick, LFM Volunteer

If you asked me what the mission of the Lexington Farmer’s Market was, I would tell you its to create a path between local growers and makers with our residents and visitors to our area. I would say that it’s to be a facilitator of the shopping experience, providing a streamlined system where goods could be bought and sold.  But then I’d draw a thick red line through what I just said, because it sounded far too much like something Chat GPT would have typed, and this is what I say instead.   I would tell you that it's about human connection - and it starts the moment you approach the Historic Train Depot. It's the kindness that happens at the bottom of the stairway ramp, when someone who doesn't have the mobility they wished for is given a little extra space, while others stand patiently and wait their turn. It's in the volunteers staffing the door, who offer a quick but warm welcome, clicking their counters efficiently, but never missing an opportunity to chat.  And it's in the stars of the show - the growers and makers that vend at the market. That’s where you’ll be greeted time and again, booth after booth, and smile after smile. Sometimes it's a show-and-tell about the latest and greatest offering, but often it's a check in.  The kind of conversations you have with your neighbor, standing casually at the end of the driveway, when you just need to quickly catch up.  There’s talk of family, laughter that can only be produced by Dad jokes, the sharing of treasured recipes, and if you’re really lucky the chance to set eyes on the dogs of the market and proclaim that they are all good boys and girls! And just when your shopping basket is filled to the brim, the excited voices of the market managers announce something you just can’t miss over the public address system, directing your attention to engage with someone who kindly volunteered to show us all a cool new skill.  

This connection is built on the backs of people who donate their time, and right now many of them are donating it to the Farm Fest Silent Auction.  This is the largest fundraiser that the Lexington Farmer’s Market does, and it's now slated for its fourth successful year.  It has shape shifted a bit for 2025, but if I’m being transparent, so many things have.  It's been stretched out, so businesses and vendors have a much larger time window to help out and serve in their own unique way. And those of you that bid have a greater opportunity to watch and wait so you can selectively snag that favored item. But  the best part of it all is that the proceeds raised by the auction go to fund the market’s Double Bucks Program.  Without SNAP/EBT benefits many families would be unable to meet their weekly grocery budget.  Moreover, they are able to make healthier and fresher choices by shopping at the LFM,  and support our local farmers and growers as they do so. As a volunteer, I have personally witnessed the significance of this program. I have watched time again when moms and dads are doing the math in their head so that kids can be handed wooden tokens of their own to select a special treat.  And I have seen the contentment on their faces as they stroll past me at the end of their shopping trip, affording me the chance to grin and ask what goodies they found today.  You see, I am part of that connection, and so are you - and we really are in this together.  So when a volunteer asks you for a donation, or invites you to “bid early and bid often” take them up on it. You will be glad you did. 

Here is a link to the Silent Auction: www.givebutter.com/c/farmfest2025/auction

If you wish to donate to the auction please contact Kelly Carrick kcarrick1964@gmail.com