With snow on the ground, some people think it is time for farmers to put their feet up by the fire and relax, but they obviously have not visited the Dawson Creek winter farmers' market.
"Obviously, there are no vegetables here," said Gordon Parslow, the vice president of the farmers' market.
"There's some farmer products, we have a little bit of honey – and there's Victoria with her wool and Michael with his beef. We do what we can," said Parslow.
While the winter market doesn't offer all the same items that the summer market does, there were approximately 15 venders on Saturday, Feb.15 with many different items available for sale.
"This will be our second winter," Parslow added.
"It's slow, but it's picking up," said Ken Munro. "Every weekend it gets busier."
Honey, jams, beef, bread, baked goods, jewelry, wool items, pens, soap carvings, moccasins, clothing, dish towels and spices are just some of the goods people can expect to find at the farmers' market during the winter months. However, the market offers more than just products.
"I think it's a good meeting place for like minded people," said Michael Nimitz, the incoming president of the farmers' market.
"I think it proves your sense of community, when you can buy off people you know and trust more than Safeway or Wal-Mart."
Even though the market has only been open for a couple weeks and it's admittedly a slower market than in the summer, there are still many people who take time out of their Saturday to come peruse the stalls.
"I like to visit the nice friendly people and get good products that you can't get in the stores. It's a unique market with good variety," explained Frank Rippley, who enjoys going to the farmers' market on the weekend.
Many of the items available at the market cannot be found in local stores.
"Your hand crafted things – it's really the only venue for those," said Nimitz.
It is also a place that many get diet-specific products, such as gluten or dairy free items. Many of the goods are organic or made with organic elements.
"It's a great place to meet your neighbors, people new to the area and you can get stuff you can't get in the Co-op," said Victoria Manson, who is a vender at the market.
In fact, it seems as though the farmers' market in Dawson Creek is starting to really make a name for itself, attracting vendors from all over the Peace Region.
"This is my second trip to the Dawson Creek," said Phyllis Brennan, a resident of Teepee Creek, Alberta.
Brennan, who has been participating in farmers' markets for a number of years selling her magnetic jewelry, scarves and clothing, likes the Dawson Creek market and looks forward to continuing to come in the summer.
"I meet all my old friends here," said Munro.
Michelle Van Der Horst also enjoys the social aspect of the market.
"I think it's great. We have people interested already. I like meeting people every week and seeing some of the same faces," she said.
Others participate in the market because it gets them out of the house.
"It gives me something to do. I'm retired and it's a way of getting my handy work out," said Keith Sundquist, who sells fine pens.
The farmers' market is one thing that people can count on to grow during winter, according to Dawson Johnston, acting president.
"We're the fastest growing farmers' market with new members this year."
