The idea was planted more than a year ago by the Downtown Redevelopment group, and several other local organizations: an interactive and educational farmer's market to encourage the purchase of local produce and bring people downtown on Saturday.

The Poplar Head Farmers Market is the first farmers market downtown, and they already have twelve farmers lined up for this summer. However, this isn't your ordinary farmer's market...

"The library is going to come, hopefully bring the book mobile, so these children that come can check out books andthe art museum will have a tent outside and they will have art activities for children accompanied by adults" said Julie Bishop, Poplar Head Farmer's Market Director.

The market hopes to encourage to buy fresh and buy local.

"The less haulin you have the fresher your food is, and thats the key thing from buying from a farmers market is, its coming directly from the man who owns it, its not went through warehouses and extensive shipping" said farmer David Bell of Dothan.

With recent food processing scares, farmers believe this may actually help their business.

Bell said, "if its anything like the past summer because we had the same scare with the tomatoes it actually helped our business because youre buying the tomato right straight from the man who growed it, he can give you the history on the life of this tomato, versus one you bought somewhere else you don't know where it came from who handled it".

And just like a garden, the market hopes to provide variety.

Bishop said, "we hope that we have settled on a spot that we will serve several different types in our community, we know that we might have walk up traffic to this market, our farmers will accept the nutritional vouchers that they qualify for."

Wiregrass farmers and artists, who work with natural elements, living within 50 miles of Dothan, may apply for the market. Georgia and Florida farmers living within 25 miles of the Alabama line are also eligible to participate. For an application, visit www.thedowntowngroup.com.

Please read the rules and guidelines before completing and mailing an application. Entries received prior to March 31st will be considered for discounted seasonal spaces. Artists may apply for weekly spaces and will be rotated to maintain a ratio of 70% farmers to 30% artists.