If you are a regular listener, you all know I love to share the back story with all of you on how I know and met my podcast guest… and this one is really near & dear to my heart.
I met this guy over a decade ago during my Mennonite days behind my table at the Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market. He was a volunteer with the market and always was so happy & energetic about it. He had real passion is the best way to describe it. Of course that’s why we clicked! Our hearts were both in that happy place!!!
We became fast friends and soon he became our new Market Manager. He & I talked a lot and he was always looking for information and tips on how to make the market successful… even great! The FFAM was always a really good market, and by that I mean it was generally a busy market where vendors did really well. The customers were loyal and returned each week rain or shine.
In short order he grew & expanded the market. This gentleman is a go-getter, yet he is humble enough to seek guidance, and he did just that with myself and a few other farmers at the market. To this day, the market is thriving and growing more & more each year under his loving care!
And now… 2023 marks 13 years as Market Manager of the Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market, having come on board in 2011 as certified market manager recognized by the Michigan Farmers Market Association. For two years prior to that he served on the Board of Directors for the Downtown Farmington Development Authority(DDA). And prior to the DDA appointment participated in a multi year (1997 - 2005) community visioning project that led to the design funding and construction of a community pavilion that would serve as a permanent home for the market.
So everyone, help me welcome my very good friend, Walt Gajewski, Market Manager for The Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market located in Farmington, Michigan!!