The public is invited to join the Holland Farmers Market all week long to celebrate National Farmers Market Week, held August 2 – 8! Tomorrow at the Market Kids Activities, families will have an opportunity to learn all about the lifecycle of plants and the important role that agriculture plays in our local communities. The Market Kids Activities are held from 9:30 am – 11:30 am each Wednesday though August 12 and begin with Market Story Time hosted by the Herrick District Library. The 2026 Market Kids Activities are proudly sponsored by Corewell Health.
This Wednesday, the Michigan Agriculture in the Classroom instructor from the Critter Barn will host a fun hands-on craft that will teach kids all about agriculture and the plant lifecycle. Children will plant a seed in a small bag with a damp cotton ball to hang in a window, allowing them to observe the seed’s growing process up close! They’ll also create a seed “bomb” filled with native wildflower seeds to scatter outside their homes, helping to promote a healthy ecosystem in our community!
“The Critter Barn is excited to participate in the Market Kids Activities to provide a fun, hands-on agricultural experience for local youth,” said Kerri Bush, Critter Barn’s Ag in the Classroom Teacher, “Opportunities like this help children connect with agriculture in a meaningful way by allowing them to interact with agricultural topics and learn firsthand where their food comes from. Introducing agriculture at a young age helps build an appreciation for the farmers and families who produce our food while inspiring the next generation to better understand the importance of Michigan agriculture.
The Critter Barn is an organization dedicated to teaching about farming and agriculture while inspiring people of all ages, and all abilities, through the miracles of nature found at the farm. Through their program, “Michigan Agriculture in the Classroom,” they work to increase agricultural literacy among school-age groups. To accomplish this goal, they provide agricultural lessons, children's books, and agricultural fact brochures for teachers and farmer volunteers to teach across both elementary and high school levels.
Market customers are also invited to celebrate National Farmers Market Week on Wednesday, August 5 and Saturday, August 8 with an exciting giveaway hosted by the Holland Farmers Market! Stop by the visitors table om the marketplace on Wednesday and Saturday to fill out an entry card letting us know what your favorite thing about the Market is! We'll select one lucky winner at random to receive a free merchandise gift basket and $100 in Market Bucks, as our way of thanking customers for supporting our hard-working vendors and farmers all year long. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, August 12.
The weekly Kids Activities at the Holland Farmers Market begin with an interactive Market Story Time hosted by the Herrick District Library starting at 9:30 am, followed by a drop-in activity led by a local non-profit organization or business from 10:00 am until 11:30 am. All activities planned are educational, hands-on, and fun and are geared for ages 3-10. Activities are free to attend, but a parent or guardian must remain onsite the entire time to supervise their children. Activities take place in the northwest parking lot outside of the Holland Civic Center Place (150 West 8th Street). Be sure to join us for our final Market Kids Activity of the summer on Wednesday, August 12 when our event sponsor, Corewell Health, will host a fun twist on a “cake walk” featuring healthy snacks! Families can explore creative, nutritious snack ideas perfect for the upcoming school year, while enjoying hands-on activities that promote smart snacking habits. Free snack samples and interactive stations will be available throughout the event.
