From Field to Market

A Conversation with Farmer Megan Lowlor Korovesis

For many of us, a farmers market is where we stop on a Saturday morning, pick up fresh produce, and maybe chat with a vendor or two. But for small farmers, getting to market is the culmination of months of planning, planting, and hard work. As the Ypsilanti Farmers Market prepares to move downtown this season, we sat down with Megan Lowlor Korovesis of Field & Forest Farm to talk about what it means to grow food, build community, and why this market is such a special place to sell.

The First Market: "A Huge Triumph"

Julius Buzzard: Megan, I want to start with your very first day at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market. Can you take me back to that moment? What did it feel like to step behind the table as a vendor for the first time?

Megan Lowlor Korovesis: Oh, it was a huge triumph. I remember looking at our stand, filled with fresh produce, and thinking, Wow, we actually did it. There’s so much work that goes into growing food, and that first market was the moment where it all came together. Seeing people stop, buy our food, and even come back week after week—it was incredible. It made all the effort feel so worth it.

JB: What was that effort like? I think a lot of people don’t realize just how much goes into getting food to market.

MLK: Oh, absolutely. The work starts long before market day. In February—sometimes even earlier—we’re already sowing seeds. Every step after that is a hurdle: making sure the seedlings survive, preparing the fields, keeping pests away, harvesting, washing, packing. And then there’s the unpredictability of it all—maybe the weather doesn’t cooperate, or a crop doesn’t grow the way you planned. By the time you get to market, you’ve already put in months of work.

And most of what we do is by hand. Small-scale farming is physically demanding, labor-intensive work, but it’s a labor of love. When someone comes to our stand and tells us how much they enjoyed the food, it makes every bit of effort feel worthwhile.

Beyond Buying Food: Farmers Markets as Community Spaces

JB: One of the things I love about farmers markets is how they bring people together—it’s not just about buying food, it’s about connecting with the people who grow it. Has being a vendor changed the way you think about food and community?

MLK: Absolutely. When you sell at a farmers market, you’re not just putting food on a shelf and hoping people buy it—you’re talking to people, hearing their stories, answering their questions.

I love when customers come back and tell me what they made with what they bought. Maybe they tried a new recipe or discovered that a fresh, local carrot tastes completely different from what they’re used to at the grocery store. It’s also great when people ask about the farming process—why certain crops taste sweeter at certain times of the year, or how to cook a vegetable they’ve never used before. Those conversations create a deeper connection to food.

And it goes both ways. I’ve had people tell me what they’re growing in their home gardens, and we swap ideas about what’s working and what’s not. It’s this wonderful exchange of knowledge and experience that you just don’t get anywhere else.

The Market Moves Downtown: What Changes & What Stays the Same

JB: This year, the Ypsilanti Farmers Market is moving downtown to Washington Street. As a farmer, what does that shift mean for you?

MLK: I’m really excited about it. The Freight House was a great space, but downtown has so much to offer. The new location puts the market closer to other small businesses, which means people can shop at the market and then explore the area—maybe grab a coffee, check out a local shop, make a whole morning of it.

JB: Do you think it will change the feel of the market?

MLK: I think it will bring more people in, but what makes this market special will still be the same. There’s a real sense of community here. The vendors are supportive of each other, the customers are curious and engaged, and it’s a space where everyone feels welcome.

One thing I really appreciate about the Ypsi Market is that it’s intimate. Some bigger markets, like Ann Arbor’s, can be overwhelming—parking is tough, and it’s so crowded that you don’t always get the chance to talk with the farmers. Ypsi’s market is different. It’s slower-paced in the best way—you can take your time, ask questions, and really connect with the people behind the food.

Why Shopping at a Farmers Market Matters

JB: If someone has never been to the Ypsilanti Farmers Market before, how would you describe what makes it special? Why should they come out and see it for themselves?

MLK: I’d say come for the food, but stay for the experience. Yes, you’re getting fresh, local produce, but you’re also getting a chance to meet the people who grew it, to ask questions, to learn about where your food comes from. There’s a warmth to this market—people chat with each other, they linger, they share recipes. It’s not just shopping, it’s a way to be part of something bigger.

And when you buy from a local farmer, you’re not just supporting that one person—you’re investing in your community. Every dollar spent at the market stays local, helps a small farm keep going, and contributes to a food system that values sustainability, health, and connection.

What’s Next for Field & Forest Farm

JB: Before we wrap up, what’s ahead for you this season?

MLK: We’re expanding! This will be our second full growing season, and we’re adding a CSA program where people can get a weekly share of fresh produce. The Ypsilanti Farmers Market will be one of our pickup locations, which is really exciting.

We’re also continuing to experiment with new crops, moving closer to reaching our goals of being no-till, and just growing in every sense of the word. I’m looking forward to seeing familiar faces at the market, meeting new customers, and sharing the food we love to grow.

JB: It sounds like an exciting season ahead. Megan, thanks so much for taking the time to talk today—I can’t wait to visit your stand at the new downtown market.

MLK: Thank you! I’m really looking forward to it.

Visit the Ypsilanti Farmers Market

📍 New Location: 16 S. Washington Street

🗓 Opening Day: May 3, 2025 | ⏰ 9 AM – 1 PM

Want to support local farmers like Megan? Become a Friend of the Market today and invest in a thriving, just food system.

👉 Become a Friend of the Market Today!

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A Just Food System Is Not Given--It's Grown

By Julius Buzzard • June 3, 2025

Beloved Community, We are living through a moment of transformation, where food is not just nourishment, but resistance. Not just a value, but a strategy for survival. Right now, the federal government is proposing deep cuts to SNAP and agricultural programs—policies that will land hardest on those already carrying generational weight: low-income families, elders, youth, and Black and Brown growers who have built life out of scarcity. These are not fiscal decisions. They are declarations: hunger is acceptable. Control is preferred. Liberation through land and food is a threat. At Growing Hope, we reject that logic. We are building food sovereignty in Ypsilanti. We grow not for charity, but for power. We believe our people deserve more than handouts—they deserve the tools to feed themselves, their kin, and their neighbors with dignity. The stakes are real. SNAP cuts will force impossible choices: rent or groceries, insulin or dinner. Food pantries, already threadbare, will shoulder what systems abandon. And local growers, especially Black farmers, will feel these cuts in shrinking markets, broken promises, and lost infrastructure. One grower shared, “We were finally starting to believe we had a place in this system. Now they’re pulling the rug again.” This isn’t new. This is legacy. This is the pattern. And still, we grow. Because food sovereignty is not a trend—it is a birthright. It is the right to grow what sustains us, share what we harvest, and control our future without permission. So what now? We move. Speak up. Call your reps. Tell them: cuts to SNAP and ag supports are attacks on our future. Invest local. Every dollar at the farmers market is a vote for resilience. Organize. Join us in shifting land, infrastructure, and food power into community hands. Grow. Grow food for yourself, your family, and your community. We are unwavering. A just food system is not given—it’s grown. Let’s grow together. With grit and love, Julius P.S. Our teens are actively engaging in this work every day, laying the foundation for generational health and a truly just food system. Read from them firsthand here .

2025 Teen Leadership Afterschool Program Highlights

May 22, 2025

Thursday, May 22 marked the last day of the after school program for our Teen Leadership Program. We wanted to take a moment to share some of the highlights from the past eight months and recognize all of the hard work done by our young food justice leaders: Tuula Martinez, Eli Harris, Josie Smith, Jaylah Cotton, Sienna Troy, and Nick Corvera-Garay! Deepening Knowledge The fall and winter months on the farm make way for many workshops in our Teen Leadership Program! This year, the majority of our meetings were youth-facilitated, and each of our teens planned and facilitated their own workshop relating to Food Justice, Cooking, or Community Organizing. They shared family recipes in their cooking workshops, talked about the effects of colonization on our food systems, and discussed power mapping in community change work. In the fall, we visited UM Campus Farm and the Community Food Forest at Leslie Park to learn from other food growers in our area and their farming practices. We prepared for the growing season at the Growing Hope Urban Farm with workshops about plant families, companion planting, and crop planning! Community Engagement This school year, our Teen Leadership Program planned and presented at least one free community engagement event every month! They hosted monthly Food Sovereignty Film Screenings and discussions with some of their favorite films being Seed: The Untold Story and Gather . They prepared and sold handmade tea bags and honey at the Ypsi Farmers Market. Each of our teens made their own zine for the first Ypsi Zine Jamboree at the Freighthouse. They hosted a public workshop on corn nixtamalization, and processed corn they grew last summer into fresh tortillas. In collaboration with the Washtenaw County Youth Commissioners, they planned and hosted Fighting Food Insecurity: One Bowl of Ramen at a Time event at our Urban Farm with the support of FedUp , Food Gatherers , and The Farm at Trinity . The goal of this event was to educate folks about food insecurity in our community and provide an easy way to elevate a simple meal like ramen with fresh veggies and edible weeds! They did informative tabling events at YCS schools, the Ypsi Library, and other community events. Perhaps the biggest accomplishment was the launch of the Growing Hope Seed Library! Our Teen Leadership Program saved and packaged seeds from our farm, sorted thousands of seed donations, organized varieties alphabetically, and planned a launch party for our permanent Seed Library! The Seed Library is open to all and is located at the Growing Hope Urban Farm. They revived their own Instagram account– you can follow at @growinghope_teens to get a first hand look at all their work! Seeding, planting, and growing The Teen Leadership Program manages three of the growing areas on our Urban Farm: the Children’s Garden, the Sharing Garden, and The Oasis. The teens are responsible for crop planning, seed starting, and planting the beds in each of these areas totaling over 20 garden beds! The teens worked together to make crop plans by calculating seed starting dates, transplant dates, how many plants per square foot, and creating cold and hot crop rotation plans. They soil blocked, started seeds, and planted all of the cold crops for the 3 garden areas which you can see growing now at our Urban Farm! They will continue to follow their crop plans all summer long to know when to harvest cold crops and plant more hot crops. Harvested food will be given out for free in our Community Produce Cart and also used in cooking lessons in our Summer Teen Leadership Program! We are incredibly proud of this group of young people and grateful for their hard work, commitment to the community and the local food system, and the perspective and joy they bring to our organization! In June our current group of teens will be joined by six new teen crew members for a summer full of learning, growing, and leading!

A wooden shelter with a ramp and chalkboards in a park.

Come as you are. Leave with what you need. Return when you can.

By Julius Buzzard • May 6, 2025

Beloved community, This season, as we plant new seeds of possibility and dig deeper into our shared commitment to nourishment and justice, I’m overjoyed to share something truly special: our brand-new produce stand , a beautiful structure dreamed up and built by the youth of Brightmoor Makerspace . It stands as a declaration—not just of what is possible, but of what is already happening when we invest in our young people, listen to the land, and center care in our collective work. Positioned near the parking lot for easier access, the new stand features a solid platform and a ramp—making it easier for neighbors with mobility challenges, elders with walkers, or caregivers pushing strollers to roll right up and gather what they need. More than just a structure, it’s an invitation: Come as you are. Leave with what you need. Return when you can. We’ve expanded the space to offer more. More produce, more flowers, more herbs, more abundance shared in community. And we’re able to do that because this isn’t just our stand; it’s yours. Our longstanding model of solidarity over scarcity continues: growers and farmers from across the county bring their surplus here, ensuring that good food never goes to waste, and that dignity remains on the table for all who visit. The need this season is real. Inflation is high, and legislative shifts have cut the legs out from under programs that once helped meet people where they’re at. Trusted partners, agencies, and food providers are being forced to scale back or shut down. And yet— our produce cart remains open , every single day of the week. No ID checks. No income tests. No red tape. If you need food, it’s yours. Period. We’ll begin stocking the stand later this month. We usually fill it in the mornings, but please don’t hesitate to call ahead. This is the work of youth, farmers, and neighbors who understand that liberation tastes like tomatoes in July and basil on your fingers and peaches you didn’t have to ask permission to pick. Come through. Eat well. And keep building with us. In solidarity and soil, Julius P.S. Don’t miss Pizza on the Farm—Thursday, May 23! Join us for wood-fired pizza, farm tours, and storytelling under the sky. It’s a gathering of hearts, mouths, and movements. Let’s eat, learn, and build together. RSVP here .

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