Our Farm Swaps and Farmer’s Markets Journey
Posted: Sat May 09, 2026 12:41 am
For years, we were deeply involved in farm swaps and farmers markets, and this is the story of how our local events took root and grew.
We began as a group of people connected through associations, organizations, mutual friends, poultry shows, swap meets across the state, and online communities. Many of us already knew one another, and together we began discussing the idea of hosting a swap meet closer to home. Several of us offered our properties as possible venues, and that was the beginning of what would become a lasting tradition. For the first few years, we took turns organizing and hosting the events on our own properties.
After a couple of minor incidents involving a vendor, concerns about public safety and legal liability began to grow. Because the swaps were being held on private property, event insurance was not a practical option. Looking for a safer and more suitable location, we were fortunate that Dunnellon Tractor Supply allowed us to use part of its side parking lot.
We promoted our first event there well in advance, and it proved to be a great success, not only for our group, but also for the store, which saw a noticeable increase in customers on event days. At first, the swaps were held once a month, but as interest grew, they eventually expanded to twice monthly.
As the events continued to flourish, we started a second swap at Crystal River Rural King with permission from both the mall and store managers. The Rural King swap alternated Saturdays with the Dunnellon Tractor Supply swap and was first held in the mall parking lot across from the store, next to OfficeMax. Eventually, mall management wanted to charge us for use of the space, which did not fit our goal of keeping the events free for vendors. Rural King then stepped in and offered us use of its own lot, but after some time and a change in management, that arrangement also came to an end, and the swap there was discontinued. Through all of this, the Dunnellon Tractor Supply swap continued for several more years.
Later, when the Dunnellon Rainbow Square Shopping Center, home of Tractor Supply, underwent renovations for the arrival of Publix, we were informed by the leasing agent that our events could no longer continue there. We were given one final event to say our farewells and notify vendors of the change. We found another location for a couple more years, but that too eventually came to an end under new ownership.
Through it all, the experience brought together many wonderful people and fostered friendships that have lasted for years.
We began as a group of people connected through associations, organizations, mutual friends, poultry shows, swap meets across the state, and online communities. Many of us already knew one another, and together we began discussing the idea of hosting a swap meet closer to home. Several of us offered our properties as possible venues, and that was the beginning of what would become a lasting tradition. For the first few years, we took turns organizing and hosting the events on our own properties.
After a couple of minor incidents involving a vendor, concerns about public safety and legal liability began to grow. Because the swaps were being held on private property, event insurance was not a practical option. Looking for a safer and more suitable location, we were fortunate that Dunnellon Tractor Supply allowed us to use part of its side parking lot.
We promoted our first event there well in advance, and it proved to be a great success, not only for our group, but also for the store, which saw a noticeable increase in customers on event days. At first, the swaps were held once a month, but as interest grew, they eventually expanded to twice monthly.
As the events continued to flourish, we started a second swap at Crystal River Rural King with permission from both the mall and store managers. The Rural King swap alternated Saturdays with the Dunnellon Tractor Supply swap and was first held in the mall parking lot across from the store, next to OfficeMax. Eventually, mall management wanted to charge us for use of the space, which did not fit our goal of keeping the events free for vendors. Rural King then stepped in and offered us use of its own lot, but after some time and a change in management, that arrangement also came to an end, and the swap there was discontinued. Through all of this, the Dunnellon Tractor Supply swap continued for several more years.
Later, when the Dunnellon Rainbow Square Shopping Center, home of Tractor Supply, underwent renovations for the arrival of Publix, we were informed by the leasing agent that our events could no longer continue there. We were given one final event to say our farewells and notify vendors of the change. We found another location for a couple more years, but that too eventually came to an end under new ownership.
Through it all, the experience brought together many wonderful people and fostered friendships that have lasted for years.