May 15, 2018 3 min read

It’s a year of firsts for Christopher Banco of Prosperity, who is reviving farmland that’s been in his family for generations but hasn’t produced since the early 1970s.

Banco, who was in the U.S. Navy and worked as an electrical engineer, and his life and business partner Nora Thompson, who was a social worker, are stepping out of their comfort zones and starting up the 150-acre farm.

“It’s new for both of us,” Banco said. “This season we’re dipping our toes slowly to make sure we can create a market of what people want. We thought the Main Street Farmers Market would be a good way to figure out what the people of Washington are looking for.”

Banco’s Marek Farm will be one of many new vendors this year at the weekly farmers market, which opens for the season at 3 p.m. Thursday. He and Thompson will be selling eggs, produce and herbs.

“This is sort of a new venture for them, so we’re excited to be a part of their new farm,” said Suzanne Ewing, who organizes the market each year.

Banco said he returned to the area a year ago with the intent to revive the farm. He and Thompson attended a sustainable farming course called Armed to Farm, which is funded through the National Center for Appropriate Technology and provides farming education to veterans who are returning home and want to begin a career in agriculture.

For their first season, they’ll be raising chickens for meat, chickens for eggs and growing a variety of vegetables, including beans and potatoes.

“It’s a little scary and a little frustrating – the hardest thing is financing,” Banco said. “But it’s exhilarating. Now we’re getting our hands dirty.”

Along with Marek Farm, Heritage Trail Farm run by the Lindley family in Prosperity also will be new to the market this year, selling their grass-fed beef. The Ross Farm, run by Drew Manko in Eighty Four, sold pumpkins at the end of last year’s season, but this year, they’ll be back as a full-season vendor. They’ll be selling lamb, pork, wool yarn and vegetables.

Other new vendors include Hepinger’s Legacy Tavern- selling cornbread, house dressings and some of their signature menu items – and a coffee stand run by Table Coffee Shop, which is affiliated with Life Church on Chestnut Street.

Aunt Kimmie’s Homemade Jams and Jellies of Avella and Fabulous Homemade Cookies, a Canonsburg bakery, also will be new this year.

“Everything’s homemade,” said Stacy Bauer, manager of Fabulous Homemade Cookies. “We will have anything from cupcakes to cookies and strudel.”

Ewing said the market will have visiting vendors throughout the season, with live music performances. She said “Kids Day” will be June 14, with face-painting, balloon art, crafts and games for children.

On-street parking is free during the market, and SNAP benefits are accepted, Ewing said.