The River Bend parking lot, which is serving as the new location, hosted seven stands. 

Holly Covington, who runs the stand Holly Jolly Acres, is looking forward to the new location, “I think it will be good. It will be nice to have more space as long as people can find us at this end of town.”

This is Covington’s third year at the New Ulm Farmers Market. She sells eggs from her free range chickens and ducks, who in their spare time participate at Brown County fair events. 

Covington shared the benefits of duck eggs, “People like duck eggs for baking… If they’re allergic to chicken eggs they can sometimes eat a duck egg because they [duck eggs] have a different type of protein,” she said.

Thursday was the first New Ulm Farmers Market of the 2026 season. The market was held at River Bend Education District Parking lot. This is a new location for the market. It will be held at River Bend every Thursday from 2:30-5:30 pm until August 27 and every Sunday 9 am-12pm until October 10. Photo by Dylan Jackson

Another stand was Milford Grains, run by Alyssa Sernett. Like the River Bend parking lot, this is also Sernett’s first year with the New Ulm Farmers Market. Her stand sells fresh-milled flour and fresh-milled flour baking mixes. 

Sernett has had her mill since October, and started her business four months ago, “I buy from farms in Iowa, Montana, and Idaho. I mill it at my house,” Sernett said. 

Sernett shared the benefits of Fresh milled flour.

“It contains all the essential parts of the wheat berry that is missing at the store. It’s 40 of your 44 essential nutrients that you need in a day all in one serving,” Sernett said. “We have double the protein and triple the fiber.” 

New Ulm’s Farmers Market is not only a place to sell and shop, it is an area for community. 

Customers line up at Cervantes Produce stand Thursday during the first New Ulm Farmers Market of the season. Photo by Dylan Jackson

“I just want to get to know more people,” Sernett said. 

Kate Sloot, who was present selling tallow products made by her sister-in-law Kathy Wenninger, also enjoyed the community aspect of the event.

“I am an extravert and love people so I look forward to talking with everyone.”

Customer Jeremy Blankenhagen, who came for peas from Guldan Family Farm, had high praise for Cervantes Produce.

“The Cervantes always has great canned stuff, pickles and salsa, really good. The mild salsa is great,” Blankenhagen said. 

Juan Cervantes has been part of the farmers market for 17 years. 

Another draw to the farmers market was the Eon stand run by Brandy Schwartz and Autumn Frechette. Schwartz described Eon as a company that provides services to people with disabilities. Their stand has information about jobs and their services, while also offering free popcorn. 

“The little kids get excited about popcorn and the moms are happy they have something to keep them busy,” Schwartz said. 

Live music at the event was performed by Lee Weber. The Chamber of Commerce brings in musicians to perform during each farmers market. 

New Ulm’s Farmers Market will be held every Thursday from 2:30-5:30 pm until August 27 and every Sunday 9am-12pm until October 10 in the River Bend parking lot.