Creative in Construction: The Hillard Farmers' Market

Most Columbus commuters can agree upon the frustration brought about by construction. Often times it seems as if the entire city and its' suburbs are being ripped up, torn apart, and paved over. Those orange barrels seem to snicker as traffic is re-routed and groans occur at each detour.

While the construction may lower some spirits, it has left the Hillard Farmers’ Market unphased. Smiling vendors greet their customers, happy that they have braved some of the city’s construction to shop at their market. The market itself has taken to some creative advertising in lou of the construction. No doubt this feature helps encouage those destined for the traffic jam to prolong their fate at the farmers’ market.

Upon entering the market, one of the first booths to stop at is Oink, Moo, Cluck. The name speaks for itself, as the Johnstown farm sells good produced from their livestock. Trisha Woods heads up the farm and the booth at Hillard was staffed by Vicky - a OSU beef production major. Vicky notes that the Johnstown farm only raises the chickens and cows, while their butcher shop in Northeast Ohio raises the pigs. Their farm is all natural. Their are no hormomes used as well as no steriods. However, the animals are sprayed with a topical fly and tick treater. This is done to prevent disease from entering the animals blood stream, as well as improve the comfort of the animal. “It would be like you getting sick and not taking any medication,” says Vicky, “you would be miserable and we don’t want our animals to be miserable.”

Oink, Moo, Cluck specializes in eggs, hot dogs, jerky, bacon, and many others. Their booth was a busy one at the market, with a constant flow of customers sampling and buying.  They can be found at the Dublin, Bexley, Clintonville, and Worthington markets as well as in Hillard. If you are looking for some Ohio raised meats, Oink, Moo, Cluck is worth checking out.

Though the surrounding construction may not be ideal, the Hillard market’s variety and zeal make for a lovely marketing experience. From meats and eggs to berries, zuchinni, and even some international treats, this market presents a well rounded package.