‘Good for everybody’: Meet Your Local Farmers event celebrates the joys of fresh, local food

The Meet Your Local Farmers event was bigger and better than ever this year, with a new location, more farms and farm-supporting organizations, and wonderful community support for local agriculture.

A birds-eye view of the 2026 Meet Your Local Farmers Event at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich. Photo by Gerry Beetham

This year’s hootenanny drew a huge flock of farm fans to the spacious Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich, where folks had the chance to purchase amazing Cape-grown produce, meat, fish and locally-made products — everything from pickles to apple cider donuts!

The winning combination of great conversation and great food provided a perfect way to swing into spring, with fabulous guest stars that included goats, a pony, a horse, and stately Scottish Highland cattle. And everyone tapped their toes to the smooth jazz music performed by Wayne Naus and the Art Ensemble of Cape Cod. Several musicians in the group are members of the award-winning Monomoy Regional High School Jazz Band, and they sounded great!

Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) and the Orleans Farmers’ Market hosted and organized the event, with generous sponsorship support from Agway of Cape Cod, the Cape Cod Chronicle and Cape Cod Five.

‘A fantastic day of community’

With more than 50 farms and farm-supporting organizations in attendance, the school was transformed into a magic cornucopia of delicious possibilities. And you could chat with the person who grew the food! This simple, satisfying and important connection is what Meet Your Local Farmers is all about.

A friendly goat named Big Mama was a big draw at the 2026 Meet Your Local Farmers Event. Photo by Gerry Beetham

Over at the Seawind Meadows table, grass-fed and finished Highland beef was flying out of a stack of coolers and into eager customer’s hands. “We were ready,” said Laura McDowell-May, part of the dynamic family team that owns Seawind Meadows. “Every cooler was packed and a lot of them are empty at this point.”

Between raising cattle in Dennis and her career as an attorney, McDowell-May might be one of the busiest people on Cape Cod. But the Meet Your Local Farmers event gave her the chance to reconnect with friends and other farmers. “I love it,” she said “I’m able to see people who I haven’t seen since last year. It’s great to see the community support for local food.”

Local food pioneer Francie Randolph was heartened by the big turnout. As Founding Director of Sustainable CAPE, a Truro-based nonprofit that is dedicated to building a strong local food system that improves community health while supporting our regional economy, an event like this was cause for celebration.

“It’s just a fantastic day of community,” said Randolph. “I’ve run into so many of my favorite people — my favorite chefs, farmers and fisherman–what could be better?”

Beyond the agricultural camaraderie, Randolph said local food was more nutritious and provided proven health benefits. “And the dollars you spend are going to recirculate in our local economy, and that is good for everybody,” she added.

Chowder and donuts, too

If you’ve ever wondered how fast someone can ladle out chowder, the answer could be found at the Poor Boy Fisheries table. Denice Lapierre worked the big pot with impressive style, like the conductor of a savory orchestra.

“I’m so happy we have this new space,” said Lapierre. “People have plenty of room to move around, take a break, maybe have some chowder. Everyone loves this event. It comes at the perfect time of year, when people are looking to shake off winter and find some good food.”

Sure, kale, radishes, lettuce and other good-for-you stuff was flying off the farmers’ tables. But balance is important in life, and that’s a job for apple cider donuts. Shaunah Steelman, chef and owner of In the Mix, a Dennis-based bakery, said she had sold 350 of the delectable rings in less than two hours.

Ravishing radishes at the 2026 Meet Your Local Farmers Event. Photo by Gerry Beetham

“I think it brings people back to their childhood,” said Steelman. “It’s part of the New England way of growing up, maybe going to an orchard with your family. You taste the apple and the sugar and the cinnamon, and when they are warm, it’s just so good.”

HCT Executive Director Mike Lach took a break from toting plants to marvel at the cheerful flow of folks moving around the spectacular gym. “We’re so grateful to the farms and organizations for spending a Saturday with us and sharing their stories of the land, and we’re seeing how people value the local farms that make a real difference in our Cape Cod quality of life.”

He also praised HCT’s partnership with the Orleans Farmers’ Market and Cape Cod Regional Technical High School. “I think we’ve found the perfect place to help connect people with their local farms,” said Lach.

Gretel Norgeot, Board President of the Orleans Farmers’ Market, kicked off the event by ringing her trademark cowbell. And as Meet your Local Farmers drew to a close, she was able to succinctly boil down the reason for the event’s popularity. “Fresh local food is much better for you, and people are finally figuring that out,” she said.

—This was the first year that Meet Your Local Farmers was held at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School. HCT and the Orleans Farmers’ Market are grateful to the school’s staff and students, who provided outstanding support. Their cheerful efforts made setup and cleanup a breeze.

Special thanks go out to Cape Cod Tech’s SkillsUSA Chapter Coordinator Peggy Reilly-O’Brien and students Zana’e Barrett, Gabriela Freitas, Bailey McMakin, Jake Pillarella, Chris Morin, Kendra Burke, Evangeline Sorbello, Eden Vaught, Judson Hayward, Frannie Mendoza, Josh Cole, Dylan Desmarais and Daniel Handville.

Thank you to Bob Speakman for providing livestock pens and animal support so furry farm friends could join in the fun!

—Your tax-deductible contributions help fulfill the mission of the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations. Find out how to donate by clicking here.