By Davell Seversen

When a unique view is desired, just ask a kid.

As a person who values the sense of community and sees it as a fix-it for many of our cultural woes, I wanted to hear what and how the children of the Kingston Farmers Market vendors perceive this particular community of which they are members and perhaps how it had influenced their development.

I interviewed nine young people, ages 6 to 22.

I heard how it was not easy to get up early for Saturday market, but that’s what one has to do when a vendor. Others talked about the difficulty of being at the market on a rainy Saturday morning.

I also heard how, by helping at the market, one learned to make change and that skill was used in math classes. One of the older interviewees said that in talking to different people at the market, he had gained confidence to speak to large groups in his high school.

One lesson about paying attention: One interviewee made change for a $10 bill and the customer stated that it had been a $20 bill.

On a lighter note, the younger ones talked of the market as a safe place to have fun with other children. Several spoke of how they liked earning money for their special interests, i.e. school band trip and vacation. All nine had positive experiences to share and stated that if they were parents that the “market  experience” was one that they wanted for their own children.

All of the nine liked seeing the fresh produce and knowing who was growing their food. Another aspect of the market that was commented on was getting to know the artists and artisans and how an item was made, as in the soaps, candles, jewelry.

As I have been a vendor for more than 12 years, I had watched these nine grow through various stages and some into young adults. I am aware of how personal decisions were made, how issues were settled, how a trusted adult gave information.

At the conclusion and without using terms like “work ethic,” “people skills,” “dependable,” “responsible,” “environmental impact,” “conflict resolution,” “thinking outside-the-box,” I could see where these nine reflected the market community essence of shared interests and of seeing the world in a different light.

I am reassured, hopeful, and encouraged by what I found in my discussions with the kids.