Whether you have been a weekly patron of the Columbus Saturday Farmers Market or an occasional customer you should mark your calendar for the last market this Saturday, November 20.

The markets have proved to be a destination place on Saturday mornings where the community has a chance to meet and visit with local farmers and buy produce, cheese, eggs, milk, crafts, jams and jellies and much more.&bsp; The market is nostalgic for many folks who remember when it was common to buy or trade directly with a farmer or neighbor whose goods are freshly harvested and taste all the better for it.

As people are becoming more vocal about wanting access to good tasting, high quality local goods, farmers markets are increasingly becoming a popular venue to buy weekly groceries.&bsp; &bsp;

There have been more than 100 vendors at the four different farmers markets in Polk County (Tryon, Saluda, Columbus, and Green Creek), and in the busiest summer months there have been 50 vendors at the Columbus market alone.

The dollars spent at these markets strengthen Polk Countys local economy and ensure that farmers get a fair profit for their risk and labor, sustaining the chances they can continue to bring their goods back to market in the future.

At this Saturdays market, held from 8 to 11:30 a.m. in front of the Columbus courthouse, expect to still find plenty of produce as well as crafts. There will be fall salad greens, eggs, sweet potatoes, cheeses, milk, baked goods, apples, wood crafts, fabric crafts, house and yard plants, jams and jellies. Come see Lovey Dovey, the friendliest rooster in the world, and watch it scratch around or offer customers a free hug.

Many vendors have said that they welcome the opportunity to continue to sell to the public throughout the winter, so feel free to ask for the amount of food you would like to order weekly or monthly and agree upon a pickup location.

If you cant make this Saturdays final market, Columbus Farmers Market vendors will be meeting at the Mill Spring Agricultural Center on Saturday, December 4 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. as part of a holiday shopping bazaar.

Organizers say they are already looking forward to next spring and planning new additions to the markets like acoustic music and cooking demonstrations.