Tuesday, June 25, 2013 10:41 am

By MIKE WEST/ Courier Editor

A new Farmer's Market is opening 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays at the Trading Post next to Short Mountain Distillery.

The market is located at the new Short Mountain Trading Post, next to Short Mountain Distillery, 8280 Short Mountain Road, Woodbury. It is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"It will feature all locally-owned produce and will be all local with no out-of-town people," said Ben Olson, market manager.

The market is indoors and covered from the weather. "Rain or shine someone will be there," Olson said.

Vegetable availability will depend on the season. "We will have green beans, yellow squash, lettuce, snow peas and onions at first," he said.

As the growing season continues, the market will even feature Indonesian vegetables for those who enjoy spicy foods.

"We are really trying to incorporate farm life" with the Farmer's Market and Trading Post, said Billy Kaufman of Short Mountain Distillery. "We are coming together in a cooperative spirit that will be good for the community and will support our value system of doing it yourself."

The Trader's Post is just one of several projects under way at Short Mountain Distillery.

"We are about to announce the availability of USDA certified beef that is mash-fed," Kaufman said.
Another project that is almost finished is a road that will better connect the Trading Post to the Distillery, he said. Actually the "new" road is an old, historic path that is being reworked so it is passable for mule-pulled wagons.

Once complete that path will better connect all parts of Distillery property into a two-thirds of a mile trail that's perfect for walking or riding in a wagon that will run from the Distillery to Cooper Cave Spring and then to the Trader's Post.

The Trading Post is still a work in process, said Savannah Cunnick, who co-manages it with her husband J.D.
"We have all new signage and the inside of the barn is just about complete," Savannah said. Last week, the Trading Post expanded its parking lot.

A grand opening is set for the first weekend in August with food and live music. Another major event is being planned for October with the stress on harvest season and Halloween.

Downstairs at the Trading Post, the emphasis is on locally produced craft items including Eagle craft jewelry, handmade bird houses, pottery, candles, glassware including "moonshine" glasses. Beautiful, hand-made gourd lamps are featured as well, Cunnick said.

Upstairs antiques are the focus with a perpetual Christmas room that includes a model railroad. The barn's former loft is divided into rooms with an individual look and style.

Visitors can also buy or order custom-made wooden garden items ranging from benches to outhouses and decorative sheds, she said.