Photo/Melissa Duncan New Wallowa County Farmers Market Manager Carol Bartlow displays the fruits of her extra-green thumb. The market starts May 23 in Joseph and June 4 in Enterprise.

Wallowa County Farmers Market’s newly hired new manager, Carol Bartlow, is eager to get into the swing of things this spring. Bartlow, the vendor known as the “Kettle Korn Lady,” is a six-year market veteran.

Bartlow said her job is seasonal, running from March to October, while the market itself runs from May to October. She said she basically inherited the position, “I guess the last people found something else to do,” she said with a laugh.

Barton takes her position seriously, however. “I had gotten on the market board, and attended the meetings, and got real passionate about making it work. When the position (manager) came open, it seemed like a logical fit. I’ve got the passion and drive to make this a success,” Bartlow said.

Anyone who pays the membership fee of $25 can sit on the market board and help create policy. One is not required to be a vendor to become a member. “We’re trying to emphasize that non-vendors can be membership sponsors. We appreciate and need their perspective, too,” Bartlow said.

In her position, Bartlow manages both the Enterprise and Joseph markets on both days. The Enterprise market takes place on Thursdays while the Joseph market takes place on Saturdays. The Joseph market year starts on May 23, while the Enterprise market opens June 4, in conjunction with the Courthouse Concert Series put on by the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance. Bartlow said she’s also in the process of booking local musicians for the Joseph market.

Bartlow doesn’t plan to make any earth-shattering changes this year, other than changing the way the Joseph market is configured, including vendor locations. She said the market is adding two vendors from Cove and La Grande and working hard to recruit more local people.

“I have a passion for the small entrepreneur person, and I’m looking forward to helping new vendors as I have been helped. We’re really working and pushing hard to make this a success this year — the best year yet,” Bartlow said.