A wave of fierce spring storms dominated last week leaving in its wake that damp, bitter chill that sticks with you.

However, not even the weather could prevent the Mexico Farmers Market from opening Saturday morning.

By 8 a.m., vendors from Audrain and surrounding counties were set up in the parking lot on the northeast end of the square all bundled up and ready to officially start the Mexico Farmers Market’s 27th season.

Overseeing the first market was Kamela Crum, owner and head baker of the Salty Chick-Inn. She is not only a vendor but has also taken over marketing.

“All of our board members have a booth and are volunteers,” said Kamela, who is serving her first year on the board.

Kamela and her husband Garry run the Salty Chick-Inn out of their home on Garry’s family’s Century Farm just outside of Mexico. The business came about when Kamela, the self-proclaimed “chicken lady,” began selling eggs five years ago.

“Eggs are what started this crazy business and I love to bake, and that’s what started me,” said Kamela.

The Crums have been selling baked goods and eggs at the farmers market for two years now after Cody Walker of C&A Honey, another farmers market vendor, mentioned the lack of bakers.

“When I first came to market, there were very few baked goods,” said Kamela. “I am here filling the need and it’s a dream come true.”

What makes the Mexico Farmers market so special are the farm visits to new vendors.

“If you tell me that you’re going to bring fresh cut flowers to my market, I am going to go to your farm and make sure that you have flowers growing,” said Kamela.

This practice is something the board is very proud of as it ensures the booth spaces go to farmers and not resellers.

While Kamela is happy to see a few new vendors this year including Hens and Chicks, Jones Homestead and (Crochet vendor), there is still a need for produce vendors.

“We don’t have produce yet because it’s cold and this weather has been hard on us,” she said.

To become a vendor, businesses can contact the board for an application through the Mexico Farmers Market Facebook page.

While a few people made their way to the farmers market, the turnout for opening day was a bit underwhelming for Kamela who knows just how busy the market can get.

The Farmers Market operates the first Saturday of April through the last Saturday of September so there are still plenty of Saturdays left in the season.

Kamela remains optimistic and said her goal is to watch the farmers market continue to grow.

For more photos, see The Mexico Ledger’s online photo galleries.