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Community Corner

Tierney Keyes: Helping to Continue a Community Market

Keyes started up the Clawson Farmers Market and will continue to help after she moves away.

Three years ago, Clawson resident Tierney Keyes discovered there was a need for a Farmers Market in Clawson. After approaching her neighbor Travis Cochran and Mayor Penny Luebs with a proposition to start one, she was able to make her vision a reality.

The Farmers Market is approaching its third year, and things have been steadily improving, Keyes said. Keyes, who is a stay-at-home mom for her two sons Aidan, 6, and Brennan, 4, handles vendor communications for the Farmers Market. The city awarded her Clawson Volunteer of the Year this year for her efforts.

The initiative to start the Clawson Farmers Market was not a small task, she said. Even now, with a rhythm in place, she still works a lot of hours to make sure everything runs smoothly.

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Since the Farmers Market started, Keyes helped implement more children's activities in the event— something she felt would be a great asset to the market. The Farmers Market has activities such as crafts, games, a petting zoo and more.

One year, Keyes reached back to her roots in Wisconsin and brought tractors on site to the Farmers Market and made a corn box as opposed to a sand box for children to play in. As one who grew up on a Wisconsin farm, Keyes wanted to expose local kids to something they may not usually get to see.

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“I’ve always liked Farmers Markets,” Keyes said. “I enjoy taking my little boys; I let them pick out different things, I like to support local farmers and obviously I have an appreciation because I did grow up on a farm.”

Aside from contributing her time and efforts to the Farmers Market, Keyes is the “Room Mom” in Aidan’s classroom at . With this position she plans parties and helps out in the classroom. She also is the vice president of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for where Brennan attends.

Keyes, who has lived in Clawson for nearly five years now with her husband and kids, will be moving to Indianapolis this summer. Still, Keyes said she plans to help with this year's Farmer's Market by handling vendor relations via phone.

“I honestly have a vision for this market and even if I don’t live here, at least through this season, I’ll most likely be doing stuff for the market,” Keyes said. “It’s not something I would cut all ties with because I’m not that type of person.”

She is now gearing up for the , which will take place May 22 at Clawson City Park. This year's Farmers Market will begin July 17 and will run weekly, as opposed to biweekly in years past, Keyes said.

“I really want the Farmers Market to continue,” Keyes said. “I’ve put a lot of heart into this market and community."

Clawson Patch wants to feature more great volunteers in the community. We could use your help in searching for those philanthropic folk. We’re not looking for Hercules or Superman; we’re more interested in hometown heroes. If you have a volunteer in mind, email Local Editor Nicquel Terry at nicquel.terry@patch.com.

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