Cornell Cooperative Extension to Lead Watertown Farm & Craft Market 2026
Watertown, NY — The Greater Watertown–North Country Chamber of Commerce is pleased to
announce that Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County (CCE of Jefferson County) is now the
owner and lead organization of the Watertown Farm & Craft Market, ensuring the continued success and
growth of this beloved community program.
This transition reflects a shared commitment to local foods, community access, and long-term
sustainability. Importantly for shoppers, vendors, and visitors, there will be no major changes to the
Market experience. The Watertown Farm & Craft Market will continue to operate just as the community knows and loves it, including its familiar location along Washington Street in front of City Hall, Flower Memorial Library, and the Dulles State Office Building, with the popular Food Truck Alley extension along Sterling Street. The Market will maintain its regular hours from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and its weekly Wednesday schedule from May 27 through October 7.
Your favorite vendors will be back this season in familiar spots. Community favorites will also remain in
place, with Watertown Savings Bank returning as Presenting Sponsor, and Samaritan Medical Center
continuing as Music at the Market Sponsor, bringing live musical performances to the City Hall lawn each
afternoon.
Applications for the season will open in the new year, new vendors welcome.
The Chamber is enthusiastic about this transition and confident it is a positive step forward for the
community. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County is deeply engrained in local food systems,
agriculture education, and community nutrition, making them a natural and trusted steward for the
Market’s future. Their leadership brings expanded expertise, resources, and accessibility that will
strengthen the Market while preserving the experience the community knows and loves.
“Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County looks forward to building on the Watertown Farm &
Craft Market’s strong foundation as a vibrant community asset,” said Amanda Root, CCE of Jefferson
County Executive Director. Mitch McCormick, Community and Economic Vitality Issue Leader, notes, “As
market management transitions to CCE of Jefferson County, our team is excited to integrate our existing producer support, local foods education, and nutrition programs while maintaining the market’s familiar structure and community focus.
Vendors can expect continuity in day-to-day operations alongside thoughtful enhancements that support business viability and customer engagement. Community members will continue to enjoy a welcoming market that reflects local agriculture, small businesses, and access to fresh, nutritious food. We are honored to support the market’s next chapter in partnership with farmers, vendors, and the wider Watertown community.”
“This transition is about building on a strong foundation,” said Kayla Jamieson, outgoing GWNC Chamber President & CEO. “Cornell Cooperative Extension’s long-standing commitment to local foods and community education ensures the Market will continue to thrive while remaining welcoming, accessible, and rooted in our region.”
The Greater Watertown–North Country Chamber of Commerce looks forward to supporting the continued success of the Watertown Farm & Craft Market and celebrating its growth under Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County’s leadership.
For more information about the Watertown Farm & Craft Market contact the team at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County.
• Erica Leigh Manning-Orvis | (315) 215-4187 | elm258@cornell.edu
• Mike Myers | (315) 788-8450 | mm384@cornell.edu
Visit our website www.watertownfarmandcraft.com and stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram (@watertownfarmandcraft) for the latest updates!
