Hometown Farmer: Family Grows Garden For Farmers Market - Siouxland News - KMEG 14 and FOX 44

(SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NE) - You now have another choice when it comes to shopping for fresh produce in Siouxland. On June 3, South Sioux City, Nebraska will open its own farmers market on East Fifth Street between Dakota Street and A Street.

Mariah Fustos is one of the many vendors hoping to make a profit at this market. However, she and her family aren't necessarily the kind of farmers you'd expect to grow and sell produce.

For the past year, the Fustos family has been planting produce in a community garden just behind the River Hills Church.

"We enjoy having fresh food to feed our family. We like to grow food that's not treated with any chemicals or pesticides and it's expensive to buy it," said Mariah Fustos.

This year, South Sioux City invited area farmers and garden growers like this family to bring the fruits of their labors. With a place to plant, Mariah said it was a simple decision to try and sell their crops.

"It's been a real blessing to have a spot where we can come and rent a small area of land for a small fee. The city will provide the water and mulch and till it up for us and we just have to come in and plant and enjoy," said Fustos.

There is a common theme with the Fustos family. They all like to dig.

"Yeah I like to dig a lot," laughed 13-year-old Caleb Fustos.

"Planting, digging, having fun," said Joshua Fustos, 12.

"Digging," said 6-year-old Naomi with a giggle.

As young gardeners, the Fustos kids have found a sense of relaxation.

"It can also help get out anger if there's dirt that needs to be broken up or something like that, you can go pound away all you like and nobody seems to care," laughed Mariah.

"I just love having fresh vegetables to eat, having fun with my family and spraying everybody with water," said Joshua.

Everyone takes their turn watering the plants. 9-year-old Rachel Fustos prefers to get a little wet herself, as her runs through the spraying water quite often.

"I feel a bit like an urban farmer. They talk about that sometimes in the big cities and they'll have rooftop gardens and stuff. To me, we are very much farming," said Mariah.

An urban farm that's about growing more than vegetables.

"I think a lot of times brothers and sisters get so detached. Everybody has their own interests and they go a million different directions and they lose out on that bond and this helps bring us together," Mariah said with a smile.

The South Sioux City Farmers Market opens this Sunday June 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mariah and her family hope to have a stand up and running to start making a few bucks for all their hard work.