The Hatter Harvest club of Stetson University will host Farmers’ Markets on three Sundays this spring semester: Feb. 19, March 18 and April 22, featuring fresh and local foods and entertainment by local bands.

The Stetson Farmers’ Markets will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on the Stetson Green, the lawn between the Carlton Union Building and the Quad, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. The events are free and open to all and pets are welcome. Applications from vendors are now being accepted (details below).

Stetson Farmers’ Markets provide opportunities for community members to get to know local farmers. The market days will feature fresh, local and organic foods such as citrus, vegetables, greens and grass-fed beef. Samples from DeLand’s best restaurants and seedlings for gardening will also be available. An area for kids to play lawn games will be provided.

Hatter Harvest is a student-led club founded in 2009 at Stetson. Its vision is to bring sustainable food to campus and raise awareness about alternative agriculture systems and healthy lifestyles. The Hatter Harvest maintains a garden on campus adjacent to the RinkerEnvironmentalLearningCenter.

The Farmers’ Market is based on the international “Slow Food” movement founded by Carlo Petrini in 1986. Promoted as an alternative to fast food, it strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages farming of plants, seeds and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem.

Vendors should apply to reserve a spot on each market date. The fee is $15. Please contact Elly Bludworth at [email protected] or (386) 631-1995 for additional information or to reserve a spot. Join the Hatter Harvest Facebook group at “Stetson Farmers’ Market.”