A familiar market location on KY 81 is under new ownership and selling local and Kentucky Proud items. Katie and John Harralson own Burley’s Harvest Market, although you might see their daughter Evelyn behind the register or on social media marketing the latest offerings.
The name of the market is a nod to John’s nickname, Burley, given by his grandfather Bill Kuegel and the variety of tobacco grown in this region.
After returning from Western Kentucky University, John worked for his uncle and grandfather at Kuegel Farms in west Daviess County — primarily farming grain, cattle, and tobacco in addition to a vegetable co-op.
John and Katie started Harralson Farms 3 years ago with cattle, grain, and dark tobacco.
With the idea for a harvest market — and the location of the Reid’s Orchard farmstand already there — Katie left her position as a special education teacher at Owensboro Public Schools to operate the store.
“Our family produces and processes high-quality Angus and American Wagyu, USDA-certified beef,” John said. “So being able to sell directly to consumers in our community was always a dream.”
Along with fresh beef, the market will sell local produce, and regional and state products such as cheese, ice cream, milk, sauces, canned goods, and fish.
“Consumers will get a taste of Daviess County’s best, along with the best of what Kentucky has to offer,” Katie said.
Burley’s mission is to produce quality, affordable food and other agricultural products. They plan to build on the quality produce that has been sold there in the past, along with offering a location for other producers to sell their products.
Katie said they are even talking to those in the Karen community — a Burmese population that has settled in Owensboro — about growing vegetables that are central to Karen cuisine. Katie knew some of the families from her educational career, and in discussions found out they were traveling to Bowling Green to find specific items necessary for cooking. Soon, they will have a garden behind Burley’s and will tend it.
“There are so many parts of putting a local market together that are special,” Katie said. “But the market benefits our community on both ends – the producer and the consumer – and that is a special responsibility that we are compels us.”
John said that by supporting Burley’s, people are supporting the farmers who have worked so hard to create quality, affordable food.
“We would love feedback and suggestions, so come experience our market and join us on this local food project,” John said.
Burley’s Harvest Market is located at 1871 KY 81. Summer hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
