Shannon and Wes Hutton have turned their passion for fresh produce and community into a thriving local business at Jake’s Run Farm. Named after their beloved beagle, the farm is located just outside Daviess County, off the Audobon Parkway.
At Jake’s Run Farm, the Huttons offer various products, from lamb meat to homemade jams and jellies. But it’s not just the food that draws people in. The Huttons also sell fresh herbs, grown in milk crates, that customers can cut right at their booth. Shannon Hutton admits she was skeptical when her husband suggested the idea, but it has since become a popular feature at their stand.
“We have two sets of herbs — one that we bring to the market and one that stays home to grow,” Hutton said. “We switch them out each week, so we always have a fresh variety.”
The Huttons also serve lamb sliders made from their own sheep, topped with locally sourced ingredients. They even cook biscuits and gravy on site, with the sausage from a nearby farm.
The couple’s dedication to local produce extends beyond their own stand. They actively support other vendors at the Farmers’ Market, often directing customers to fellow farmers for items the Huttons don’t sell.
Shannon, who has been farming with her husband for over a decade, also serves as the president of the Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market board of directors.
“The market has been good to us, but that’s due to the hard work of many volunteers,” she said. “My goal is to make the market the biggest front porch in Daviess County, where everyone feels welcome.”
The Huttons have seen the market grow from a small gathering of 12 vendors in a church parking lot to a bustling community event. For them, it’s not just about selling food but building relationships. Hutton referenced one little girl she sees at the market every Saturday, who first came as an infant and has “grown up right in front of her.”
“That’s the magic of the Farmers’ Market,” Hutton said. “It’s an opportunity to get to know people 5 minutes at a time. That’s what my husband always says.”
The Huttons design their booth to create a welcoming environment. Their tent’s U-shaped layout invites customers to step inside, out of the sun, and chat.
“We want people to relax and feel like they’re part of a community,” she said.
Hutton said Jake’s Run Farm strives to exemplify the spirit of local farming – where fresh produce, community, and a love for the land come together. The Huttons are more than farmers; they’re stewards of a tradition that brings people closer, one Saturday at a time.
This story is sponsored by Independence Bank.
