MURFREESBORO, TN - The Winter–Spring Rutherford County Farmers Market at the Lane Agri-Park, 315 John R. Rice Blvd. is one of the easiest places in town to Pick Tennessee First. With Christmas and New Year’s just around the corner, the next Winter Farmers Market is set for Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, running from 8 a.m. until noon. It’s a good moment to mark the calendar and get ready to support local growers in the new year—maybe more than ever.

There’s extra energy behind that message this season thanks to a new $20,000 America 250 grant awarded to Pick Tennessee Products, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s long‑running program that connects consumers with homegrown goods. The funding arrives as the nation prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and Tennessee agriculture will be front and center in that celebration.

Assistant Commissioner for Business Development Matthew Wade put it simply: Tennessee farmers and producers have always been at the heart of our communities. The grant, he said, will help shine a brighter spotlight on the people and products that define the state’s agricultural legacy while encouraging Tennesseans to keep choosing local—now and for generations to come.

The America 250 initiative is designed to honor both the nation’s history and the communities shaping its future. For Pick Tennessee Products, that means a year of expanded outreach, from boosted social media campaigns to themed displays at the Wilson County–Tennessee State Fair, plus pop‑up events that bring farmers, makers, and agritourism businesses directly to the public. The goal is simple: elevate Tennessee‑grown and Tennessee‑made goods and strengthen the connection between consumers and the people who produce their food, crafts, and specialty items.

Pick Tennessee Products already links shoppers with thousands of farm‑direct offerings—from fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy to wineries, nurseries, distilleries, and more. And with the State of Tennessee allocating more than $6.4 million to support America 250 efforts statewide, communities across the state will share in the momentum.

If you love local, January 9 is your next chance to show it.