LEBANON, Va. — The air in Lebanon on a market day is thick with more than just the scent of ripe tomatoes. It carries a sense of community and quiet pride from people who work with their hands to nurture the land.
In the rolling hills of the Clinch Mountain range, you will find Lebanon—the county seat of Russell County—that has long been shaped by its strong connection to the land. Its history, dating back to its founding in 1819, tells a story of resilience and self-sufficiency, with farming and the now-declined coal industry forming the heart of its identity.
Today, that spirit is alive at the Lebanon Farmers Market. It’s more than a place to buy produce; it’s an embodiment of the town’s agricultural spirit. Located at 137 Highland Drive, just off Main Street, the market acts as a hub for agricultural immersion from May through September, open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, drawing visitors from both near and far.
Although many people pointed out that the Wednesday market tends to be busier, I really appreciated the peaceful quiet of this particular Saturday. It gave me the chance to truly connect with the people behind the tables, listen to their stories without rushing, and feel the heartbeat of this community.
Donna Couch and Faithful Traditions
Among the stalls, you’ll find Donna Couch. She’s a woman whose passion for her craft is as clear as the summer sky over the Appalachian Highlands. For 11 years, Donna has been a familiar face here, a steady cornerstone of the market.
Her stand, Faithful Traditions, is a lively tribute to both the timeless art of preservation and her unique creativity. Shoppers are attracted to her colorful display of handmade jewelry, including earrings and necklaces. Equally tempting are her preserves, with options that range from classic fruit jellies to creative, spirited blends like “Drunk Monkey Jam” and “Drunk Jim’s Coffee,” which contain bourbon.
She also makes delicate, floral jellies inspired by the Appalachian landscape, such as Lilac and Wild Violet Jelly. When I asked Donna what motivated her to start, her answer was a story many in this region know well: “Overabundance of garden vegetables.” There’s a genuine humility in that statement. It wasn’t a grand business plan or a pursuit of fame. Just having more than she needed was enough to inspire her to take the excess to the market. A matter of pragmatism.
Margaret Deel: A Lifelong Farmer
Just a few tables away, Margaret Deel sits surrounded by the colorful bounty of her farm. She’s a living monument to the enduring farming tradition of the region. “I’ve been farming all my life,” she told me, her voice carrying the unmistakable lilt of a southwestern Virginia accent.
Margaret’s farm is only seven miles from the market, and she regularly sells her produce there. She also vendors at the Cleveland Farmers Market in the afternoons.
Her table is a treasure trove of her hard work, featuring everything from vegetables and honey to homemade preserves. When I asked about livestock, she said with a matter-of-fact tone, “Yes,” adding that she raises beef cattle, which she sells at Glade Spring. Her entire life is a testament to the hard work and dedication required to live off this land—a rugged topography where every acre has to be won by hard work.
Ronnie Bush and Green Valley Farms
Next, I met Ronnie Bush, a man whose easy humor and kind demeanor instantly put you at ease. Though he was selling produce he had to buy from local Virginia sources because of the year’s unusually wet weather—a challenge many farmers are facing—his hands were not idle. “Yeah, but that beats being dry,” he noted with a shrug and a smile, a farmer’s perspective on a tough season.
Ronnie retired after 39 years as a claims rep for Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance—a connection that seemed perfect to me—but his retirement is anything but slow. He told me he now manages Green Valley Farms, a large operation with 95 cows.
His son, who is also a farmer, had to accept a job with VDOT in Bristol, leaving Ronnie to run both farms. With a tired but loving tone, he simply said, “Dad gets to do it.” His story reflects the strong intergenerational commitment to farming that defines this region.
A Community of Artists and Artisans
The market also highlights the community’s artistic spirit. Ed O’Quinn, a resident of nearby Hansonville, has been painting for 25 years. What began as a hobby in 2000 has developed into a passion he now shares with others in the area. His paintings, which include still life and nature scenes—including local landscapes and Southwestern motifs—serve as a lovely reminder of the creative life thriving in this rural community.
Ed sells at the Lebanon Farmers Market, and he was heading to a craft show later that same day. The fact that he is there, showing his artwork, adds a special touch to the market, demonstrating that the creativity of the Appalachian spirit extends far beyond the garden rows.
Melinda Heath: Handcrafted with Family and Heart
Finally, I spoke with Melinda Heath, who was at the market for the very first time. Having recently moved back to the area, she was trying out her new venture with a colorful, diverse collection of handmade goods. Her stand was an eye-catching display, filled with scented melted wax, leather items, engraved wooden keychains honoring military branches, and beautiful jewelry. A recent trip to Texas to visit her son inspired her unique Southwestern-style jewelry, a style not common in this area.
For Melinda, this is a hobby, a “family thing” she shares with her daughter-in-law and her mother. Like many vendors, she was facing a long day, planning to pack up and head to the Route 80 Festival in Honaker later that evening.
Her story is about adapting inspiration from elsewhere and bringing it back to her homeland.
A Living Part of Lebanon’s Soul
The Lebanon Farmers Market is a shopping destination, but much more; it’s a vital part of Lebanon’s spirit, with people like Donna, Margaret, Ronnie, Ed, and Melinda at its heart. Their stories, connected, weave a strong narrative of resilience, tradition, and community pride. They embody the best qualities of the Appalachian Highlands—hard work, creativity, and a sharing spirit that made my visit feel like coming home.
