WATERVILLE – Despite a chilly, rainy afternoon, customers flocked Thursday to the fledgling Waterville Farmers’ Market, the most recently opened market in the state.

They were buying seedlings, early salad greens, baked goods, meats, eggs and goat’s milk.

There is high hope for the Waterville market, Deanne Herman of the Maine Department of Agriculture said Thursday. “Markets succeed or fail for a variety of reasons,” she said. “Mostly it is location.”

The Waterville market can serve as a model to other communities, Herman said, because it was developed through a collaboration between the town’s economic development group, the city itself, and several business sponsors. “It has gotten off to a fantastic start,” she said.

The new market in Waterville is located downtown, easy to access with plenty of parking and surrounded by restaurants that its organizers hope will begin ordering produce and other farm-fresh products from the vendors.

It is the 62nd market in Maine, some with just two vendors and others with more than 30.

Farmers’ markets across the state are in full swing, with many opened already and all to be open by Memorial Day.

Some are selling seedlings, baked goods, flowers and meats. Others have a limited amount of produce because the farmers are using greenhouses to extend the growing season. Still other markets entertain and educate.

During Unity’s market, for example, cooking classes are held every third Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The first cooking class of the season will be on making fresh bread and will be held on May 20.

Other markets have also offered folk craft days, horse-drawn carriage rides, music and special events for children.

“Maine farmers’ markets offer high-quality, delicious foods and agricultural products, harvested fresh and sold direct to you by the farmers, your neighbors,” Herman said Thursday. “Markets are located throughout the state, and each offers a unique blend of personalities and products.”

Herman said more than 50 of the markets are seeking new vendors, a clear indication of how strong the customer base is.

Farmers’ markets also offer a big boost to the host communities. Mike Roy, administrator of the city of Waterville, said Thursday he is hopeful that the market will re-energize downtown Waterville.

“We think this will be a great addition to our Main Street,” Roy said. “It will bring people to our downtown. But just as important is that it will offer local farmers the opportunity to sell their products and local shoppers the chance to buy quality, healthy produce.”

In addition, many farmers are using Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs to augment their sales. There are at least 76 CSAs in Maine, according to a recent survey by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA).

CSAs support farmers when customers commit to buy shares in the farm. The situation is a win-win for both farmers and consumers. Farmers receive funds for the shares up front, providing them with capital in the spring when planting costs are heavy. In exchange, consumers get fresh produce throughout the growing season. Some CSAs also offer fruits, meat, dairy or fish.

Herman said many of the farmers at farmers’ markets offer CSA programs and the MOFGA study revealed that more than 2,500 Maine families are shareholders in CSAs.

“We’d like to see 5,000 Maine families participating in CSAs five years from now,” MOFGA’s executive director, Russell Libby, said this week. “One of the most important steps that families can take toward food security is to establish direct communication with local farmers and purchase local farm produce. Membership in a CSA is a great way for all of us to answer the important question ‘Who’s your farmer?'”

Detailed information about the location, hours and vendors at Maine’s farmers’ markets can be obtained at the Maine Department of Agriculture Web site, www.getrealmaine.com.