MADISON, Wis. — The Dane County Late Winter Market got back up and running at its new home in Madison’s Garver Feed Mill Saturday.

Bill Warner has been coming to the Dane County Farmers’ Market since 1989. He runs Snug Haven Farm in Belleville alongside his wife, Judy Hageman.

“I like Wisconsin because of the change of seasons,” Warner said. “So I like the market with the change of seasons and venues for the market.”

While he enjoys the market year-round, he said there’s something special about the winter market.

“This is a great place to do it,” Warner said. “Also, it’s just a whole different atmosphere. Usually we have a little more time to talk to customers.”

While snowfall greeted customers for this first market day, it’s been a slow start to the winter overall in Wisconsin. Warner said that hasn’t had much of an impact yet, but some of his produce, like carrots and spinach, relies on frost for its sweet taste.

“We grow everything in about an acre of hoop houses,” he said. “So it’s like 13 greenhouse structures. And so we’ve been just leaving them wide open trying to get it to freeze.”

Some vendors at the market welcomed the warmer temperatures.

Mary Uselman is the owner of Don’s Produce, near Arena. Her stand was packed with kale, radishes and Swiss chard, and she said the weather has helped that.

“Actually, the warmer temperatures this winter has really helped out with the greenhouse,” Uselman said. “You know, more sun and warmer temperatures.”

Warner said he’s somewhat worried about whether this will become a long-term trend.

“15-20 years from now, it’s like, will I be able to have frost sweetened stuff?” he said. “Are we going to be too warm? Or is my season short? That means there’ll be more outdoor stuff, but it’s kind of scary.”

Demand for produce hasn’t wavered for both Warner and Uselman though, and they were happy with turnout for the first winter market of the year.

“It seems like people are really after the fresh produce and they enjoy it,” Uselman said.