Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Warren.
Hi DJ, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi Murchison! I’m So Excited to Meet You! 🌾
My name is DJ Warren, and I’ve been proudly running the Athens, Tx Farmers Market since 2012—now in my 14th season supporting local farmers, artisans, meat producers, and makers who bring their goods directly to the community.
Local is who I am. I’m from Athens—graduated high school there and returned in 2011 after years of embracing every educational and professional opportunity I could. Along the way, I fell in love with open-air markets and what they mean for community connection. That passion led me to take over the Athens market when it was on the verge of closing—and I haven’t looked back since.
💚 Other local efforts I’ve led include:
💚The Sunday Locally Forged Farmers Market in Ben Wheeler – 7 years strong and will be moving to Murchison!
💚Locavores: Food Truck Fridays in Athens 3-year run!
💚Hometown Holiday Market tradition that’s now 8 years old!
💚 We are in year 2 of an umbrella organization in that organizes and supports local Farmers markets across East Texas that have the farmer at the center of their focus: you know, those who make it or grow it themselves! There are currently 7 Farmers Markets in this collation!
I’m also a full-time special education teacher, so while I may not always be behind the counter, know that I’m actively involved in every part of this journey. You’ll see my amazing staff in the store—but I always want to hear from YOU.
We’re planning something special here, and I want the Murchison and surrounding communities to help shape it. What weeknights work best for you to come out, connect, and enjoy a little old-fashioned fun? We want to host events that reflect the heart of our community—barn-raising energy and all!
The store will open in September, but until then, please like and follow our Facebook page to stay in the loop. We’ve got big things coming, and we truly can’t wait to get to know you.
💚 Let’s build something beautiful together.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! It has been a long road with many challenges.
The biggest challenge so far has been supportive differentiation in being truly Local. Everyone wants to say that they are, but it is a very hard road to stay on. Our market like other markets in the umbrella of East Texas local markets, adhere to strict policies of make it or grow it only. Our markets maintain and require all vendors to have made or grown the product they have on their tables for sale to the community. With an uptick in “farmers markets“, This title has been very popularized and like all good things is not always what you want it to be. These days, you need to ask questions, you need to educate yourself, if you truly care where your food comes from, you must ask all of the questions. Otherwise, you don’t get what your expectations are. There are many people who set up and sell produce at farmers markets and they did not grow one single piece of the produce on their table. There is a place for all of these people in the food system, but if you’re going to call yourself a FARMERS MARKET, You must be just that. Not requiring or having local Farmers at your “Farmers Market and calling it a Farmers Market is absolutely deceptive. When people mention farmers markets it has a nostalgic feeling and you assume that the person with the produce on the table, the jams are jellies, the breads etc. made the product that they’re selling. This unfortunately could not be farther from the truth. This is the biggest problem we face.
Also we have a mayor who talks smack on our social media posts because they truly cannot stand someone came in and is getting accolades that he could be getting instead. 😆 they have been awful while the community has been welcoming and amazing!
We’ve been impressed with ROOTED: ETX Local Goods + Market , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
ROOTED is a local concept that engages small local businesses and the community in a Farmers Market atmosphere but is a brick and mortar platform.
After leading the Athens Farmers Market for just one year, I recognized there was a gap between Farmers and the community as well as the community and the farmers market and that it is only one day a week. We tried a variety of additional days however, none worked for Forrest. This year, my dreams have come to fruition in that we have launched our first ROOTED: Local Grocer farmers market grocery store and coffee shop. ROOTED offers a community hub for makers , bakers, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs and the community to engage with one another in a single space. We will offer educational opportunities for the communities to engage in as well!
ROOTED is all about community in fact, we’re rooted in it and in our faith. Many of the local business partners we have have been with the Athens Farmers Market for over a decade. We have become a staple in the community.
The store also houses a commercial kitchen with business incubation opportunities as well as a coffee shop that is separately owned as well. There are 25 local partners in store currently but more are joining each day.
Most people come for their daily bread, but they leave with so much more. There is a vibe, there is energy, and you can feel it!
It is our goal to help support and feed our community the cleanest and most nutrient dense foods possible while also offering businesses the opportunity to thrive and the community and opportunity to engage!
I’m honored to be able to provide a platform in my local community that allows the community to engage with itself, encourages growth of local business, and is a place where people can come to just “feel good“ I also love that so many local business owners who did not have the ability to have their own standalone shop have trusted me enough with their businesses to be willing to commit to my dream of this store as well!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
There’s been no luck, only blind faith. I have stood on proverbs 16:3 since taking over the market in 2012. Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established. We have received more blessings than can be named!
I am truly grateful for those individuals that the Lord has put in my path that have helped make this plan come to fruition and grow new fruits as well
Pricing:
- We try to keep things affordable, prices have not increased from market to the store, each local vendors prices have remained the same.
- We are just fair people with fair prices. Nutrition density and access to quality foods is everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/atxfm
- Instagram: @atxfm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CcPRWW7fT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
