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Sherria Tyler plans to spend the next week knitting like crazy. The owner of two alpacas and a llama, Tyler spins the animals' wool into yarn, then hand-dyes and knits the yarn into hats and scarves to sell at the annual Arcata Farmers Market.

”It takes me all week to knit up the hats to get ready to go,” said Tyler, owner of Arcata Bay Llamas. She started her booth at the market in 1994 and sets up shop every year.

”It's wonderful just being there,” she said. “Being next to all the other vendors, I get to have great food and buy flowers. I always get to go home with something.”

The North Coast Grower's Association is celebrating its 30th year of farmers markets, beginning at the Arcata Farmers Market this Saturday at the Plaza. The celebration will feature live music every week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with Huckleberry Flint kicking off its first day.

”We're expecting a great year,” said Denise Payne, the market's manager. She said the market is partnering with the city for its September 150th anniversary celebrations, featuring local farmers throughout the year. Payne said the market gets a wide range of products in addition to produce, including bonsai, cactus and flowers.

”It evolves with the season, and it's really nice to see it change,” Payne said.

Marilyn Kelly, the markets' first manager, said it has grown from about eight vendors to more than 60, with more listed in

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the association's ranks.

The markets were first created as a result of a federal grant for nutritional outreach. Kelly was hired to develop a link between agricultural producers and consumers, and she had to convince people that it was a viable option, she said.

”I had to be persistent and prove that it could happen,” Kelly said.

The first market was held in Eureka's Old Town, and over the years the location bounced around until it ended up at the Plaza.

She said the original intent of the market was to have an outlet for growers who had products that didn't fit the standard, or were apart of a surplus. But over time, vendors began growing things for the market.

”Now it's a landmark. I never though it would be that at all,” Kelly said.

IF YOU GO

What: Arcata Farmers' Market opening day

When: Saturday, April 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Arcata Plaza

Donna Tam can be reached at 441-0532 or dtam@times-standard.com.