Mary Jane Leach (left) laughed as she accepted gifts of N.C. peanuts and muscadine wine during a farewell party last weekend. With her is Davidson Farmer's Market board chair Carol Mayes. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Supporters and volunteers of Davidson Farmer’s Market said farewell to former manager Mary Jane Leach during a reception on Saturday, June 4, at Davidson Town Hall. Ms. Leach announced in February that she would give up the job this spring because of a job change for her husband.

Courtney Spear has taken over as manager, and after several weeks of working side-by-side with Ms. Leach, she’s now flying solo. The market runs Saturday mornings year round, downtown next to Town Hall.

Ms. Leach, her husband John Leach, and daughters Martha, 9, and Ivy, 6, came to Davidson in June 2006 from Greensboro. Long involved in local food, she also has a background in agriculture. When the family lived in Asheville years ago, she grew organic flowers for sale at florists in western N.C.

As the manager of the Davidson Farmer’s Market for the past two years, she has helped build it into one of the region’s most successful and popular weekend markets, with a strong focus on local produce.

“She was the catalyst, the right shot in the arm” for the market, said Carol Mayes, a former board chair.

Current board chair Kathy Pearce said Ms. Leach’s skills and passion made a difference. “She takes the time to get to know each and every one of you,” Ms. Pearce told the farmers and volunteers who gathered to send off Ms. Leach. “It’s not just a business for her.”

Edie Surratt, another early organizer of the market, presented Ms. Leach with a book of photo memories, and praised Ms. Leach’s contribution to the region. “Your commitment to local food has really helped our economy,” Ms. Surratt said.

Mr. Leach, Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Davidson College, has taken a new job as dean of college guidance at the Stuart Country Day School, Princeton, N.J.

At Saturday’s ceremony, Mayor John Woods led a series of speakers who praised Ms. Leach for her work.

“Thank you for what you’ve done in Davidson on Saturday mornings,” the mayor said. “When people come together and work together to create community, you have we have in Davidson.”

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