Our History
Rich and Laura Barden began operating the family farm in 1986. At that time they raised cauliflower, cabbage and cucumbers. Over the next 10 years they added soybeans and field corn to their crop rotation, and added broccoli, sweet corn, tomatoes and peppers as cash crops.
In 1995 Rich built the original farm market building in the barn at the farm and hauled it to town on a neighbor’s flatbed trailer. They rented a spot in back of Jim Daggett’s Classy Chassis Car lot on the corner of Blue Star Highway and Phoenix Road. Opening day was June 16, 1995. That first year, the Bardens offered their own strawberries and other fruits from neighboring farms, and a full line of vegetables from the farm.
In 1996 they added a cooler made from a refrigerated truck box and a couple of “pop-up” tents. Second hand display tables and benches gave then more room to spread out and offer more products.
The addition of a red-striped circus type tent in 1997 made it possible to protect the produce from the sun and rain.
Each year has seen additions. By 1998, they were offering a few mums in the fall, perennials, cut flowers, candies, jams and local honey and maple syrup.
A neighboring farmer who supplies Barden’s Farm Market with asparagus suggested they add flowers, hanging baskets and patio pots to add color and bring in more customers. The following year, a greenhouse was purchased and the farm market began opening earlier in the season with bedding plants, hanging baskets, and a variety of flowers.
Barden’s added an additional market located just north of Holland in 2002, and when the opportunity arose a year later, moved it to the present location in the Dunesview parking lot at Exit 41 off I-196 in Saugatuck. Rich found a used “Big Top” type tent and built more displays to furnish the stand.
They added a small greenhouse for the Saugatuck stand in 2003 and bought the first “big white Ford truck” to haul produce from the farm and market to the stands, and a new, larger red-striped tent for the South Haven location.
The second South Haven greenhouse was added in 2005, providing room for more varieties of flowers and offering a larger selection in both sizes of container and quality.
2006 started with promise, but proved to be a test of endurance. A devastating hail storm hit the farm in late August, destroying the melons, cabbage and pumpkin crop. Many of the tomatoes and peppers were ruined and several of the other crops heavily damaged. Then, another wind storm hit in early October, resulting in the ruin of the South Haven tent. The season ended abruptly, with the perennial belief that “Next Year Will Be Better”.
2007 marked the change from “red-striped” to the familiar Barden Blue tent tops.
Over the next three years came the popcorn machine, baked pies, caramel apples, Walt’s Wood (hand-turned bowls, wine-stoppers, and other woodcraft items), and an ever increasing variety of flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Early 2011 brought the opportunity to move into the former Classy Chassis building, and a huge undertaking began. The Bardens, with the help of many, have transformed the car dealership into a spanking new farm market, full of familiar displays and new checkout counters. A new kitchen and coolers will help to make more products available throughout the season.
The Bardens wish to thank all their customers, both past, current, and those yet to come, for helping them take this important step forward. The whole crew at Barden’s Farm Market looks forward to another successful season.
