Will O'Donnell is the new director of the Port Townsend Farmers Market. He has lived in Jefferson County since 1999 and has roots in the farming community.

O'Donnell, 32, recalls how small the market was a decade ago and how he has watched it grow from a dozen vendors doing business behind City Hall to as many as 65 vendors doing business Uptown.

The new director has been a market vendor and has been involved in a number of farming operations, including Old Tarboo Farm and Finnriver Farm, and was co-creator of Mt. Townsend Creamery. He also has served on the farmers market board.

O'Donnell said he is excited about the opportunity to serve as market director. Few changes are planned this year, he said, though the market expects to get its 501(c)3 status within a month. This will allow the market to accept donations as well as require it to do more community education and outreach, he said.

More cooking demonstrations also are expected this year, O'Donnell said.

"I am passionate about food and farming and strengthening our local economy," O'Donnell said of looking forward to the market season, which opens Saturday, May 2 on Tyler Street between Lawrence and Clay. Saturday hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

A Wednesday market opens June 10 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Polk Street between Lawrence and Clay.

O'Donnell's wife, Kate Dean, also is involved in farming work. She is LandWorks coordinator and program director for the Washington State University Small Farms Program. The couple has two children: Finn, 5, and Rennie, 2.

O'Donnell notes that the deadline for vendor applications is March 15. For more information, contact him at 379-9098 or will@ptfarmersmarket.org.