Two Eds selling vegetables

It was a perfect sunny day Saturday, August 8, at the Farmers Market in Waseca. So perfect in fact there were no parking spaces, so any visitors who wanted fresh fruits and vegetables had to walk a block and a half to get there. But once there, amongst the flurry of activity, between two trucks were the Bethkes, and their stand “Ed’s Produce.”

 

There was more activity there than usual, which meant both Edward Bethke Sr. and Edward Bethke Jr. were extremely busy. Said Edward Sr. “We call it Ed’s Produce. Used to be Ed’s Produce and Greenhouse but we’re not a greenhouse anymore. I’ve been coming here for years and years, and one day it will be my son who takes over.” There were both a watermelon and a muskmelon cut open and sitting on their display table. The fruit was diced up so passersby who wanted a sample could grab one on their way. Lisa and Roy Kuchenbacker were among those who were lured in by the samples. After a taste they both decided and said together, “We’ll take one watermelon and two muskmelons.” They are from the Waseca area, but they’re traveling north to Shakopee to visit their daughter Arie, “She likes muskmelon so we’re bringing it for her.”

 

Edward Sr. gave an inventory of their produce, “We got sweet corn, I both buy my produce and I grow it. Cucumbers and pickling cucumbers, tomatoes and green tomatoes for those visitors from Kentucky. I got fresh dill, zucchini, and the muskmelon is Athena.” Since there were so many customers, Edward Sr. directed the Pioneer to Edward Jr. and said proudly, “Please talk to him, one day this will all be his.”

 

Edward Jr., just like his father, was born and bred in Waseca. A 2025 graduate of Waseca High School, “I’m planning on going to St. Paul University up in the Cities, I’ll be going there this winter.” He’s been a full-time farmer since he graduated and is hoping to continue selling produce around his college career.

 

Edward Sr. said their stand had been set up already around 7:15 a.m.. “We’ll probably be at the Waseca Farmers Market through October, just long enough so I don’t waste anything. The stock will change to October produce, I’m looking forward to that!” He has done some salsas in the past but wasn’t doing that this year, he shrugged and said, “Maybe next year.” Edward Jr. was going to add to his father’s statement but his attention was turned away as Ralph Dobberstein, a farmers market customer, approached and asked about sweet corn.