NATCHEZ — Area farmers and residents are rallying support for the Natchez Farmers Market in hopes of saving the market from closing.

The market’s marketing coordinator, Helen Brooks, said because of concerns of farmers, vendors and area residents, the market is now being considered for relocation instead of closure.

Brooks declined to say why the market — operated by the Alcorn State University Extension Program — was being considered for closure or the reason it would need to be relocated. She deferred questions to ASU representatives who could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

An online petition on thepetitionsite.com circulated Wednesday on social media urging people to sign in support of the farmers’ market.

“Please join us in petitioning the powers that be over the Alcorn Extension Program to keep the (farmers’ market) open in Natchez,” the petition letter states. “They are considering closing the market, and though it may be an issue with the market’s current location, it is of dire importance to keep the market running in Natchez in some way, shape or form.”

Natchez resident and farmers’ market patron Danielle Lewis said she hopes the community’s show of support will keep the market open. She personally sent a letter to Alcorn asking that the extension program keep the market open.

In the past year, Lewis has been ill and relied on the convenience and service of the farmers’ market for her groceries.

“I’ve been very ill this last year, and you know, just having the farmers’ market and being able to call and order milk and vegetables and whatever, they box it up and have it ready, and most of the time, they bring it out to my vehicle,” she said. “That’s a service you can’t get anywhere else. I don’t know if Alcorn understands what they (could be) taking away from us.”

In addition to offering a place to buy locally grown and organic produce, as well as dairy products, handmade items, homemade baked goods and other products, Lewis said the market is a meeting place for locals.

“The market is always busy, and I see the same people in there,” she said. “And you can go in there and see the farmers and meet with them. There’s a guy in Ferriday who does kale, and I met him and talked to him about what he grows, and when he has other products, I can buy those from him.”

The kale Lewis likes is grown by Earl White, who relocated approximately a year ago to Ferriday from California, where he studied agriculture at the University of California.

White said when he moved to the area, he found it difficult to purchase a variety of locally grown organic produce.

“I decided to grow my own,” he said. “That way I know where it’s coming from and what I’m eating.”

White said he has found the farmers market to be a place where he can network with other farmers about how and what they are growing, as well as a connection to Alcorn for research and other work.

“It’s really about trying to stay healthy,” he said. “Especially with all the health problems here in the South, it’s a step forward to be able to get healthy, whole foods at a local farmers’ market.

“I think it’s a beautiful thing, and I think if they can keep it going, it will be a lifesaver for the city of Natchez.”