Swell Markets

YAY!! Such a great day!

This collage made me smile because it captures so many pieces of who I am.

🟤 The coffee? Accurate. ☕️
⚪ The market tents? Obviously.
🟡 The planner, dreamer, problem solver, community supporter, and cheerleader? Also accurate.

For those who may be new here, I'm Ashley Higdem, founder and owner of Swell Markets.

What most people see is market day. They see the vendors, the shoppers, the live music, the produce, the baked goods, and the smiling faces.

What they don't always see are the hours spent at a coffee shop planning months ahead, creating social media content, reviewing applications, answering messages, and constantly thinking about what I can do next.

🚫 Not because I have to.
♥️ Because I genuinely love it.

I love finding ways to help vendors succeed. I love creating opportunities for small businesses. I love watching communities gather around local food, local makers, and local connections.

Even after all these years, I'm still the person sitting with a notebook full of ideas, asking myself:

🟢 "What can I add next year?"
🟠 "What can I improve?"
🔵 "How can we make this even better?"

That's the heart behind Swell Markets. 🌻

Thank you to every vendor, shopper, sponsor, musician, volunteer, and community partner who has been part of this journey. You've helped turn an idea into something truly special, and I'm excited to keep growing it together.

❤️ Ashley

I am so excited the Farm Tour is coming to Van Alstyne today! 🌿

I’m especially thrilled to have the opportunity to support Freshly Cut Stems during Stop #3.

Also excited that another downtown Van Alstyne business, Chef James with Burnt by J.H. , will be providing today’s dessert!

Thank you to The Seed Project Foundation for hosting event that highlight North Texas Farms, with proceeds benefiting McKinney Roots. Supporting local farms, flowers, food, and community all in one day is something truly special. 💚

https://mailchi.mp/rickschophouse.com/httpssecureqgivcomforgenspeventfarmtouronmay162026

Join us for our annual Spring Farm Tour featuring three unique destination farms for a fun day of touring, eating, drinking, and supporting local organic, regenerative agriculture. The tour runs from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

We’ll start the morning at 10:00am with a tour of the new McKinney Roots at Gray Branch Park and discuss our current projects, plantings, and what to expect in the coming summer/fall months. Enjoy mimosas and breakfast tacos by Executive Chef, Roberto Garcia of Rick’s Chophouse. From there we will board the bus and set out for stop two!
Next, we will visit Prairie Farmstead of Sherman, TX where we’ll be accompanied by Executive Chef, Andrea Shackelford of Harvest at The Masonic. We will tour the regenerative multi-species livestock farm, and finish with lunch paired with select wines from Amici Cellars and TUPPS beer. OH! and expect cute little baby chicks! 😊

We’ll round out the afternoon with our final stop at Freshly Cut Stems in Van Alstyne, TX, a sustainably grown flower farm with rows of gorgeous long stems. Enjoy dessert from Chef James Harrison of Burnt by J.H. and a Texas Taro cocktail from Dripping Springs with flowers from the farm.

A beautiful day to connect with the land, the people behind it, and the food on your table.

Breakfast - McKinney Roots at Gray Branch Park | McKinney
Lunch - Prairie Farmstead | Sherman
Dessert - Freshly Cut Stems | Van Alstyne

All proceeds from the day will directly support McKinney Roots’ operational funds as we transition to our new home at Gray Branch Parkland

What a great morning with The Van Alstyne Chamber of Commerce at April’s monthly breakfast, hosted by Theogc10 garage in Anna.

OGC10 Garage is also our Railcar Farmers Market of Van Alstyne shopping bag sponsor, and we couldn’t be more excited to support their new business. They’re North Texas’s premier DIY auto garage—offering lift bays and flat bays you can rent so you can work on your own vehicle at your own pace, with access to professional-grade tools and equipment.

Even more inspiring is their mission to share knowledge and help keep the craft of wrenching/mechanics alive in an industry that’s slowly fading.

📍 5176 Private Road 5990 Bldg 6, Anna, TX 75409
🕒 Open 7 days a week | 8 AM – 8 PM

Grateful for a community that shows up, supports local, and invests in the next generation of skilled trades.

Strong markets are built on shared knowledge. 🌻

Supporting local businesses is especially important during times of growth and improvement in our community.

With ongoing city beautification, we know parking and access can sometimes be less convenient. But small businesses feel that shift immediately, and they rely on continued community support to stay strong.

Yesterday, my family and I had lunch at Jafar’s in downtown Van Alstyne. It was a great reminder of how important it is to keep showing up for the businesses that make our town special. (The hummus plate with extra pitas was a great choice.)

As things continue to improve around town, let’s continue to support the businesses that are part of its foundation.