The weather is hot and the produce is abundant at the Downtown State College Farmer’s Market. Walking past each of the stalls, it’s impossible not to be amazed by the feast of fresh fruit, vegetables, and baked goods. But there’s one vendor that’s doing things a little differently. Instead of apples or tomatoes, Sarah Burke’s table is covered in vibrant flowers, bouquets, and succulents. This week, Meet The Market talked to Burke to find out a little more about her stand.

Burke lives in Rebersburg, about forty minutes from State College. There, she owns a quarter-acre lot covered in thousands of flowering plants. But she doesn’t mind making the trip to the Farmer’s Market every week. “I love coming to State College,” said Burke. “Its hustling and bustling and you get to talk to a lot of new people and I’ve made a lot of friends. We talk about our lives and it’s really nice. Its social and theres a sense of community.”

Burke has grown plants ever since she was a little kid, and she knows the students at State College love buying houseplants to decorate their dorms. “It’s in my blood,” said Burke.

Burke’s been selling flowers at the market for eight years, so she knows what sells.”This is the place to come and buy gifts for people,” said Burke. “In fact, my girlfriend’s birthday is today, and when I go home I’m going to put together a birthday bag of all the stuff that I got here today.”

The market’s produce and plants are reason enough to give Locust Lane a visit on Tuesdays and Fridays. But it’s not the only reason to stick around for awhile. After all, vendors like Burke love to chat with Penn Staters. “I love the students,” said Burke. “They have so much energy. Some of them know a lot about plants, and some of them want to know more about plants. Its wonderful to educate them on growing plants.”