Up until last summer, I had never even heard of farmers' markets, much less been to one, despite there being a pretty fantastic one in my local area. Fortunately for me, my editor at my internship at the local newspaper blessed me with the assignment of reporting on our town's market, and since that summer I have been utterly obsessed with the Farmers' Market scene.

Prior to my infatuation with farmers' markets, my Saturday mornings were filled with trips around town to dozens of garage sales (which I also still love). But I think the reason it was so easy to transition from garage-picking to produce-picking was because both garage sales and farmers' markets support local people. Both activities fill my car with wonderful local items I just can't get anywhere else, and they also help build and strengthen community.

If the thought of sacrificing sleeping in on Saturday mornings excites you as much as it excites me (because it means your Saturday morning is about to be a blast), then you can probably relate to the rest of these.

1. You go to bed early on Friday night just for the market the next day

"I'm sorry I can't stay out late tonight, I have to be somewhere important in the morning...to buy local honey."

2. When you wake up on Saturday morning you instantly begin thinking about what you're going to buy

"OK, I need green beans, I could always use apple cider, I should bring extra money for a smoothie, the big size, oh and maybe a pork burger..."

Decisions, decisions...

3. You feel the same excitement for the market as you did for the carnival as a child

I mean, the best part about the carnival was always the good food anyway, right? Farmers' markets have popcorn and homemade doughnuts like a carnival, and they also have tons of healthy fruits and veggies. Bonus!

4. Free samples. Free samples. Free samples.

I mean, really, does this need any further explanation?

5. You look forward to seeing people you know there

Typically I hate running into people I know in public because it's usually people from high school that I wish I didn't know. But somehow, at the market, I only ever run into people that I love and enjoy.

Everyone at the market is a friend. Everyone at the market is having fun and happy to be there (even at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning).

6. Your heart sinks when you realize you forgot to go by the ATM beforehand to get cash

But then your heart sings when you find out many vendors actually accept credit cards -- and your wallet cringes a little bit and you get slightly nervous you'll exceed your budget because there's so many things to buy.

7. You get really sad when you have to work on Saturday mornings

Or basically have any other obligation other than going to the farmers' market and buying homemade soaps and salsas.

8. You check the forecast multiple times the night before and the morning of the market

Raining on a farmers' market is infinitely worse than raining on a parade.

9. You're perpetually broke because you enjoy spending too much at the market

It doesn't even really feel wasted when you come home with 2 jars of homemade jam, a jar of local honey, a bag of organic herbs and a giant watermelon.

10. You're so disappointed in yourself when you actually do oversleep

I could have been at the farmers' market for the past four hours buying local produce and listening to local bands, and instead I just laid in bed with my cats. Sad day.

If you haven't been to the market yet, set your alarm and get your butt out of bed on Saturday morning because you won't possibly regret it. Shopping and supporting local business, knowing where your food and other products are coming from and having the most wholesome fun imaginable is what's in store every single week at the market.

And I am absolutely a fanatic.