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What’s New at the Farmer’s Market? Shopping at Horn in the West on Saturday, June 25

Brushy Mountain Peaches at the Watauga County Farmer's Market
Brushy Mountain Peaches at the Watauga County Farmer’s Market

The market operates from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday this summer at 591 Horn in the West in Boone.

For more information, check out wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org.

In 1963, Barbara Lewis wrote and recorded “Hello Stranger”, which rose to Number 1 on the R&B chart, Number 3 on the Pop chart, and was a Number 1 hit with all beach music lovers and shaggers in the Carolinas.  As I was coming to Market on my first day as new Manger way back in May, I listened to this song and thought about being a stranger in the New Land of Boone.  But everything that I’d heard about the Market having the nicest and friendliest folks in Western North Carolina was absolutely true.  I quickly felt right at home among the vendors and customers, and I now sing (to myself, and my wife says for very good reasons) James Taylor’s Number 1 hit, “You’ve Got A Friend”, which incidentally was written by Carole King in 1971.  To all my new friends, thank you for laying out the welcome mat.  When folks ask, “How do you like being the manager at the Market”, I can honestly say, “It’s great!  I love it!” 

A new addition to the Newsletter is Market Quiz!  Last week’s answer was “Oregano”.

Question for this week:  What is the oldest revolutionary war drama in the United States, opens June 25th at the Daniel Boone Amphitheatre, and is a must see for the young and old? The first person to respond will win a $10.00 gift certificate at the Market.  (wataugacountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com)

Tribute to Mary Coffey, our Senior-Most Vendor!!! The Market would like salute Mary Coffey for her 31 years of dedicated service providing high quality products at our Market!  Mary was around when the Market was located at its previous location and she has lots of stories to tell about how the Market has changed.  Please stop by Mary’s booth (53) and let her know how much we appreciate what she’s done for our Market!

And while we are on a roll with accolades, how about a SHOUT OUT to our parking ambassadors! Feedback from customers is that, although the market is busy and the parking lot looks full, the parking ambassadors do a great job of finding everyone a spot and keeping the traffic flowing.

Hot Tip! If you have a fruit that will ripen after picking you can put it in a paper bag along with a ripening banana to speed up the ripening process.  You really want to buy tomatoes like you do such things as bananas.  Some you buy will be fully ripe but then you need a few not so ripe.  Over ripe tomatoes become mushy and mealy so a supply of riper and not so ripe is the way to go for tomatoes all week.

Saturday is going to be another great day at the Market!!  In addition to all the wonderful produce and products (please see below), we’ve got lots of exciting activities. We’re thrilled to have back again the wonderfully talented musicians, Bob & Patty Tatum (Sound Traveler), performing on Center Stage.  On our side stage to dazzle you, we have singer, guitarist Ron Fitzwater.  Our ever-popular Chef, Robert Back of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Watauga, will be having one of his famous cooking demonstrations and tantalizing us with his lip-smacking delights.  In addition, we would like to thank the EMT’s from Watauga Medics for staffing a booth to teach us about CPR and emergency procedures.  Lastly, this week is Kids Mini-Market!   If you haven’t checked out Mini-Market and seen what these young entrepreneurs are making, you will be surprised.

Hope to see you on Saturday at the Market!  Be there at our Town Square!

At the Market – June 25, 2016

Shady Grove Gardens and Nursery – Out of this world summer flowers, sunflowers, purple larkspur, Sweet Peas, Poppies, Satin Flower, Cosmos and Bachelor Button. Lovely hand crafted pre-made bouquets ready to go and bouquets made to order. Perennial plants will include: Shasta Daisy, Astilbe, Clematis, Rosemary and Lavender.

Against the Grain – Certified Organic and Biodynamic sugar snap peas, broccoli, kale, chard, head lettuce, kohlrabi, carrots, beets, fava beans, heirloom cornmeal and sorghum meal plus pastured, gmo-free pork, chicken and goat sausage.

Moretz Mountain Orchard & Farm – Huckleberries, blueberries, and black raspberries. Free range eggs, dried apples,  and strawberry rhubarb jam.  Also, Dutch Apple Pies.  Expect early apples within the next two weeks.   Am taking pre-orders for Transparent and Lodi.

Zydeco Moon – certified organic heirloom tomatoes including Cherokee purple and Giant Syrian (written up in the Smithsonian magazine as a wonderful tomato).  We will also have white heirloom cucumbers, baby squash, sugar snap peas, haricot vert beans, basil and cheddar cauliflower.

Octopus Gardens – Produce: baby bok choy.  Nursery plants: vegetable, flower, and herb starts including many tomato varieties, cabbage, kale, edible flowers like nasturtiums, marigolds, pansies.  Zinnias, calendula, parsley, strawberry plants, sage, yarrow, basil, tulsi (holy basil).

Goldenrod Gardens – gorgeous flowers and bouquets on demand.  Any bouquet can also be tied with a hand dyed silk ribbon of your choice.  Mint, rainbow salad, arugula, and pea tendrils are perfect for June meals.

Owl Creek Breadworks – variety of European-style, naturally-leavened hearth breads, and a wide selection of croissants and other pastries.

Earth Harmonies – handmade gemstone artisan jewelry. Lots of new wire wrapped pendants, in copper and sterling silver. Summer anklets, bracelets, rings, and crystal necklaces.

Harmony Acres Soap – Handmade Natural Bath and Body Products

The Farmer’s Wife –  Fried Apple Pies and no sugar Added Fried Apple Pies. They taste Yummy too.

Heritage Homestead – flavored chevre, feta, goat milk fudge and our new product goat milk gourmet caramel sauce.  Yum!!!!

Brooks Farm Beef – high quality grass fed beef that we have brought the past nine years to the market! Ranging from steaks, roasts, beef tips, ground beef and many other cuts. This beef is for the consumer who wants red meat that is healthy and tastes great.

Madeleine is back – We’re pleased that Madeleine has returned to the Market!  They have tarts, croissants, scones, fruit turnovers, and chiffon cakes.
Springhouse Farm – Certified organic snow and English peas, a variety of summer squash, lemon and mini white cucumbers, a variety of head lettuce, fava beans, baby carrots, gold/chioogia/red baby beet mix, cherry tomatoes, fresh garlic and our pastured pork.
New Life Farm – Vine ripened Tomatoes, New Potatoes, Squash, Zucchini, Broccoli, Beets, Curley kale, Dino kale, collard greens, as well as pasture raised pork and chicken. All of animals are pasture raised and fed Non-Gmo feed.

Mountain Flower Bakery – featuring colorful artisan cupcakes, treats, and muffins, completely gluten and dairy free.  All of our products are handmade locally using fresh farm eggs and natural organic oils. Many of our products also contain quality dried and fresh fruit. The bakery offers decorated specialty cupcakes in many designs.  We also offer our popular Paleo fruit and nut cake, vegan tarts, brownies, biscotti and breakfast muffins.

Creeksong Farm – spinach, lettuce, arugula, salad mix, beets, carrots, onions, summer squash and zucchini, broccoli, sugar peas, collards, kale, rainbow chard, free range eggs, and all cuts of grass fed beef.
Sunshine Cove Farm – certified organic microgreens, dino kale, collard greens, mixed chard, romaine lettuce, and a broad array of starter plants for the garden.

Faith Mountain Farm –  Variety of breakfast muffins, cinnamon rolls, scones, granola, whole grain breads, and chewy balls along with gluten free options for scones and muffins and cake (strawberry, chocolate, or coconut).  Local varieties of spring honey from our apiaries.  Sunflowers.

Country Ham’s Biscuit Bar – special biscuit will be the “Ragin’ Cajun,” Springhouse andouille sausage, local egg, peppers and onions. Bald Guy Coffee and hand squeezed juice. As always, Bella Rooster Jelly!

Owens Farms –  tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini squash, cucumbers, white half runner green beans, new potatoes, bell peppers, kale, and herb plants.

Brushy Mountain Farm and Orchard – lots of wonderful peaches!

Mountain Roots – Asparagus, shiitake mushrooms, strawberries, Chinese cabbage, collards, several varieties of kale (green & scarlet curly, dino and red russian), buttercrunch lettuce, red & green romaine lettuce, baby leaf salad mix, spicy salad mix, arugula and radishes. From the nursery we’ll have blueberry bushes, native azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese maples, service berries and perennials.

Tumbling Shoals Farm – certified organic romaine lettuce (last week), green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce, scallions, radishes, black Spanish radishes, green curly kale, dinosaur kale (a.k.a. lacinato kale, black kale, cavelo nero…), rainbow chard, collard greens, fennel, broccoli, zephyr summer squash, zucchini, Sugarloaf or chioggia radicchio, tendersweet cabbage, beets, blueberries, sunflowers, fresh cut herbs: cilantro, dill, oregano.  Also, blueberries!

Mountain Memories Farm – free samples from the grill including lamb or pork.  We offer all cuts of both along with a wide variety of special sausages in link and bulk. Another new item we offer in pork this year will be fresh bacon.  We also have eggs! Website –mtnmemoriesfarm.com and like us on facebook.

Blue Ridge Apiaries – locally produced wildflower honey, varietal honey, infused honey, creamed honey, bee pollen, as well as additional hive products.

Libby Lane Gourmet – offering their popular new pimento cheeses made with local Ashe County Cheese and their famous Fishel’s Moravian Chicken Pies.

Brooks Farm Beef – high quality grass fed beef that we have brought the past nine years to the market! Ranging from steaks, roasts, beef tips, ground beef and many other cuts. This beef is for the consumer who wants red meat that is healthy and tastes great.