Watauga County Farmers' Market

One of the most exciting aspects of being at the Watauga County Farmers' Market is meeting young people who have chosen the often difficult path of farming and marketing fresh produce. The market offers a great opportunity to support farmers young and old as they work to improve our food system and preserve open spaces. The opportunity to show your support and indulge in some of the freshest food available will begin on this Saturday, May 4. We have been enjoying a very pleasant spring with nice warm work days followed by some nice soaking rains. Conditions are favorable for some superior crops.

Those of us who appreciate the finest spring salad greens will not be disappointed this Saturday as quite a few of the vendors will be harvesting their best leafy greens. Sally Thiel and Joe Martin of Zydeco Moon Farm will have organic asparagus as well as lettuce and spinach harvested just for the occasion. The main course for your meal is also provided for as several vendors will be providing local beef, pork and poultry at the market this year.

Several vendors have taken note of the demand for farm fresh eggs at the market and have increased their flocks. Jeff Thomas of Creeksong Farm is among those who will be bringing free-range chicken eggs this Saturday. Jeff will also be harvesting bunches of spring onions, and will have a wide variety of garden transplants to offer including culinary herbs, tomato and lettuce plants and lots of other types of vegetable seedlings. Jeff also offers the often difficult to locate and wonderfully fragrant pineapple sage transplants. Larry Denny also has an outstanding selection of vegetable transplants including cucumbers and summer squash. Larry also offers 15 different varieties of tomato plants, including Better Boy, Big Boy, Beefsteak and German Johnson, and also has some fine looking peonies in full bloom.

James Wilkes of Faith Mountain Farm will also have happy chicken eggs to offer along with the home baked breads, muffins, and scones that have become so popular at the market. Shoppers can also look forward to a fresh cup of morning coffee, as Rebecca Kaenzig and the Bald Guy Brew's Don Cox will be returning to the market this year.

Shoppers can also look forward to the return of the fine hand crafts that decorate the market so well. Several crafters including Mary Prewett and Jeff Martin Designs have expanded their inventory. Rumors have been spreading that Kim Miller has been working on some hand carved walking sticks. Let's all hope that this is indeed fact.

Find us at the Horn in the West in Boone, turn next to First Citizens Bank on Highway 105 Extension and go to the top of the hill. Call WCFM manager Karen Bauman at 1-828-355-4918, send an send an email for more information. We will be there rain or shine!