Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
April 03, 2008 issue
Vendor Meeting and Orientation April 23
Story by Celeste von Mangan
Did you ever wish there were a marketplace to buy a homemade loaf of bread, fresh eggs or locally grown produce on a Sunday? Or are you the founder and operator of a home-based cottage industry, seeking a sales outlet for your products? Who says wishes do not come true?
This year, a brand new farmers’ market—the High Country Farmers’ Market—will debut this year. Opening day and other details about the market are still in development, although the vendors who join will sell their goods in the parking area of the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center building in Boone, every Sunday between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. rain or shine, beginning this spring. A vendor meeting and orientation will be held on Wednesday, April 23, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center at 252 Poplar Grove Road in Boone. Anyone who would like to be a vendor is required to attend.
The High Country Farmers’ Market is a separate entity from the Watauga County Farmers’ Market, although two longtime Watauga market vendors—Bill Moretz and Carol Miller—are organizing the new market.
“Our hope in beginning this new market is to provide an additional sales option for local growers or producers,” said Miller. “We feel strongly that our area has untapped resources and a rich agricultural heritage and while we can’t save every family farm or cottage industry, we want to assist as many as possible with this new sales venue.”
The mission statement for High Country Farmers’ Market echoes Miller’s words: “To provide a local venue for the small family grower or producer to promote their homegrown/handmade products directly, on a one-to one basis to the consumer and to provide consumers with a market place where they may obtain freshly grown farm products, handmade and value added products directly from local home businesses. The market will strive to provide information to the local community on benefits provided by agricultural and related cottage industries. Additionally, the High Country Farmers’ Market will endeavor to provide its vendors with educational information in order to enhance their agribusiness in the areas of marketing, sales and customer relations. Through its vendors, the market will provide product information to others who wish to engage in growing and making their own products.”
Starting a new market is a venture Miller and some other Watauga County Farmers’ Market vendors discussed for some time.
“The whole local food movement is increasing,” she said. “The price of food has gone up a lot and while we have to raise our prices a little, buying locally grown food and handmade local goods eliminates the need for high transportation costs.”
Miller’s family is actively involved in the production and distribution of local food. She, husband Steve and daughter Becky plan to sell at five different venues during the farmers’ market season.
“We’re not competing with the Watauga market,” added Miller. “We’re a part of that market too.”
To sum up the philosophy of the High Country Farmers’ Market, Miller quoted from a book authored by Brian Halwell called No More Anonymous Food: “Knowing where your food was grown is only the beginning. At a time when our food travels farther than ever before, eating local is not just about geography—it’s about the end of anonymous food. It’s about asking how our food was raised, who raised it, and what impact it had on the landscape. Remember, food is still our most intimate connection to the soil and water around us.”
For more information about becoming a vendor at the High Country Farmers’ Market, call Miller at 336-385-9419 or Bill Moretz at 828-264-3424. Send emails to pfvinegars@yahoo.com.
What: Prospective Vendors’ Meeting
Date: Wednesday, April 23
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center
Cost: Free
Ashe County Farmers Market Opens for 2008 Season April 12
Story by Celeste von Mangan
A new season is just beginning for the Ashe County Farmers’ Market, with opening day set for Saturday, April 12, earlier than last year’s start.
And new may well be the key word for the 2008 market run.
The general membership elected the board in February: Joe Stanley is president, Hollis Wild is vice president, Stacy Martin is secretary and Carol Coulter is treasurer. Board members are Linda Bennett, Jeanne Berry, Luther Krider, Ronnie Norris, Ann Rose and Claudine Silver.
The market now has two logos, and T-shirts, hats and shopping totes with the new designs will be available to market patrons. The market’s new website will feature vendor information, special events and produce that is currently available at the market.
An opening day ceremony on April 12 will begin at 12:30 p.m., and the public is invited to attend. Two flags will be raised—an American flag donated by the American Legion and a North Carolina state flag that has flown over the Capitol in Raleigh, presented to the community by Representative Cullie Tarleton.
“I am excited about the 2008 farmers’ market season,” said Patty Shay, market manager. “We have a terrific mix of producers comprising the vendor lineup this year. The Ashe County Farmers’ Market is not only a place to shop for wonderful, locally produced items, but it is also a place to learn to socialize and to enjoy the friendliness of small-town life at its best. It is so rewarding to see the market enjoy so much support from visitors, the local community and officials of the Town of West Jefferson, as well as the county of Ashe.”
Founded in 1990 by local growers as a small tailgate market, the Ashe County Farmers’ Market mission was to sell products handmade and homegrown in Ashe County—a mission and tradition upheld to this day. Market products include nursery plants, fresh eggs, meat, homemade bread and pastries, culinary vinegars, jams, jellies, handcrafted soaps and Appalachian heirloom arts and crafts.
Located at 10 North Second Street in Downtown West Jefferson, also known as the Backstreet, the Ashe County Farmers’ Market is open air, yet provides a covered shelter for vendors and patrons, as well as public restrooms. The Saturday markets begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. Click to www.ashefarmersmarket.com.
Date: Saturday, April 12
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Backstreet, West Jefferson
Cost: Free
Ashe County Farmers Market Events, 2008
The following special events for the 2008 season will all be held during the normal Saturday markets.
April 12: Market Opening Day and Flag Dedication
May 3: Ashe County High School Chorus Performance
May 10: Spring Planting Day
June 14; Go Local Grilling Demonstration
June 28: Fiber Arts Day
July 5: Christmas in July
July 12: Herb Day
July 26: Summer Produce Day
August 9: Quilting Demonstration and Displays
August 23: Celebrate the Tomato Day
September 27: Harvest Festival and Farm Animal Day
October 18: Fall Festival