Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

|| High Country Press Newswire

February 5, 2009 Issue

Ashe County Farmers Winter Market Saturday

It’s time to stock up on delicious, locally produced meats, cheese, eggs and other items when a small group of Ashe County Farmers’ Market vendors sets up for a winter market on Saturday, February 7, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Some of the market’s vendors have all-season products and customers who clamor for a way to buy after the market closes. So the board of directors decided at their last meeting to make the Farmers’ Market available to vendors with products to sell. Visitors to the market can expect a great selection of meats, such as pastured pork, lamb and grass-fed beef. Also available will be farm fresh eggs, locally made artisan goat’s milk cheeses, fresh herbs, winter greens, organic dog biscuits and goat’s milk soap.

Winter farmers’ markets are growing in number across the country, and this trend is likely to continue as the demand for locally raised farm products increases and as farmers employ season-extending practices such as cold frames and greenhouses. Although somewhat of an impromptu decision to open the Ashe market, it is a great way to provide a needed selling venue to some local farmers and to test the waters for possibly adding a more extensive winter market schedule next year.

Another winter market is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

The Ashe County Farmers’ Market is located on the Backstreet in downtown West Jefferson. For inquires about the market, contact Market Manager Patty Shay at 336-977-4735.