Availability for May 3

It seems the more I tell people about Locally Grown, what we do and how we do it, the more people seem to like it. Except for one little thing…

Our system has helped the growers considerably by taking out the speculation that goes into selling at a regular farmers market, and from what you’ve told me, it does the same for you the customer. In almost every respect, what we do is better than a traditional market. The one thing we lack, though, is the social atmosphere that a thriving market provides.

I know you all get a chance to meet each other and converse when you wait in line as I fall behind putting orders together, but that’s not the same thing. Many of you lived elsewhere before moving to Athens where markets were not just the place to go buy veggies, but were just the place to be, to meet up with friends, to watch demonstrations, etc.

We’ve managed to have the isolated event here and there, but things have shaped up this year to allow us to offer a series of coordinated events throughout the year that may help bring that missing piece back to our market. Thanks to the efforts of member Marc Tissenbaum, we’ll be offering monthly “Farmer For a Day” sessions at member farms each month, starting on May 19th at Two Swallows Farm in Comer. The full calendar and details are still coming together, but in general they’ll work like this: people will meet at the farm at 10am on a Saturday morning (organized car pooling is in the works). From 10 to noon, participants will get to see first-hand what goes into producing their food by helping with small fun and interesting projects the grower will have prepared. We’ll then have lunch (free for all volunteers) followed by a full tour of the farm. More details and a full schedule will follow, but if it sounds fun, mark your calendars for May 19th.

Justin Ellis, a recent Athens resident and new LG member is also organizing an interesting event of an entirely different sort. He calls it “Athens Tour de Farm” and here’s what he has to say:

“ATHENS Tour de Farm 2007 is a remarkable opportunity to see, touch, taste and explore a broad diversity of local farms during a three day bicycle journey across the North Georgia landscape. Over the course of the journey 30 riders will visit 8 farms in three counties, traveling nearly 100 miles, providing a host of stories to tell about great food, interesting farmers, and the secrets of our rural landscape. The event is held on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday on June 8th-10th. In that brief span of time we’ll visit an array of farms featuring cattle, quail, chickens, goats, alfalfa, wheat, organic fruits and vegetables, a dairy cow, blueberries, and even a farm powered by a mule named Luke. We’ll pass by small towns, antebellum homes, and even a covered bridge. Delicious farm fresh meals will be provided, and each night will camp in the pastures beneath the stars. Athens Tour de Farm promises to be a one of kind experience for the whole family; an educational opportunity wrapped up in an adventure! Now tell me that don’t sound neat! For more information on registration visit the website at http://www.farmlandconservation.org.”

We’ll have more details as that event draws closer, but if you’re interested in that, head over to his website. He only has a limited number of slots open for the tour.

And of course, if you’re a hermit (like I tend to be sometimes), you can continue to quietly slip into Gosford Wine to get your veggies and split. Nothing wrong with that.

One other note. Jim McBride, of Jim’s Farm, has this to say: “Jims Farm, Winterville can no longer produce the kind of food we all want due to a serious back problem. Anyone with a real [3+ days] interest in growing from seed to harvest, and all the chores in between, is invited to “work for food”. jimsfarm@alltel.net – 706-742-5805”

Finally, on to the produce. It is a dairy week, and we’ll be running to Split Creek and Diamond Hill to pick up your orders. Split Creek does have chevon (goat meat) this week, so now is your chance to get stew meat, roasts, and ground. They tend to sell out fairly quickly, so this week may be your only chance for those items.

Thanks for all your support! We’ll see you on Thursday from 4:30 to 7pm at Gosford Wine.