Athens Locally Grown

How to contact us:
Our Website: athens.locallygrown.net
On Twitter: @athlocallygrown
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/athenslocallygrown
On Thursdays: Here’s a map.

Market News

This week, I’d like to remind you about a feature of the website that’s been there for some time, but that you may have missed. When we started filling orders paperlessly a few years ago, I revamped the “Order History” that you can view by looking at the Your Account page. Back when we had a sheet of paper with your order on it, you could see right then if a grower couldn’t fill an item you had ordered. Now, we try to tell you (we can see that on our little screens), but I do sometimes get asked days or weeks later about missing items (often when someone else picked up the order, and word didn’t get passed back). The system records every time a grower takes something off your order by adding a note to the comment section of the order. Sometimes they’ll also email you in person, but not always. Additionally, the system records when we put an item in your basket or bag, and how you paid. If something turns up missing because the grower didn’t bring it, or if we later discover a bag with your name on it (usually because we accidentally gave you someone else’s), it’ll record that too. We automatically issue refunds for items you paid for but didn’t receive (and you’ll get an automated email each time), and that gets recorded also. You can see all these notes and details about your order by pulling it up in your order history and clicking the link for the PDF Invoice.

If you want to double-check our packing as we hand you your order, you can print out that invoice and bring it with you or load it up on your smart phone. There’s nothing wrong with that, and we welcome your diligence. By 2pm on Thursday, it should accurately reflect what you’re going to be getting that day. I will say that the paperless system has improved our order filling accuracy tremendously. We still have to refund a couple things each week, but well over 99.9% of the items are getting to where they’re supposed to go.

If you have entered your credit card into our system, we do not run those cards until after pickups close on Thursday night, and the total charged to your card reflects any adjustments that had to get made along the way. If there is any question, the PDF has an item by item accounting of everything you received and was charged for, so we can go back over that at any time.

If you’ve ordered something one week and want to order it again, but can’t quite remember what it was called or who sold it, there’s a simpler version of your order history right on the market page. If you never use it, you can hide it, but what makes it really useful is the items you ordered previously will have an “add to cart” link right next to them if they are currently being offered for sale again. If you like to buy the same things each week, it can really speed up your shopping time.

Finally, just a reminder that we don’t actually open and begin filling orders until 4:30pm on Thursdays. Sometimes we get a line of people forming at 4pm, when growers are still trying to load and unload. I get a little worried about having all that truck traffic going through a crowd of people for one, and it’s also just human nature to get a little frustrated when you’ve been waiting in line for a while. If the growers have all come early and we have things under control, we will start filling orders early, as soon as we’re able. But keep in mind that we don’t open until 4:30pm, so if you’re in a hurry at 4 and want your items right away, odds are we won’t be able to help you. We’re usually in a mad rush ourselves just trying to get everything organized in the back. The growers fill items in the order that they were bought, not in the order that you arrive, so getting there super early won’t help you get items in short supply.

Thanks so much for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers, local food, and our rights to eat it. You all are part of what makes Athens such a great area in which to live. We’ll see you on Thursday at Ben’s Bikes at the corner of Pope and Broad Streets from 4:30 to 8pm!

Upcoming Events

The “Starting a Small Farm Business” program is designed to provide farmers with information on the business aspects of operating a farm. This workshop covers important tools and resources a farm business needs to establish a solid foundation during its formative years. Participants will learn business basics such as defining target market, record-keeping, understanding cash flow, and the importance of a business plan. Registration: $30, includes light refreshments. Registration limited to 30 participants. Register online at http://www.georgiasbdc.org/ce/athens or call 706-542- 7436 for more information. Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2014 (Register by Feb. 7th) Time: 6:00 – 9:00 pm Location: Oconee County Extension Office, 1420 Government Station Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677

The 2014 Master Composter Program is beginning January 29th. This nine week program is for those who would like to learn a great deal about the composting process and volunteer in the local community teaching others about the wonders of composting. DATES: Wednesday evenings, January 29th – Wednesday, March 26,2014 including two Saturday morning field trips as follows: Saturday, February 22 and March 16, 2014. TIMES: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM LOCATION: ACC Solid Waste Department Administration Building Training Room, 725 Hancock Industrial Way, Athens 30605 COST: $145 TO REGISTER: Contact ACC Cooperative Extension at (706) 613-3640

Winter is traditionally the time of year for farming conferences, since, in the past, farmers largely took the season off. That’s no longer the case, as the bountiful harvest offered at our market this week can attest, but it’s still the time of conferences. There are two coming up in the net few weeks you may be interested in. The first is offered by Georgia Organics, and is being held down in Tybee Island on February 21-22 this year. Not only is it a great conference for learning (I attended my first GO conference back in 2002 before I even put a single seed in the ground at my then new farm), but it can’t be surpassed for camaraderie and socialization with people who believe like we do in the re-building of sustainable local food systems. If you want to attend, you can find more information at their website here: http://georgiaorganics.org/conference. The South Carolina Organization for Organic Living has a much newer conference, but is even closer to us. It is being held on March 1st in Greenville. It is only one day, but it’s a jam-packed one. You can find more information here: http://www.scorganicliving.com/2014_Conference_Classes.html

Other Area Farmers Markets

The Washington-Wilkes Farmer’s Market in Washington is open every Saturday 9-12 behind the Washington Courthouse. Bishop has started their first ever “Bishop Central Winter Market” that runs every Sat. from 10-2 pm downtown Bishop, at Bradford Pottery on Hwy 441, from Dec 14 through Jan 18, featuring all local veggies, grass fed meats and cheeses, eggs, baked goods, farm crafts and more. The Athens Farmers Market has closed for the winter. You can watch for news during the offseason on their website. The other area markets I haven’t mentioned are also all closed for the season. We’ll be here all year round, however!

All of these other markets are separate from ALG (including the Athens Farmers Market) but many growers sell at multiple markets. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so!

We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible!