Athens.LocallyGrown.net

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

Athens will have its first freeze of the season this week, so we can expect to see a quick decline in the range of summer veggies available at our market. It won’t be the complete end, though, and that’s due in some part to a great program funded through the USDA. Several of our growers qualified for a grant program in the last few years that funded building what is known as “high tunnels”, a type of hooped greenhouse made of a rigid metal pipe frame and then covered with a skin of plastic. They’re sometimes heated, but often the solar heat captured by the plastic and by passive water heat collectors is enough to keep what’s growing warm enough through the night. The program is an advanced research project, building upon earlier work done on a few farms. The goals include seeing if a standardized high tunnel design can be easily built and operated on a wide variety of small farms, and to see if they can greatly increase production during a time of year when small growers have traditionally had little to nothing harvestable.

It’s a long-term project, and we’re only seen a couple winters of production from the tunnels, but so far all of the growers involved are excited and optimistic. It’s not often that you see federal agriculture dollars make their way to small scale producers, and it’s even rarer that you see money spent on projects that can have such a large return on the investment for the community. Not only are the growers able to extend their income potential, but we customers have access to more variety of fresh food for a longer part of the year. Not only that, but it can help growers who were only marginally able to break even (if that) get on more secure footing, and so keeping more farming operations going in the long term. It’s not a lot of money involved (as far as federal dollars go), but the USDA seems to have found a point of high leverage here.

In part because of the expected production of these new tunnels, the Athens Farmers Market runs longer than years past, well into December. Athens Locally Grown, of course, will continue the year round, as we have for the past five or six years.

We will be taking Thanksgiving week off, however. It’s the only week of the year we close completely, so if there are things you’d like for your Thanksgiving meal, you’ll need to plan ahead and order them early.

There are a few new items on the site especially relevant for holiday feasting. Doug is back with a fresh catch of sustainable Alaskan salmon, and this year he’s had some somked a couple different ways as well as fileted and cut into steaks. He also caught some halibut, and you’ll see that listed as well. Also, Southern SCratch returned to us last week with fantastically delicious baked goods, and has many gift boxes and other items fit for a feast. And of course all of our other growers and food producers are in full swing, listing a combined 1028 items. Happy eating!

Thank you for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers and their hard work, 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!

Other Area Farmers Markets

The Athens Farmers Market happens Saturday mornings at Bishop Park and on Wednesday afternoons downtown at outside City Hall. You can find more information on their website.

Also, Watkinsville has a thriving farmers market every Saturday morning, in front of the Oconee County courthouse. And further east, Comer has a nice little market Saturday mornings as well. Both are worth visiting. If you know of other area farmers markets, please let me know so I can list them here as well.

Many of the ALG growers sell through more than one market. Don’t feel like you have to choose a favorite, either. We have many items here you can’t find there, and I’m sure the reverse it also true. Many people stop by the supermarket several times a week, so it’s only natural that you might wish to stop by a farmers market several times a week. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so. We’ll see you there!

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!

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

Yesterday was our annual “Hunter’s Moon Feast” out at my place, an event that celebrates another wonderful year of Athens Locally Grown. This past year was our eleventh year of connecting our community’s small sustainable growers with those looking for the kind of food they produce, and every year has been better than the last: more growers, more food choices, more people fed. The feast doesn’t mark the end of the season, though! We go on all year ’round, even after the other farmers markets shut down for the winter. Our growers have gotten pretty good at managing their passively-heated hoop houses and actively heated greenhouses to keep the greens coming through the winter, and sometimes even surprise us with beans, cucumbers, and even tomatoes when the ground outside is icy.

It was a busy and really pretty stressful week for me at Locally Grown. I’ve been working on a big software and server upgrade for our website for a couple months, and Thursday night after our pickup was my go-live date. There’s a huge list of what changed, since practically everything but the actual look and feel of the system got touched in some way. It used to be when I made changes, it was no big deal, but now there are about 300 markets across the continent using the website all at the same time, and I have to treat things like I’m a big software company with many thousands of customers. Because, I kind of am. There were a few minor glitches that have been getting worked out, but over all things went very well. I’ve seen billion dollar companies mess up server upgrades, so I was a bot nervous. Now that that’s done, I’ve got a whole mess of improvements and new features I’d like to add. It’ll be an exciting year ahead!

Thank you for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers and their hard work, 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!

Other Area Farmers Markets

The Athens Farmers Market happens Saturday mornings at Bishop Park and on Wednesday afternoons downtown at outside City Hall. You can find more information on their website.

Also, Watkinsville has a thriving farmers market every Saturday morning, in front of the Oconee County courthouse. And further east, Comer has a nice little market Saturday mornings as well. Both are worth visiting. If you know of other area farmers markets, please let me know so I can list them here as well.

Many of the ALG growers sell through more than one market. Don’t feel like you have to choose a favorite, either. We have many items here you can’t find there, and I’m sure the reverse it also true. Many people stop by the supermarket several times a week, so it’s only natural that you might wish to stop by a farmers market several times a week. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so. We’ll see you there!

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!

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

One of my favorite events of the year is next Saturday, conveniently located (for me) at my house: the annual ALG Hunters’ Moon Feast. I’d love for you to come out too! You can make reservations for this free event when you place your order. Just look in the “Event Reservations” category. Here’s some more information:

Athens Locally Grown Hunter’s Moon Feast, Boann’s Banks (Royston), Saturday, October 20 The October full moon has been known as the “Hunter’s Moon” for millennia, and was a time of feasting throughout the Northern hemisphere. We revive the notion here with a day of feasting at Boann’s Banks (the farm of Athens Locally Grown managers Chris and Eric Wagoner) on the banks of the Broad River outside Royston. The full moon is actually the following week, but we don’t want you to choose between Halloween parties and this, so we’ll go first. It’ll be a low-key affair, without any farm work for you to do. Just good food and drink. Eric will prepare a variety of dishes using locally grown vegetables and locally raised meats, some home-fermented cider, and other goodies. There’ll certainly be good company (all of you), and a river to splash in. There’s even some camping space, for those who really want to enjoy the moon. Come any time, but I’ll be aiming for 2pm to have the BBQ and other dishes ready. Stay as long as you’d like, even into Sunday. Nights are chilly, though, so bring a tent if you’re wanting to do that. There is no charge for Locally Grown members and their families. We do ask that you bring a dish to share, and if it’s made from Locally Grown ingredients, so much the better.

Thank you for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers and their hard work, 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!

Other Area Farmers Markets

The Athens Farmers Market happens Saturday mornings at Bishop Park and on Wednesday afternoons downtown at outside City Hall. You can find more information on their website.

Also, Watkinsville has a thriving farmers market every Saturday morning, in front of the Oconee County courthouse. And further east, Comer has a nice little market Saturday mornings as well. Both are worth visiting. If you know of other area farmers markets, please let me know so I can list them here as well.

Many of the ALG growers sell through more than one market. Don’t feel like you have to choose a favorite, either. We have many items here you can’t find there, and I’m sure the reverse it also true. Many people stop by the supermarket several times a week, so it’s only natural that you might wish to stop by a farmers market several times a week. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so. We’ll see you there!

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!

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

There have been more food safety scares in the news lately. It’s become so common that the recalls are just another story, not headlines. When the factory farms and food processing facilities do get called out and held responsible for their dangerous practices, they testify that food production is inherently dangerous, that it’s impossible for anyone to produce clean food. And so rules get proposed that make things a little harder on those mega-facilities and nearly impossible for food producers like those who sell through Athens Locally Grown. It’s true that they cannot safely produce food. At their scales and speeds, contamination is nearly inevitable and attempts to kill the contamination through ultra-pasteurization, ammonia baths, radiation, and other means break down the nutrition that’s left. What gets put in the grocery stores are empty shells of what food used to be, sometimes fortified with vitamins produced in laboratories and minerals dug out of the earth and ground up into a fine powder. But they testify that this is the only way it can be done, and so rules get written that put it into law: that is the only way.

You all who buy food through Athens Locally Grown and other places where you can meet the grower, see how they produce, know where it’s grown and where it gets sold, know that the factory way is not the only way. You know it’s possible to eat strawberries that haven’t been bred to be giant monster fruit, red on the outside but white clear through, crunchy instead of juicy, and with no flavor at all. You know that you can eat salads made from greens that haven’t been washed in giant vats holding tons of other greens. You know that you can eat hamburgers that came from one cow, not hundreds of cows mixed together, and that the cow was healthy and lived like cows are designed to do.

So when you see the news about unsafe food and hear friends exclaim that something must be done, please agree with them: factory food is unsafe, and something must be done about it. They, and they alone, must be accountable for the environments that they have created, and we need to be as careful as we can that our food does not come from them. The fact that you’re even reading this shows that you’re on the right path. Spread the word, so that others may follow.

The Saturday after next, October 20th, is ALG’s annual “Hunter’s Moon Feast”, held out at my place in Royston on the Broad River. I’m going to be spending most of next week cooking a selection of ALG meats for those coming, and they will all be bringing veggie, bread, and dessert dishes to go on the table too. Every year, it ranks as one of the best meals I’ve had all year, thanks to the cooking talents of everyone who comes. Even though I concentrate on the meat, it’s also a vegetarian-friendly event, so don’t let the bbq keep you away. It’s free to all ALG members, but I do ask you make reservations so I can get a good head count. You’ll see the event in the market under the “Event Reservations” category. Please come!

Thank you for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers and their hard work, 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 Local Food Events

Athens Locally Grown Hunter’s Moon Feast, Boann’s Banks (Royston), Saturday, October 20 The October full moon has been known as the “Hunter’s Moon” for millennia, and was a time of feasting throughout the Northern hemisphere. We revive the notion here with a day of feasting at Boann’s Banks (the farm of Athens Locally Grown managers Chris and Eric Wagoner) on the banks of the Broad River outside Royston. The full moon is actually the following week, but we don’t want you to choose between Halloween parties and this, so we’ll go first. It’ll be a low-key affair, without any farm work for you to do. Just good food and drink. Eric will prepare a variety of dishes using locally grown vegetables and locally raised meats, some home-fermented wine, mead, or cider, and other goodies. There’ll certainly be good company (all of you), and a river to splash in. There’s even some camping space, for those who really want to enjoy the moon. Come any time, but I’ll be aiming for 2pm to have the BBQ and other dishes ready. Stay as long as you’d like, even into Sunday. Nights are chilly, though, so bring a tent if you’re wanting to do that. There is no charge for Locally Grown members and their families. We do ask that you bring a dish to share, and if it’s made from Locally Grown ingredients, so much the better.

Other Area Farmers Markets

The Athens Farmers Market happens Saturday mornings at Bishop Park and on Wednesday afternoons downtown at outside City Hall. You can find more information on their website.

Also, Watkinsville has a thriving farmers market every Saturday morning, in front of the Oconee County courthouse. And further east, Comer has a nice little market Saturday mornings as well. Both are worth visiting. If you know of other area farmers markets, please let me know so I can list them here as well.

Many of the ALG growers sell through more than one market. Don’t feel like you have to choose a favorite, either. We have many items here you can’t find there, and I’m sure the reverse it also true. Many people stop by the supermarket several times a week, so it’s only natural that you might wish to stop by a farmers market several times a week. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so. We’ll see you there!

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!

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

October is here, and coming in with a glorious gentle rain. The weather has been perfect for the fresh crops of leafy greens and brassicas that are out in the gardens. There are quite a few new products are the market this week, and it will only climb for the next several weeks as the Fall goodies come in. I expect my first frost in two to three weeks, but it might not reach Athens for a week or two after that. We can expect to see the summer items continue to come in strong until then, and still have some after that thanks to growers who have planted under hoophouses and other cold protection.

One of our growers has put his farm, specializing in Lenten Roses, up for sale, and it seems to be a steal. If you’ve been wanting to start a horticultural business, this may be just the opportunity for you. You can find all the details at his website here: http://LentenRose.com/forsale.php.

I’m busy making preparations to host you at my house on October 20th for the annual ALG Hunters’ Moon Feast. You’ll find more details below, and can make reservations for this free event when you place your order. Just look in the “Event Reservations” category.

Thank you for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers and their hard work, 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 Local Food Events

Athens Locally Grown Hunter’s Moon Feast, Boann’s Banks (Royston), Saturday, October 20 The October full moon has been known as the “Hunter’s Moon” for millennia, and was a time of feasting throughout the Northern hemisphere. We revive the notion here with a day of feasting at Boann’s Banks (the farm of Athens Locally Grown managers Chris and Eric Wagoner) on the banks of the Broad River outside Royston. The full moon is actually the following week, but we don’t want you to choose between Halloween parties and this, so we’ll go first. It’ll be a low-key affair, without any farm work for you to do. Just good food and drink. Eric will prepare a variety of dishes using locally grown vegetables and locally raised meats, some home-fermented wine, mead, or cider, and other goodies. There’ll certainly be good company (all of you), and a river to splash in. There’s even some camping space, for those who really want to enjoy the moon. Come any time, but I’ll be aiming for 2pm to have the BBQ and other dishes ready. Stay as long as you’d like, even into Sunday. Nights are chilly, though, so bring a tent if you’re wanting to do that. There is no charge for Locally Grown members and their families. We do ask that you bring a dish to share, and if it’s made from Locally Grown ingredients, so much the better.

Other Area Farmers Markets

The Athens Farmers Market happens Saturday mornings at Bishop Park and on Wednesday afternoons downtown at outside City Hall. You can find more information on their website.

Also, Watkinsville has a thriving farmers market every Saturday morning, in front of the Oconee County courthouse. And further east, Comer has a nice little market Saturday mornings as well. Both are worth visiting. If you know of other area farmers markets, please let me know so I can list them here as well.

Many of the ALG growers sell through more than one market. Don’t feel like you have to choose a favorite, either. We have many items here you can’t find there, and I’m sure the reverse it also true. Many people stop by the supermarket several times a week, so it’s only natural that you might wish to stop by a farmers market several times a week. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so. We’ll see you there!

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!

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

A good number of us spent the day today over at 3 Porch Farm in Comer, GA today, for our final “Farmer for a Day” event of the year. We made many new strawberry beds, cleaned out the tomato garden, weeded a hoophouse, and did a number of other things that needed doing. We then broke for a lunch and got to know each other, and ended things up with a tour of their beautiful farm. It was a wonderful day. We’ll start up again in the spring with a whole new set of participating farms, and we hope that you’ll be able to join us for them.

We do have one more event coming up this year. Every October I host a “Hunter’s Moon” feast at my house, up in Franklin County along the Broad River. I cook up a wide variety of the pastured meat available through ALG (and this year I’ve also brewed up five gallons of hard Apple Cider from semi-local apples), and everyone who comes brings a dish to share. The result is always one of my favorite meals of the year, and there’s always plenty for every dietary concern. I’d love it if you came out too. This year it’ll be on October 20th. You can find out all the details in the “Event Reservations” category, and make (free) reservations as you place your order. Please come!

Next Sunday, Georgia Organics is holding its wildly popular “Feel of Greens” festival up the road in Walnut Grove, GA. If you’re at all interested in how the state’s finest chefs cook up the state’s finest produce, you need to check it out. You can find all the details at their website: http://fieldofgreensfestival.com.

Thank you for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers and their hard work, 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!

Other Area Farmers Markets

The Athens Farmers Market happens Saturday mornings at Bishop Park and on Wednesday afternoons downtown at outside City Hall. You can find more information on their website.

Also, Watkinsville has a thriving farmers market every Saturday morning, in front of the Oconee County courthouse. And further east, Comer has a nice little market Saturday mornings as well. Both are worth visiting. If you know of other area farmers markets, please let me know so I can list them here as well.

Many of the ALG growers sell through more than one market. Don’t feel like you have to choose a favorite, either. We have many items here you can’t find there, and I’m sure the reverse it also true. Many people stop by the supermarket several times a week, so it’s only natural that you might wish to stop by a farmers market several times a week. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so. We’ll see you there!

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!

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

There are two farm tours scheduled for this coming week, one hosted by us at 3 Porch Farm and the other hosted y Georgia Organics at Broad River Pastures. We only have a few slots open for 3 Porch Farm on Sunday, and I’m not sure about availability for the other. You can find details about both tours further down below. We’d love to see you there!

I hope you’re enjoying this great weather we’ve been having. It’s the perfect time to start a fall garden, and in my opinion, fall is the best season to garden here. Greens of all sorts, root veggies, cabbages and broccoli, kohlrabi, and more grow so well in our autumns. And, you don’t have to be out there working in 110 degree heat. It’s win-win!

The nights are getting darker quicker, too, and it seems that has been throwing people off so that they forget to come pick up their orders. I do start calling everyone who hasn’t yet arrived at 7:30 to make reminders, so be sure the phone number on your account is correct and, ideally, a cell phone you’ll have with you at that time. Everyone forgets at one point or another, and if I can reach you that can keep you from having to pay for food you never received.

Thank you for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers and their hard work, 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 Local Food Events

Sunday September 23rd: Farmers for a Day at 3 Porch Farm in Madison County. It’s your LAST CHANCE in 2012 to participate in our Farmer for a Day Events. This is the fifth FREE event in the Farmer for a Day Tour Series of 2012. 3 Porch Farm is Certified Naturally Grown, but their commitment to sustainability goes way beyond certification standards. Their farm equipment runs on recycled waste vegetable oil from Athens restaurants, and they recently converted the entire farm to solar power. Their goal is to be as close to carbon neutral as possible and to use as many locally harvested building materials or green products that they can in their infrastructure. They have an exciting mission to fill the void of naturally grown local fruit. They are experimenting with a wide variety. Items will be on sale at their farm store during the event.

Each “Farmer for a Day” event will offer you a chance to experience real work on the farm, so come prepared to work! The work session will last for two hours. You may want to bring your own work gloves, weeding or digging tools, etc. if you have them. Be sure to prepare for the weather appropriately and dress for getting dirty or muddy. You will be in an agricultural setting and can expect sun, rain, bugs, wildlife, dogs, electric fences, pets, and farm animals to be part of the experience. Do not bring your dog with you for a day in the country. Please plan to closely supervise your children during all activities. Water will be provided during the work session and lunch is provided by Athens Locally Grown and Earth Fare – Athens. Farmers may have products available for purchase at the event, so you may want to bring cash/checks and a cooler with you. If you have special dietary needs, plan accordingly to bring those with you. To save resources, bring your own water bottle and dishes with you.

Chores to be completed will involve preparing the garden area for fall. This will include pulling tomatoes, preparing beds for sowing, and planting new crops.

The schedule will approximate this:
9:30-10:00 AM Gather, meet and greet
10:00-12:00 Noon Do farm chores
12:00-1:00 PM Lunch and visit
1:00-2:00 Tour the facilities, Q&A, shop at the store

We are reserving 20 spots for the event. Don’t be left out! I will be taking names for a waiting list once we’ve filled our quota. lease note that you do not need to be a member of Athens Locally Grown to purchase an event ticket. Non members can sign up by emailing Cathy Payne. Address any questions to organizer Cathy Payne at 706-416-6611 or email broadriverpastures@gmail.com. Find out more and share photos and comments at http://tinyurl.com/6vtu6n9.

Tuesday September 25th: Georgia Organics Farm Tour at Broad River Pastures from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Elberton, GA. Broad River Pastures LLC is a diverse, 11 acre pasture-based heritage farmstead in Elbert County that was established in 2010. The farm focuses on the breeding and preservation of heritage livestock and the production of nutrient dense food. They breed American and Silver Fox meat rabbits, Gulf Coast Sheep, and English Shepherd farm collies. In addition, they raise Khaki Campbell ducks and a mixed flock of free range chickens for eggs. Permaculture design principles and ecofarming methods influence their decision making, and a dedicated few interns have helped turn their vision into reality.

Jon and Cathy left suburban Atlanta as retirees with no farm experience, but with a willingness to learn and a great passion for conservation and local food. They have been members of Georgia Organics since 2005 and take advantage of many of its educational and networking opportunities. Cathy participated in the Farmer to Farmer Mentor program in 2010-2011.

Broad River Pastures has a conservation plan with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This plan has supported them in the implementation of a riparian forest buffer, construction of pasture fences, establishment of pasture forage, nutrient management, pest management, installation of water pipelines, prescribed grazing, and installation of portable watering founts. They have also been approved for the construction of a roof runoff structure to collect and recycle rain water, a seasonal high tunnel system for crops, and a stand alone compost facility to recycle farm waste products.

Register for this free event here: https://app.etapestry.com/cart/GeorgiaOrganics/default/item.php?ref=1875.0.353573955

Other Area Farmers Markets

The Athens Farmers Market happens Saturday mornings at Bishop Park and on Wednesday afternoons downtown at outside City Hall. You can find more information on their website.

Also, Watkinsville has a thriving farmers market every Saturday morning, in front of the Oconee County courthouse. And further east, Comer has a nice little market Saturday mornings as well. Both are worth visiting. If you know of other area farmers markets, please let me know so I can list them here as well.

Many of the ALG growers sell through more than one market. Don’t feel like you have to choose a favorite, either. We have many items here you can’t find there, and I’m sure the reverse it also true. Many people stop by the supermarket several times a week, so it’s only natural that you might wish to stop by a farmers market several times a week. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so. We’ll see you there!

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!

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

Finally, this weekend we got a taste of the cool fall air heading our way! Autumn is far and away my favorite season, and even though overall, despite a week of the hottest temperatures ever, this summer wasn’t so bad, I’m really glad most of the heat is behind us.

One of the benefits of cooler weather is the return of salad greens. I despised salad as a child, but now that I’m older and wiser (and can make them with things I like), I can just about eat my weight in salad. If you’re the same way, you’ve got a new option for your dressing. Long-time ALG member Dottie Joel has had her dressing recipes immortalized by her niece in a new line of products called “Aunt Dottie’s Salad Dressings”, and you can find them at EarthFare in the refrigerated section. I’m looking forward to trying them out!

Thank you for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers and their hard work, 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 Local Food Events

Sunday September 23rd: Farmers for a Day at 3 Porch Farm in Madison County. It’s your LAST CHANCE in 2012 to participate in our Farmer for a Day Events. This is the fifth FREE event in the Farmer for a Day Tour Series of 2012. 3 Porch Farm is Certified Naturally Grown, but their commitment to sustainability goes way beyond certification standards. Their farm equipment runs on recycled waste vegetable oil from Athens restaurants, and they recently converted the entire farm to solar power. Their goal is to be as close to carbon neutral as possible and to use as many locally harvested building materials or green products that they can in their infrastructure. They have an exciting mission to fill the void of naturally grown local fruit. They are experimenting with a wide variety. Items will be on sale at their farm store during the event.

Each “Farmer for a Day” event will offer you a chance to experience real work on the farm, so come prepared to work! The work session will last for two hours. You may want to bring your own work gloves, weeding or digging tools, etc. if you have them. Be sure to prepare for the weather appropriately and dress for getting dirty or muddy. You will be in an agricultural setting and can expect sun, rain, bugs, wildlife, dogs, electric fences, pets, and farm animals to be part of the experience. Do not bring your dog with you for a day in the country. Please plan to closely supervise your children during all activities. Water will be provided during the work session and lunch is provided by Athens Locally Grown and Earth Fare – Athens. Farmers may have products available for purchase at the event, so you may want to bring cash/checks and a cooler with you. If you have special dietary needs, plan accordingly to bring those with you. To save resources, bring your own water bottle and dishes with you.

Chores to be completed will involve preparing the garden area for fall. This will include pulling tomatoes, preparing beds for sowing, and planting new crops.

The schedule will approximate this:
9:30-10:00 AM Gather, meet and greet
10:00-12:00 Noon Do farm chores
12:00-1:00 PM Lunch and visit
1:00-2:00 Tour the facilities, Q&A, shop at the store

We are reserving 20 spots for the event. Don’t be left out! I will be taking names for a waiting list once we’ve filled our quota. lease note that you do not need to be a member of Athens Locally Grown to purchase an event ticket. Non members can sign up by emailing Cathy Payne. Address any questions to organizer Cathy Payne at 706-416-6611 or email broadriverpastures@gmail.com. Find out more and share photos and comments at http://tinyurl.com/6vtu6n9.

Tuesday September 25th: Georgia Organics Farm Tour at Broad River Pastures from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Elberton, GA. Broad River Pastures LLC is a diverse, 11 acre pasture-based heritage farmstead in Elbert County that was established in 2010. The farm focuses on the breeding and preservation of heritage livestock and the production of nutrient dense food. They breed American and Silver Fox meat rabbits, Gulf Coast Sheep, and English Shepherd farm collies. In addition, they raise Khaki Campbell ducks and a mixed flock of free range chickens for eggs. Permaculture design principles and ecofarming methods influence their decision making, and a dedicated few interns have helped turn their vision into reality.

Jon and Cathy left suburban Atlanta as retirees with no farm experience, but with a willingness to learn and a great passion for conservation and local food. They have been members of Georgia Organics since 2005 and take advantage of many of its educational and networking opportunities. Cathy participated in the Farmer to Farmer Mentor program in 2010-2011.

Broad River Pastures has a conservation plan with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This plan has supported them in the implementation of a riparian forest buffer, construction of pasture fences, establishment of pasture forage, nutrient management, pest management, installation of water pipelines, prescribed grazing, and installation of portable watering founts. They have also been approved for the construction of a roof runoff structure to collect and recycle rain water, a seasonal high tunnel system for crops, and a stand alone compost facility to recycle farm waste products.

Register for this free event here: https://app.etapestry.com/cart/GeorgiaOrganics/default/item.php?ref=1875.0.353573955

Other Area Farmers Markets

The Athens Farmers Market happens Saturday mornings at Bishop Park and on Wednesday afternoons downtown at outside City Hall. You can find more information on their website.

Also, Watkinsville has a thriving farmers market every Saturday morning, in front of the Oconee County courthouse. And further east, Comer has a nice little market Saturday mornings as well. Both are worth visiting. If you know of other area farmers markets, please let me know so I can list them here as well.

Many of the ALG growers sell through more than one market. Don’t feel like you have to choose a favorite, either. We have many items here you can’t find there, and I’m sure the reverse it also true. Many people stop by the supermarket several times a week, so it’s only natural that you might wish to stop by a farmers market several times a week. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so. We’ll see you there!

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!

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

Hello, and welcome to September! I’ve been away from the computer for the past several days (and still am), so this week I’ll just launch right into opening the market for you. There are two area farm tours this month, one sponsored by Athens Locally Grown and the other by Georgia Organics. Scroll down just a few lines to learn more about those.

Thank you for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers and their hard work, 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 Local Food Events

Sunday September 23rd: Farmers for a Day at 3 Porch Farm in Madison County. It’s your LAST CHANCE in 2012 to participate in our Farmer for a Day Events. This is the fifth FREE event in the Farmer for a Day Tour Series of 2012. 3 Porch Farm is Certified Naturally Grown, but their commitment to sustainability goes way beyond certification standards. Their farm equipment runs on recycled waste vegetable oil from Athens restaurants, and they recently converted the entire farm to solar power. Their goal is to be as close to carbon neutral as possible and to use as many locally harvested building materials or green products that they can in their infrastructure. They have an exciting mission to fill the void of naturally grown local fruit. They are experimenting with a wide variety. Items will be on sale at their farm store during the event.

Each “Farmer for a Day” event will offer you a chance to experience real work on the farm, so come prepared to work! The work session will last for two hours. You may want to bring your own work gloves, weeding or digging tools, etc. if you have them. Be sure to prepare for the weather appropriately and dress for getting dirty or muddy. You will be in an agricultural setting and can expect sun, rain, bugs, wildlife, dogs, electric fences, pets, and farm animals to be part of the experience. Do not bring your dog with you for a day in the country. Please plan to closely supervise your children during all activities. Water will be provided during the work session and lunch is provided by Athens Locally Grown and Earth Fare – Athens. Farmers may have products available for purchase at the event, so you may want to bring cash/checks and a cooler with you. If you have special dietary needs, plan accordingly to bring those with you. To save resources, bring your own water bottle and dishes with you.

Chores to be completed will involve preparing the garden area for fall. This will include pulling tomatoes, preparing beds for sowing, and planting new crops.

The schedule will approximate this:
9:30-10:00 AM Gather, meet and greet
10:00-12:00 Noon Do farm chores
12:00-1:00 PM Lunch and visit
1:00-2:00 Tour the facilities, Q&A, shop at the store

We are reserving 20 spots for the event. Don’t be left out! I will be taking names for a waiting list once we’ve filled our quota. lease note that you do not need to be a member of Athens Locally Grown to purchase an event ticket. Non members can sign up by emailing Cathy Payne. Address any questions to organizer Cathy Payne at 706-416-6611 or email broadriverpastures@gmail.com. Find out more and share photos and comments at http://tinyurl.com/6vtu6n9.

Tuesday September 25th: Georgia Organics Farm Tour at Broad River Pastures from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Elberton, GA. Broad River Pastures LLC is a diverse, 11 acre pasture-based heritage farmstead in Elbert County that was established in 2010. The farm focuses on the breeding and preservation of heritage livestock and the production of nutrient dense food. They breed American and Silver Fox meat rabbits, Gulf Coast Sheep, and English Shepherd farm collies. In addition, they raise Khaki Campbell ducks and a mixed flock of free range chickens for eggs. Permaculture design principles and ecofarming methods influence their decision making, and a dedicated few interns have helped turn their vision into reality.

Jon and Cathy left suburban Atlanta as retirees with no farm experience, but with a willingness to learn and a great passion for conservation and local food. They have been members of Georgia Organics since 2005 and take advantage of many of its educational and networking opportunities. Cathy participated in the Farmer to Farmer Mentor program in 2010-2011.

Broad River Pastures has a conservation plan with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This plan has supported them in the implementation of a riparian forest buffer, construction of pasture fences, establishment of pasture forage, nutrient management, pest management, installation of water pipelines, prescribed grazing, and installation of portable watering founts. They have also been approved for the construction of a roof runoff structure to collect and recycle rain water, a seasonal high tunnel system for crops, and a stand alone compost facility to recycle farm waste products.

Register for this free event here: https://app.etapestry.com/cart/GeorgiaOrganics/default/item.php?ref=1875.0.353573955

Other Area Farmers Markets

The Athens Farmers Market happens Saturday mornings at Bishop Park and on Wednesday afternoons downtown at outside City Hall. You can find more information on their website.

Also, Watkinsville has a thriving farmers market every Saturday morning, in front of the Oconee County courthouse. And further east, Comer has a nice little market Saturday mornings as well. Both are worth visiting. If you know of other area farmers markets, please let me know so I can list them here as well.

Many of the ALG growers sell through more than one market. Don’t feel like you have to choose a favorite, either. We have many items here you can’t find there, and I’m sure the reverse it also true. Many people stop by the supermarket several times a week, so it’s only natural that you might wish to stop by a farmers market several times a week. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so. We’ll see you there!

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!

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.

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!