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 several events coming up to tell you about. The first is the regular ACC Commission meeting, this Tuesday at 7pm. As most of you know, it has been illegal to have backyard chickens (even a single hen) within the city limits. A recent citation on a resident went to court, and it was decided that the current prohibition had a number of legal problems. The Commission seems to be on the verge of agreeing that ACC should allow backyard chickens (and other small-scale backyard food production), and the meeting on Tuesday is when they could take that step. An ordinance is on the agenda to get approved that does not have the language that approves chickens, and so the commission could reject that new ordinance and direct the department that wrote it to include the language and re-send it to the commission. A strong showing from Athenians would help that happen, and so you are encouraged to attend the meeting, to speak briefly (if you feel so inclined), or even to just email the commission to let them know you’re in support of small-scale food production in our town.

Second, TEDxManhattan is holding a one-day conference Saturday called “Changing the Way We Eat” where a diverse group of speakers will be talking about issues in the sustainable food and farming movement. While it would be nice to be there in person, Cine and Daily Groceries have teamed up to stream the entire event at Cine, for free. The events begins at 1pm on Saturday, and you can learn all about it here.

Finally, the Southeastern Sustainable Livestock Conference is coming to The Gwinnett Center (6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth) on 3/28/15 9:00am – 9:00pm. The aim of the conference is to bring together farmers, chefs, and consumers with a mission to promote sustainably produced meat through education, sharing resources, and networking. The day will comprise of seminars and panel discussions, lunch and dinner will be provided with a cash bar & bluegrass band in the evening, and coffee and pastries will be served at registration. The morning keynote speaker is Mary Berry (Executive Director of the Berry Center, KY), & evening keynote speaker is Temple Grandin Prof. of Animal Science at Colorado State University. There is a preview of the agenda on the website (www.southeasternsustainablelivestock.org) and tickets can be purchased at the website also. An additional option tour White Oak Pastures 3/27/15 is available – a coach will be provided from the Gwinnett Center departing at 7:30am. Contact gillian@southeasternsustainablelivestock.org or call 770-634-0175 for more information.

Thank you 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!

Other Area Farmers Markets

The Athens Farmers Market has closed for the winter. You can watch for news during the offseason on their website. The other area markets are also all closed for the season, I believe. If you know of any winter markets operating, please let me know. And they might all be closed, but we’ll be here all year round!

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!