JoAnne's Archive

Farmers Market News
By JoAnne Leone

Since we are talking about produce, let me share this wisdom.” When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” And that's just what the Union County Farmers Market has done this season. Our best intentions to open at our new location were foiled. We hope to be there later this summer. But in the meantime, as hot as it was last Saturday, over 50 vendors and 100's of buyers were at the opening day of the 2010 season, back in the Courthouse parking lot.

The red raspberries were radiant as the summer sun glistened on them. Crafters exhibited beautiful works they had designed over the winter months. Two foot pepper plants and three foot Day lilies were there for the “do-it-yourself” gardeners. Baby peas and early green runner beans, tri-colored swiss chard and several varieties of squash were in abundance. Beef Jerky in different flavors was available, too.

The only thing better than having a local Saturday Farmers Market is adding another day of the week to the market. Every Wednesday, the Haralson Civic Center (located on the corner of Wellborn St. and School Circle ) is hosting the market in their parking lot. This first Wednesday saw plenty of wonderful produce, canned goods, hand crafted birdhouses and garden plants. Both Saturday and Wednesday, the market is open from 7am-1pm.

This year we are planning some events to be held at the future site of the Market, on Old Smokey Rd. A beautiful property, nestled in along the banks of Butternut Creek, it was the ideal location for an upcoming concert that now has been moved to the Sorghum Festival Stage at Meeks Park . We encourage you to attend this Saturday evening, July 10 th at 7pm. The concert will feature the very talented folk group, Butternut Creek and Friends. These local musicians gives back all that it receives from the mountain community. This free concert is in support of the Hiawassee River Watershed Coalition and the Butternut Creek Restoration. (Donations to HRWC will be accepted.)

Joining them will be internationally acclaimed, award winning British auto harpist Mike Fenton. And a special appearance that night is scheduled of Harpers Bizarre, a group of 15 auto harpists from this region. So bring a blanket or a folding chair and enjoy an evening in support of our beautiful Butternut Creek.

Watch for this article to be published each week in the North Georgia News, updating you on the Market and their events. In the meantime, for more information, recipes and interviews with our farmers and crafters, visit us at www.UCFarmersMarket.com. See you Wednesday and Saturday at the Market!