“When summer opens, I see how fast it matures, and fear it will be short; but after the heats of July and August, I am reconciled, like one who has had his swing, to the cool of autumn.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dale, of Dale’s Crafts, remarked last Saturday on the weather this August….how we have had no days over 90 degrees during this month; he expects we will see a hot September. We did have a few weeks of the Ohio “hot and muggy” weather, but the cooler weather of this last week has delayed the harvest of some summer produce, while other crops (like the fall brassicas) are fairing well.
The greens of this late August are stunning — we are still mowing and weeding as if it were June. But given the recent conversations of vendors and customers, it seems that many are ready for autumn. The Fayette County Farm Market offerings reflect the season. There is still plenty of sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and the like, while just in time for the Labor Day picnics, the watermelons are ripe and inviting. Pumpkins and gourds are ripening early and the desserts and treats are beginning to reflect the produce of late summer and fall.
This weekend will be a good one to visit the market to purchase produce, melons and meats for grilling at family picnics and barbecues. It will also be an apt time to appreciate the labors of the farmer and farm market vendors, as well as every laborer, past and present.
The Wednesday market runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the TSC parking lot (1650 Columbus Ave.) in Washington C.H. This location provides easy access to vendors and parking. SNAP EBT food benefit cards, Senior Farm Market coupons and credit/debit cards are accepted. Those using the SNAP EBT card for produce receive matching dollar VeggieSNAP tokens ($1 for $1) for additional fruits and vegetables. So,”buy one, get one” for fruit and vegetables, up to $10 EVERY market day.
The following vendors have indicated that they plan on selling this Wednesday, and other vendors may participate as well:
B.Y.E Gardens (Brian and Elaine Yoder): Zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, candy onions, bell peppers, winter squashes, baked goods.
Chilcote Farms (Bruce and Marlene Chilcote): Honey, caramels, cookies, sheet cake, blueberry buckle.
D.J.’s Farm (Dennis Anschutz): Baked goods and seasonal produce.
Garland Farms (Joe Garland & Family): Sweetcorn.
Jones Farm Fresh Produce (Jon and Taylor Jones): Green beans, red potatoes, peppers (habanero, bell), tomatoes (slicing, cherry), sausage patties, sweet Italian links and jalapeño links.
King Farms (Jeff and Sandi King): Green beans, tomatoes (red and orange), red and Yukon potatoes, white sweet corn.
This and That (Mary Ford): Garden and home crafts (coasters, mug rugs, aprons, OSU items, jewelry, and NEW summer goose dresses), baked goods (pineapple upside down cake, apple butter bread, peanut butter fudge).
Windflower Farm (Elaine Anschutz): Various baked goods and treats, culinary mixes, catnip, lavender, crafts, dog treats, info on FCDS.
Katrina Bush is a vendor with the Fayette County Farm Market.
