The second Fayette County Farmers Market of the season (May 16) turned out beautifully; somehow the rain that was predicted never materialized, the sun shone and no winds blew over tents (although some vendor signage tumbled occasionally). We are grateful to be outdoors and to see familiar friends and supporters at the market.
Now that the days of frost seem to be past, home gardeners are busy getting in gardens. All of the warm season seed and transplants should (and I knock on wood) be safely planted; this includes cucumbers, squash, corn, beans, tomatoes, peppers, basil, sweet potatoes (potatoes probably went in a while ago), as well as summer blooming annuals such as zinnias and sunflowers.
With children home from school, and many of the summer activities potentially not available this year, libraries still closed and play dates limited or non-existent, parents are no doubt racking their brains for fun and engaging things to do with their children. Getting kids outside and in nature and exploring is important, and something that most adults in this community probably grew up doing without anyone even thinking about it…we were just instructed to “get outside” and out from under the feet of the inside parent, often our mothers.
Given time and opportunity, children should become immersed in the activities of an ant, or the way a cloud changes shape, or the movement of a bee as it flits from flower to flower and how the honey bee announces itself with lots of “noise” but has no interest in lighting on us. Planting a garden or a window box can be great fun, especially when something that comes up quickly is planted…try corn, beans, sunflowers or radishes. Is there a place in the yard or neighborhood where your child can play alone, explore on his or her own? Are you comfortable with a small area of the yard being turned into a digging pit or even a mud pit? A child, a trowel or stick, and a source for water. What fun!
George Monbiot writes in his 2014 book, Feral, that “one difference between indoor entertainment and outdoor play is that the outdoors has an endless capacity to surprise.” And for adults, one of the great joys of being with children, is being reminded of that surprise through the experiences of a child. Spring is gushing with surprises. Enjoy and relish it.
The Market is open Saturday morning from 8:30 to noon and is located in the municipal parking lot on the corner of South Main and East East streets in Washington C.H. SNAP EBT food benefit cards and credit/debit cards are accepted. Those using the SNAP EBT card for food purchases receive matching dollar “Produce Perks” tokens ($1 for $1) good only for fruits, vegetables, and food producing plants. So,”buy one, get one” for up to $20 EVERY market day. Five-dollar coupons will be available again for FAYETTE COUNTY Farm Bureau members at each Saturday market; these can be spent at both the Wednesday and Saturday markets. NOTE: the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) will NOT be operating “business as usual” for 2020; please check the paper for additional information in the future.
The following list contains the names and products of the vendors that expect to set up this Saturday. Other vendors may participate as well. Vendors who provide their phone number may be contacted for advance orders.
Cozy Baby Blessings (Nancy Cutter): Face masks for adults and children (3 sizes), crocheted baby blankets, hats and wash cloths, flannel baby blankets, burp cloths, bibs and teething toys, crochet pot scrubbers, coasters and wax melts (over 60 scents available; to pre-order wax melts, text 740-572-2118 for order form).
Greens & Greenery (Katrina Bush): Vegetable and herb plants (sweet and hot peppers, including anaheim, thai hot, serrano), tomatoes (paste and plum, beefsteak and small slicers), kale, yellow and green summer squash); flowering, herbal and decorative perennials (ferns, bee balm/monarda, echinacea – purple and yellow, lemon balm citronella, garlic chives, chives, oregano, horseradish, mountain mint, columbine, marguerite kelways, amsonia, hyssop and anise hyssop, shasta daisy “white breeze,” sage, clary sage, “stormy seas” coral bells,) and staghorn sumac and douglas fir starts. Produce: rhubarb & kale. Glycerin and honey soap, beeswax hand creams and lip balms. Sourdough crackers.
Persinger Produce and Cottage Food (Julie Mosny & David Persinger): The Pie Lady –Honey, Cinni Mini’s, cinnamon rolls, assorted small fruit pies, iced sugar cookies, banana cake with caramel icing. The Jam Man will have assorted jams, jellies and apple butter.
Your Other Mother’s Kitchen (Don & Sara Creamer—740-572-0134): Artisan bread, brownies, morning glory muffins, bran muffins and blueberry crisp.
Biers Run Mudd (Rachel Shepard): Home produced ceramic wares including mugs, bowls, dishes, and pitchers.
B.Y.E Gardens (Brian and Elaine Yoder): Face Masks. Cinnamon rolls, lemon rolls, strawberry rolls, brownies, sweet breads(special this week due to customer request-PUMPKIN), small pies (blackberry-rhubarb, strawberry-rhubarb, raisin, triple berry, cherry), cookies. Looking for that special something for Memorial Day? Call Elaine Yoder @ 740-605-6333.
Katrina Bush is a vendor with the Fayette County Farmers Market.
