Even though it hasn't rained in a few days, farmers will be feeling the effects of the excessive rains for quite a while. This week, several farmers told me about what is happening on their farms. A number of farmers said that parts of their farms have been underwater or too wet for weeks. This has meant different things for different farmers. Some have had multiple plantings of crops drown or wash away out of parts of their fields. Others have reported that it has been too wet to do any soil preparation or planting. The wet fields have meant that some farmers are not been able to harvest the crops that are planted, which means that crops (and profits) are rotting in the fields and are being lost. Ben from Fickle Creek Farm told me that he has lost two boots in muddy fields -- they came right off of his feet! I've also heard lots of farmers talking about how the weather has created the conditions to spread plant diseases like tomato blight, which can kill the plant fairly quickly. The excessive rainfall is also causing certain water heavy crops to split in the fields. Melons, tomatoes, blueberries and grapes have all been splitting recently. Needless to say, it has been a difficult summer for farming.
But, there have been a few good things to come out of the unusual weather pattern... Livestock farmers have told me that because of all of the rain, their fields are green, lush and full of grass. The animals are loving it! And, irrigation ponds and streams are as full as can be. So, if the weather pattern changes to dry, there will be a good supply of water to irrigate the crops.
Tomorrow, as part of our Discover You Can, Learn Make Share Canning Education Program, Assistant Market Manager Shanna Bierman will be holding a Canning Demonstration out on the lawn. Shanna will demonstrate how to make small batches of Blueberry Jam! There will be samples to taste, recipes and free packets of pectin to take home so that you can make your own jams! During her demonstration, there will be a raffle for a Discovery Canning Kit and a copy of the Ball Blue Book of Preservation!
If you are interested in canning and preservation, there will be another canning demonstration on Wednesday at 3:30pm. County Extension Agent, Nekeirda Morrison will be demonstrating how to make and can Low-Sugar Peach Jam!
Also, this week, the Durham Farmers' Market learned that we are on the Bull City Bucket List which is a fun way to try new things in Durham. You can sign up, take pictures of yourself at the places on the list and win prizes! The challenge for the Durham Farmers' Market stop: take a picture with your favorite vendor and post it to twitter or instagram using the hashtag #BCBucketList
Have fun!
NEXT WEEK: TOMATO TASTING PARTY!!
See you at the Market, bright and early!!
Erin Kauffman
Market Manager
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Upcoming Events
Wednesday July 17 3:30-6:30 - Master Gardener Volunteers
will be answering gardening questions
Saturday July 20, 10am - Canning Demonstration! Assistant Manager Shanna Bierman will be demonstrating how to make blueberry jam.
Wednesday July 24, 3:30-5pm - Canning Demonstration! County Extension Agent Nekeidra Morrison will demonstrate how to make and can peach jam!
Saturday July 27th, 8:30-Noon ANNUAL TOMATO TASTING!
Chef Shane Ingram from Four Square Restaurant will be hosting - chopping tomatoes and cooking tomato dishes!
Wednesday July 31, 3:30-5:30pm - Kids Story Hour with Storyteller Cynthia Raxter!
Saturday August 3, 10am - Chef in the Market! Christy Quirk from Bull Street Gourmet
Fresh this Week....
FRUITS: FIRST SUMMER APPLES, a few FIGS, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Sun Jewel Melons, Blackberries, Blueberries, Peaches
VEGETABLES: EDAMAME, LONGBEANS, PUMPKINS, SWEET POTATO GREENS, AMARANTH, Asian Greens Arugula, Beans (Green, Yellow and Purple), Beets, Butternut Squash, Cabbage, Carrots, Cherry Tomatoes, Collards, Cucumbers, Fresh & Dried Herbs (Basil, Cilantro, Catnip, Dill, Mint, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Sorrel, Parsley), Eggplant, Frisee, Green Onions, Garlic, Gourds, Kale, Lambs Quarter, Lettuce, Okra, Onions, October Beans, Peppers (Bell, Padron, Shishto, Poblano, Jalepeno, Lombardo, Pepperocini, Yummy, and lots more varieties), Potatoes, Pea Shoots, Radicchio, Salad Mix, Swiss Chard, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Zucchini, and more
MEATS AND EGGS: Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon/Cabrito, Lamb, Pork, Veal, Rabbit
Duck Eggs & Chicken Eggs
CHEESES: Fresh and aged COW and GOAT milk cheeses.
PLANTS: Bedding, House, and Flower Plants.
FLOWERS: Lisianthus, Tuberose, Black Eyed Susan, Gladiolus, Echinacea, Sunflower, Dahlia, Lily, Zinnia,
SPECIALTY ITEMS: RAW HONEY, creamed Honey, Flour, Cornmeal, Grits, Baked Goods including Pies, Breads, Cookies & Pastries, Fermented Foods, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Pastas, Perogies, Wool
CRAFTS: Pottery, Jewelry, Handmade Baskets, Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Goats Milk Soaps, Body Butters, Lotions, Yarn, Roving, and much more...
Produce availability depends on weather conditions
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