This Week at the Durham Farmers' Market

It is Farm Tour weekend!
On Saturday and Sunday, from 1pm-5pm both days, there are 2 great farm tours happening in the area: The Eastern Triangle Farm Tour and the Person County Farm Tour. These two tours will feature 42 farms, 8 of which are regulars at the Durham Farmers' Market!
  
If you have ever wondered how mushrooms grow. Wanted to know what on earth a farmer is referring to when she talks about "chicken tractors". Had the desire to peek inside a milking parlor. Or if you just want to see a buffalo grazing in its pasture. This is your chance to do all of those things! These local farms will be opening their gates for you to visit and get to know more about local farming & local foods.  

These tours, which happen annually (along with other tours in the springtime), have done an important service of strengthening the local food economy by bringing a greater level of transparency and trust between the consumer and the farmer.  It gives consumers have the opportunity to see how their food is grown, how the animals are raised, see honeybees in a hive and ask farmers directly about their growing methods and practices. That is something that you'll never have the chance to do with food available at a grocery store.
  
"This tour is a great way to learn where your food comes from and support the farmer who grows it.  It's also a whole lot of fun, "said Roland McReynolds, CFSA Executive Director.
  

If you are interested in visiting farms this weekend, you can find more information here: Eastern Triangle Farm Tour and Person County Farm Tour.

  

DFM Farms that are featured on these tours include:

Abanitu Farm

Flat River Nursery

Sunset Ridge Buffalo Farm

Meadow Lane Farm

SEEDS

Spain Farm

Vollmer Farm

Wild Scallions Farm

  

Then on Sunday evening, following the Farm Tour, Meadow Lane Farm will be holding a Celebration and Remembrance of Steve Mobley, who passed away last month. The celebration will start at 5:30pm at the Green Hill Country Club, 252 Club Road, Louisburg, NC.  Pork, Chicken, boiled potatoes, and green beans will be served.   Martha Mobley says that everyone is invited and if you would like to bring something you can bring a vegetable or covered dish. 

TOMORROW AT MARKET
We should have another cool morning to kick off fall! Pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes will be in abundance tomorrow (and probably for the next few months too). Last week, both Ginger and Turmeric Root made their fall appearance! Should be more and more in the next few weeks!.
  
See you at the Market, 
Erin Kauffman
Market Manager
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Upcoming Events 

Saturday September 21st - Homefries Kid's Cooking Class! 9:30am. Chef Aaron Vandemark from Panciuto will be teaching the kids how to make ICE CREAM! A couple of spaces are still available. If you would like to sign your child up for the class, please email info@durhamfarmersmarket.com.

 Wedensday Sept 25th, 3:30-6:30 - Storytelling by Cynthia Raxter - Stop by and listen to true stories about growing up on a farm in western NC. 

 September 25th & 28th - 5th Annual Farmer Foodshare Challenge! Buy Five (lbs) or Give Ten ($) to support local farms and feed the hungry. More info: FarmerFoodshare.org

 Saturday October 5th - 5th Annual CHEF CHALLENGE!! This years chef contestants are.... Mike Hacker from Pie Pushers, Katie Coleman from Durham Spirits Co, and Justin Rakes from the soon to open restaurant The Salted Pig!!

Fresh this Week....

FRUITS: Scuppernong & Muscadine Grapes, Apples, Pears, Watermelon, Peaches
VEGETABLES: GINGER, TURMERIC, ROSELLE, COLLARDS, MUSTARD GREENS, GOURDS, Acorn Squash, Amaranth Greens, Arugula, Beets, Bitter Gourd, Bok Choi, Butterbeans, Butternut Squash, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Delicata Squash, Edamame, Fresh & Dried Herbs (Basil, Catnip, Dill, Mint, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Sorrel, Parsley), Eggplant, Frisee, Green Beans, Green Onions, Garlic, Gourds, Kale, Lambs Quarter, Lettuce, Long Beans, Malabar Spinach, Mizuna, Okra, Onions, Peppers, Potatoes, Pea Shoots, Pumpkins, Purple Hull Peas, Radishes, Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms, Swiss Chard, Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Greens, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turnips, Zucchini, and more
MEATS AND EGGS:  Rabbit, 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, Gomphrena, Gladiolus, Dahlia, Zinnia, Mixed Bouquets
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