— On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Extension
On your mark, get set…Go! To the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, which opens on Saturday, Apr. 20.
Market Manager Pat Ayscue and Cooperative Extension Director Wykia Macon welcomesthe public to the 2024 season at the market, where local vendors will share fruits, vegetables, meats and much more throughout the growing season.
Ayscue manages the Vance County market, but she knows only too well all the work that goes in to making sure that quality products are available at the market each week.
Not only did Ayscue grow up in a farming family, but she married into a farming family.
“You look at the produce in a whole different light when you have planted and harvested it (too),” Ayscue said.
There’s a new sign out front that Ayscue said should go a long way to remind passersby of the schedule and hours of operation, which continue to be Saturdays beginning April 20 and then adding Wednesdays beginning June 5.
The Spring Fling will be held Saturday, May 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there are sure to be plenty of unique Mother’s Day gifts available for purchase to go along with the produce and baked goods that fill the market each week.
One popular crop that should be available on opening day is the strawberry crop. This year’s forecast is good, Ayscue said, noting that growing conditions have created slightly smaller vines, which may mean the plants will use extra energy to put into juicier, bigger berries.
The farmers market always has room for more vendors, and Ayscue encourages anyone interested to come out and talk to her to learn details.
She also creates an email list each season to share information about what’s new at the market as well as recipes to create with all the fresh produce that’s available.
And market vendors also accept senior vouchers and EBT.
Ayscue said she looks forward to welcoming returning vendors – and new vendors – to this year’s market “family,” and said the 2024 market will have something for everyone.
The 2021 Four County 4-H Poultry Show and Sale will be held Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Vance County Regional Farmer’s Market.
Check-in for youth and poultry will begin at 3 p.m. and the show will start at 4:15 p.m., according to information from Meg Wyatt, Franklin County 4-H agent.
Following the presentation of awards, the auction is scheduled to begin around 6:30 p.m. This year, Easter Eggers and Barred Rocks will be available at the auction.
The farmer’s market is located at 210 South Park Drive, Henderson.
— information courtesy Vance County Regional Farmers Market
OPEN September 16 & 20 from 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS AND CRAFTSMEN
We need your support! While summer officially ends next week (the first day of Fall is September 21st!), we continue to have a nice variety of summer produce available at the farmers market. Think of us when planning your football tailgating parties and cookouts. We have pasture raised beef, pork, hot dogs, and kielbasa just waiting for you to throw on the barbie. Plus, lots of veggies to complete your spread. You may even be able to get that one last watermelon this Saturday!
The VCRFM is open Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. and features a variety of locally grown produce, bedding plants for the garden including vegetables, herbs, flowers, and shrubs, pasture raised beef, pork, eggs, and handmade crafts.
There will also be canned goods, cupcakes, jams, jellies, salsa & sauces.
Knowledgeable farmers, nursery vendors and Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer planting and growing questions.
GET YOUR MID-WEEK FRESH FOOD FIX! VISIT VCRFM THIS WEDNESDAY.
FALL MUMS HAVE ARRIVED!
Now is the time to add beautiful color to your yard, deck, porch or patio with mums from Franklin Brothers Nursery.
PLANTING BULBS WORKSHOP COMING IN OCTOBER
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 14 and plan to join us at the farmers market for a workshop on planting bulbs – PLANT NOW, ENJOY LATER. Learn what is a quality bulb. Learn how to stagger your spring bulb’s bloom times by planting in layers. Participants will be able to select their choice of bulbs to take home. Please pre-register for this workshop by contacting Paul McKenzie, Vance-Warren Agricultural Extension Agent at 252-438-8188 (Vance), 252-257-3640 (Warren) or paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu. You may also let Market Manager Madigan know. There will be a $10.00 fee for the workshop to cover the cost of the bulbs and container.
HANDCRAFTED HOLIDAY MARKET SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
We will be hosting our annual Handcrafted Holiday Market Saturday, November 18 from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. With over 30 craft vendors featuring handmade items from soaps and candles, wood crafts and furniture, clothing and jewelry, to quilts and wreaths, this is the place to get truly unique gifts for everyone on your holiday list – including yourself! Santa Clause always stops by and the Buggs Island Community Band provides a festive atmosphere with Holiday music. And of course there will be a variety of yummy baked goods, canned goods and fall produce!
Social Media: For more information about the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, view our website at vancecounty.org, plus follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Contacts: Persons interested in selling at the VCRFM may contact:
Market Manager: Tracy Madigan @ 252-598-0814
Extension Agent: Paul McKenzie @ 252-438-8188
Location: The VCRFM is located at 210 Soutpark Dr. Henderson, NC, off Beckford Dr. behind the DaVita Dialysis Center.
VCRFM is open Wednesdays & Saturdays 7:30 am – 1:00 pm
***If you or your business need a venue for your dinners and parties, the VCRFM is available for rent! Contact Market Manager***
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsresize_0000s_0072_Vance-Co.-Regional-Farmers-Market-front-042816.jpg.png265504John C. Rosehttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngJohn C. Rose2017-09-15 14:35:422017-09-15 14:35:42Farmers Market VERY OPEN
How often do you buy or even think about buying local? Whether it be from the Farmers Market, a local independently owned restaurant or business, a local artist, or directly from a local farmer, there are many great benefits to buying local goods and services.
Our first focus in this three part series features the Vance County Regional Farmers Market which opened in 2014. Through a series of grants from the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund, the N.C. Department of Agriculture Farmland Preservation Fund, and the Vance County Farm Bureau, Henderson was able to build the first indoor heated market. Pete Burgess, who was instrumental in the formation of the Vance County Farmers Market said, “The idea for an indoor Farmers Market started in 2004. At the time farmers needed a source of income other than tobacco. Because it was a Tier 1 county, meaning it was a poor county, The Gold Leaf Foundation did a survey on what Vance County needed money for most. The foundation voted schools first, the rural fire department second, and an indoor Farmers Market third. The Farm Bureau partnered with the Vance County Extension Service to see what we could do”.
The county gave roughly $50,000 towards the market and the rest was raised through grants and donations. When asked why the market wasn’t in a more centrally located space closer to downtown Burgess said, “At the time, it was the only land we could afford.” The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr. Henderson. It is just off of South Beckford Drive near the Social Security Office. It is a first class facility with water, rest rooms, electricity, a classroom, on-site parking, and covered sales space.
While shopping at the Farmers Market this past Saturday, April 23, Damon Brown was asked why he shopped there. He said, “I totally believe in supporting farmers, especially local farmers. It’s healthier produce because it’s fresher”. Damon’s mother Elva Small said, “I’ve always shopped at the Farmers Market. I take enough pills for health reasons so I want to make sure I can get the healthiest food possible, and you meet such wonderful people here. My grandparents were farmers, so it also brings back such wonderful memories.”
WIZS News spoke with market manager Tracy Madigan during Saturday’s hustle and bustle. She oversees the vendors and answers questions the public might have while shopping at the market. When asked what is the value of buying locally and supporting farmers and artists at the market she replied, “For starters the taste of locally grown food is so much better. Most of the produce you buy from grocery stores has traveled so far by the time you get it, it’s 3-4 weeks old and from other countries. It’s most likely pumped with water to make it bigger. This takes away so much flavor. Another huge value is that not only do you know where your food comes from, but you’re putting money back into your county and state. You support that farmer, who then buys from another locally sourced business. It’s a cycle and the money stays here.”
There are also many vendors at the Farmers Market who organically grow their products. They may not be certified organic because becoming certified is often costly, but customers can always ask vendors what practices they use to grow and raise their produce. It’s becoming increasingly important to people how what they are eating was grown or raised. People want to know if pesticides were used on the produce or if it was grown organically, if they eat animal products they want to know that that animal was raised humanely with no growth hormones or antibiotics pumped into it, and whether or not the produce is grown using Non-GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).
Another shopper on Saturday, Susan James said, “I buy from the Farmers Market because I know and trust many of the vendors. I can ask if their produce is organically grown. In this day and age with so many people getting cancer that is very important to me. Unless it’s marked organic, you can’t always get this level of quality at grocery stores plus the produce here at the Farmers Market is often more affordable. I’m also putting money back into my community.”
Vendors have increased steadily since the market opened in 2014. Madigan said, “Last year we had 35 vendors overall and those numbers will continue to increase as we move into May.” If interested in becoming a vendor, there is an annual $30 fee and a $10 fee on the days that you sell. Sellers must be from Vance, Granville, Warren, or Franklin counties, or Mecklinburg County in Virginia. Fifty one percent of everything sold must have been produced or made by the seller. Everything must be hand grown or hand made. For more detailed guidelines or an application click here or email farmersmarket@vancecounty.org.
Other great opportunities the Farmers Market provides are classes held throughout the selling season. These classes cover topics on various gardening and yard practices that the general public may want to increase their knowledge on. Some of the classes covered previously were proper mulching, adding native plants to your landscape, and how to grow lavender, just to name a few. This past Monday evening on April 25th, Wayne Rowland, Agricultural and Natural Resources Technician with the NC Cooperative Extension in Vance County, held a class on growing watermelon and cantaloupe successfully.
The center hopes to have cook offs and other special events in the future but it needs more “man-power”. Madigan said, “We would love to have more volunteers as we have a limited budget.” How wonderful it would be if people from all five counties made this a really big community oriented place for families to come, learn, and grow together.
The facility is available for rent and many people have used it for private functions. Vance Granville Community College used it on Thursday, April 21 for a luncheon on Emerging Consumer Markets for the Agricultural Business. Local businesses have rented it for luncheons, dinners, and customer appreciation events.
So you see, there are numerous reasons to get involved with your local Farmers Market wherever you are. Farmers Market patron Maggie Peck leaves us with this statement, “Buying local is a way to give back, a way to be responsible. It’s good for the farmers, it’s good for you, and it’s good for the planet. Plus, you meet the most interesting and wonderful people here.”
Market Hours: Saturdays- 7:30 am – 1:00pm and starting May 4th Wednesdays 7:30 am- Noon
the healthiest food possible, and you meet such wonderful people here. My grandparents were farmers, so it also brings back such wonderful memories.”
There are also many vendors at the Farmers Market who organically grow their products. They may not be certified organic because becoming certified is often costly, but customers can always ask vendors what practices they use to grow and raise their produce. It’s becoming increasingly important to people how what they are eating was grown or raised. People want to know if pesticides were used on the produce or if it was grown organically, if they eat animal products they want to know that that animal was raised humanely with no growth hormones or antibiotics pumped into it, and whether or not the produce is grown using Non-GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).