Tag Archive for: #vancecountyregionalfarmersamarket

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Annual Farmers Market Meeting Feb. 18 At 6 PM for Interested Vendors

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This is the time of year that gardeners have been waiting for all winter – they’re perusing seed catalogs and making plans for what to plant and what new vegetable varieties to try this growing season.

It’s also the time for those producers that sell – or want to sell – their produce, fruit and more at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. Market Manager Pat Ayscue invites all interested individuals to attend the annual market meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and will last until 8 p.m.

Ayscue said the meeting will be a chance for vendors to come together, renew friendships and make new connections.

The market is located at 210 Southpark Dr.

Call or text Ayscue at 252.425.2092 or email payscue@vancecounty.org.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Program At Farmers Market Matches Funds To Boost Purchasing Power

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The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is filled with fresh local produce on Wednesdays and Saturdays, just waiting to be scooped up and featured on dinner tables across the area.

The market has added a couple of programs that other markets across the state are using to help seniors and others stretch their dollars. The SunBucks and Senior Double Up Food Bucks programs are both ways to encourage eating healthy foods while supporting local farmers and the local economy, said Vance County Cooperative Extension Director Dr. Wykia Macon.

“It seemed like a natural fit because we accept EBT at the Farmers Market and now with Double Bucks, when someone uses their EBT card, we match EBT purchases dollar-for-dollar,” Macon told WIZS News.

Those who use SunBucks and Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) will have their dollars doubled, too, she said.

“It came about after seeing other markets doing the program and realizing that we should be offering the same to our community,” Macon said.

“Since this is our first time with the program, we will learn as we go. Right now, we are limiting the match to $20 per day, so someone could visit the market on Wednesday and Saturday to receive up to $40 Double Bucks per week while we are open on Wednesdays.”

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation offers a grant that provides the matching funds, which, although not unlimited, will allow for many residents to use the benefits before the end of the market season, Macon explained.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Vance County Regional Farmers Market

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Calvin Adcock has been a vendor at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market for 27 years. He’s set up shop on William Street, the YMCA, the old Lowe’s building and now at the market on Southpark Drive.

Manager Pat Ayscue calls Adcock a “one-man band” because he’s got “a little bit of everything that everybody wants.”

He fills his corner spot with canned tomatoes, chow-chow relish and more. Everybody comes in to see what he’s got for sale, Ayscue said during a special segment of the WIZS Home & Garden show Wednesday.

Adcock was certified to can tomatoes back in 2004, he said during the show, which was recorded at the market.

“Few tomatoes taste better than his,” Ayscue said.

Whether it’s canned tomatoes, canned green beans or freshly picked produce from other gardens from across the county, customers have their pick of anything from watermelons to eggplant now as the vendors bring a wide selection to the market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

G & G Farms is a recent addition to the market, and Gian Jefferson said she and husband Gregory are enjoying being market vendors. They have different chicken breeds that lay all colors of eggs, Jefferson said.

Vance County Ag Agent Michael Ellington said helping new farmers get established and find their markets like the Jeffersons have is a highlight of his job.

Bob Parks of Parks’ Blackberries out on Bearpond Road brings his Natchez blackberries to the farmers market this time of year. The newer variety of blackberry ripens a little bit later, Parks said, helping to extend the season. Snack on fresh berries or bake them in a cobbler or dumpling for a super sweet treat.

Adcock, who will celebrate his 86th birthday later this month, said he thinks this farmers market is wonderful. “I appreciate it and like it – it’s really helped the community,” he said.

“Most people have got most anything here you want,” he said.

Click Play to Hear the Full Special Broadcast from the Vance County Regional Farmers Market!

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Weekly Farmers Market Bounty: Berries, Greens, Potatoes And More!

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The Vance County Regional Farmers Market Manager Pat Ayscue invites you to come out to the market Saturday – it’s all abuzz – with local honey and so much more! Strawberries are freshly picked, and you can almost taste the sweetness with your eyes. New potatoes are just-dug from local gardens, just waiting for customers to grab them up and take them home for dinner. Sweet potatoes are perfect for a sweet potato pie.

And don’t forget the greens: turnip salad, pointy-head cabbage and broccoli are just some of the early-season delights from area producers waiting to be scooped up and enjoyed.

Each new week, the farmers’ tables show that the season is moving forward. Jellies, pickles, and double WOW! at those fresh baked goods. Farm-fresh eggs gathered from some might well-loved and cared for hens. Handmade wood crafts and quilts. Soaps are designed for gifts and soaps for cleaning. Plants for home and garden. Fresh-cut flowers available for all occasions. Stop by and visit for that neighborhood and community feeling. Thanks for supporting your local farmer’s market.

The farmers market is located at 210 Southpark Drive and is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The market is set to open on Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning in June.

Gardening “Organic” Topic Of Feb. 19 Cooperative Extension Workshop

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If you like the idea of growing your own vegetables without having to use pesticides and fertilizers, there’s a workshop coming up at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market just for you.

The class, presented by Vance County Cooperative Extension technician Wayne Rowland, will be held on Monday, Feb. 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

This workshop will benefit beginner gardeners as well as those with years experience growing fruits and vegetables.

You’ll learn how to increase your crop production and how to provide plant nutrients and manage pests that satisfy the principles of organic vegetable production.

Please register for the workshop by calling Rowland 252-438-8188 or via email at dwrowlan@ncat.edu.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Visit Vance County Farmers Market For Cool-Season Greens And So Much More

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No doubt, some folks already are planning the menu for their Thanksgiving meal. Whether that’s the case at your house or not, the Vance County Regional Farmers Market’s annual Handcrafted Holiday Market coming up Nov. 19 can check off many items needed to create dishes sure to delight all those around the holiday table.

Manager Pat Ayscue said farmers are harvesting one of their very best fall crops, fresh for the taking this Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There’s an abundance of collards and turnip salad, lettuce, cabbage and broccoli, as well as crisp apples, farm fresh eggs, pork and grass-fed beef and fresh baked goods.

The holiday market, set for Nov. 19, will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature the market vegetables as well as vendors’ handcrafted items and other goodies.

Ayscue gives thanks for the farmers, vendors and all the patrons who support the local farmers market.

EBT is accepted.

Visit www. https://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/vance-county-regional-farmers-market/

The farmers market is located at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Farmers Market Announces Holiday Market Nov. 19

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The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will host its annual Handcrafted Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 19, and shoppers can get a jump on the gift-giving season. The holiday market hours are from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Market Manager Pat Ayscue said this week’s frost gives a sweet flavor to those hardy leafy greens that are bound to be plentiful at the regular Saturday market – “stop by and put a smile on a local farmer’s face,” Ayscue said.

The market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Producers and vendors are pulling out all the stops for the Nov. 19 market, which will feature fresh seasonal produce and locally raised beef, pork and chicken.

Additional items include local honey, as well as a variety of handcrafted items such as soaps, candles, quilts, glassware, woodcrafts, artwork, wreaths and jewelry.

“Mark your calendar for this special day and we look forward to seeing you there,” Ayscue said.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Vance Farmers Market Advisory Board To Meet Mar. 31

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The Vance County Regional Farmers Market Advisory Board will meet in person at the Market on Thursday, Mar. 31 at 2 pm.

Primary agenda items will be reviewing the 2021 season and reporting on preparations for the 2022 season, according to information from Paul McKenzie with Vance County Cooperative Extension.

The meeting is open to the public. Registration is requested (but not required) as it will help us plan for sufficient spaced-out seating.

For more information or to register: 252.438.8188 or paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu. The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson.

Find more information on the Farmers Market at http://go.ncsu.edu/vcrfm.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Spring is Coming! Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market Announces 2020 Opening Day

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Tracy Madigan, market manager for the Vance County Regional Farmers Market (VCRFM) appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

At a recent vendors meeting, the date for the grand opening of the 2020 VCRFM season was set for Saturday, April 25. “We are getting 2020 in order and are looking forward to seeing new and returning vendors and customers,” said Madigan.

Celebrating the seventh season of the market at the 210 Southpark Drive location in Henderson, the festivities will kick off on opening day with a Spring Fling featuring spring produce and a craft show. For the Spring Fling date, market hours will be 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Following opening day, the market will be open on Saturdays only through May from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Beginning June 3, the market will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. before returning to Saturday only hours for the fall season beginning in October.

The addition of Wednesday hours during the peak season offers customers a mid-week and weekend day to select from a wide variety of fresh local produce, beef, pork, eggs, homemade baked goods, craft items and much more.

With an estimated 7,300 customers in 2019, many from the regional area of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties as well as Mecklenburg, VA, Madigan hopes that some of the new offerings for 2020 will draw an even larger crowd this year.

To better serve those who may work on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays during regular market hours, VCRFM will offer “twilight markets” this summer during the peak produce season. The twilight markets will be open on Tuesday, June 30 (right before July 4 holiday) and Tuesday, July 28 from 3:30 until 7:30 p.m.

Also new for 2020, VCRFM will sponsor a watermelon contest. Dates are still to be determined, but Madigan said to plan on growing your watermelons now and expect judging to be held in early to mid-August. The person who brings in the largest watermelon will win a $100 gift certificate to Franklin Bros. Nursery donated by Gene Matthews of JASM Family Farms.

According to Madigan, the VCRFM offers an open, friendly environment where, in addition to selling great products, vendors are happy to speak with customers and provide tips on the best way to prepare selected items.

When not in use as the farmers market, the building is available for private rental for civic events, meetings, parties, family reunions and more.

To stay up-to-date on VCRFM events and happenings, please visit the market’s website and Facebook page.

To hear the interview with Madigan in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on the 2/19/20 Town Talk.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Second Thursday Food Distribution to be Held at VCRFM on Oct. 11

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-Information courtesy Betty Boyd

The Second Thursday Food Distribution will be held at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market off Beckford Drive in Henderson on Thursday, October 11, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. No identification is required.

Participants remain in their vehicles and volunteers place food boxes in vehicle. This is a partnership of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC and is offered to supplement the food resources of Vance County citizens.

Please contact Betty Boyd at (252) 432-3967 if you would like to volunteer or have questions.

(This is not a paid advertisement)