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-Information courtesy Vance County Regional Farmers Market

Saturday, December 7  will be the last day of Vance County Regional Farmers Market’s 2019 season.

Stop by and stock up on a variety of fresh, locally grown produce and products that are still available. Apples, beef, beets, broccoli, butternut squash, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, eggs, fresh herbs, mixed greens, mustard greens, onions, pork, potatoes, red and green tomatoes, turnips, turnip greens, and sweet potatoes are just a few of the tasty foods you will find at the market.

Fill your pantry with baked goods, canned vegetables, chow-chow, sauces, jams, preserves, honey and molasses.

The VCRFM is the perfect place to find a unique, handcrafted gift for most anyone on your list – including yourself!

Peruse the vast array of unique handmade crafts including holiday decorations, knitwear, glassware, pottery, candles, cards, napkins, placemats and table runners, ornaments, accent pillows and neck supporters, soaps, wreaths, woodcrafts, jewelry, original artwork and much more.

Meet and mingle with your friends and neighbors in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere while you shop. Be sure to ask the vendors about their produce and products, and leave knowing you have purchased the freshest foods and most unique crafts our area has to offer.

The VCRFM thanks all who have supported the farmers, ranchers, crafters and bakers throughout the 2019 season and hopes to see you at the market on Saturday!

For information regarding your Vance County Regional Farmers Market, you may contact Tracy Madigan, Market Manager at 252-438-8188 or farmersmarket@vancecounty.org or Paul McKenzie, Vance & Warren County Agricultural Extension Agent at 252-438-8188 or paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu.

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-Information courtesy Tracy Madigan, Manager, Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will begin its fall and winter schedule in October. The Market will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Now is a wonderful time to visit your farmers market. It is that in-between seasons transition from summer to fall produce.

The VCRFM continues to have delicious summer produce including yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes, okra, cantaloupes, canary melons, watermelons, peaches, bell peppers, butter beans, string beans and pink-eye purple hull peas. The white potatoes and sweet potatoes are arriving too.

We are also beginning to get in some of the fall goodies such as apples, beets, butternut squash, cayenne peppers, cucumbers, cabbages, eggplants, gourds, grapes, jalapeno peppers, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, pumpkins, radishes, spinach and turnip greens. Expect to see fresh collards at the market early to mid-November.

Don’t forget that your VCRFM is your local source for pasture-raised beef, pork and free-range eggs. We also have a variety of home-canned goods made with locally grown fruits and vegetables including canned tomatoes, beans, chow-chow, pickles and salsa.

You will also find Caribbean Jerk sauce and Brown sauce, as well as a variety of jams and preserves. Stock up on local honey and blackstrap molasses to see you through the winter months.

Check out the variety of sweet and savory baked goods the market offers – chocolate pies, chocolate chip cake, lemon cake, raspberry chocolate cake, turtle, caramel and chocolate brownies, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, hummingbird cake, scones, cupcakes, mini-Brandenburg cakes and so much more!

The holidays are just around the corner. Choose from a plethora of unique handcrafted gifts including soaps, woodcrafts, jewelry, lap quilts, crocheted and hand-sewn items for gifts for everyone on your list – including yourself!

Mark your calendars for our annual Handcrafted Holiday Market, Saturday, November 16, 2019, featuring over 35 vendors. You don’t want to miss it!

Need a space to hold a holiday party, family reunion, business seminar or other social function? Contact the farmers market regarding facility rental availability.

So, remember to visit your VCRFM Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. We accept SNAP/EBT.

For information regarding your Vance County Regional Farmers Market, you may contact Tracy Madigan, Market Manager at 252-438-8188 or farmersmarket@vancecounty.org or Paul McKenzie, Vance & Warren County Agricultural Extension Agent at 252-438-8188 or paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu.

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Tracy Madigan, market manager for the Vance County Regional Farmers Market (VCRFM), was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the kickoff of the market’s Wednesday hours for the 2019 season.

Beginning this Wednesday, May 29, the VCRFM will open on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. This is in addition to being open on Saturdays, also from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Wednesday hours will continue through the end of September. VCRFM will return to Saturday-only hours to wrap up the year with its fall season running October through early December.

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

While selections are plentiful, Madigan explained that the market is running behind on the normal “hot weather” produce due to a cold and rainy early spring.

“The recent warm, sunny weather has sped things up and it won’t be long before we have the good summer crops,” said Madigan.

Madigan expects tomatoes to be in full supply by the end of June, with cantaloupe and corn to follow in early to mid-July.

Also affected by the weather, this year’s strawberry season was cut short; however, Madigan said she expects that a small supply will be available at the VCRFM through Saturday.

Two vendors whose wares were not affected by the spring weather are beef and egg seller JW Creek Farms and pork seller Faulkner Family Farms.

“JW Creek Farms is my go-to for local, pasture-raised beef, and he’s at the market every Saturday,” Madigan said. “He offers all different cuts of beef including steak and brisket, hot dogs and free range chicken eggs.”

Faulkner Family Farms specializes in pasture-raised pork products, including mild and hot sausage, kielbasa, pork chops and Boston Butts.

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. According to Madigan, previous rental use has included civic events and meetings, parties, family reunions and more.

Rentals start at $200 for the required minimum of four hours; $50 for each additional hour. A $250 security deposit is required and is refundable after the event if no damage is incurred to the property.

While the classroom and bathrooms inside the building are air-conditioned, Madigan said the large bay area is not, a possible consideration when booking summer events. The building is heated during colder months.

Madigan encourages the public to follow the VCRFM on Facebook or visit the Cooperative Extension website for additional information on rental opportunities as well as upcoming market events and updates.

One such VCRFM event that Madigan was happy to announce is the opening and dedication of the Extension Master Gardener’s Memorial Garden on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The garden is dedicated to the memory of past Master Gardener volunteers and was built entirely through the contributions and efforts of the current Master Gardeners of Vance and Warren counties.

Light refreshments will be served and a short program will begin at 10:30 a.m. Afterward, the Master Gardener volunteers invite you to take a stroll around the garden.

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson. For more information, please call (252) 438-8188.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Tracy Madigan in its entirety, click here.