Tag Archive for: #VCRFM

Green Rural Redevelopment (GRRO)

Join GRRO At ‘Rural Health Day’ Fair Thursday, Nov. 20 At Vance County Regional Farmers Market

/by

Henderson-based Green Rural Redevelopment Organization – GRRO – is partnering with several other groups to host a Rural Health Day Fair Thursday, Nov. 20 at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

As GRRO co-founder Ardis Crews explained, the national celebration of Rural Health Day occurs each year on the third Thursday of November. And this year, GRRO is making the celebration local.

In addition to the farmers market, partners include Duke University Rural Health Equity Hub, and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.

More than 30 vendors will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to share information, resources and more with participants.

And GRRO will share food boxes, filled with healthy fresh options with all participants as well, Crews said on Wednesday’s TownTalk.

“One of the things we believe here at GRRO is that food is medicine, so certainly that which you consume is important,” she said.

There are so many health conditions that could be corrected by good food and healthy living, Crews said, adding that addressing other things that affect health – like mental health, for example – could prevent problems from arising.

“One must take a holistic approach to health,” she said, “and that includes all the determinants of health.”

Crews said she and husband Henry are honored and humbled to serve the community through GRRO. Originally interested in housing, Crews said GRRO’s focus turned to food availability in the community.

“This is my best life,” she said. “I love being in Henderson, I love being in Vance County and I love what I do. I just wish we had the capacity to do more.”

In a press release, GRRO Executive Director Henry Crews said, “National Rural Health Day was founded by the national organization of the State Office of Rural Health. It’s about honoring the people and places that sustain the Power of Rural. We are proud to celebrate the providers, partners, and residents who are creating a healthier, more vibrant future for our rural communities. GRRO is all about ‘Rural’ and we’re grateful for the people and organizations that are helping us make this work possible.”

Come out to the farmers market, 210 Southpark Dr. to learn more about rural health resources and opportunities.

Learn more at https://www.grronc.org/

Click Play!

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

The Local Skinny! Farmers Market Brimming With Fresh Produce

/by

This time of year, the vendors at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market have to squeeze together just a bit to accommodate the tables of fresh produce, baked goods and more that are available on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“The bay doors are full,” said Market Manager Pat Ayscue. “We kind of slip and slide a little closer to each other this time of year.”

In addition to the sweet corn, butterbeans, peas and more, there’s a new local producer who’s bringing in peaches. “He fills the back of his truck up, and they are so delicious!” Ayscue said.

Come on out to the market on Saturday, July 26 to celebrate the birthday of long-time vendor Calvin Adcock.

There will most likely be a cake with candles, but who knows – there could be candles in a birthday watermelon – the market also is celebrating Watermelon Day that day.

“Everybody loves and appreciates Mr. Adcock so much…it just all works together really well for both days to be together,” Ayscue said. “He’s a real inspiration to us all.”

To mark Watermelon Day, Ayscue said she’ll be giving away free watermelons every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to noon.

It’s shaping up to be a great watermelon harvest, she said, unlike last year when untimely drought and then heavy rains took tolls on the summertime favorite.

“Last year was a rough season on watermelons,” Ayscue said. “This season is looking really good…this year, we’ve hit it just right.”

Be on the lookout for Sugar Baby, Charleston Gray and Jubilee varieties.

Eligible customers can stretch their produce budget with the Senior Voucher and Double Bucks programs. EBT is accepted as well.

“If you use your EBT card at our market, I can match that with Double Bucks to stretch your food dollars,” she said.

The Senior Voucher program is a state program, and Ayscue said the vouchers can be used at any farmers market that is certified.

Artis Crews with Green Rural Redevelopment Organization will be at the market this Saturday to sign up seniors for the voucher program.

Click Play!

Grand Opening of Community Garden at VCRFM

/by

The community garden at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market held its official grand opening Saturday, May 24, 2025.

Dr. Wykia Macon, director of the Vance County Cooperative Extension, was on hand and hands on!

She spoke recently at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market and said agriculture is “undeniably central to our lives,” when addressing 100 attendees of the ‘State of Agriculture’ luncheon hosted by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

Horticulture and Field Crops agent Michael Ellington was on hand and at work as well, and it’s apparent months of preparation is starting to pay off.

The community garden a place where gardeners of all skill levels are welcome to learn and share their own knowledge about growing fruits and vegetables.

Garden beds are available to rent for the growing season – each 4 foot by 8 foot bed is $40 for the whole season.

Community gardens provide lots of benefits, Ellington said recently on his weekly Tuesday segment on WIZS. Fresh, healthy food is just the beginning.

Access to affordable, nutritious food can be limited, especially in underserved neighborhoods and communities, he said. Garden plots like the ones at the farmers market offer local hands-on solutions that can reduce food inequality and increase availability.

And it just makes sense that folks who grow their own fruits and vegetables are likely to eat more of each. Community gardens give people power over what they eat, he said.

Community gardens can bring diverse groups together, and soon, new friends are swapping recipes and stories while they pull weeds and keep their plots watered.

These places “reveal that social fabric that holds communities together,” Ellington said.

Macon added that cooperative extension programs support agriculture in all its forms – from livestock and horticulture to youth programs like 4-H.

The community garden is also a place where children can learn first-hand about where their food comes from – literally – not from a video screen or a textbook.

“They learn by planting seeds, watching them sprout and harvesting what they’ve nurtured,” Ellington said.

Planting a garden can reduce grocery bills and can reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in the landfill.

Community gardens also send a clear message to prospective businesses that residents care about where they live.

If you’d like more information about the community garden, visit the cooperative extension website at https://vance.ces.ncsu.edu, call 252.438.8188 or email Ellington at maellington@ncsu.edu.

There are many ways to help, from volunteering to sponsoring to making a direct donation.

And if you don’t have a green thumb, don’t fret. Just spread the word about the community garden to friends and neighbors.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

The Local Skinny! Grand Opening of Community Garden at VCRFM

/by

The community garden at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market has its official grand opening this Saturday, and Horticulture and Field Crops agent Michael Ellington invites folks to come out to see the result of months of preparation and what has been achieved.

Cooperative Extension staff will be on hand from 12 noon to 2 p.m. to answer questions and to share information about the newest addition to the farmers market campus.

It’s a place where gardeners of all skill levels are welcome to learn and share their own knowledge about growing fruits and vegetables.

Garden beds are available to rent for the growing season – each 4 foot by 8 foot bed is $40 for the whole season.

Community gardens provide lots of benefits, Ellington said. Fresh, healthy food is just the beginning.

Access to affordable, nutritious food can be limited, especially in underserved neighborhoods and communities, he said. Garden plots like the ones at the farmers market offer local hands-on solutions that can reduce food inequality and increase availability.

And it just makes sense that folks who grow their own fruits and vegetables are likely to eat more of each. Community gardens give people power over what they eat, he said.

Community gardens can bring diverse groups together, and soon, new friends are swapping recipes and stories while they pull weeds and keep their plots watered.

These places “reveal that social fabric that holds communities together,” Ellington said.

It’s also a place where children can learn first-hand about where their food comes from – literally – not from a video screen or a textbook.

“They learn by planting seeds, watching them sprout and harvesting what they’ve nurtured,” Ellington said.

Planting a garden can reduce grocery bills and can reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in the landfill.

Community gardens also send a clear message to prospective businesses that residents care about where they live.

If you’d like more information about the community garden, visit the cooperative extension website at https://vance.ces.ncsu.edu, call 252.438.8188 or email Ellington at maellington@ncsu.edu.

There are many ways to help, from volunteering to sponsoring to making a direct donation.

And if you don’t have a green thumb, don’t fret. Just spread the word about the community garden to friends and neighbors.

CLICK PLAY!

Vance County Regional Farmers Market Spring Fling April 17, Opening Day

/by

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will present its 2021 Spring Fling Market on Saturday, April 17th. As has normally been the case, the Spring Fling Market will last from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and serve as the market’s opening day for the season.

You’ll find produce, plants, meats, honey, canned goods, jams, jellies and sauces.  According to a flyer about the event, not only will you find lots of crafts but there will also be lots of experts on hand to answer spring and summer gardening questions.

According to an email from Annette Roberson, administrative assistant with NC Cooperative Extension in Vance County, bedding plants for the garden including vegetables, herbs and flowers will be available as well.

Roberson wrote, “Persons interested in selling at the VCRFM may contact Tracy Madigan, 252-598-0814 or Paul McKenzie at 252-438-8188. The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr. Henderson, NC, off S. Beckford Dr. behind the DaVita Dialysis Center.

“Until further notice, COVID-19 protocols will be in effect at the market including mandatory face coverings/masks and social distancing.”

Local News Audio

WIZS Noon News Audio 01-06-21: VGCC; Property Tax; Farmers Market; Weather

/by

The WIZS Noon News Audio with stories including:

  • Registration Deadline for VGCC Spring Classes
  • Property Tax Deadline
  • Vance County Regional Farmers Market Advisory Committee Meeting
  • Police News
  • Weather/Snow

 

Vance County Regional Farmers Market Advisory Board to Meet Thursday

/by

— by Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren Counties, NC Cooperative Extension

The Advisory Board for the Vance County Regional Farmers Market will meet on Thursday, January 7th at 2 p.m. This will be a virtual meeting using the Zoom video conferencing platform. The Board will be reviewing the 2020 farmers market season and begin discussing plans for 2021. The Board will also conduct its annual review of the Vendor Guidelines. These Advisory Board meetings are open to the public, and there will be an opportunity for public comment. Anyone who would like to attend should contact the NC Cooperative Extension Center for Vance County at 252-438-8188 by 1 p.m. on January 7 to request meeting access credentials.

Vance County Regional Farmers Market Opens Sat, Apr 25

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

— press release

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will open for the 2020 season on Saturday, April 25th, according to Tracy Madigan, Market Manager. Ms. Madigan reports that she has been carefully reviewing expert recommendations on procedures that minimize risk for customers, vendors and employees. “The Farmers Market is a vital community resource for both consumers and farmers,” noted Madigan, “so we want to set an example of using good practices.” Thus, all customers will be asked to strictly observe social distancing and hygiene practices, and Madigan indicated that signage and floor markings will be in place as reminders.

Paul McKenzie, Horticulture Extension Agent for Vance County, said that Farmers Markets across the state are sharing information about best practices so that they can continue serving as a source of fresh and nutritious food. “Most markets,” he reports, “are providing additional hand washing facilities, doing more frequent cleaning, and spacing vendors further apart. North Carolina producers raise the best farm products you could find, and I’m very glad farmers markets can continue to make it available. In many cases,” he said, “farmers markets have been way ahead of the curve in implementing safety practices.”

Customers of the Vance County Regional Farmers Market are asked to wear face coverings, wash hands frequently, and keep visits short. “We are asking customers to let vendors handle the product and to make pre-orders that can be picked up quickly,” said Madigan. She also asked customers to please visit the Farmers Market website or Facebook page for complete details on the new shopping procedures. “Above all, we want our customers to have access to the fresh and nutritious food that is grown by our local farmers.” The web address for the Vance County Regional Farmers Market is http://go.ncsu.edu/vcrfm. The Market will be open on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday hours will start on June 1st. For more information call 252-438-8188 or email farmermarket@vancecounty.org.

No Charge Food Distribution Scheduled for Thurs., Dec. 12

/by

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Betty Boyd, First Baptist Church

The Second Thursday Food Distribution will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2019, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, off Beckford Drive in Henderson.

Participants remain in their vehicles and volunteers place a box of fresh fruits and vegetables inside the car at no charge to the recipient. No identification is required and no information is collected.

An area partnership of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, NC Cooperative Extension, Vance County Social Services, Henderson Police Department, Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC, the monthly distribution supplements the food resources of the Vance County community.

‘Festival of Trees’ Wraps Up With Silent Auction on Sat.

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy the Vance County Regional Farmers Market

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is hosting The Festival of Trees fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Vance County now through Friday.

Don’t miss the chance to wander through a winter wonderland of fully and creatively decorated Christmas trees by local businesses and individuals, enjoy performances of seasonal music by local artists and even meet Santa!

The event runs through December 3-6 at the VCRFM from 2 – 7 p.m. Admission is $5 per adult (children under 12 get in free). All proceeds go to support the Boys & Girls Club of Vance County.

Really want a Christmas tree this year, but don’t have time to decorate one? No worries. Many of the trees on display at The Festival of Trees are for sale through a silent auction bid process. Bidding ends Saturday, December 7 at 11 a.m.

The VCRFM is located at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson.

Photo courtesy VCRFM.

Photo courtesy VCRFM.