photo by Ferris Robinson
The Trenton Farmers’ Market just began Aug. 14 on the town square by the courthouse, and it’s already a big hit.
“Backyard” farmers and even folks brand-new to gardening can bring their homegrown produce to sell on Saturday mornings, from 10 to 1, through October. But they must live in the area (DeKalb, Jackson, Dade, Walker, Chatooga, Marion or Hamilton counties) and everything must be grown or made by the vendor. Nothing trucked in is allowed. So don’t look for bananas or lemons.
You’ll find native groundcover, farm fresh eggs, barbecue, pickled beets and every vegetable that’s in season. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Dogwood Farms from Rising Fawn brings its line of natural spa essentials- from cocoa butter lip balm to candles to herbal soaps, and everything in between (dogwoodfarminc.com). Just a passing whiff of lavender and rosemary bath salts made me a little more relaxed.
Doris and John Shober bring buckets of flamboyant Zinnias along with all sorts of vegetables, including lemon cucumbers! Another woman picks overflow from her garden, and brings it to sell. “We can’t eat it all, and I’ve always just given it away before,” she says.
Austin Rector of Wildwood, Ga., owner of Lookout Valley Transmission, brings ‘all things heirloom’. “I grew up farming up North and hated it. My dad made me work the fields. Now I can’t stop. This is all my fault,” he says, gesturing at the mounds of ripe tomatoes and egg-plant colored okra in the back of his grandfathers vintage pick-up. “I love it now. But I only grow heirloom. It cracks my dad up.”
Most of the produce is organic, and the jams and jellies are homemade, and the gardeners and vendors are friendly and helpful (Drizzle these baby squash with olive oil and sea salt and throw them on the grill!) and so appreciative. (You came all the way down here from Lookout Mountain? That is so nice!)
Eating local has never been more delightful.
Note: for vendor info, call 987-0039 (423) or email trentonfarmersmarket@tvn.net