What’s been going on?

April always seems to be filled with events and this month is no exception. Only five days old and we have already had two college classes out to tour the farm and talk sustainable agriculture. Thursday Ben Barker from Magnolia Grill and I will be teaching a class at UNC called “Sustainability: Both sides of the Kitchen Door” where we will be talking about our businesses, sustainability and our 26 years of working together.

Monday night was the launch party for our friend Sheri Castle’s beautiful new cookbook “The New Southern Garden Cookbook“. You will know Sheri from cooking demonstrations at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market and have maybe taken a cooking class from her as well. She will be doing a cooking demo and book signing at market on April 30th and will be at the farm on Sunday of the Farm Tour (the 17th) to talk veggies and sign books too!

Definitely cookbook month, April. In addition to Sheri’s book our friends and customers Sarah Foster of Foster’s Market and Andrea Ruesing of Lantern Restaurant both have new books out. Sarah’s book “Southern Kitchen is an all-inclusive collection of Southern cooking in which simple feasts meet artisanal ingredients” Andrea’s first book is “Cooking in the Moment, a Year of Seasonal Recipes” also promises to give lots of tips for those who are shopping farmers’ markets and eating local food. We haven’t had a chance to leaf through either of these books but I am sure they will be great.

There are a lot more events coming this month but the big one on the horizon is the 16th Annual Farm Piedmont Tour, April 16th and 17th. Founded by Betsy, Weaver Street Market and Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) it is now the largest tour of it’s kind in the country. Hard to find time to farm when all this is going on. Better start cleaning up now for the tour!

Picture of the Week

A frosty morning in the turnips, hopefully the last below 32 degrees

What’s going to be at the market?

The Wednesday market opens next week, the 13th, 3:30-6:30. Not sure we will be there until the 20th.

It is still all about Anemones in the flower department. And finally a few other blooms appearing too. Ranunculus are beginning with their rose like buds but in yellows and oranges. The first of the yellow Asiatic Lilies are opening. I heard rumor of Viburnum and Dutch Iris, if the cold nights haven’t slowed them down too much.

Still milking that little Spinach patch, more this week. Probably the last of the Collards. Some more of the overwintered Leeks and the first of the Chinese long and Easter Egg Radishes. Hopefully Japanese Turnips next week and lettuce the week after.

Hope to see you all at the market!

Alex and Betsy