Local farm lettuces, vegetables and home baked goods is what Norton Family Farm brings to the farmers market each week to Franklin Tennessee. Jim and Karen Norton moved to their 22 ½ acre farm in the small community of Cross Bridges (western Maury County) in May 2001. After many years of living in Columbia and not having space for a vegetable garden, Jim immediately turned the ground and set out to grow his own home grown vegetables. Gardening brought Jim back to his agriculture roots, having earned a degree in Plant Science from UT Martin.
When the garden produced more than enough for Jim and
Karen and their children, Jeffrey and Liz, Karen took the surplus to a local Farmers Market. Within a few weeks, a local farmer told her about a new market starting in Franklin. The move was made to the new Franklin Farmers Market and their locally grown produce was well received.
Since that time, the Norton Family Farms greenhouses totaling over 10,000 square feet have been added to grow year round. Yes, that's correct, you can buy fresh grown lettuce mix in January! After several years of experimenting, Jim has become well known for his greens – mixed lettuce, arugula, spinach and others. Jim uses natural growing methods and also grows most of the regular farm vegetables throughout the year.
The Norton Family Farm also offers a variety of jellies, preserves, pickles and relishes made from their farm grown produce. A variety of home baked goods is also available, made by Karen, who also operates a catering business. You can find weekly market offerings of assorted muffins, biscotti, decadent brownies, s’mores bars, gooey butter cake squares, chocolate gooey butter cake squares, assorted quiches, strawberry cake, chocolate fudge cake, carrot cake and coconut cakes.
You can find Norton Family Farm in the center of the shed at the Franklin Farmers Market year round – just look for the red and white checkered tablecloths. See you are market!
Edwardsville - Rating: 5/5
Norton Family Farm - Rating: 5/5
Quiche - Rating: 5/5