Tag Archives: farmers

New Fall Events Coming to Farmers Market

September 30, 2013

Norton Family Farm Fresh Carrots

Fall is definitely in the air. At the market this past Saturday, it was a bit cool with a light breeze, making it the perfect morning to stroll around with a warm doughnut and a cup of hot coffee from Ellie’s Doughnuts.

Flying S Farm White Chocolate Friendship Bread

Pumplin Rolls sell out fast from Norton Family Farm

Other signs of fall at the market too, like the first appearance of winter squash, more root veggies, apple cider…

…and lots of pumpkins.

A Pumpkin Helper

Cinderella Pumpkins

King Farm Pumpkins Invade the FFM

Small Pumpkins for young visitors

King Farm Flat Bed Trailer Filled with Pumpkins of all colors and sizes

But the thing that tells us that fall is really here is the big question we’re asked every year – When do you close down for winter? The answer is, we don’t. The Franklin Farmers Market goes on year-round. Surprised? You’re not alone. A lot of folks wonder how a farmers market that’s dedicated to food from local farms can be open during the winter. In Tennessee, our winters are a bit milder and that allows farmers to extend their warm weather crops a little longer.

Beautiful Tomatoes still in good supply

Beaverdam Creek Farm Fall Eggplant

Trish holding a CSA from Beaverdam Creek Farm

Bloomsbury Farm Wheat Grass and Beets

And a number of farmers now use “tunnels” which consists of metal frames with plastic stretch over them. The plants are in the garden patch like they normally would be but the protection of the tunnel keeps frost from killing the plants. And finally, there are quite a few vegetables that prefer to grow in cool weather, like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage or carrots and potatoes. The winter season for the Franklin Farmers Market begins in November.

Fall Mums and Custom Baskets from Bloomin’ Baskets

Fresh Jams and Preserves from Jones Mill Farms

Brenda of Moonshadow Farm hosting Kenny of Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese

Pilgrims Produce with their fall produce selection

Meat lovers, rejoice! Next Saturday, October 5^th is the Day of the Grill at the market with samples of tender beef, pork, chicken and lamb from our Tennessee meat farms at the market. Enjoy tasty bites of meat from Triple L Ranch, Bear Creek Farm, West Wind Farm, Peaceful Pastures, River Cottage Farm and Beaverdam Creek Farm. Chef Jeff Lunsford will use his talents on the grill to prepare the delicious samples. Chef Jeff is a grill expert extraordinaire from The Hearth and Grill Shop. The Hearth and Grill Shop is locally owned and has been Middle Tennessee’s favorite spot for top-notch grills for over 40 years. This is your chance to enjoy mouthwatering samples of meat grilled to perfection on a Big Green Egg Smoker & Grill, which considered by many to be the best grill ever made. Don’t miss it… next Saturday, the Day of the Grill at the Franklin Farmers Market!

Persimmons bring a smile to Lauren of Bloomsbury Farm

Giant smiling pumpkins and tiny little scarecrows were spotted at the market this past Saturday and they were all pointing to one thing… The Invasion of the Scarecrows is coming soon with lots of fun for the family. How about a kids pumpkin patch, funny face painting and a pumpkin decoration booth? And the best part is it’s free. It’s happening on October 19^th – The Invasion of the Scarecrows at the Franklin Farmers Market. Presented by our good friends at Williamson Medical Center.

Visit our Photo Gallery to view pictures from this past Saturday’s Market and all Saturday Markets since May of this year.

Farm Fresh Summer Produce still available at our Tennessee Farmers Market

September 22, 2013

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Maybe it was that yummy roll with sausage from Jones Mill Farms. Or it could have been a deliciously sweet treat from Ellie’s Doughnuts with a good cup of hot coffee. Or perhaps some of Hatcher Dairy’s famous chocolate milk was the way to start the day. Whatever it was, despite the wet weather, a whole lot of you showed up and munched on breakfast goodies while walking around the market this past Saturday morning.

Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnets

Norton Family Farm Pumpkin Rolls

Singing in the Rain!

BB’s Gourmet Pretzels

Wonderful Granola MIx

And our farmers and vendors really appreciate that, because whether it’s rain or shine, hot or cold, there’s good fresh food harvested every day. So again, big thanks to everyone who came out to shop at the Franklin Farmers Market in less than ideal weather.

Pumpkin Face Drawing

Peaceful Pastures now taking Turkey orders

The cooler, wet weather shouldn’t have been a surprise though because Sunday was the official first day of autumn and that means some changes are coming in the produce at the market. There are still a lot of your summer favorites, like tomatoes and cucumbers or squash and field peas.

Farm Fresh Tonmatoes

Just picked Okra

Summer Veggies from Pilgrims Produce

Produce variety from Pilgrims Produce

But with the change in the season, different veggies start showing up. Not everything in the garden is harvested during the hot days of summer. There are a number of vegetables that grow better in cooler temps and are ready to be harvested during both spring and fall. That’s why there is a good supply of such veggies like radishes, beets and carrots during the cool months at the market. Turnips, lettuce and sweet potatoes are plentiful during the fall and spring too. Many farms in Middle Tennessee grow all year long, so the Franklin Farmers Market stays open all year long. The winter market officially begins on November 2^nd.

Pumpkins in market from Purple Tree Farm

Sweet Potatoes from Colbert Farm

Wagon of Pumpkins from King Farm

And of course with the fall season, pumpkins come to the market. And when the pumpkins start showing up (like they are now), scarecrows are not too far behind them. October 19^th is the day for scarecrows to take over the market. The Invasion of the Scarecrows is great day for family fun, with a free pumpkin patch for the kids, yummy pumpkin goodies to eat, plus the kids can paint pumpkins and get their faces painted too! The Invasion of the Scarecrows is presented by the Williamson Medical Center.

Cherry Jelly from Norton Family Farm

Sunflowers and Veggies from Beaverdam Creek Farm

Great veggies to eat and enjoy; lots of pumpkins and a market takeover by scarecrows… We love fall at the Franklin Farmers Market!

Farm Produce Now Purchased in Bulk for Winter Canning and Freezing

September 9, 2013

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Early Saturday morning at the Franklin Farmers Market, there was a just a little touch of fall in the air. Cooler temps made for a nice start to the day. But soon, the day went back into summer mode with bright sunshine and hotter temps. It was fitting though, because there are still plenty of summer favorites available from the farmers.

Summer Okra still in good supply

Fresh picked Herbs from Bloomsbury Farm

Cucumbers, Large and Small Tomatoes from May Lo Fresh Produce

Green Beans from Rainbow Hill Farm

Fresh Plump Tomatoes from Rainbow Hill Farm

Mark Alan Artisan Woods

But this past Saturday was also the very first market day of September and while we are all about fresh food from local farms, September brings more unique arts and crafts to the Franklin Farmers Market. Every Saturday in September we celebrate the local artisans of middle Tennessee. Long time favorites, such as V’s Pottery, Lovely Beads by Brenda and Mark Alan Artisan Woods are at the market through September, but there are new crafts people too, like El’s Silverware and Glass Gardens by RuthE.

Hand made beads from Lovely Beads by Brenda

Hand carved wood from Mark Alan Artisan Woods

Custom made craft baskets from Bloomin’ Baskets

September also brings the first of big beautiful flowers to market too, like those from Bloomin’ Baskets and the huge mums from Purple Tree Farm. And the first of the pumpkins are also starting to show up. Pumpkins little and big, orange or striped white and green were spotted this past Saturday. Fresh apples are now at the market too, along with apple cider. Fall is definitely just around the corner.

Nice variety of Pumpkins from Purple Tree Farm

Just picked Apples from Rainbow Hill Farm

Apple Cider from Kirkview Farm

Fresh Carrots from Norris Family Farm

Sharon talking recipes with a young chef!

Fresh Baked Cookies from Dozen

Great Traditional Bluegrass from the Franklin Square Pickers

And with the approach of cooler weather, some of what occurs each fall at the market is quite odd. Things start to look different and curious characters begin to appear. Keep your eyes wide open…They are coming to the market soon. Very soon.

Visit photos from this past Saturday’s Market by clicking here!

Farmers Market eases into Fall with Summer Vegetables still in Large Supply

September 2, 2013

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Deb Ringing in the start of another great Market Saturday

You know that old saying about how time flies? It’s true. Even though autumn doesn’t start until late September, everyone considers Labor Day to be the end of summer. School’s back in session, there’s no more summer vacation and all of our favorite summer fruits and veggies are gone. But wait just a minute…that last part’s not true. There are still plenty of summer goodies at the Franklin Farmers Market.

Fresh Produce from Bloomsbury Farm

The proof is in the photos… Look at the beautiful produce from Bloomsbury Farm that was available at the market this past weekend.

Farm Fresh Green Beans from Kirkview Farm

There were lots of fresh veggies and fruits to choose from, like these green beans from Kirkview Farm or these sweet watermelons from Pilgrims Produce.

Heirloom Tomatoes from Evans Produce

Kirkview Farm Peaches

Okra, Onions and Garlic from Gardner Grove

Beaverdam Creek Farm Booth full of produce

Gardner Grove Heirloom Tomatoes

mAnd while it is almost the end of summer, the market keeps on going and going. There were a lot of people on Saturday, asking when the market would shut down for the winter. We don’t. The Franklin Farmers Market is open year-round, every Saturday. There are lots of good winter vegetables that our farmers grow too.

First Pumpkins of Fall 2013 King Farm

Bags of Apples from Kirkview Farm

Farm Fresh Sprouts from Bloomsbury Farm

So while summer may be flying by in a hurry, there are no worries about getting good local fresh foods. The Franklin Farmers Market has got what you want.

Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnuts

Fresh Baked Cookies and Scones from Dozen

Fresh Tomato Juices and Salsa from Delvin Farms

Tie Dye Garments from Pieceful World Clothing

Little Jimmy’s Italian Ices

However with the fall season, there is a peculiar occurrence takes place at the market. There’s a curious change in the way things normally are. Something odd happens and strange occupants suddenly overrun the market. So be forewarned… they are coming to the Franklin Farmers Market soon… very soon.

Watermelon Festival Fun at the Franklin Farmers Market

August 20, 2013

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Big sweet juicy fun. That pretty much sums up the Franklin Farmers Market Watermelon Festival. We’re celebrating summer with the watermelon, one of the season’s favorite treats. Whether it’s the watermelon seed-spitting contest, fun games or the fastest watermelon eating contest, there’s something for everyone.

Pure Watermelon Joy!

A Sweet & Juicy Day at the Market

There are sweet watermelon slices to enjoy as you walk around the market. The kids will love the Watermelon Bean Bag Toss and the free face painting at the festival. And if you’re ready to prove your watermelon seed spitting skills, get ready for the competition! Last year’s seed spitters broke records! Winners of the seed spitting contest go home with yummy watermelons. The number of competitors is limited though, so download the registration form now and get all the details.

How Fast Can You Eat a Slice of Watermelon?

Or maybe you’re up for the fastest watermelon eating contest. Can you do it with your hands behind your back? Prove it and enter the contest. Again, the number of contestants is limited, so download your registration form now. The winner of the watermelon eating contest goes home with a delicious market goody basket. And of course, your favorite farmers will be at the market too with all of the fresh food you love.

Wild Watermelon Carvings at the Festival

Presented by our friends at the Williamson Herald and Southern Exposure Magazine, the Franklin Farmers Market Watermelon Festival takes place this Saturday, August 24^th from 8am – 1pm. It’s juicy, sweet seed spitting fun – don’t miss it! Be sure to check back for all the fun Pictures that will be posted in the FFM website Photo Gallery.

Registration forms:

Sweet Watermelon Slices from our Tennessee Farmers

Over 30 Different Tomato Varieties Now at the Franklin Farmers Market

August 12, 2013

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Beaverdam Creek Tomatoes

How many tomatoes do you think we had at the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday? We’re not sure either, but we could say it was an invasion, because there were tomatoes everywhere. Our Tennessee Farmers bring over 30 different varieties from red and yellow tomatoes, striped and purple tomatoes, big and small cherry tomatoes, including heirloom tomatoes and traditional favorites. Perfect for canning and making relish or just a good old BLT. We love this time of the year, because it’s not just the number of tomatoes that is so high, but all of the other summertime favorites of the garden are ripe and ready to eat.

Bloomsbury Farm Wheat Grass

Farm Fresh picked Peaches and Cream Corn

Farm Fresh Produce and Herbs from Rocky Glade Farm

AssortedTie Dyed Clothing from Pieceful World Clothing

Artisan Woods by Cody

Bags of purple hull peas and green beans were being snapped up at the market, along with okra and bell peppers. Those sweet juicy peaches from Kirkview Farm were also a big hit.

Sweet Peaches and Apples from Rainbow Hill Farm

Kirkview Farms Purple Hull Peas and Melons

Ice Cold Limeade and teas from Lucy’s Kitchen

It was a little hot on Saturday… Okay, it was just flat out hot and muggy. But it didn’t matter. Folks were drinking ice cold, fresh limeade from Lucy’s Kitchen or dipping spoons into sweet delicious gelato from Hatcher’s Dairy to stay cool. And you know what one of the best things is about coming to the market? Even though you know what’s ripe and ready to eat, there’s always something new to enjoy too. Like Delvin Farm’s organic hot & spicy tomato juice. Great for cooking and drinking! Or like Rainbow Hill Farm’s Concord grapes.

Organic Bloody Mary Mix from Delvin Farms organic tomatoes

Concord Grapes from Rainbow Hill Farm

Beautiful Watermelons from Bronnenberg Farm

Circle August 24^th on your calendars, because that’s a big, sweet seed-spittin’ fun day at the farmers market. It’s the Franklin Farmers Market Watermelon Festival, presented by our friends at the Williamson Herald and Southern Exposure Magazine. You don’t want to miss the watermelon seed spitting or the fastest watermelon eating contests. There are games and face painting for the kids, wild watermelon carvings and plenty of ice cold watermelons to enjoy.

Cecil’s Tomatoes from Pocahontas Creek Farms

And finally, you know the old saying about the early bird getting the worm? That’s been the thought about the market too. Get there early to make sure you get the best of the farm fresh produce you want before it runs out. But trying to scope out the fresh picked veggies early at the market could be dangerous. Our Tennessee farmers and vendors start setting up their farm booths early, but there are so many farmers at the market that they all can’t get moved in at the same time. And if they are trying to unload their trucks and set things up, it’s not safe for you to walk around the market.

So we’re asking you to please wait until the market opens to start shopping. The Franklin Farmers Market opens at 8am. When you hear the bell ringing, come on in!

Don’t forget to visit our pictures from Saturday.

Canned Cucumbers from Norton Family Farm

Tomato Season is in Full Swing!

FFM Manager Deb with Lex and Tim from Colbert Farm

These Farm Fresh Tomatoes are hand picked fresh, from the farm, by our Tennessee Farmers and their families as these tomatoes are from Zadok the Natural Farmer

TomatoFest Visitors Enjoy Tomatoes, Food, Contests and Tomato Seed Saving

July 29, 2013

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The Totally Terrific Tomat-Oh voting table had lots of activity to select this years winners

I now have new favorites!

And the word for the day was Tomato, with a capital T. There were tomatoes everywhere you looked – red tomatoes and yellow ones; striped and purple tomatoes; big and small, heirlooms and traditional favorites. It was all part of TomatoFest at the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday.

So many different Tomato varieties for tasting

Not only did the farms have oodles of delicious tomatoes to pick from, but there were also lots of tomato samples to try along with scrumptious bites of Italian tomato-based dishes from Amerigo.

Nothing better than Fresh made Salsa from Amerigo

Plus there was the special TomatoFest salsa, made with fresh tomatoes straight from the Allenbrooke Farm. It was truly a tomato-lover’s heaven at the market.

Amerigo Chefs Paul and Steven

Allenbrooke Farm Tomatoes

Preparation of Tomato Jam

Tomato Samples anyone?

Sharon & Jenny presenting over 15 different Tomato varieties to sample

Besides all of the great tomatoes, everyone got the chance to learn how to save tomato and other vegetable seeds. Saving seeds is important as it allows us to preserve heirloom seeds’ genetic diversity.

So much interest in Tomato Seed Saving

Farmer Zadok Johnson explaining the art of Seed Saving

Seeds are the beginning of our existence, our nourishment and how we grow our vegetables

The Johnson Family answering questions about the tomato and its seeds

Beaverdam Creek Farm wins 1st Place

But maybe the best thing about TomatoFest was the Totally Terrific Tomat-Oh! Contest between the farmers at the market. There was certainly a lot beautiful heirloom varieties entered in the contest, but the best were the ones that showed just how creative our farmers can be. The overall grand prize winner came from Beaverdam Creek Farm. It featured a “pineapple” heirloom tomato with a parrot fashioned out of a real pineapple! Kirkview Farms nailed down second place with a couple of tomatoes enjoying the day on the “beach”… surf’s up, dudes! And third place went to Flying S Farms, with their miniature farm scene, complete with a little harvest bucket filled tiny “spoon” tomatoes!

Kirkview Farms wins 2nd Place

Flying S Farm wins 3rd Place

Our thanks to Amerigo Italian Restaurant for sponsoring TomatoFest and to everyone who came out for a fun and tasty day at the Franklin Farmers Market. Tomatoes rule!

Professor Tomato

RV Tomato Protection

1st Place winner Beaverdam Creek Farm

View pictures of the entire TomatoFest day here

Summer Fruits and Vegetables now in Full Supply

July 22, 2013

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Hazy, hot and humid…. Those three words are the best way to describe the month of July. But there’s a payoff for putting up with the muggy weather, because it’s a great time to be at the Franklin Farmers Market. July is the high season for summer vegetables and fruits.

Evans Produce

Bloomsbury Farm

Kirkview Farm Watermelons

This past Saturday, hot weather favorites such as sweet corn were plentiful and more farmers had watermelons ripe and ready at the market. Plus delicious, sweet and juicy cantaloupes could be found too. You could practically get a natural sugar rush because of all of the delicious fruits, like peaches, blueberries and blackberries from our Tennessee farms.

Fresh picked Sliver Queen Corn

Fresh Cantaloupes

Beaverdam Creek Farm delivers first farm fresh corn for 2013

Blue Honey Farms fresh blueberries and syrup

Kirkview Farm Peaches

People were snatching up bags of peaches from Kirkview Farm. They are great peaches, but do you know how to make them even better? Put them in a paper bag, fold down the top of the bag and just let it sit on the counter for a day or so. That helps the peaches to fully ripen and become the juicy sweet treat we all love.

Steamy hot July days make it tough to be outside, but people at the farmers market found delicious ways to cool down, like drinking cold limeade from Miss Lucy’s Kitchen and eating the sweet ice cold gelato from Hatcher Family Dairy.

Future vegetarian?

Ellie’s Doughnuts

Ice Cold Limeade from Lucy’s Kitchen

Hatcher Gelato from Hatcher Family Dairy cows…So creamy and wonderful!

So visiting the Franklin Farmers Market in July is actually a good thing. Maybe we should change those three words describing July from hot, hazy and humid to sweet, delicious and yummy!

Market Flowers

Farm Fresh Peppers

Farm fresh veggies, jams and preserves

Bloomsbury Farm fresh vegetables and herbs

Heirloom Tomatoes

Another busy Saturday at the Franklin Farmers Market…come visit!

Tomato lovers buy up Tennessee Farm Tomatoes Quickly

July 13, 2013

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The FFM’s “Growing Kids” gardening students love tomatoes too!

Tomato lovers, rejoice! It truly is tomato season at the Franklin Farmers market. Old favorites, like Bradleys and Big Boys are plentiful now, along with beautiful heirloom tomatoes and colorful cherry tomatoes too.

The market really is a tomato lover’s heaven. For proof of that, don’t miss our celebration of the tomato… TomatoFest!

Jones Mill Farm Heirloom Tomatoes

Norton Family Farm Cherry Tomatoes, oh so sweet!

J.R. and Judy of Jones Mill Farm putting out more Heirloom Tomatoes

So many nice ripe and juicy farm fresh tomatoes to choose from

Cherry Tomatoes and Blackberries all around the Market

A crisp 62 degrees brought out so many Foodies!

On July 27th, tomatoes rule the roost at the Franklin Farmers Market with chef demos from Amerigo Italian Restaurant, tomato squashing and seed saving, yummy samples and the Totally Terrific Tomat-Oh! contest.

Mark your calendars now. You don’t want to miss it.

The Market was buzzing with the first crop of Tennessee Silver Queen Corn

And while we love our tomatoes dearly, corn was the king of the day this past Saturday as the first crop of Silver Queen corn arrived at the Franklin Farmers Market. It was snatched up so fast, that it was almost as if the farmers were handing out free money. The King Farm and the Gracy Farm sold out quickly and the other farms soon were out of the sweet kernels too. But if you missed out, no problem. There’ll be even more delicious corn next Saturday at the market.

Market customers helped themselves to fresh corn from the back of pickup trucks

All gone, sold out in just 2 hours

And a sweet treat made its’ first appearance at the market too. Pilgrim’s Produce farm has yummy watermelons. The “Yellow Doll” watermelons went fast, but more watermelons will be back at the market next Saturday.

We are blessed to have such wonderful Farmers! Lucy’s Kitchen visiting with Pilgrims Produce

Just picked Organic Apples from Delvin Farms

All in all, it was a great market. Lots of families roaming around, enjoying the fresh air and fresh food. A lot of new residents to Franklin stop by too, paying their first visit to the market. And our farmers enjoyed the day as much as you did. Thanks for your support of the Franklin Farmers Market!

Fresh farm grown Blueberries and Blueberry Syrup made just Friday night before Saturday market

A great year of nice Tennessee weather delivering wonderful CSA’s from Delvin Farms

So many farm fresh veggies to choose from

Another Chef picking up farm fresh cherry tomatoes?

A happy market visitor finding fresh apples and a sunflower

This smile says it all…A great week of farm fresh food ahead

Heavy Rain visits the Farmers Market and Farms across Middle Tennessee

July 8, 2013

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Rain can’t keep away CSA customers

Rain, rain go away, come again some other day. We need rain to help the crops grow. However, what fell last week was a little more than we wanted. But it didn’t stop the farmers from getting out there and picking the best in fresh,Tennessee produce. And it didn’t stop the Franklin Farmers Market or our loyal customers either. Thanks to everyone who visited the market this past Saturday.

The market information booth was rain prepared

Families seemed to enjoy the rainy day

Despite the downpour, quite a crowd came out to get delicious veggies, such as carrots, cabbage and okra. More ripe and juicy tomatoes were at the market too, plus some unripe ones that were perfect for fried green tomato sandwiches.

Okra now in supply

Jones Mill Farm Heirloom tomatoes

Beaverdam Creek Farm and their CSA baskets

Blue Honey Farms Blueberries

Blackberries and blueberries were snatched up, along with yummy sweet peaches. And the first ears of corn were spotted at the market too. By the way, all of you corn lovers, take note: Rumor has it that the King family farm will have delicious Silver Queen corn this upcoming Saturday.

Fresh Blackberries from Kirkview Farm

1st Corn of 2013

Fresh Eggs from our youngest Farmer

And welcome to a new farmer at the Franklin Farmers Market. The fresh eggs that Zach Whitler brought to market went fast this past Saturday. And even though he’s only 11 years old, Zach already has quite the brood of chickens, such as Silkies, Leghorns and Ameraucanas, producing multi-colored eggs that are almost too pretty to eat. If you missed out on Zach’s eggs, don’t worry. He’ll be back at the market this Saturday, along with the sunshine we’ve been missing!

Jones Mill Farm Onions and Heirloom tomatoes

Norton Family Farm cherry tomatoes

This market visitor is so happy she found just what she was looking for!