Tag Archives: Jones Mill Farm

Grass Fed Meats Enjoyed by Local Market Customers

The delicious smell of grass fed meats grilling on a Big Green Egg just can’t be beat. It makes your mouth water and the taste buds crave a bite of whatever cut of meat is on the grill. Just ask anyone who was at the market. The Hearth and Grill Shop and Chef Michael Martin of Whole Foods got together and grilled tender cuts of beef, pork, chicken, lamb and sausage.

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Hayes & Stephen from Hearth & Grill Shop answered questions about the Big Green Egg and other grills best for grilling

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Chef Michael Martin of Whole Foods grilled over 50 pounds of local farm beef, chicken, pork and sausages

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Many customers had never sampled the great flavor of local Tennessee farm meats

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Market customers kept Chef Michael busy all market day

All of the local farm meats were provided by our meat farmers and free samples were handed out to enjoy. It was irresistible. You could not walk past the Grill Day tent without grabbing one of the grass fed meat samples to munch. Just goes to show that grass fed meats straight from the farm is the best. Our thanks to West Wind Farms, Peaceful Pastures, Triple L Ranch, Bear Creek Farm, River Cottage Farm, Hatcher Family Dairy and Beaverdam Creek Farm for contributing the local farm meats for the market’s Grill Day.  Jones Mill Farm provided the fresh baked kaiser buns and sourdough rolls with Moonshadow Farm supplying the Kenny’s Cheddar Cheese.

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Great tasting local meats

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Grilled beef slider with chopped Jalapeño and Kenny’s Cheddar cheese

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A tasty pork loin cooked to perfection!

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Certified Organically grown produce from Delvin Farms

What is it about the perfect summer day that makes everyone smile?  There was a whole lot of smiling going on at the FFM. After a week of steady rain, the sun finally decided to shine bright and fresh summer veggies were all over the market. Tomatoes and squash, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, onions and a whole lot more could be found, as well as the first of the blueberries and blackberries of the season. As we’ve said before, some farmers have crops just a little earlier than normal because of hoop house and row covers protecting their plants from cold weather and pests. But to know when your favorites will be ripe and ready at the market, you need to have a good idea of when peak season for their harvest takes place. We were glad to see so many of you stopping at the info booth to pick up a copy of Local Table, with its’ big seasonality chart to reference on harvest times for veggies and fruits.

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Fresh Blueberries from Pilgrims Produce

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Just picked Blackberries from Beaverdam Creek Farm

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Fresh squash and other produce from Paradise Farm

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Cucumbers from Napier Farm

All in all, with happy noses and smiling faces, it was a very good day at the market!  Be sure to check out our market day photos to see what went on at the Franklin Tennessee farmers market this past Saturday.

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Great tasting organic tomatoes from Delvin Farms have arrived!

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Farm fresh local produce from Beaverdam Creek Farm

Winter Produce, Canned Goods, Fresh Baked Food and Tennessee Maple Syrup!

Franklin Farmers Market

Snow covered Franklin Farmers Market sign

First, we say thanks to everyone who came out to the Franklin Farmers Market during the recent blizzard. Okay, we’re exaggerating, but the snow did fall during the first hour of the market this past Saturday. Of course, that made munching on a warm sweet treat from Ellie’s Old Fashion Doughnuts or Crêpe A Diem’s Bacon Bella crêpe even better. And when it’s a cold winter’s day, it’s just natural to crave comfort foods, like a warm bowl of homemade soup or fried chicken and biscuits. That’s why River Cottage Farm’s chickens were so popular, along with homemade breads from Jones Mill Farm.

Charlie Hatcher crepe

Charlie Hatcher enjoying a crepe

Franklin Farmers Winter Market

This little one was bundled up tight between Mom and Dad

Ellie's Old Fashioned Doughnuts

Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnuts hot and fresh

Lucy's Kitchen Soups

Lucy’s Kitchen soups ready for you tummy

Jones Mill Fresh Baked Breads

Jones Mill fresh baked breads are great with farm made soups

Even though the winter veggies at the market are tasty and fresh, some of you are getting a little anxious for warmer weather and the garden goodies that go with it.  Everyone’s a little hungry for spring, but we do have a solution to getting the most out of winter veggies and liven things up for your taste buds.  Just be a little creative. Use your imagination and prepare the carrots, cabbage, squash or other winter vegetables in different ways. From soups to salads, main dishes and even desserts, you can find recipes for hundreds of different ways to prepare winter veggies.

Hummus Chick Hummus

Hummus Chick Hummus is always fresh from her kitchen

Kennys Farmhouse Cheese

Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese are provided by Moonshadow Farm

Jones Mill Flourless Chocolate Cake

Jones Mill Flourless Chocolate Cake with a touch of Expresso

Jones Mill Chicken Salad

Jones Mill chicken salad and pimento salad are fresh made right from Judy’s kitchen

Tennessee Free Range Eggs

Tennessee Free Range Eggs from Pilgrims Produce

Farm Ground Corn Meal

Farm Ground Corn Meal and Grits from Beaverdam Creek Farm

To get you started, we’ve got a recipe for you. Pick up some butternut squash and carrots on your next trip to the Franklin Farmers Market and prepare this special Butternut Squash & Carrot Soup. It’s mouthwatering delicious!

Tennessee Maple Syrup

Tennessee Maple Syrup from Pilgrims Produce

And here’s something else to put on the list when you come back to the market – Tennessee maple syrup. That’s right – it’s Tennessee maple syrup, not Vermont or Canada. It is lip-smacking delicious for pancakes and waffles, but don’t dilly-dally about picking up a bottle. Pilgrims Produce Farm only tapped about 20 gallons of maple syrup this year, so it going to go quickly!

And finally, here’s another thought about spring – it’s time to get the kids in the garden. Look for information on the Growing Kids Educational Garden at the end of February. It’s a delicious way for kids to learn more about food, nutrition and the environment. Think Spring! And don’t forget to check out Saturday’s market day pictures.

Lucy's Kitchen Muffins

Lucy’s Kitchen Muffins always fresh baked

Flying S Farm

Catherine of Flying S Farms delivering an order of Valentine Day Cookies

Beaverdam Creek Soap

Beaverdam Creek Soap

 

Farmers Market Customers Enjoy Warm Sunshine and Fresh Food

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We were blessed with warm Sunshine on Saturday!

After a month of bone-chilling winter weather, suddenly everything changed for the farmers market. Sunshine and a high in the mid-60’s on the first day of February! Weird but wonderful weather for the month that’s typically the coldest of the year and it made it a great day to be at the Franklin Farmers Market. Lots of folks came out to get the best in fresh food and to soak up the sunshine with the farmers and vendors at the market. We saw lots of crunchy carrots and yummy apples from Kirkview Farm being snatched up and delicious sweet treats from the Norton Family Farm too. Those dried shitake mushrooms from Gardner Grove Farm were a hit. So were the Heirloom Tomato soup from Jones Mill Farm and the Potato Gouda Dill soup from Lucy’s Kitchen. Even the little ones got a taste of extra-special yummy food to take home with the fresh organic baby food from Chubby Bunny.

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Kirkview Farm Apples

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Carrots, Butternut Squash and Kale from Kirkview Farm

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Dried Shitake Mushrooms from Gardner Grove

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Carrots and other produce from Zadok The Natural Farmer

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Valentine cookies from Flying S Farm

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Heirloom Tomato Soup from Jones Mill Farm

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Geraldine’s Greatest Chess Pies

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Hatcher Family Dairy

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Jams, Jellies, Preserves and Breads from Jones Mill Farm

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Biscuit Love uses locally sourced foods

And despite their recent status as TV stars, the Biscuit Love crew was at the market too. They were featured in a recent segment on NBC’s Today show called “Marketing Makeover” that helps worthy small companies to keep growing and thriving. The thing we like best about the Biscuit Love Truck is that they use local and seasonal ingredients from such farms as Beaverdam Creek, Bloomsbury Farm and Bear Creek.  We don’t think they were giving out autographs this past Saturday at the market, but they were serving up scratch made biscuit sandwiches like the East Nasty, with buttermilk fried chicken, cheddar cheese and sausage gravy.

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Hand made by Miniatures by Phillip

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Chubby Bunny Organic Baby Foods

And finally, there were a lot of parents on Saturday asking about gardens. When will tomatoes be back in season? When will strawberries be available? What about green beans? The farmers do have all the answers for you, but then so could your kids. How? By being a part of the FFM’s Growing Kids Educational Garden classes. It’s all about teaching kids about where their food really comes from and what it takes to get it from the garden patch to the table. There are lots of new features this year’s program, which gets underway in April. Details on classes and how to sign up will be released at the end of February in the market’s newsletter and website.

 

Go Farm Fresh for Super Bowl Sunday Snacks

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Kirkview Farm fresh cabbage, carrots, squash and potatoes

Saturday at the Franklin Farmers Market was windy and chilly; Sunday was sunny and very pleasant and today we’re back to shivering and freezing. At least the weather hasn’t kept our farmers from growing tasty winter vegetables for you.

We saw a lot of people taking home goodies like cabbage and carrots, beets and winter squash from such farms as Delvin Farms, Paradise Produce and Kirkview Farm.

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Delvin Farm organic cabagges

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Paradise Produce winter greens, carrots and beets

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Flying S Farm Supper Bowl Cookies…Place you order now!

And many of you are already thinking Super Bowl Sunday snacks. There were plenty of folks stopping to sample the tasty goodies from BB’s Gourmet Pretzels which are perfect for munching in front of the TV. And did you see Flying S Farms’ Super Bowl cookies?  Too cool!

Goat cheese from Noble Springs Dairy is also a good choice to make delicious snacks for football days.

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Goat cheeses from Noble Spring Farms

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Organic Salza from Delvin Farms for Super Bowl Sunday

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Fresh made kitchen salads and pimento cheese spread from Lucy’s Kitchen

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Lucy’s homemade soups

biscuit sandwiches

Hot biscuit sandwiches from Biscuit Love

Of course, when the weather is cold like it has been this month, there are some delicious ways to stay warm at market.

There are the hot delicious biscuit sandwiches from Biscuit Love, sweet warm treats from Ellie’s Old Fashion Doughnuts and the absolute best homemade rolls with Triple L Sausage patties from Jones Mill Farms.

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Muffins and cinnamon rolls from Lucy’s Kitchen

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Home baked cookies from Flying S Farm

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Fresh made Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnuts

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Hand knitted Alpaca Fleece garments from Legacy Acres

But the other big hit at the market this past Saturday had nothing to do with food. Legacy Acres Alpaca Farm booth was the place to be. Alpaca fleece is very soft and extremely warm. All the hats, gloves, scarves and other Alpaca goodies from Legacy Acres can make a chilly day downright pleasant.

All in all, this January is the coldest we’ve had in a long time but that hasn’t stopped the smiles at the market every Saturday. Take a look at the market’s photo gallery and see if we caught you or someone you know smiling at the market. Our thanks to you for coming out on chilly days to the FFM and supporting Tennessee farmers!

You can visit our Saturday market photos to see who was at market.

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Everyone’s best friend was a propane heater on Saturday!

Baby Calf has a Name and Farmers bring Farm Fresh Produce to Market

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It was another cold day at the FFM

Mother Nature has been a bit grumpy and unpredictable this winter. The chilly wind blowing through the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday was proof of that. It’s the sort of weather that calls for a good dose of comfort food and that’s what everyone was getting at the market. Instant warm-ups, like those hot doughnuts from Ellie’s Old Fashion Doughnuts or Jones Mill Farm’s sourdough rolls with Triple L Sausage definitely qualified as comfort food. So did the hot chocolate from Ridiculous Chocolate and warm freshly prepared cornbread, made with Beaverdam Creek Farm’s special mill stone ground cornmeal.

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Warm doughnuts and hot coffee from Ellie’s

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Stone Ground Cornmeal and Grits from Beaverdam Creek Farm

Veggies, like potatoes and cabbage to make homemade soups. Great meats, like a chuck roast for a warm delicious meal.

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Organic Cabbage from Delvin Farms

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Delvin Farms Organic Potatoes

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Tender tasty fresh beef from Bear Creek Farm

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Homemade soups from Lucy’s Kitchen

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Kenny’s Cheeses from Moonshadow Farm

And the vivid orange carrots and green Brussels sprouts offered a little tease of spring with their bright colors.

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Garlic, Turnips and Tomato Sauce from Delvin Farms

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Winter Squash from Delvin Farms

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Delvin Farms Brussels Sprouts

Here’s a question for you: You don’t see any flowers growing or green leaves on trees, so how do vegetables grow during the winter? We overheard that very question being asked at the market this past Saturday. Are those veggies grown somewhere else in warmer weather and then shipped in to Tennessee? The answer to that question is no. Some vegetables, such as cabbage grow much better in cooler weather. But when the weather gets a little cold, row covers and hoop houses go over the top of the plants to protect them. The coverings help the plants to get a little more warmth from the sun and protection from frost too. So what you see in the FFM during the winter really is grown on a local farm.

Buttermilk

Call me Buttermilk!

And finally, the voting is over and the little calf at Triple L Ranch is no longer without a name. Say hello to Buttermilk. The top seven names in the Name the Calf contest were Ollie, Jasper, Ace, Leo, Oliver, Bartholomew and Buttermilk. Who submitted the winning name? It was actually Ann Lee of Triple L Ranch. Ann put the name Buttermilk in the poll as a little joke, because the calf is neither a heifer nor a dairy cow. But that kind of backfired, because Buttermilk was voted as the favorite name for calf.  The runner-up in the contest was the name Bartholomew, which was submitted by Savana Stroud. So the Lee family has awarded the prize of a day at the Triple L Ranch to Savana. Our thanks to everyone who voted in the Name the Calf contest!

The Franklin Farmers Market is community driven Saturday morning farmers market bringing together the best local farmers in the state of Tennessee.  Visit our photo gallery and farmer profiles to learn more about Tennessee farm fresh produce and meats.

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Fresh lettuces from Paradise Produce

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Farm fresh eggs from River Cottage

 

Christmas Shoppers buy up Winter Greens, Baked Goods and Artisan Crafts

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Beautiful fresh produce from Paradise Produce

With the extremely windy weather, it’s a thousand wonders that spinach and other winter greens were not flying across the shed at the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday. It was a challenge for the farmers and artisans to get their booths set up and ready to go without blowing across the parking lot, but it was worth it as many people came out to do the last minute shopping for Christmas.

Lots of bundles of carrots and radishes, along with spinach, green onions and garlic were picked up to prepare special holiday dishes.

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Sweet Tennessee Carrots from Paradise Produce

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Fresh picked Green Onions from Gardner Grove

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Organic Garlic, Radishes and Spinach from Delvin Farms

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New Stone Ground Cornmeal and Grits from Beaverdam Creek Farm

And Beaverdam Creek Farm’s new stone-ground cornmeal and grits were very popular items too. Then there were all of the absolutely delicious baked goods. Flying S Farm special decorated holiday cookies were a big hit. So was the incredible Polish bread and Stollen from Jones Mill Farm and the special sweet pastries from Lucy’s Kitchen.

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Fresh baked muffins from Lucy’s Kitchen…Hi Lucy!

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Flying S Farms’ home baked Christmas Cookies

Lots of stocking stuffers were snatched up too, like the Totty’s Bend Farm Goat Soap and Creekbend Herbs lavender sachets. The beautiful jewelry from Rockin’ Robin was also picked up by many.

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Totty’s Bend Goat Milk Soap

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Hand made artisan jewelry from Baya Designs

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Beautiful beaded necklaces from Rockin’ Robin

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Soy candles in recycled hand cut wine bottles

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Miniatures by Philip

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Custom made signs from Tom the Barn Wood Sign Guy

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Elevated Gardens for small and large places

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Handcrafted artisan jewelry from Antlers

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Wooden kitchen cutting boards from Cody’s Woodworks

Several people stopped by the info booth to ask what name has been given to the little calf at Triple L Ranch. He’s still without a name, but you can change that. Take a look at the top seven names chosen for the little fellow and vote for your favorite. We’ll announce the winning name for the calf on January 19th, so vote for his new name now by clicking here.

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Local customer picking up their final CSA for 2013

And for those of you asking if we are taking off the weekend after Christmas and before New Year’s Eve, the answer is no. The Franklin Farmers Market will be open this upcoming Saturday and every Saturday throughout the winter (and summer!) for you. The only change will be the winter market hours in 2014. Saturday December 28th, the market will be open 8am – noon. In January, the winter market hours will change to 9am –noon.

Despite the windy weather, this past Saturday was a good day at the market. But perhaps the best thing of all was the many holiday hugs and Christmas greetings, making it a very special day. From our family to yours, we wish a very Merry Christmas!

 

Winter Vegetables and Homemade Soups make for Nutritious Family Meals

What happen to the sunshine and 60-something degree weather that was forecast? No matter, we still had good food at the market last Saturday. Broccoli and winter greens; carrots, radishes, turnips and lettuce were plentiful. We even came across a few cherry tomatoes from Delvin Farms.

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Fresh cut Broccoli from Kirkview Farm

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Beautiful farm fresh lettuces from Zadok the Natural Farmer

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Organic Cherry Tomatoes from Delvin Farms

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Sweet Potatoes from Rocky Glade Farm

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Turnip Greens, Radishes, Sweet Potatoes, Butternut Squash and so many winter greens!

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Carl and son ready to serve you each market Saturday

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Golden Yellow Baby Mangel Beets  from Paradise Produce

Lucy’s Kitchen and Jones Mill Farm had delicious varieties of soups and great fresh breads… the perfect winter supper!

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More Homemade Soups from Jones Mill Farm

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Fresh Baked Breads from Jones Mill Farm

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Homemade Soups from Lucy’s Kitchen

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Farm Meats from River Cottage Farm

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Triple L Ranch provides local farm Beef, Chicken and Sausages right off the farm.

Check the calendar. It won’t be long for before the holidays arrive and you know what that means… lots of yummy sweets! One of the biggest hits at the market Saturday was Noble Springs Farm’s new goat cheese fudge. That’s right… goat cheese fudge and boy, is it sweet and rich with chocolate. It was a full house at the market. Besides all of the farms, there were quite a few artisans with unique crafts that would make the perfect Christmas gift.

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Great tasting Fudge made with Goat Milk from Noble Springs Dairy

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Many different varieties of Goat Cheese from Noble Springs Dairy

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Sweet little dogs!

A lot of people were stopping at the info booth to let us know what they thought about having dogs at the market.  Hundreds of you have filled out the dog survey form or emailed your opinions on whether dogs should be allowed or banned at the market.  One of the biggest complaints about having dogs at the market is about sanitary concerns, while others say they’ve never seen any dogs relieving themselves in the market. Unfortunately, we found out first hand on Saturday that it does happen. While a customer was at the market info booth filling out the survey form, her dog decided it was a good place to potty! We love dogs, but there are some issues with having them at market. How can we solve them? You’ve got until November 30th to tell us whether dogs should be allowed or banned from the market and give us your ideas of what else could be done. Either stop by the market booth to fill out the survey or send an email to lisa@franklinfarmersmarket.com and let us know what you think.  A decision on the dogs will be announced the first week of December.

2013-charity-driveAnd we also had a lot of people asking this past Saturday about the blanket, coat and winter clothing drive that will be taking place at the market soon.  The Franklin Farmers Market is happy to be a part of the “Love Will Keep Us Warm” charity drive to help those in need stay warm this winter. You can drop off your donation of gently used or new blankets, sweaters, coats, hats  and more at the market on November 30th or on December 7th .  If you are unable to bring your donation to the market on those dates, you can visit other drop off locations on different dates in Rutherford and Williamson Counties. For more information, email dottie@mixtapeanthology.com or norabp78@yahoo.com . Share the warmth!

You can visit pictures from this past Saturday’s market by clicking here.  So much beautiful produce in the market now!

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Enjoying Community at the Franklin Farmers Market is a Traditional Family Activity for many local Tennessee Families

 

Fresh Farm Produce, Pumpkins, Great Food and Coffee!

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A fall display from Time Travelers

We have to admit, it was a little chilly Saturday when the market first opened. But a cup of coffee paired with some sweet, warm Ellie’s Doughnuts made everything okay. And even with a lot of fall festivals going on, there were still plenty of people wandering around the market and we’ve now figured out why. The Franklin Farmers Market is not only the best place for fresh food from local farms; it’s a great spot to socialize on Saturday mornings.

Maybe you pick up a yummy sourdough roll with sausage from Jones Mill Farm or you head over to the Biscuit Love truck for a bite of breakfast to munch while roaming the market. Chances are that you’ll run into a neighbor or an old friend who’s doing the exact same thing.

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Kirkview Farms fresh veggies

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Customers of Rocky Glade Farm

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Local tomatoes still available

Plus it seems like a lot of new people are moving to Franklin and Williamson County too. Every market day, there are people who stop at the info booth to find out more about the farmers and the market.

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V’s Pottery is beautiful!

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Lucy’s Kitchen’s yummy soups

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River Cottage Farm’s meats

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Legacy Acres soft & warm Alpaca yarn

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Great barnwood signs from Tom the Furniture Guy!

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Colorful mums and pumpkins from Purple Tree Farm

A lot of them have just moved here. We’ve been doing a little poll of those people and have found out that quite a few of them are here from California, like this mom and her son standing next to the scarecrow. They just moved here from Los Angeles. Welcome to Tennessee!

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Just moved to Tennessee!

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Smiling faces & sunflowers

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Posing with the pumpkin & scarecrow at the market info booth

And you may have noticed at the market this past Saturday that lots pumpkins can now be found from several farms at the market.

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The King Family Farm grows lots of pumpkins!

And with those pumpkins, little scarecrows are starting to pop up everywhere.

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Little scarecrows popped up at Rainbow Hill’s booth

But just wait… The market will soon be took over by scarecrows and they’ll be bringing lots of fun for the whole family.  It’s The Invasion of the Scarecrows, brought to you by our friends at Williamson Medical Center.

There will be a free pumpkin patch for the kids, complete with a tractor-riding scarecrow watching over the patch. After picking out their pumpkin, kids can paint and decorate it at the Perfect Pumpkin Painting booth. The kids can get “decorated” too with face-painting from Tom the Artist. And once the pumpkins and the kids have been decorated, stop by the Williamson Medical Center’s tent for a free family photo to take home and remember the day!

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Beaverdam Creek Farm’s beef cuts

Of course, there will be plenty of delicious fresh food from your favorite farmers at the market too. From big and tall to short and small, lots of scarecrows will be everywhere. It’s all happening next Saturday, October 19th from 8am – 1pm at the Franklin Farmers Market!

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A good selection from Pilgrims Produce

Click here to view pictures from this past Saturday’s market.

 

Taste Local Farm Meats this Saturday at our Day of the Grill Tasting Event

The tantalizing smell of local farm beef, chicken or pork chops sizzling on the grill of a Big Green Egg just can’t be beat. It’s all grilled to perfection, tender and juicy on the inside with a delicious farm meat flavor.

Ribeyes on Big Green Egg

Two Ribeye’s Grilling on the Big Green Egg

Big Green Egg Chicken

Free Range Chickens are great for Smoking on a Big Green Egg

And when you use top-rated meats from local farms, it becomes the ultimate mouthwatering experience.

local farm beef ribeye

Local farm Beef Ribeye from the Franklin Farmers Market

Local Farm Grilled Steaks

Local Farm Grilled Steak from the Franklin Farmers Market

Find out for yourself this Saturday at the Franklin Farmers Market. It’s the Day of the Grill and it’s your chance to sample local farm meats from West Wind Farms, Peaceful Pastures, Bear Creek Farm, Triple L Ranch, River Cottage Farm and Beaverdam Creek Farm.

Bear Creek Pigs

Bear Creek Pigs

Local Farm Beef

Local Farm Beef

Local Free Range Chicken

Local Free Range Chicken

Triple L Beef

Triple L Ranch Cattle

Chef Jeff Lunsford

Chef Jeff Lunsford of the Hearth and Grill Shop

Master griller Chef Jeff Lunsford from The Hearth and Grill Shop will use his talents to give you free samples of appetizing local farm meats.  “The Franklin Farmers Market supplies top quality meats that are produced from livestock -raised locally under the watchful eye of farmers that care about their animals, their product and the people they sell it to,” said Chef Jeff. This Saturday, enjoy cuts of steak, chicken, pork and lamb. Or take a bite of a “slider” – local ground beef, mixed with chopped jalapeños and grated cheese from Kenny’s Farmhouse Aged Cheddar provided by Moonshadow Farm. It’s served on one of Jones Mill Farm’s famous sourdough rolls.

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Jones Mill Farm Sourdough Rolls

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Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheddar from Moonshadow Farm

Everything will be grilled to perfection on a Big Green Egg Smoker & Grill from The Hearth and Grill Shop. “As a chef, I insist on the highest quality equipment and the very best local products,” said Chef Jeff. “The Big Green Egg provides me with the best Ceramic – Charcoal grill and smoker rolled into one fabulous grill.”

Vacuum sealed beef

Vacuum sealed Ribeye’s

Local Farm Beef Ribeyes

Local Farm Beef Ribeye’s

Look for The Hearth and Grill tent at the front of the market this Saturday and treat yourself to free samples of delicious grilled meats from our local meat farmers.  Meat lovers, rejoice! It’s the Day of the Grill at the Franklin Farmers Market!

Free Range Chicken

Local Free Range Chicken ready for the Big Green Egg Smoker

Farm Fresh Summer Produce still available at our Tennessee Farmers Market

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.

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Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnets

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Norton Family Farm Pumpkin Rolls

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Singing in the Rain!

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BB’s Gourmet Pretzels

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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.

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Pumpkin Face Drawing

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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.

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Farm Fresh Tonmatoes

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Just picked Okra

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Summer Veggies from Pilgrims Produce

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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 2nd.

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Pumpkins in market from Purple Tree Farm

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Sweet Potatoes from Colbert Farm

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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 19th 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.

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Cherry Jelly from Norton Family Farm

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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!