Tasty Tomato Fun Comes To Athens Saturday Market August 13th

Tasty Tomato Fun
Comes To Athens Saturday Market August 13th

Written by

Cayce Lee

Social Media Specialist

Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association

Make your plans and come prepared for juicy, fresh Tomato Sandwiches being served up August 13th at the Athens Saturday Market at the Limestone Co Farmers Market Pavilion 409 West Green Street Athens, AL.   

Join the Spirit of Athens from 8:00AM to 12:00PM Noon for local growers, producers and artisans and a truly special Southern Treat - Tomato Sandwiches.

This juicy, succulent snack is a staple in Southern kitchens when the bumper crops of freshly grown tomatoes arrive.  There will be disagreement on which tomato makes for the best sandwich- Big Boy, Germans, Beefmasters, or good old ugly heirlooms.  Then the mayonnaise will be another bone of contention - depending on where you grew up.  But there is one thing for sure that overpowers any disagreement - the joy you have sharing the bounty of the garden with friends and family.

Activities for the kids including information about plants and conservation.  Enjoy the samples from local growers and producers including the latest crops of peaches and watermelon.  You'll be able to stock the fridge with local meat, eggs, produce, hummus, and more in one trip.

Live musical guest will be Copeland Road, so be sure to bring a chair for the performance under the pavilion.

 AthensSaturdayMarket.com​

9 Ways to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week in Limestone County

9 Ways to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week
in Limestone County

Written by

Cayce Lee

Social Media Specialist

Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association

The United States Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, has declared August 7th through the 13th National Farmers Market Week.  Is there a better reason to eat local and support local farmers and producers?

Limestone County Alabama is full of opportunities to enjoy fresh and locally produced items.  We're fortunate to have fertile lands and a long heritage of farming that continues to serve our community - and we want to share the wealth with you.  We've pulled together a list of eight places and one surprise you're sure to want to visit to buy local and to eat local and celebrate the producers who bring these local options to you.

1.  Athens Saturday Market athenssaturdaymarket.com 

• 409 West Green Street Athens, AL 
• Saturdays June-Aug 8:00AM-12:00PM
• Join them for a tasty treat as they kick off National Farmers Market Week on August 6th
• Mark your calendar for August 13th for Tomato Sandwich Day
  

2.  Belle Chevre Fromagerie and Cheese Shop  bellechevre.com

• 18849 Upper Fort Hampton Road Elkmont, AL
• Cheese Shop: Tues-Fri: 10:00AM-3:00PM, Sat: 10:00AM-5:00PM, Closed Sun and Mon
• Tours: Tues-Fri: 10:00AM & 1:00PM; Sat: 11:00AM, 1:00PM & 3:00PM, Sun: Closed Monday: no tours  ...   Book your Guided Tour by calling 256-732-4801.
• Enjoy a behind the scenes tour of Belle Chevre's cheese making and creamery
• Dine and shop the cheese shop for this local produced goat cheese
  

3.  Isom's Orchard isomsorchard.com

• 20412 U.S. Highway 72E Athens, AL 
• Mon-Sat: 8:00AM-6:00PM   Sun: 8:00AM-5:00PM May-November
• Shop a variety of fresh produce including apples, squash, grapes and more
• Seasonal specialities include bbq wood chunks, apple cider, gourds, pumpkins
  

4.  Limestone County Farmers Market  limestonecounty-al.gov/limestone-county-farmers-market

• 409 West Green Street Athens, AL
• Tuesday and Fridays May-November 6:30AM-1:00PM
• Farmers and Producers 6:30AM-1:00PM; All Other Vendors 7:30AM-1:00PM
• Come early because the farmers usually sell out quick
  

5.  Hobbs Beef Farm  www.hobbsfarmsbeef.com

• 29578 Gatlin Road Ardmore, AL
• Fridays 10:00AM-5:00PM 
• Enjoy locally raised and USDA processed beef, chicken, turkey and goat
• The Hobbs Family takes pride in their products - growing the hay, corn themselves, pasture raising their herd and offering hormone-free meat.
  

6.  Ardmore Farmers Market

• Hamlett Street Ardmore, TN
• Saturdays: 6:00AM-?
• Enjoy a variety of produce and locally produced items
  

7.  Humble Heart Farms  humbleheartfarms.com

• 25235 Mooresville Road Elkmont, AL
• Tours by Appointment
• Enjoy themed tours geared to age groups and subjects
  

8.  Bivens Fish Market  (256) 216-5777

• 13935 Ripley Road Athens, AL
• Mon-Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Enjoy freshly caught fish by Mr. Ripley, dressed in shop and ready for you 
• Cash only
  

9.  Enjoy our farm heritage...

We have one more idea for you to kick off your week of celebrating farmers and farmers markets.  The Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days is August 5th and 6th on the Piney Chapel Grounds on Elkton Road in Athens, Alabama.  This family friendly event is full of antique engines, tractors and events that honor and celebrate life on the farm as well as have a little fun.  

Friday at 10:00AM, attendees can enjoy a 20-mile Tractor Ride up Elkton Road and into Elkmont where riders can purchase meals (cash only) from the Limestone County Cattlemen's' Association before a return trip down the Richard Martin Rails to Trails.  Gates open at 7:00AM each day. Tickets: $5 per person. Children 10 years old and under are admitted free. Parking is free.

Learn more about the event with this featured post:
http://limestonecountyalabamaagtrail.blogspot.com/2016/08/piney-chapel-american-farm-heritage-day.html
 

June 6th Packed with Local Markets

Written by Cayce Lee
Social Media Specialist
Athens-Limestone County Tourism

The "Season of Fresh" is upon us and it's just in time for summer cookouts, picnics and those just waiting for their favorite crops to come in.  Limestone County has no shortage of local producers and many of them can be found at your favorite outdoor markets.   

Here are this weekend's best bets for finding local...


Jun 6th -- Elkmont Saturday Market  Downtown Elkmont, AL The focus will be antique, vintage, up-cycled, re-purposed, artisan made goods. Also, locally grown produce, tools, and quality home goods.  Cost is $15 per booth (150 sq ft). Opens at 8:00AM-12:00PM. For more information or to reserve a booth, email: paysinger1861@yahoo.com or call or text:256-627-3139.



Jun 6th -- Athens Saturday Market   Athens-Limestone Farmers Market  409 West Green Street  Athens, AL   Come peruse the wares of local artisans, farmers and small businesses from 8:00AM-12:00PM. www.athenssaturdaymarket.com



Jun 6th -- Ardmore Farmers Market  Ardmore Farmers Market Main Street (Behind Pizza Hut) Ardmore, TN  Come peruse the local items from gardens, artisans and small producers from 8:00AM - ?


Jun 6th -- Opening Season at Isom's Orchard   Isom's Orchard 24012 U.S. Highway 72  Athens, AL   If you've been waiting for fresh peaches, wait no longer.  The peach and plum crops is coming in and it's waiting for you at Isom's Orchard. www.isomsorchard.com

Shake The Hand That Feeds You During Athens Saturday Market Events

 

Athens Saturday Market

107 N. Jefferson St.

Athens, AL 35611

Phone (256) 278-6436

Email: hhollman@athensal.us

TRISHA BLACK

Spirit of Athens Director

LAURIE GLENN

Market Committee Chair

HOLLY HOLLMAN

SOA Publicity Committee Chair

June 4, 2014

Shake the hand that feeds you during Athens Saturday Market events

 

Market goers can shake the hand of the person who feeds them when the Athens Saturday Market opens on June 7.

“You can be on a first name basis with the farmer who grew the tomatoes, okra, beans, herbs, watermelon and other produce that you buy for your table,” said Spirit of Athens Director Trisha Black.

SOA and its Athens Saturday Market Committee oversee the Saturday Market, which is sponsored by Alabama Farm Credit and other entities. SOA started the Athens Saturday Market last year, and it became a successful weekly event through the growing season.

The market is at the Green Street pavilion in downtown Athens at 409 W. Green St. The hours are 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday through August.

“We have most of your favorites from last season plus almost as many new ones,” said Market Committee Chairwoman Laurie Glenn. “Come out early and meet your friends, renew some old acquaintances and get to know the people from whom you buy the food you eat.”

Some of the new items this year include beef and fresh sausage. Other items include:

Produce : Tomatoes, okra, beans, potatoes, squash, peppers, onions, watermelon, cantaloupe, plums, herbs, beets, eggplant, salad greens, black berries, fresh cut flowers.

Homemade items : Hummus, baked goods, sausage and biscuits, breakfast wraps, smoothies, gluten free baked items, honey, canned goods.

Crafts : Pottery, soap, lotions, wood work items, hand pressed stationery, crocheted items.

The opening day entertainment will be performances by Alabama Blues Man and Brotha Ric Patton.

“The committee cannot wait for you to see what we have in store for our second season,” Glenn said. “We are planning events for children and adults throughout the season to make this your Saturday morning gathering spot.”

To stay updated about upcoming Market produce and events, follow on Facebook at Athens Saturday Market. To receive weekly emails, contact athenssaturdaymarket@gmail.com.Those interested in becoming a vendor can contact Market Manager Mandy Chesnut at 256-206-5897.

The Limestone County Commission manages the Farmers Market during the week. It is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.