New Agri-commerce Company Calls Limestone County Home

Written By
Cayce Lee
Social Media Specialist, ALCTA

An upcoming and coming e-commerce business has made Limestone County Alabama its home
-- yardgardenhammocks.com.  Their specialty focus is outdoor furniture, decor, firepits and Caribbean hammocks.

Their hope is to help make your outdoor decorating hassle free and easy to do.  With a wide variety of functional and decorative items to choose from, anyone can make their backyard an oasis.

Some of their items will have you thinking inside the home to.  Add a planter to kitchen for fresh herbs or windchimes, suncatchers or figurines to the sunroom, bedroom or that lonesome corner that needs a little something.

Check out their offerings at yardgardenhammocks.com

C.T. Garvin Adds Location In Elkmont, AL

Written By Cayce Lee, Social Media Specialist, ALCTA

C.T. Garvin is well-known in North Alabama and Southern Tennessee for its quality of goods they offer to farmers, breeders, cattlemen, home gardeners and pet owners available from its location in downtown Huntsville, AL.

This 75 year-old company, best known for milling its own feed, now has location in northern Limestone County at Interstate 65 Exit 361 at 22806 Sandlin Road at Elkmont.  The new C.T. Garvin location is open Monday through Friday from 8:00AM-5:30PM and Saturday 7:00AM-3:00PM.  During prime planting season, hours may be longer  -- so be sure to give them a call first at  256-423-1800.

The conscientious home gardener will be happy to know that C.T. Garvin's has a complete line of organic gardening items by Fox Farms, and Espoma available at both locations.  The beginner gardener will be happy to know there's a wide range of  items, plants, and amenities to make any project home easier.  Any adventurer to C.T. Garvin will find a variety of vegetable seeds and plants; fertilizers; soil conditioners; fruit trees and bushes; flowers and shrubs; top soil (bag and bulk); potting soil; Vermiculite and Perlite; herbicides and insecticides; pesticides and fungicides; gardening tools; carts; gloves; hats; shoes; boots and much more.

Livestock and pet owners can purchase supplies for their animals including feed, toys and treatments - including dewormer and flea control.  If you need something for your herd, flock or four-legged animal member, don't hesitate to ask the friendly folks at C.T. Garvin.  If they don't have it in stock, they'll try to help you out by special ordering or connecting you with someone who can.

To see a full list of items from C.T. Garvin, please visit their website.

Two Limestone County Agritourism Producers Selected for 2014 Southern Makers

Written by Cayce Lee, Social Media Specialist ALCTA 

 

 

According to their website, Southern Makers is a one day event celebrating Alabama creativity and innovation by bringing together highly curated, handpicked top talent - artists, chefs, breweries, craftsmen, designers - for one fantastic gathering to explore the contemporary side of Alabama's heritage of textiles, music, craftsmanship, and food.

 

 

Natasha McCrary of 1818 Farms of Mooresville, AL and Tasia Malakasis of Belle Chevre of Elkmont, AL and their products have been selected as "2014 Makers" and have been invited to be part of this annual event in May at the Union Station Train Shed in downtown Montgomery, AL.  

 

 Part of the Southern Makers experience is exploring the movers and shakers of products made in Alabama.  The Conversation Series are packed with opportunities for "...discussions with Alabama's top talent centered on taking the best of southern traditions in architecture food, fashion and design and applying them in a modern, sustainable world."

 

 

Select "2014 Shakers" will have workshops - providing attendees with an opportunity to see them action.  In 2013, Tasia Malakasis brought the natural goodness of goat cheesemaking Belle Chevre-style to Southern Makers.

Tickets for this event go on sale in the spring at the Southern Makers website.

 

 

Follow Southern Makers on Facebook.

 

 

About Natalie McCrary and  1818 Farms 

About Tasia Malakasis and Belle Chevre

Weed Datings... Not Your Average Speed Dating

1818 Farms and Albany Bistro are happy to announce an exciting, new way for like minded gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts to meet and mingle in a setting that is fun and celebrates a healthy lifestyle: Weed Dating!

Weed dating is the on-farm version of speed dating. During the event, “weeders” will be paired up and positioned every 10-15 feet along a vegetable bed. After five minutes you rotate to a new weeding partner. Afterwards, light appetizers and drinks will be served around the fire pit by Albany Bistro! This will give you some extra time to mingle with your new friends.

Date: Sunday, March 2

Time: 2:00pm sharp. We will have a short orientation about what to “weed” and review weeding logistics. Our goal is to weed for about an hour.

What to Bring: A pair of gloves and clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty!

Cost: $5 payable at the gate when you arrive.

The event is for ages 21 and older. Please reserve your spot at the Reservation Page. Green thumbs not required.

Rain Date: 3/9

Albany Bistro and 1818 Farms Present Benefit Farm to Table Dinner

News Release
Albany Bistro
256.686.1667

1818 Farms
256.714.3220

For immediate release October 1, 2013


Albany Bistro and 1818 Farms Present Benefit Farm to Table Dinner

DECATUR, Ala. --- Learning about the cycle of food is the theme for the first "Dinner on the Farm" planned for October 18 at 1818 Farms in Mooresville. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Committee on Church Cooperation, Decatur's soup kitchen and pantry.

Natasha McCrary, owner of 1818 Farms, described the farm to table movement as more than just using local food.

“It’s local produce straight from a local farmer that you put right on your table,” she said.
Jake Reed, executive chef and owner of the Albany Bistro in Decatur, who will be preparing the dinner, elaborated on the movement that may seem trendy to today’s “foodies,” but was a way of life to previous generations, especially in the south.

“It’s knowing your farmer, where the food comes from and the story behind your food. A lot of people feel like if they go to the farmer’s market they know where their food comes from, but people don’t take time to talk about how the food is grown,” he said, adding that many people still have a supermarket mentality when they go to the farmer’s market. Knowing the grower is more important than ever with the explosion in popularity of farmer’s markets.

Rick Brown, managing partner of the Albany Bistro, agreed, adding that people should be asking why farmers do what they do.

“The farmer who only grows green beans because he loves green beans is probably going to be growing the best green beans,” he said.

Those who attend "Dinner on the Farm” will be eating at the farm where the food was grown and will be able to talk to the farmers as well as to the people who prepared the dinner. It will be a true seed-to-harvest-to-table experience, according to McCrary.

“This will be a real opportunity to get to know a farmer, best practices and what day-to-day life is like,” she said.

Participating farms who have generously agreed to donate their food include Smith Farms, Champion Farms, Tune Farms, and 1818 Farms.

The event will begin with a farm tour at 5:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Although the menu cannot be announced with certainty, because only the freshest available produce will be served, diners will receive a five-course meal. Alcoholic beverages will not be served but guests are welcome to bring their favorite libations. Entertainment will be provided by Phil Weaver and Emily Jones.

Cost for the event is $75.

The farm is located at 24889 Lauderdale Street in Mooresville. Free parking will be provided and the location is accessible to those with mobility issues. Dress for the event is farm casual.
For more information about this event, contact 1818 Farms at 256-714-3220 or 1818farms@gmail.com

To order tickets online, visit our website at www.1818farms.com or go to link listed below.
http://1818farms.com/products-page/product-category/2013-farm-to-table-dinners/
Natasha McCrary, owner of 1818 Farms, and Chef Jake Reed of the Albany Bistro