Davidson Farmers Market this Saturday

Gilcrest Natural Farm donated the Skirt Steak and Flat Iron Steak used for Chef Vera's demo. Barbee Farms donated the banana peppers, red and green bell peppers and sweet onions.

Thank you Chef Vera for donating your time to help educate our Market-goers on cooking in season. And thank you Gilcrest and Barbee for sharing your bounties.

"Farm to Fork Dinner" with Chef Charles

Featuring 12 DFM Vendors

Chef Charles Catering Presents

"Farm to Fork Seated Dinner

Friday August 26, 2011 at 6:30 pm

* 6:30 p.m. Hors d'Oeuvres and 7 p.m. Seating for Dinner
*$80 per person, includes tax. Does not include gratuity.

*Space is limited to 30 Guests

*Please RSVP before Friday August 19, 2011 and submit full payment to confirm your reservation.

View invitation and full menu here

10% will be donated back to the Davidson Farmers Market

Are you a Growing Kid?

If you are a kid and like to plant and grow things...you could be a "Growing Kid" at the DFM. Come sell your home grown fruits and veggies two times during the Market season.

Stop by the DFM booth for more information or Email info@davidsonfarmersmarket.org

Gleaning at the DFM

McKinnon

The DFM is gleaning for a few more weeks!

At Market closing, the Society of St. Andrews will come out and gather farmer donations to distribute to our local community in need. That's right, this farm fresh food will feed our Davidson and surrounding area families.

Thank you DFM farmers and Society of St. Andrews for making this happen!

This Week at the Davidson Farmer's Market!

There's no doubt about it, the past few Markets have been scorchers! This weekend, however, is calling for slightly cooler temps and scattered storms. But despite the humidity, the raging heat and the threat of thunderstorms, our farmers still are working in their fields, pastures and kitchens. This is their life and their passion. Coming to the Market to deliver their product to you - the customers, that admire and carefully select their tomatoes, corn, peaches, meats, cheeses, fish and honey - makes them happy, proud and satisfied; a firm reminder of why they do what they do.

Tomatoes, eggplant and zucchini continue to be abundant. The receipes this week have a "stuffed" theme. These dishes are not only stuffed with good food, but packed with flavor and nutrients. Don't shy away from receipes that call for something the Market doesn't offer. Rosemary? Ask your neighbor if you may pick a sprig. Canned tomatoes? Heck no - use fresh ones. Provolone? Substitute with Calico's cheeses. Celery? Who needs it! Be creative...experiment...it's fun!

Rain or shine; hot or cold - the Market continues - bringing you the best local foods!

Coming up; a very special event!

Chef Charles is celebrating our
Davidson Farmer's Market farmers by presenting a "Farm to Fork" dinner on Friday, Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m., at his location. His entire menu will feature 12 DFM vendors. Don't miss this fun and delicious evening, honoring our farmers, producers and of course - Chef Charles. Space is limited. See the block below for more details.

Questions or concerns? Contact the Market Manager

Market Events this Week

*Music: Barrie Howard

*WOW: Christy Shi: "Know Your Farms: Farm Tour"
*Community Partners: Read/Davidson and Kicks for Cats 5K.
*Sponsors of the Day: Mi-connection, Flatiron, Wooden Stone, Lake Norman Realty

Bees Eat Local

McKinnon

I have been keeping bees for about twenty-five years.

I started out working with my father-in-law who was a beekeeper. We first operated our apiary in the mountains (Jonas Ridge, NC). We had a small farm adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway. I was working as a professional engineer in the Charlotte area and was driving up to Jonas Ridge to tend to the bees. About ten years ago, we moved our apiary from the mountains to Harmony, NC. Our Harmony farm is adjacent to the Daltonia Plantation, a large tract of land that goes back to a King of England grant. Our location gives us proximity to many nectar sources. In our beekeeping we try to isolate on as many honey varietals as we can. This allows us to get honeys with different colors and flavors. Obviously, we can only get what the bees bring us, but we try to preserve the distinct honey varieties as possible. Since the Davidson Farmer's Market began we have been offering our honeys here. I try to share my passion for beekeeping and the importance of honeybees with as many people as possible.

"In real life" (as I like to say), I'm an engineer. I have been practicing professional engineering for over fifty years. I hold a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and PhD in engineering from NC State University. I was an engineer in the Navy's nuclear power program and retired Navy Captain (O-6) after thirty years of service. For seventeen years I was a design engineer for Duke Energy on their nuclear power plants. For the past thirty years I have been a forensic engineer. As a forensic engineer I consult with Insurance Companies and Law Firms on accidents and losses. I provide expert testimony in the courts of law when required. My engineering office is located on South Main in Davidson.

My wife Glenda and I have lived on Lake Norman for thirty-three years.

~ Johnny Elliott

Barrie Howard

Barrie Howard has been entertaining audiences (he says) since Elvis was skinny.

This singer/songwriter has played more than fifty shows a year for several years with his combination of ballads, blues, Americana, and popular tunes by Jimmy Buffett, Johnny Cash, Eagles, and more. He backs his smooth vocals with classical guitar and harmonica fills and adds his self-styled weapons of mass percussions (as in drums) when dancing is in the mix.

Barrie's group, the Vagabonds, an acoustic trio, has also hosted annual July 4^th and Christmas programs in Blowing Rock for 18 consecutive years. The trio has also performed Barrie's shows, ROOTS OF ROCK AND ROLL and SONGS OF THE REVOLUTION, for libraries and cultural groups. "The music is fun and some people have actually learned some things about our musical heritage, although we try to keep that quiet."

In addition to these shows, Barrie has written three plays with music and he is currently promoting his one man show, MARK TWAIN IN PERSON. He has presented the program more than 20 times this year and has other performances booked for libraries, cultural groups, and theater venues. One recent host exclaimed that if Mark Twain himself had seen Barrie's interpretation; he would have given him a 10.

Barrie has become a regular at the Davidson Farmers Market and is also available for private parties, festivals, and house concerts. He can be reached at 704 460-8013 or www.barriehoward.com

Thank you Intern Matt

McKinnon

What can I say about my Davidson College intern Matt? Mary Jane and I hired Matt approximately four days after I was hired as the new Market Manager.

Bright, mature, proactive, efficient, out-going and fun to be with - Matt helped me find my way, figure it out and make it happen!

Facilitating the Pea Pod Fundraiser, farm visit coordination, Sunshine Lady Grant, Salsa Showdown, data analysis, news releases, set-up, take-down, post-market wrap-up and multiple trips to Summit are just a few of the projects Matt spear-headed.

Throughout the past few months I've discovered that Matt has a special gift with children. My three boys became very fond of Matt and will miss not seeing him on a regular basis.

This Saturday is Matt's last Market as the DFM's summer intern. If you see him, please shake his hand for a job well done. I imagine you'll be seeing his face around, as he's grown to love the Market, the farmers and the people.

He'll be back!

Thanks Matt,

Courtney Spear

Market Manager

3rd Annual Charlotte Area Farm Tour

Sept. 17-18, 2011

Highlighting 30 local farms.

For more information and to purchase tickets - link here.

Fresh at the Market This Week

Because we're experiencing technical difficulties,this weeks offerings may be viewed as an attachment here.

If you're having trouble viewing, please contact the Market Manager.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Thank you DFM Sponsors

DavidsonNews.net, Media Sponsor

Woods Stone Gallery, FlatIron Kitchen & Taphouse, Mi-Connection

5th/3rd Bank (office space); Baybridge Management; Bragg Financial; Brenda Pressley, CPA, PA; Campagnia Cafe; 'Cats on Main; Cocoon Salon; Davidson Chocolate Company; Davidson Family Medicine; Davidson Lands Conservancy; Davidson Village Inn; Downtown Davidson Inc.; Edmond Morgan Massage School; Home Careolina; Ingersoll Rand; JJ Wade Agency; John Marshall Custom Homes; Know Your Farms; Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce; Lake Norman Realty; Lake Norman Embroidery and Screen Printing; Lake Norman YMCA; Little Fish Marketing; Main Street Books; Mayes, Wilson and Associates; McIntosh Law Firm; North Carolina Medical Specialists; Our Town Cinemas; PiEs - Project for Innovation, Energy and Sustainability; PostNet Davidson; Prudential Carolinas/Mary Lib Richards and Julie Lopez; Robinson, Bradshaw and Humphrey; Sandy and Rex Kragh and Family; Smarthiking PR; The Cycle Path; The Stewart Group; The Village Store; Town of Davidson (market site and storage); and Triple Play Farm.

www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org