When I was a boy, I would spend a few weeks each summer with my family in southwest Virginia. Part of that time was spent with one of my uncles on his farm. “Putting up hay,” driving tractors, and driving big trucks was entertainment to me. What I did not realize then was that it meant income to my uncle. Farming has changed over the years, but what has not changed is the need to sell the product. Here are some examples of how we can enjoy local produce.
Farmers’ markets have increased in popularity in the last few years. As I drive around the area, I see numerous signs advertising these markets. Most markets are on weekend days such as the one at Chester Village on Saturday mornings. However, the market at Chesterfield County government complex is on Wednesday afternoons. Now you can have your veggie fix for the whole week! It’s more than just whole fruits and vegetables, with some markets having jams, jellies, honey, and even bars of homemade soap.
Another option is roadside vegetable stands. These stands dot the county and the surrounding area’s landscape. Most are operated by folks with huge gardens, operating often in the afternoon and weekends. Many of these folks can offer advice on preparing and cooking the produce if you ask. Some are even self-serve, with scales and an honor box. Yes, readers, there are still trusting souls in the world.
Lastly is a newer but growing movement, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). CSAs offer the consumer opportunities to buy fresh, local, and seasonal produce directly from a local farmer. In a nutshell, the farmer offers a certain number of shares to the public, usually in the fall. The number of pre-sold shares lets the farmer know how much to plant. The share is a weekly supply of produce boxed and labeled with the shareholder’s name. CSAs usually offer options such as picking up the box at the farm or at distribution points such as a local park or parking lot. Call the cooperative extension office at 804-751-4401 for information on local CSAs.
Whether it is a farmers’ market, a roadside stand, or a CSA, these options offer buying directly from the producer. The items purchased are often picked the same day or the day before, which means fresher options. They also support local citizens and give you the option of knowing where your produce is grown. For what it’s worth, I still like tractors and big trucks, and the smell of my fresh cut fescue makes me smile. Some things you never grow out of.
Larry’s timely tip: Tomatoes are like teenage boys; they are heavy feeders. But before you apply fertilizer, you must know if your tomato is determinate or indeterminate. Determinate means the plant produces tomatoes in one flush of growth and then dies. No reason to fertilize a plant that is through producing. Indeterminate means plants grow, flower, and fruit continuously during the season and need monthly feeding. Whether you choose a water-soluble or granular fertilizer, read and follow the directions.
