Appalachian
Sustainable Agriculture
Project
306 West Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Voice: 828-236-1282
Fax: 828-236-1280 Email
Us
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is
a
501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization.
e-Connections: Apr. 09
April 2009
Tailgate Farmers Markets Open for the Season
In April, farmers tailgate markets around the region begin to open.
Visiting a tailgate market is a great way to enjoy the spring weather
and celebrate the beginning of the growing season. Shop for the
freshest local food and make a day of free activities such as live
music, tastings, and cooking demonstrations.
Visit our our online Local Food Guide and search for a tailgate market near you at www.buyappalachian.org.
Spring crops include asparagus; peas; butterhead, romaine,
and other lettuces; spinach, kale, bok choy, arugula, and other greens; onions; mushrooms;
radishes; and rhubarb.
Many tailgate
markets offer nursery plants and transplants, seedlings for you to plant in
your own garden. Fresh cut flowers are a spring favorite.
Shop for brick-oven-baked and other varieties
of breads, hand pies, scones, muffins, cinnamon buns, mini-cupcakes, strawberry
rhubarb tarts, and more baked goods, both sweet and savory.
Eggs, cheeses,
beef, pork, chicken, trout, hot dogs, summer sausage, proscuitto, jams,
relishes, hot sauce, salsa, salad dressings, honey, and handmade pasta are often
available at tailgate markets throughout the season.
Body and health care products and crafts are also featured.
Farms Sought for Haywood County Farm Map
This summer, with the help of a new local
farm map and guide, Haywood
County residents and
visitors alike will be able to more easily find local sources for fresh fruits
and vegetables, trout, nursery plants, Christmas trees, and other locally-grown farm products. Farms
should act soon if they wish to be part of this new map and guide.
The farm map is a project launched by Haywood County farmers with the assistance of ASAP, Buy Haywood, and NC
Cooperative Extension. The organizations
already have several lists of local farms, but they are seeking others that might
wish to participate. The listing is free
of charge.
To appear on the map, farms must have
regular or seasonal hours during which they welcome visitors to their farm. Operators of roadside stands or farm stores
can also appear on the map, but must sell at least some product that they grow
themselves. The map will also promote Haywood County's three farmers tailgate markets
and will describe Haywood's rich agricultural heritage. The map will be distributed to highway welcome
centers, retail businesses, tourist information racks, and by the farmers
themselves. More than 5,000 copies will be printed.
Anyone wanting to list their farm on the Haywood
County Farm Map should contact George Ivey with Buy Haywood,
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or 712-6474, before Thursday,
April 23.
Family Farm Tour Set for June
The
Family Farm Tour, June 27 and 28, is your invitation to visit more than 30 farms and
gardens throughout six Western North Carolina counties.
The region is home to
agriculture of all kinds, ranging from century farms cultivated by the
same family for generations, to certified organic farms, to urban
gardens. Tour your choice of a wide selection and taste fresh, local foods, see farm animals,
enjoy scenery, watch demonstrations, and more. Purchase an admission button early,
learn how to support the Family Farm Tour as a volunteer and
get free admission, and check for updated information at www.familyfarmtour.org.
Also, the Jackson County Farmers Market Farm Tour will take place in July and the High Country Farm Tour will be held in August.
Stimulus Can Help Schools Serve Local Food
The economic stimulus package that was signed into law in February provides $100,000,000 in grants for
equipment assistance to school districts participating in the National School
Lunch Program (NSLP). The NSLP is a federally assisted meal program that
provides low-cost or free lunches to children in the public school system.
North Carolina received a little
over three million dollars to allocate for this program. Information has
already been sent out to school districts so that they can begin applying for
these grants. Since the grant is supposed to spur economic activity, school
districts have to make their purchases before the next school year. ASAP is
encouraging school districts to ask for funding to purchase equipment that would
make it easier for them to use locally grown food. This includes coolers,
mechanical vegetable peelers, and salad bar equipment.
One of the hindrances
for getting locally grown food into schools is that some schools are not
equipped to store and cook fresh fruits and vegetables. By purchasing coolers,
mechanic vegetable peelers, and other equipment schools can solve this problem
and open up this important market to our local farmers. Stimulus funding will
have a much greater impact on our economy if it is used in a way that helps keep
our farmers in business.
Ask the agency in your state that is implementing the
stimulus package in your state to include language in their solicitation
of applications to target such funds for farm to school purposes.
Looking for the weekly Fresh at Farmers Markets update? Find it at FromHere.org, ASAP's new community website, along with other news, photos, local food and farm events, and more. While you're there, join the conversation!
Curious about the difference your donation can make? Here are some examples of what ASAP can accomplish with your support:
-$1,000 helps farmers access new markets
-$500 brings a class of school children to a local farm
-$100 funds a cooking demo on how to prepare fresh foods
-$50 trains a farmer in new skills -$25 provides seeds and resources for school gardens
Click here to give your gift to ASAP today. Or, give on behalf of a loved one and tell the recipient about the good work that will be done in his or her name.
