Watauga County Farmers' Market

The folks at Watauga County Farmers' Market are pleased to announce the details of the homegrown tomato contest that will be a part of our Garlic and Tomato Day on August 9. The contest is open to anyone who has grown a tomato. Gift certificates and bragging rights will be awarded to the top contestants in the following categories: Biggest Tomato, Prettiest Tomato, Ugliest Tomato, and Tastiest Tomato. The panel of esteemed judges will include Cullie Tarleton, Nancy Spann, and a special mystery judge. The Produce Pickers will be on hand to provide musical entertainment. Special thanks to Joe Martin and Sally Thiel of Zydeco Moon Farm for organizing the contest.

Those looking to buy the perfect tomato will have plenty to choose from at this week's market. Shiloh Avery and Jason Roehrig of Tumbling Shoals Farm will have Cherokee Purple tomatoes and also a Russian heirloom tomato called Azoychka known for it's sweet, citrusy flavor. Shiloh and Jason will also be harvesting Charentais melons, Poblano peppers, acorn, butternut, and delicata squash.

Bill Moretz will bring several varieties of apples from his orchard this week, and he will also offer eggplant, bell peppers, bicolor corn and tons of basil. Rene Donker will have Shiitake mushrooms this Saturday along with blackberries, zucchini, yellow squash and perennial plants. James Wilkes of Faith Mountain Farm still has some jars of his spring honey available, and will be offering sourwood honey very soon. James also has cut sunflowers at his booth in many colors including yellow, burgundy, red and strawberry blonde.

Shoppers should have no trouble finding their favorite variety of green beans at this time of year. Reba Greene will have pole beans, half runners and tenderettes and maybe some greasy beans for market. Reba will also have some okra, Pink Girl and Better Boy tomatoes.

Cheryl Piracci will be preparing the first of the summer's pesto for Saturday market, and will also be giving a free soup recipe with every purchase of her organic Swiss chard. be sure to check out Pottery by Remo while you are at Cheryl's booth.

Rachael Salmon has added new moss frames and a new stock of prints including some interesting bat images to her line of photos and greeting cards. Billy Ward has been busy as well with a wider selection of toys, blue bird houses, and planters for gardeners with limited space.

Representatives from Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture will be at the market every week to sell advance tickets to the 2008 High Country Farm Tour. The tour will be on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3, from 1 to 5pm each day. Buttons will be sold in advance for $20 and for $25 on tour days. There are new farms on the tour this year as well as some favorites from past tours. This is a great opportunity to see where your food comes from.

Watauga County Farmers' Market will be open on Wednesday mornings through September 10 at the same location as on Saturday mornings, the Horn in the West in Boone. Turn next to First Citizens Bank on Highway 105 Extension and go to the top of the hill. Call WCFM manager Karen Bauman at 1-828-355-4918 or send an email for more information. We will be there rain or shine!