Big Billy's Duck and Goose Calls

Duck Dynasty comes to Tappahannock Farmers' Market - check out this
video and Billy Rice's perfect Mallard call

Seasonal farmers’ markets springing to life

Seasonal farmers' markets springing to life

TAPPAHANNOCK—Tax Day has come and gone, and that means it's time for seasonal farmers' markets to open.

Some markets are opening this weekend, like the Tappahannock Farmers' Market. The Essex County venue began three years ago and has more than 100 vendors selling everything from asparagus to seafood, said manager David Broad.

Carolyn Sisson, the owner of Level Green Farm and a vendor at the Tappahannock market, said she will have a variety of cool weather crops available Saturday, including asparagus, lettuce, greens, spring onions, hanging baskets and bedding plants. She expects to have strawberries in May.

In the last few years, Sisson said, she's seen an increase in customers at the monthly market. "People like getting food that's fresh, and they want to know who grew it. I get lots of repeat customers, but I see lots of new ones as well."

Virginia had only 88 markets in 2005, but that number grew to more than 225 in 2012.

"The farmers' market is here to stay," said Tony Banks, a Virginia Farm Bureau Federation commodity marketing specialist. "Farmers' markets provide both small and large farm operations with a perfect venue to connect with consumers who are interested in buying fresh produce and other agricultural products."

Some farmers sell primarily at farmers' markets, while others use those sales as supplementary income, Banks said.

Contact Banks at 804-290-1114 or Kathy Dixon, VFBF communications, at 804-290-1137.

Booth Allocation for April 20th

Here is the list of vendors listed in last name alphabetic order for
this Saturday's market! See you there bright and early!
http://www.tappahannockmarket.com/tfm-vendors-2013-04-april.htm

Tappahannock Farmers’ Market Returns for the Fourth Year!

Tappahannock, VA, April 10, 2013 -- Saturday, April 20, will begin the fourth year of the Tappahannock Farmer's Market, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Ever improving and expanding with age, more than a dozen new vendors will join the old favorites, further rounding out the always popular regulars. Read more at http://www.tappahannockmarket.com/news-rt-2013-april.htm

Coming Soon - April 20 First Market

Less than two weeks to go.... First Market of the 2013 Season and starting off our fourth Farmers' Market season in Tappahannock on Saturday, April 20th... many new vendors will be joining us and a full house of past vendors, along with music from Kicking Thomas Band, two guest artists Dawn Howeth photography and Lily Swann art jewelry and sculpture.

TFM Music: Kicking Thomas Band

Kicking Thomas band members, Peter Gattuso and Andrew Barclay will perform at the Tappahannock Farmer's market April 20th, from  9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. With influences of Dada, The Who and The Beatles they blended their own style of rock. This local band received National radio play with their song, "It's Alright."  Not only will they play their own music, they will perform some of your favorites. Peter is a resident of West Point and Andrew is a local resident of Tappahannock.  Find more Kicking Thomas information, visit http ://www.reverbnation.com/kickingthomas or http://www.kicking-thomas.com

Guest Artist Lily Swan

Welcome Guest Artist for April Miz Trixie Piggle's Opulent Jewels in Booth #69 which is the creation of mother and daughter Gerri Palmer and Lily Swann. Offering an array of one of a kind art jewelry and sculpture; each piece handcrafted in Reedville with art glass, semi-precious stones, pearls, sterling silver, bits and baubles- even a fabulous vintage find on occasion! From the strikingly elaborate wearable art sets, each with their own theme, to our more sedate non-traditional ways to wear pearls, we make each piece with care, a bit of whimsy, and unique creativity! Our jewelry includes big, bold and chunky funky, ultra feminine with a twist, eclectically delightful creations, petite crochet, wire wrapping, and our two newest ventures- "de-lucious" ceramic crab sculptures and now introducing jewelry and sea sculptures made of vintage silverware! Lily Swann is a regular visitor to Tappahannock Market and being honored for her creativity by being one of the two guest artists for April.

April Guest Artist: Dawn Howeth

Tappahannock Farmers' Market welcomes April guest artist Dawn Howeth...... Picture This by Dawn is a photography service that combines the beautiful artistry of Dawn Howeths's outdoor photography with the unique personality of your family's story.  A self-taught photographer for many years, Dawn moved to digital photography in 2007, started her own business in 2009 and has grown a huge client base in the region. Dawn also holds fun and informative workshops that teach her clients to use their camera in manual, how to edit images and achieve clean, crisp, colorful images.  Check out her website at www.picturethisbydawn.com and contact directly at dawn@picturethisbydawn.com or visit booth #117 to view her work and meet her in person.