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.

Jen Donald Coordinates Guest Artists!

We are pleased to announce that Jen Donald is the new 2013 Artist Coordinator for the Tappahannock Farmers Market. In cooperation with the Tappahannock Artist's Guild, she is seeking applicants for this year's Featured Artists of the Month.

The Tappahannock Farmer's Market hosts 2 Featured Artists in April, May, July, August, September, October and November, on the 3rd Saturday of the month. The selected artists receive:

A preview showing at the Tappahannock Art Gallery the Friday evening before the market!

A FREE booth space at the Tappahannock Farmer's Market!

Free publicity on the TFM Facebook page, website, newspaper and WRAR!

The TFM draws a large crowd each month, with a huge variety of farm fresh produce, as well as many different craftsmen and artisans and a wonderful, festive atmosphere!

Please contact Jen on FaceBook or by email [ jendonaldart@gmail.com ] if you are interested in being featured at one of the BEST Markets in the area. Please also forward this email to those you think may be interested.

Looking forward to a creative and prosperous Market Season!

Jen Donald

Calling 2013 Market Vendors

Spots are filling up fast for the 2013 Tappahannock Farmers' Market! We want to give our returning vendors the opportunity to reserve their spot(s) for the upcoming year, as we have quite a few who have not sent in an application yet. If you would like to reserve a spot, please fill out our electronic application: http://www.tappahannockmarket.com/booth-reservation.htm  You can also pay via PayPal: http://www.tappahannockmarket.com/booth-payment.htm   If you have not officially registered by February 1st, you may or may not receive the spot of your choice (this goes for non-profit organizations as well). We have several new vendors who have already signed up for the season and are awaiting booth allocation. We will begin releasing spots on February 2nd, so please let us know if you wish to reserve your regular spot.

Brian and Carroll Curtis offer "Certified Naturally Grown" produce in Booth #15

Brian and Carroll Curtis in Booth #15 will have "Certified Naturally Grown" produce including Green beans, Greens (collards, kale, green mustard, red mustard, swiss chard), Lettuce (head and leaf), Bell peppers (green, red & yellow), Hot pepper (jalapeno & hungarian wax), Eggplant (japanese & globe), Radishes (rainbow), Beets (limited), Garlic, Honey, and Free-range eggs

Relish Comes to Market!

Something NEW and EXCITING this Saturday Market - Carol Mead Smith of Relish will be cooking in the Tappahannock Farmers Market! Relish will be serving samples of our signature Crab Cakes (crab from Faunce Seafood) topped with sweet corn re

lish (from Garner's Produce). Recipes will be provided and you can pick up all the ingredients at the Market!!!! As we make arrangements with our other market produce vendors, the food offerings will expand.... Come by and sample a Taste of Relish in booth #14

Edmonds Farms - Bison, Pork and Goat meats

We have a limited supply of our very popular Bison/Bacon Ground, Bison Pastrami, Bison Hot Dogs (all natural – no nitrates!).  We now also offer a few Goat Products including Kabob Meat, Ground Meat, Loin Chops and Rib Chops. We will have a supply of many of our Pork & Bison Products.... since some items are in limited supply we welcome pre-orders!  Thanks! .... Kim Edmonds / Edmonds Farm www.edmondsfarm.com

Halloween Parade and Costume Contest!

We are hosting a Halloween Costume Contest/Parade for young children this month. The contest is open to all children, newborn to 10 years old, and begins 10 a.m. on the old Essex Courthouse steps on Prince Street. Parents are invited to brin

g over their little gouls, goblins, pirates and princesses to join the fun. Participants will first parade through the Farmers' Market and back to the steps. Judges will then choose three winners who will receive Halloween treat bags, cash prizes and a free 8 x 10 portrait in their costume. The costume contest is sponsored by Wee-Cycled Kidzwear, Barbour Printing, Picture This Photography by Dawn and the Tappahannock Farmers' Market.

Announcing our NEXT MARKET!

October 20th market theme is Halloween with ghosts, gobblins, super-
heroes and princesses and of course...... pumpkins!!

Agnes Stillfried and her Homemade Wreaths

Guest artists for TFM October 20 - Ann Beverley Eubank

Ann Eubank's paintings have great local appeal. She enjoys painting from her own photographs and also plein air. She is a member of a group of artists that paint together weekly, and a member of the Tappahannock Artists' Guild. Her education includes a Graduate Degree in Education and an endorsement in Library Science, both from VCU. She was accepted into the Painting Department at VCU in 1970 but choose education as a career. Since her retirement she have studied under John T Griffin and recently Michelle Hoffman. Ann Beverley's greatest enjoyment is painting with the Wednesday group River Country Artists and has shown with this group locally and in Richmond. This is also Ann Beverley's first exhibit at the Tappahannock Farmers' Market. Preceding market day, the guest artists are featured at the TAG studio at Water Lane and Prince Street on Friday evening.

Guest Artists for October 20 - George Jennings

One of two featured guest artists for the October 20 Tappahannock Farmers' Market, George Jennings will be on show for the first time at the market. A Tappahannock resident on Water Lane, the process of restoring Henley's House aka Emerson's Ordinary has taken much of his time. George has now established himself and his architecture business on Prince Street adjacent to the Rivahside Cafe. To quote George "I practice art in the true comprehensive complex sense of the simple three-letter word. Through various mediums, I investigate and learn about my being at a particular point in time, but always learning and constantly moving forward, though often through what seems to be a reverse gear! In the visual arts, you must back away from your efforts to see if the details effectively support your overall composition. The same is true in life. " Please welcome guest artist George to the Tappahannock market.

TFM Dog Show

Serious business..... Tappahannock Farmers' Market Guest Judges, Michael Faulkner of the Westminster Kennel Club and Emerson Hughes of Holiday Barn Pet Resorts confer before making the final decisions and awarding the prizes for this year - the First Annual TFM Dog Parade and Show....

TFM Dog Show Judging

World renowned Westminster Kennel Club Judge Michael Faulkner invites each contestant forward to have their pooch participate in the First Tappahannock Farmers' Market Dog Parade and Show..... after 15 minute deliberation, three winners in the special categories are selected.... her Lindsey Atkinson presents Nancy, a Chihuahua, and wins best dressed first prize.