April 3rd and May 8th Have Been Added to the Farmer's Market Schedule

We have the opportunity to use the Courthouse Gallery Parking lot on April 3, for the Farmers Market. This will be our first themed market. The theme will be "Going Green in Olde Towne"

Bonsai demonstrations, art exhibits, music, Stealth Mobile Shredding will be here for free shredding Bring what you have and join us for a fun filled Sat. great time to get your legs for our official opening on May 1st.

In addition to our current dates, Sat. May 8th has been added to the schedule. This is the week-end of Gosport Arts Festival and Portsmouth will be buzzing with visitors from everywhere. This is A BIG EVENT!!! Market hours will be 9:00am to 1:00 or 2:00pm. or until you sell out.

The schedule below reflects the additional dates.

If you have suggestions, comments, questions please call Brenda at: 397 2616.

So You'd Like to Participate in the Farmer's Market

If you're interested in participating in the Portsmouth Farmer's Market, contact Brenda at:757 397 2616. Participant's are required to fill out an application and obtain a "Grower's License."

This license is issued by the city of Portsmouth, 801 Crawford Parkway, 1st floor, Commissioner of the Revenue Office.There is no charge for this license. If you need more information about this license, you may call or email Bernetta Walker. Walkerb@portsmouth.gov 757 393 8714 ext 2110.

All others, who are not growers, are required to have a business license. (same address and info above) If you already have a business license from another city that will be acceptable, and you do not need one from Portsmouth.

2010 Portsmouth Farmer's Market Schedule

At last great news has arrived. Brenda, one of the Farmer's Market original organizers, sent participants and other volunteers the following email. It outlines this year's schedule.
"We are delighted to send this mail to you. Olde Towne Business Association (OTBA) promised new and better things for 2010, Farmer's Market will participate in First Friday's. ( the first Fri of each month 5:00pm to 8:00pm). This is a popular event each month that brings many visitors for a fun filled evening, your presence is going to make it even better.
Our permanent location for the Market will be Court Street. This location is not only high visibility, but it affords us the space that is needed.

Below is the schedule for the market.

April 3

May 1, 7, 8, 15

June 4, 5, 19

July 2, 3, 17, 31

August 6, 7, 21, 28

September 3, 4, 18

October 1, 2, 16

November 5, 6, 20

December 4 and to be announced.

Looking forward to seeing all of you in May 2010."

City of Portsmouth Celebrates National Nutrition Month (March)

The Portsmouth Farmer's Market is a way of obtaining in-season, farm/garden fresh produce, herbs, meats, and products. Fresh, minimally processed foods are the best kind. It's what nature intended us to eat. To these ends, the city of Portsmouth VA will be celebrating National Nutrition Month and the Portsmouth Farmer's Market Blog would like to share this information by publicizing their announcement.

Farmer's Market Participant Links

On my last trip to the Farmer's Market just before Christmas, I gathered as many business cards as I could from the participants. This is not a complete list, but it's a start.

If you're looking to purchase items from these fine folks during the winter/early spring season before the market opens, you may find the contact info helpful.


Broken Arrows Farm "All Natural Pasture Raised Animals"
email: brokenarrowsfarm@aol.com
http://www.brokenarrowsfarm.com/

Sauces 4 U "The best Hot Sauces you will get your hands on!"
(757) 641-7829
email: info@sauces4U.com
http://sauces4u.com

Batten Bay Farm "Naturally Grown Fresh Produce and Cut Flowers"
email:drbyrum@verizon.net
http://battenbayfarm.com/default.aspx

The Old Man and the Seafood "from the shore to your door"
email: pat@theoldmanandtheseafood.com
http://theoldmanandtheseafood.com

Stonefield Soaps "Handcrafted Goats Milk Soap"
email: keenandhawes09@gmail.com
http://stonefieldsoaps.com

Off Season Sales Venues for Farmers

The Portsmouth Farmer's Market will be starting up again this spring. In the meantime, a potential, free marketing strategy for our farmers may be to post produce, meat, etc. on Craigslist under the "For Sale" "Farm and Garden" section. I've created this short tutorial outlining how to set up an account on Craigslist. I did it for another project and thought it may be useful here. It's a straight forward, four-step process.

I'll set up another on "Selling on Craigslist" and use the Farm and Garden section for the demo.
Our local Craislist link is: http://norfolk.craigslist.org/

A Green Growing Thought

Although snow threatens us as I write this entry and winter is not yet over, it may be a good idea to spruce up on those gardening skills. The Virginia Cooperative Extension(VCE) will be offering Master Gardener Classes. A Master Gardener Volunteer is a person who successfully completes the master gardener course and then acts on behalf of the VCE as an educator in their community. Course topics include: botany; diseases and weeds; perennials and annuals; pest management; organic gardening; fertilization; vegetables and herbs; soil science; pruning; interior plants; lawns, trees, and shrubs; plant ID; and composting. Master Gardeners must complete the course work sponsored by VCE and a 50 hour hands on internship in Master Gardener Volunteer projects. The Portsmouth Master Gardeners Office may be able to help you hone you gardening skills for the next planting season. They will know of projects and other educational offering in the area. For more information about the Portsmouth VA program, call: (757) 393-5197. Their web site is: http://offices.ext.vt.edu/portsmouth/