Canning classes and Farmers Market

So many wonderful things are coming together and what a great way to promote our community by sharing and teaching others. I have been fortunate enough to work with Cooperative extension and help with the plans for canning classes. We are also planning a little Farmers Market day in April and asking for folks to sign up for canning classes and be a vendor that day. Megan who is the Cooperative extension agent has been working so hard on putting together info and dates to help others in our community. At our Farmers Market day we are planning on having a few lessons for the children in way of games and fun things for them to do. A few of the vendors are sharing their time by hosting a half hour lesson in either a planting skill or a craft skill. Myself, I'm hosting a cornhole tournament for the kids to get a chance to win a ' Green Buck", exchangeable for a packet of seeds or a chance to win a Farmers hat.
  The Farmers Day event is going to be located in Downtown Erwin at the newly renovated Indigo room as well as along the sidewalks outside to promote a Farmers Market atmosphere.
  As the event progresses i will post more updates and sponsors that are helping with the networking opportunities that are also becoming available.
  I'm a strong believer in Made in the USA and i so want to share the wonderful items that we have right here in our community and that outside as well, please remember our youth, share traditions, teach, help others and always remember...What " Can" you do..

Farmers Market Day

Hello everyone, I'm writing this to share about a great event that we are having in my hometown of Erwin at the beautiful Indigo room on April 2nd. We are fortunate that we live in a small town and folks speak to you at the grocery store or just wave as we pass each other on the roads. Our area also has a lot of hidden talents and we are so in need of a place to showcase our products. Not only do we have wonderful sustainable agriculture practices, value added products, there is also an abundance of craft artisans as well. In my journeys of attending large city shows it always lingers in the back of my mind about what can i do to help others in supporting local. Oh trust me i have seen first hand a few cat fights over someone not getting invited to a show and a few whistle blowers along the way. Actually when it all comes down to it we are all struggling in today's economy and each one of us should share and support local to beat these economic times we are in.
  When i walk the streets of downtown Erwin a vision and a picture of a Farmers Market comes to my mind. A few tables along the way for folks to sit and socialize. There is a rail trail where the old railroad line was and i can envision our 4H club planting flowers and also we could put together a wellness program encouraging others to get out and walk. I use to love to take the Cub Scout group on walks along the trail and hide little items beforehand so that as they cleaned up the debris they would find treasures as well.
  Please join us April 2nd and share my vision, here is a list of names so far, but i am not listing what they have, you must come to find out for yourself.
  Sarah Jackson, Mrs. Picky, Kim Tart, Honeycutt Creations, Hannah's, Denise Stewart, Natalie, Annette Barfield, Susie Davis, Megan Ray, Lori Byrd, Margaret Talley, Jamie Bass, Tammy , D.P., Cindy Mays, Brenda Beasley, Lillian Wilson, Chiming dinner, Catherine's sassy....
  I'm sure the list will continue to grow and i have purposely added a little play on a few names to stir up your curiosity. If you would like to be added to the event just email me jodycurrin, and if i have missed anyone's name please let me know.@aol.com
  One more thing before i go, as the event is progressing we are planning on holding little fun things for the youth to be involved that day as well. We are having a planters box where they can dig around and get a small prize for finding the buried treasure. A photo session of who's dressed as a Farmer for the day. And if anyone would like to sponsor a little half hour workshop that day just let me know..it is very important to share our traditions with our youth and remain supportive in our community.
  Until next time, Remember...What " Can" you do..

Friends and ladder rungs

Let me tell ya this last week has been quite a journey. As a few of you may be aware my dream is to help others pursue their dreams of canning and baking by working with the community and the local college on obtaining a shared use kitchen. I love going to shows and helping others with the piles of paperwork that sometimes deters the best of us. And it is sometimes hard to wait and express a vision especially when things are headed up to the next ladder rung. I'm fortunate that in my journeys i have encountered such wonderful people and a few that open my eyes. We are being followed by a number of folks that are on both ends of the ladder. Sometimes it takes all i have to just hang on..but..the climb on getting older and reaching certain goals is not self centered. Tread loudly to let the mission be heard..climb slowly while spreading the word..Keep the top of the ladder in sight..know that there will be slippery spots on the ladder..Avoid the splinters or pull them out and cast them below..so maybe one day the splinters may grow into ladders that they may climb on their own..