Become a Farmer For A Day This Sunday!
Since 2001, the web-based Athens Locally Grown farmers’ market has gone from a few growers to a collaboration of more than 100 area small farmers serving over 1,800 members. Despite its success, it provides limited avenues for education and social interaction. Prior to the establishment last year of the Athens Farmers’ Market, there were few meeting places outside of Locally Grown’s weekly pick-up for members. So, Locally Grown created the “Farmer for a Day” tour: guided by growers, guests visit local farms and experience the work, the food and the culture of sustainable agriculture. This year’s series of tours runs once a month through October. The first tour is this Sunday, May 17 at Roots Farm in Winterville, where many spring veggies and herbs are being harvested now.
The farms represented in this year’s tour are diverse - included among those who focus on produce are also a dairy farm, a farm producing free-range eggs and pasture-raised chicken, and one offering mule-ground grits (red mule, that is). GAll tours are free and will run from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (tours to come will be listed in the Flagpole Calendar). Guests begin their visit by participating in light chores for a few hours, then enjoy a hearty free lunch of deli sandwiches and fruit from Daily Co-op, the tour’s newest sponsor, and side dishes and beverages by Locally Grown and participating farms. Next follows a farmer-guided tour of each property, with a Q&A session evolving as you walk.
“Each year,” says tour coordinator Marc Tissenbaum, “the tours attract people who are inspired to take whatever bit of land they have to grow food for themselves or others.” Perhaps you’ll be the one to be inspired this year.
Tours are limited to 25 participants, chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. (Guests may join more than one tour.) To sign up, email Tissenbaum at farmerforaday@gmail.com. Participants will receive an email with carpool information and directions. Source: The Flagpole
14 May 2009
