THE ON-LINE MARKET IS OPEN AT AUGUSTA LOCALLY GROWN

SUMMER IS HAPPENIN’ AT ALG!

SUNDAY, JUNE 1
PICKIN’ PARTY, FORAGING TOUR & FARM DINNER AT HEXEMAUS FARM
Lots of preparations going on right now for this weekend’s Pickin’ Party Crop Mob at Hexemaus Farm in Waynesboro. In fact, I’m here right now with Chef Charleen of Culinary Connections as she begins to make the gorgeous volunteer meal. Karen Smith of Southern Native Plantings will provide a wild foraging tour after the hard work is over and before the meal begins. This is a SOLD OUT EVENT so no more meal tickets are available; thank you so much to the 40+ volunteers who signed on! Biggest thanks to farmer Sandi Johnson and her crew for hosting!

MONDAY, JUNE 2
BENDERDIGGER!
The BenderDigger Youth Gardening project at River Island starts again this summer with Kristina Williams (of the BenderDinker) at the helm. We’re looking for volunteers to help! Email kim@augustalocallygrown.org if you can lend your muscle and talents to this educational program.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7
DUCK DAYS AT ICEBOX FARM
Enroll in this engaging and informative day at this beautiful farm in North Augusta. The workshop includes a complete demo of duck processing from farm to plate. Chef David McCluskey will then lead the group in making a scrumptious Duck Bog. Tickets available through ALG or directly from their website at iceboxfarm.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7
MEET THE FARMER COOKING CLASS
Join Chef Charleen at the West End Market in Augusta as she leads you in a hands-on cooking class featuring organic veggies from Addersons Fresh Produce of Keysville. In fact, meet the farmers, Sam & Loretta Adderson, too! Tickets are available through ALG or directly through Charleen’s website at chefcharleen.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 14
JOURNEE DU LAPIN WORKSHOP AT ICEBOX FARM
Here’s another fascinating farm-to-plate class, this one featuring fresh local rabbit. Tickets available through ALG on-line or on their website.

THURSDAY, JUNE 19
COOLER THAN A CUCUMBER SALAD KIDS COOKING COMPETTION AT THE EVANS TOWNE FARMERS MARKET
Calling all young chefs! Sign up to compete in our Cooler than a Cucumber Kids Cooking Competition on Thursday, June 19. Eight contestants (ages 10-16) will create their unique creations for 16 judges in pursuit of the trophy. We provide the cucumbers from a local farm; you provide the fixings. To compete, email kim@augustalocallygrown.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 17
THE GREAT SUMMER TOMATO SANDWICH CONTEST AT THE EVANS TOWNE FARMERS MARKET
Same thing, but we’re stepping it up. This one will feature local chefs and other serious adult homecooks. Eight contestants, 16 judges, one trophy! We provide the heirloom tomatoes from the Urban Ag R&D Project in Appling; you provide the fixings. Get ready for “Market Stadium” folks!!!!! To compete, send your food bio to kim@augustalocallygrown.org.

BIG THANKS!
Big thanks to Patrick and Amy Sutter for including us in their wonderful BanjoBQue Competition! And thanks to all the volunteer local food ambassadors who came out to help!

Big thanks to Ginny Franks and family at Southern Swiss Dairy for arranging to bring the Mobile Dairy Classroom to the Evans Market yesterday. It was a wonderful addition.

Big thanks (and congratulations) to our board member Landon Dawson and his new bride April for celebrating their wedding day at the Evans Towne Farmers Market yesterday. It was truly humbling to share your special day with you that way.

See you all at the markets!
-Kim

SECRETS IN THE SOIL

… Meant to mention this in the noontime blog…

SECRETS IN THE SOIL – SAT, MAY 24
Karen Smith of Southern Native Plantings will host a soil workshop at the West End Market & Bakery in Augusta tomorrow morning from 10am-11:30. Tickets are $10. Come learn from the master!!

Weblog Entry

BANJO-B-QUE – MAY 23, 24
If you find yourself at the Banjo-B-Que this weekend, in Evans, come visit the “Shadow BBQ” team! Local foods advocate Patrick Sutter and his buddies are competing in the “Backyard Category” of this nationally recognized grilling contest. Their angle? Local meats from local farmers!! Volunteer local food ambassadors will be there to help promote the movement to the 7000 folks expected to attend! Hugs to Amy Sutter, our awesome ALG board member, for keeping the team fed, loved and happy. GO SHADOW BBQ!!!!

RAISED BED GARDENING WORKSHOP – MAY 25:
There’s still time to sign up for the Raised Bed Gardening Workshop 101 on Sunday, May 25, at 3pm, at Legacy Gardens in Evans. Cost is $20 and includes a garden salad meal afterwards. Contact David directly by texting 706-877-0935.

FOOD JUSTICE TALK AT THE AIKEN UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH – JUNE 1
Come join ALG for a talk on food justice as we work together to envision a more vibrant local foods movement throughout the CSRA.

PICKIN’ PARTY AT HEXEMAUS FARM – JUNE 1
This is a “sold-out” event! We’re expecting 40+ volunteer berry pickers! Registrants will receive a confirmation email with the details soon!

SUMMER TOMATO SANDWICH CONTEST – JULY 17
Calling all local chefs and would-be chefs!!!!!! ALG will host a “Summer Tomato Sandwich Contest” at the Evans Towne Farmers Market on Thursday, July 17. Heirloom tomatoes will be provided by the Urban Ag R&D project in Appling. Contestants provide the fixings! Judges are being lined-up, sponsors sought and trophies ordered. Contact kim@augustalocallygrown.org if you’re ready to show this town what you can do with a tomato sandwich.

See you all at the markets on Tuesday and Thursday!
Kim