Clayton Farmers’ Market

THE CLAYTON FARMERS’ MARKET

by Tracy McCoy & Ginny Blades

If you have never visited the Clayton Farmers’ Market you are missing out. I had an opportunity to go shop and visit a bit with each vendor. I took some photos and carried some really amazing treasures home with me. I regret not going each Saturday this spring and summer.

The Clayton Farmers’ Market is extremely cool and packed with amazing people making and growing incredible things and last weekend was the first time I’ve been all year! The first time I took time to stroll from vendor to vendor taking it all in. I came home with things that I’ve enjoyed all week. Items that you won’t find anywhere else. I loved the plants, fresh flowers, homemade goodies, fresh produce, fresh spices, herbal blends and hand crafted art but more than that I loved knowing I was supporting local makers and growers. I walked away to return to my car with a very satisfying feeling. I wish that I could write about each vendor that was there but space will not allow, you are going to have to experience it for yourself. You have this month to do so before cold weather shuts the market down for the season. BUT, next spring they’ll set up again and be there every Saturday morning from 9:00 am – 1 pm.

A bit of history on this market that sits alongside Highway 441 next to the Northeast Georgia Food Bank is important to share. Ginny Blades is the president of the market, and she shared a brief history with us. Brett VanderHorst is the market’s manager and Nicole Kelley is in charge of social media and marketing. This group is a tight knit group who support each other and the art of farming.

Once apon a time a humble Farmers’ Market was formed; the brainchild of Joe Gatins (Satolah), Jane Nelson (The Rootcellar), Helen Meadors (Rabun Gap) and others. This was 2002. Originally located on the court house lawn, the market later resettled at the Train Station in Rabun Gap and then George Prater’s Shop, Butler’s Gallery and Clayton Municiple Complex, all in Clayton. A brief separation led to the formation of Main Street Market. In 2011, The FoodBank of Northeast Georgia asked the market to be part of its complex. Members agreed and here we are! The market is comprised of sustainable and organic growers. The statement ”Know your Farmer” works well here. Aside from soil information, recipes are part of our mantra. We all know tomato sammys, but what about the fig pizza? Or mushroom risotto? As the season changes, so do the vegetables and fruit. Value added products abound: Jams and jellies, bread, honey, tea, cakes, cookies, muffins, candy galore. We have artisans making soaps and salves, flowers for all ocasions, and to enhance your soil, “Bunny Bullets” (info. on request). The market is held each Saturday from 9am - 1pm, April through October, with a Holiday Market held the 2nd Saturday in December.

Two Tiger Lillies Farm, “A Small Boutique Farm” Ginny and Suzi Blades Herbs, Some Veggies and Fruit, Figs, Baked Goods

Nancy Garrett - Salve & Soaps, Pottery, Plants

Ladybug Farms - Terri Jagger Blincoe Heirloom Vegetables, Flowers, Herbs Facebook: ladybugfarmsga

Paul’s Pretty Good Honey

Paul Vonk - Raw, Local Honey from Rabun Gap

Peaceful Valley Farms

Brett & Dianne VanderHorst Greenhouse & Bedding Plants, Produce, Breads

Rebekah Bowman

Baked Goods, Floral Arrangements, Iris Paper Folding Handmade Cards

Sour South Bread

Sierra Patterson - Sour Dough Bread & Pastries Facebook & Instagram: soursouthbread SourSouth.com

Little Bee Body Care

Nicole Kelley - All Natural Skin Care - Soaps & Serums, Beeswax Candles - nicolelittlebee@gmail.com

Jack Blades - Wood Flag Art - Phone: 561-398-1113

Fox and Feather Apothecary - Hannah Jackson Dried Herbs, Herbal Remedies, Hand Dipped Candles

Midnight Mushrooms - Mathew Kelly Fresh Mushrooms, Mushroom Growing Kits, Spice Mixes

Kringle Trading Co. - Tim & Melissa Pace Freeze Dried Candies - kringletradingco.com

Peach House Farm - Stephen and Annie Dobek Flowers & Produce - www.peachousefarm.com, Phone: 706-946-7173

Sukhin Chawla - Indian Food - Phone: 762-500-3139

Lynne Lancaster

“Bunny Bullets”, Feed Sack Tote Bags, Breads

Curly Top Mushroom Farm - Pete and Therese Chomout Fresh & Dehydrated Shiitake Mushrooms, Veggies, Eggs, Birdhouses - Facebook: curlytopmushroomfarm