Agriculture
FARM STORE
LIVING OFF THE LAND
S
ome people call it “paradise,” and the rural nature of the county is the main reason. People in the Foothills, if they choose, can almost live entirely “off the grid” and rarely visit a grocery store. That’s because farms are so prevalent locally. It is not uncommon to get stuck behind a tractor, or to stop and wait for chickens or turkeys to cross the road, or even an occasional cow.
The area has thriving farmers markets, where residents can get a variety of homegrown foods, as well as the Mill Spring Farm Store, where many local farmers sell their products, including produce, meat, fish and homemade canned and baked goods.
VINEYARDS Polk County has a variety of vineyards, where people can stock up on locally produced wines. See page 24 for more details.
SOURCING LOCAL The county has several businesses besides the farm store that source local agricultural products, including Manna Cabanna in Tryon, Meanwhile Back in Saluda, Martha’s Amish Bakery in Green Creek and OpenRoad Coffee in Columbus.
FARMERS MARKETS Farmers markets are in full swing through the fall. Tryon’s market is at Harmon Field on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon; Saluda’s market is in the city’s downtown parking lot off U.S. Highway 176 on Fridays, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.; Columbus’ market is in front of the Polk County Courthouse from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays; and Landrum’s market is held beside the railroad tracks on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon.
BEEKEEPERS Polk County also has a beekeepers association, and lots of locally harvested honey. Details are online at PolkCountyFarms.org. 44 | VISITOR’S BULLETIN Spring 2020
