'The Rural Life, Small-Town' thread (Charlotte, Greensboro: 2009, to rent, chapel)

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by northcountrygirl

Ah! Another great thing about living in a rural area......fresh eggs. There is nothing like fresh eggs. You know, the ones that actually have color and taste? And a vegetable garden. There's nothing like having fresh vegatables that you picked right out of your garden just before dinner. There is so much satisfaction in preparing food that you grew in the backyard and you know exactly what's in it.... and on it. lol

As we say in this part of the South, "Ah herd that!".

We don't have chickens but we get fresh eggs from a local farm.

My Wife will be starting her "kitchen garden" to include three types of tomatoes, green bell peppers, baby onions (scallions), cucumbers, squash and pole beans. Behind all that is another garden, sorta off the lawn area, and it will have musk melons, collard greens, pumpkins and several types of beans.

The herb garden is all built and she will have 48 holes to fill, with multiple types of herbs along with perennial flowers.

We are only 6 months in the new home and we have been working hard to make the outdoor areas livable and comfortable.

Can't wait to start eatin all those veggies!!!!!

And as you said, we will know what is in and on our veggies.

[northcountrygirl]

I wholeheartedly agree. Especially tomatoes. The ones you buy in the supermarket just don't seem to have any taste. And then there is homemade jellies and jams made from fruits and berries that you picked yourself, and homemade bread and pickles and.... now I'm getting hungry!!! Did you perhaps get the idea that I just looooooooove to grow food and cook? lol

[Nims]

Reading about all this fresh stuff has me goin', too!

How can one find out about farmers' markets in a particular area? Is there a listing somewhere; do the local papers carry ads for the FMs?

And specifically, does anyone know about a farmers' market in the Vance/Warren Counties area?

[SunnyKayak]

Here is two good websites to find out about local farms and products made in your area or other areas of the state.

NCDA&CS General Store

Welcome to NCFarmFresh.com ~ A directory for fresh North Carolina ...

[Nims]

Thank you for posting the General Store' link again, SunnyKayak. I lost it the last time you posted it, before I could stick it in my 'Favorites' file for future reference. And now I have the 'Farm Fresh' link, too.

I'm all set!

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by northcountrygirl

I wholeheartedly agree. Especially tomatoes. The ones you buy in the supermarket just don't seem to have any taste. And then there is homemade jellies and jams made from fruits and berries that you picked yourself, and homemade bread and pickles and.... now I'm getting hungry!!! Did you perhaps get the idea that I just looooooooove to grow food and cook? lol

I sure did get that idea...yum!

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by Nims

Thank you for posting the General Store' link again, SunnyKayak. I lost it the last time you posted it, before I could stick it in my 'Favorites' file for future reference. And now I have the 'Farm Fresh' link, too.

I'm all set!

I saved both links to use and to pass on when someone asks about farmers' markets.

The only large one I have been to is the one up in Raleigh and much of their produce comes from Johnston and Sampson Counties. Not sure how long a drive it is from where you are in Warren County but it is about an hour plus away for us.

[Nims]

these were skills I learned when my kids were small and money was tight. I know there are still those who can, etc. But how hard is it to find the equipment needed (like new Ball canning jars, rubber rings, canning kettles, jar lifters, etc)? I'm going to start canning again once we move (and I will have a pantry!)

Also, I'm guessing that there is something like Cooperative Extension Service in NC. Do they have classes and courses for learning skills like basket-making? This is something else I'd like to start doing again.

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by Nims

Also, I'm guessing that there is something like Cooperative Extension Service in NC. Do they have classes and courses for learning skills like basket-making? This is something else I'd like to start doing again.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Home is the state co op and there probably a county co op but I dont know what county you are deciding on.

[Nims]

for providing the link for NC Cooperative Extension.

Please tell me how you search for these specific NC sites?