Extension office discusses local foods programs
Catawba County holds many opportunities to partake in local agriculture. The pandemic especially has caused an uptick in interest due to grocery shortages.
“It was good for people to know we have local farmers. It made people feel more secure; that we don’t have to be reliant on products from across the country and state. In North Carolina, we have a good year-round climate,” discussed April Vigardt, Small Farms/Local Foods Agent for the NC Extension Office in Catawba County.
The farmers’ markets that have already opened or are due to open soon are as follows:
Downtown Hickory Summer Farmers’ Market (Open on Saturdays from 8-1 and Wednesdays 10-2
Conover Farmers’ Market (Opens May 7th until September 12th from 8-12 on Saturdays)
Public Health Department Farmers’ Market (Opens in June until September 29th from 10-1 on Thursdays)
There are also several smaller markets and local farms selling their items, such as: Murray’s Mill in Catawba, Claremont Tailgate Market, and Honey Tree Farm.
For more information on local markets and u-picks, visit https:// catawba.ces.ncsu.edu/farmersmarkets-in-catawba-county/ or http://www.catawbacountyfood. com/.
“The pandemic had a pretty big influence on more people coming out to the farmers’ markets. Vendors wore masks and had a protocol, especially in the early days. We just didn’t know enough back then. We have seen more people coming out there instead of the grocery store. People wanted to shop outside, or maybe they wanted to buy more fruits and vegetables to be healthier,” shared Vigardt.
Vigardt, discussed that since COVID has slowed down, they are able to continue on with several events they are excited about.
“We moved to NC because the extension programs are so good here. It’s the only state that has an extension office in every county. Agriculture is so important here,” stated Vigardt.
On June 18th-June 25th, they are bringing back their Farm Feast event, which is a celebration and collaborative effort of local foods in the county. There will be several farm tours during the week, as well as several workshops. They will hold cooking demonstrations on Saturday. That evening, Raising Roots Farm is hosting a celebration at their farm. There will be live music, and local food available prepared by Chef Ben Sullivan and Chef Rick Doherr. They will hold a family-friendly event from 1-4pm that is free to the public, and the food festival from 6-9pm for $30. For tickets, please sign up at https://www.simpletix.com/e/ farm-feast-tickets-105130.
The Extension Office has begun a once a month cooking class, which highlights produce available to the area. The class is held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 6-7 at the Extension Office in Newton. Participants will be able to taste everything that is made, and will be provided a bag of local produce to be taken home. The classes will be held from April to October and are $10 a class. Please sign up by the Friday before the class at https://catawba.ces.ncsu.edu/ local-foods-cooking-class/.
Lastly, the Extension Office holds a 4-H Summer School Program, called Farm to Fork. The program caps at 12 students and is available to children 10 and up. They can expect to go on several farm tours and use the ingredients from the farms to prepare a recipe. It will occur in July.
For more information, regarding any of these programs call April Vigardt at (828) 465-8240.