Latest news with #SaturdayMarket
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MTSU Mondays: Farm lab brings produce to market, Polk named Person of the Year
Here's the latest news from Middle Tennessee State University. Middle Tennessee State University's Small Farms laboratory will again offer student-grown produce as a full-time vendor for the 2025 Murfreesboro Saturday Market season coordinated by Main Street Murfreesboro. MTSU Small Farms, which will be among the 85 vendors at this year's market, will be joined periodically at the popular weekly event by representatives from MTSU Athletics. Running each Saturday from May till the end of October, the Saturday Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon around the historic Rutherford County Courthouse downtown. The market features a variety of specialty farm vendors (lavender, honey, and flowers), four locally raised meat producers, a trout farm, seven bakeries, 17 prepared food vendors, 26 artisans and crafters, and more, according to a Main Street Murfreesboro news release. MTSU's Small Farms is the only USDA-certified organic grower at the market, providing attendees with a variety of crops from which to choose as selections change through summer into fall. Small Farms sells a mix of vegetables and fruits, along with flower bouquets. 'Customers appreciate that everything we sell is USDA Certified Organic, grown with care, and backed by the transparency we bring to our work,' said Christopher Hall, the Small Farms manager. 'We grow a vibrant mix of seasonal crops, always with a focus on flavor, diversity, and sustainable growing practices. Our staples include tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, cucumbers, okra and eggplants,' added Hall. MTSU Small Farms student employees help with production and oversee the entire process, from farm to market, to get a variety of hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. Student agriculture classes also participate along with interns and researchers, according to Hall. In addition to the food and craft vendors, Murfreesboro Main Street says local organizations such as the Friends of Linebaugh Library, Rutherford County Master Gardeners, Storm Water Management and the League of Women Voters will host booths and activities at the Saturday Market. A new program called 'Market Passport' has started this season to encourage community engagement by allowing visitors to collect stamps each week they attend and be entered into a monthly drawing for a basket full of goods from a variety of vendors at the market. 'More than just a market, this is a hub for community connection,' said Linda Weeks, Market manager. 'We're especially excited to welcome several young, startup farmers this year who are building the future of local agriculture.' The 2025 season is the third year of the MTSU Small Farms' involvement in the market, and the second year of being a full-time vendor. MTSU's School of Agriculture manages all of the farm laboratories. View a full list of Murfreesboro Saturday Market vendors at In what has been an amazing year for MTSU alumnus Reggie Polk, the owner of Polk and Associates Construction Inc. was named Tennessee Small Business Administration Person of the Year this spring. As part of 2025 National Small Business Week, Polk received the state award in early May while attending the Small Business Association banquet in Washington, D.C., where it was announced Greg and Shelley McArthur of NTL Industries Inc. earned the nationwide distinction. The NFL Tennessee Titans selected the four-member Tennessee Builders Alliance — Polk and Associates, Turner Construction, ICF Builders and AECOM Hunt — along with trade partners to construct the new $2 billion stadium. Polk said the D.C. trip was 'such an amazing experience,' from meeting the new U.S. Small Business Administration team, networking, panel discussions and he and his wife Tanora Polk, also an MTSU alumnus, visiting various monuments, especially the World War I monument. Polk (Class of 2003), a former MTSU football player who co-founded the Brentwood-based business with his wife, credits 'the dedication and hard work and passion' of his 33-member Polk and Associates team, which has offices in Brentwood and Odon, Indiana, and with a footprint that includes Florida and Georgia. 'That is what makes us great. We make it a point to invest in our people.' MTSU Mondays content is provided by submissions from MTSU News and Media Relations. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Farm lab brings produce to market, Polk named Person of the Year
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
The Stop Food Truck ‘stopping by' to discuss supporting local farmers, growing your own food
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – 'Where we will stop is where we will cook…' is the motto for Carolyn Henry when it comes to the Stop Food Truck. Henry 'stops by' WJBF to discuss her delicious menu, and why it is important to support local farmers and grow your own.I'm from Maryland. I'm from Southern Maryland. So, I have been in the CSRA for about three years, so I've brought some of my Maryland roots and some of the things that I enjoy as a child. I brought them here, and I picked up a lot. Since I've been here, I've enjoyed some of the cuisine and the people that have introduced me to some of the local delicacies. It's just been great. ALSO ON WJBF: Black Lotus Cuisine providing fresh, flavorful food in CSRA You know, I was just looking to escape the jungle, so it just got very expensive in the DMV (Delaware-Maryland-Virginia area). I have little ones, so I wanted them to have a slower pace. I kind of tell people, you know, I didn't find Augusta. I actually live out in Hephzibah, and sunny Hephzibah found me. So, I looked in Aiken and just by chance, I ended up in Hephzibah. I have a great neighborhood and great neighbors. I've met lots of folks here that have been very open and welcoming, and my children are thriving. So, I'm really enjoying it inspiration for the name is simple. Where we will stop is where we will cook. So, I want to harvest locally from our local farmers and our local value added folks, and I want to add global flavor. So, I say harvest local and add global flavor, and we can stop wherever we want. I enjoyed a career with the federal government and did a lot of traveling, but one thing I noticed was that foods are the same all around the world. You get the same beans, you get the same chicken, you get the same rice, but if you add global flavors to them, to that local, whatever you find locally, it can be a whole new experience. So, I want folks here to experience global each week I try I talk to local farmers in the area. I like to work a lot with the organic farmers. So, I'll talk to Addison's Fresh Produce, Starlet Roots, Hancock Farms, etc. I like to get my local honey from Country Sweet Honey's, Black Farm Street, etc. Those are all local farmers and urban growers. If I want meat, I can go out to Lincolnton and see 3Ts Farms and you know, he's a pork producer, and I can shop locally at the South Augusta Farmers Market, or at Augusta Locally Grown, or the Saturday Market, and I want to be able to have things that are grown locally here in the CSRA. It's not just fresh because it's local, but it's also like the honey, it's local honey. So, it helps us with our immune system and things like that, and I want to support them, and I want folks to see what they purchase locally. They can do amazing things with it. ALSO ON WJBF: LaDonna Doleman serving community one meal at a time | April CBE365 Affirmation Award Winner It's important because I can keep the cost down. So, I'm the mother of many. I have a lot of children right now. I'm raising my grandchildren, and I want them to have healthy food. I want to teach them to be self-sufficient. So, we found during the hurricane we couldn't get out of our neighborhood, but we had collards, kale, and a bunch of stuff right in our backyard, and by just having our food truck, we were able to use our gas and our generators to help feed our communities, but it started with having those things right in our backyard. So, it was great, and I want to encourage kids. I was a kid. I grew up in a farming community, and one thing my father and my grandmother taught us was to be self-sufficient and to go out and grow your own. And guess what? There's no tax in my backyard, right? You know, it's a certain amount of self-satisfaction, and you're closer to earth. It just really puts you in touch with things. So, I encourage everybody to pick up some seeds and just throw them out on the ground. If you don't have time to plan them, let God do the work for you, and I guarantee you, you'll get a reward at the end of is very important. It helps our economy. There are lots of local vendors here. They need our support. You know, folks like me, if I want to keep my costs down, and if I buy locally, I can keep the costs low and the price point lower. I also want to be able to encourage growth in my community. So, if I can buy locally regardless of whether it's food, if it's plants, if it's clothes, if I want to go down to the flea market or any of the Saturday markets, I want to be able to do it locally and support them and keep the money in my community, which ultimately will help keep my community strong. It'll also help to put money into our economy through taxes to support our school system, and that's really important right now, too. We need to get our school system up, and we need to get our children year, I started to grow from what we call starts – where they are small plants that I went to a nursery to purchase. Well, this year when I called to ask for the starts, they said they didn't have any yet. They had some that were coming, but also that the cost of the starts in the seeds had really went up. So that's really important because whereas I would buy seeds in bulk, or we would buy them collectively as a group, now we're seeing that we have to put more money in the pot to get that, but I would still rather grow it myself if I have the opportunity in the end, if I grow it, I can save my seeds, and I can save money later on next year or the next harvest. I'll have a head start. So, no one saw the tariffs come in. So, whereas I have some seeds, I really want to have more, and I want to try a different variety of plants and fruits and vegetables. So, the tariffs have hit home already, and I think people are going to see that not just in the grocery store, but in your nurseries as you have children starting young, put them in the 4H Club. Like I said, Black Farm Street has a summer camp. South Augusta has a summer camp that's coming up for children that they're going to have a farm experience. My own granddaughter is a 4H Club member, and it is one of the best experiences she's having. You can also just have a summer project where you go and get some seeds. Go to the Dollar Tree. The seeds of four for a $1.25 – full packs. You cannot go wrong just allowing children to be children, get in the dirt, get them away from the electronics, get them out in the sun, and get them healthy, active, and moving. So, I would encourage folks to start there. The other thing is to look at some of the local organizations to join. If you're in a rural area, you don't have to raise cows or be in a cattle association. How about Georgia Grown? You know, subscribe to them on social media. So, you'll see, and Georgia Grown will tell you who in the local area has them. They just had a post on where the local strawberries are so that you can pick your own. Georgia Organics is another organization. We have South Augusta Farmers Market ALG. Those are all organizations that you can subscribe to online and find out more about growing and just having food locally. We need to eliminate the food insecurity and wipe that out, and we can do it from our backyard. ALSO ON WJBF: Veggie In Smoothie Bar and Bistro bringing northern flavor to Augusta They can follow us on social media. The Stop Food Truck on Facebook and Instagram, or they can give us a call. Our number is (762) 221-1331, or they can text. We do more community-based events, but we'd love to come out to your community. We'd also love to come out and interact with our young folks and teach them how to cook some of the dishes that we have to offer. The Stop Food Truck is also a part of the Community Garden which is located at Belle Terrace Presbyterian Church at 2473 Golden Camp Road in Augusta. Videography by Gary Nipple; Music by Danny Ray Smith, Jr. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Citizen
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Flowers, farmers markets and fun runs to look out for this weekend
Flowers, farmers markets and fun runs to look out for this weekend If you have an upcoming event to promote, make sure to email nothando@ for inclusion. 24 April – The Ballito Writers' Group meeting at the Ballito Library at 10.30am. Lindy Blignaut will talk about her latest book, 'Walking into the Future – on Grief and Survival.' Newcomers welcome. Tea and refreshments. Contact Peter at 083 441 1950. – Enjoy an array of local fresh produce and foods at Salt Rock Farmers Market every Thursday morning from 7am-12pm. 25 April – Enjoy food, drinks and live music by Winston Smile at La Montagne from 6pm. 26 April – Join the 1-hour parkrun at Hazelmere Dam, Holla Trails and Tinley Manor from 8-9am. Run, walk or jog while taking in the views. – Saturday Market at Odyssey Shopping Mall from 9am-2pm. Local delicious food, stalls and music. WhatsApp 083 790 5020 for more details. – Sing out loud at the Bingo & Karaoke at the Crazy Cow Shop at Blythedale beach at 3pm. Tickets cost R30. Book your spot at 076 117 9758. 27 April – Secret Sunrise Freedom in the Flowers at the Flower Farm at Sugar Rush. Dancing from 6.30-7.30am. Wireless headphones provided. General tickets: R120, kids R75. Book at Quicket. Optional flower picking at R250 from 7.30-11am. Contact Sam at 069 430 9344. – Tribute to the greatest 80's music of all time from 2-4pm at the Lyric Lounge Theatre. Free entry. 19 May – The Dolphin Coast Floral Art Club will be hosting a 'working with frames and flowers' by at the All Souls Saints Catholic Church at 9am. Contact Vaughn at 083 510 8792. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protesters rally in Eugene against Trump administration
A crowd of about 1,000 people rallied in the streets of downtown Eugene April 19, protesting President Donald Trump and his administration. Radiating outward from the Eugene Saturday Market, rally-goers packed the intersections along Pearl Street. Channing Rudd, a local art teacher, made his own sign — a cartoon of Trump depicted as Humpty Dumpty with the words "Dump Humpty." Rudd stated that a series of actions led him to participate in the 50501 protests. "I love it. I love this community," Rudd said. Drivers navigated around the crowds, many honking in support. The honks were met by shouts of encouragement and waving signs. While the two major gatherings were held at intersections on Seventh and Eighth avenues, there were also smaller groupings at intersections throughout downtown. "It feels great because it's peaceful," said Tracy Woodke, who was waving a sign on Pearl Street. "Hopefully it'll do some good," Claudia Clark, another protester, said. The demonstration in Eugene was one of hundreds across the country organized by the 50501 Movement, a grassroots initiative that has gained traction nationwide via social media. The April 19 event follows the April 9 protests that they said drew crowds totaling more than 5 million across the U.S. Among the issues local groups are targeting are cuts by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, stock market impacts due to President Donald Trump's tariffs, immigration and the cost of living. The Eugene Saturday Market was the center of the demonstration. Renee Thompson, marketing manager for the Eugene Saturday Market, said organizers had already been working with EPD to close the streets surrounding the Park blocks for its Earth Day market celebration. "We try to prepare for a wide variety of scenarios," Thompson said. "One of our biggest priorities is community safety. First and foremost, we are a community gathering place." Thompson said that earlier on in the protest, there was some tension between the 50501 Movement and another group. "Cultural exchange isn't always as polite as we'd like it to be, but to my knowledge, no one got hurt," Thompson said. "We're not in the business of getting in the way of anyone's expression of free speech." This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Resistance in Oregon: Eugene protesters push back on Trump
