“The rain has been a lifesaver. The produce coming off looks great,” said Richmond Farmers Market President Jackie Sherrill.
Farmer Edwin Richardson of Rolling Hills Farm is also very thankful for the rain.
“It makes the difference in having a crop and not having one,” said Richardson. “It has really helped the produce a lot.”
Amy Yaklin, acting executive director of the Farm Service Agency, explained that the rain has been spotty.
“In some areas they have really gotten a lot, but in Derby and the west side of town they have not seen much,” said Yaklin. “Some are still preparing to irrigate, a farmer in Derby mentioned he was planning to begin watering in the next day or two.”
Farmers of livestock and hay were thankful for the rain. The dry weather had caused many pastures to stop growing, leaving farmers having to search for other measures to feed livestock.
The Farmer’s Market in Rockingham is continuing to grow and sell more varieties of produce as the warmer weather continues.
Produce coming in season in the first few weeks of June are corn, squash, cucumbers, onions, new potatoes and green beans. Other vegetables and fruits offered include cabbage, egg plant, carrots and peaches. The market also has venders selling crafts, home made furniture, plants, and cut flowers.
Richardson explains a benefit of the farmer’s market is that it allows the consumers to meet the farmer who is actually growing the produce.
“You can buy produce in a grocery store, but it is not locally grown and it is not as fresh as what you get at the farmers market,” said Richardson.
Sherrill said the market has continued to gain vendors.
“There were a lot of vendors last week, and I’m expecting the same this week,” said Sherrill.
The Rockingham Farmers Market is held each Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Harrington Square in uptown Rockingham. The market will be help each Saturday until November.
Cameron Quick can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 15 or by e-mail at cquick@yourdailyjournal.com.
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