The Farmer’s Market

“The single greatest lesson the garden teaches is that our relationship to the planet need not be zero-sum, and that as long as the sun still shines and people still can plan and plant, think and do, we can, if we bother to try, find ways to provide for ourselves without diminishing the world.”

Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma

Every Saturday morning, the Watauga Farmers Market is held in Boone, NC. The official start time is 8:00AM however the parking lot fills and lines form closer to 7:30. Individual vendors set up tables and displays in such a way to invite a comfortable stroll and room to move among the crowd. As soon as we begin our walk from the parking area the air vibrates with the energy of community, excitement and thankfulness.

My first stop is one of the many organic vegetable stands. On this particular visit, I became spell-bound by a pile of summer onions and beets. Deep purple, magenta and dirty white beets lay in a jumbled heap. Long tap roots poke out and twist together forming knots. Beets are a no-nonsense, rough and tumble kind of vegetable. If they could speak, I believe they would say, “you do you and I’ll do me!”

Bunched next to the beets, an assortment of beautiful summer onions radiate freshness and a garden party energy. Pearly white, pale yellow and dark lavender bulbs celebrate their arrival with fanfare and mouth-watering promise. I stood for the longest time taking in their joyful spirit, feeling immense gratitude for nature’s bounty.

Vendors offer organic mushrooms, breads, ginger and lavender infused honey, pottery, natural soaps, duck eggs, and an abundance of summer greens and vegetables. Arriving early, they set up their market space. Approaching the tables is comfortable. Conversations begin with sharing where they farm or create and deepen into what makes their offerings unique. Pride and passion are evident and every question is welcomed.

What is not shared is these same farmers/artists are also the same farmers/artists who rose at 5:00AM to do the farm chores and check the kiln before packing up and setting out to the market. Rising before the sun, they plan and plant, think and do. Quiet heros and heroines who love the land, celebrate the Earth and provide us with sustenance and beauty.

I say thank you.