The July 4th morning was forecast to be dangerously hot and humid. But around 10 am the heavens opened up, rain poured down, and a light breeze started, cooling off the area, and the Market was quite comfortable. The rain on the metal roof was extremely loud, making conversation challenging. But it was so needed that no one really minded.

It’s a family affair with the Running Buck Farm from Big Ridge. The 6 members of the Daniel Cooke family plant, pick, and have been bringing their produce to the Farmers’ Market pretty regularly. Their method of bug control is the tried-and-true dish soap in water – no chemical sprays at all. They have 3 hives of bees, and pesticides are detrimental to bees. While most of what they had on this day were veggies, their large, juicy blackberries were available. They are growing some apple and peach trees, and most years they grew strawberries. Several fungi kill strawberry plants and, when it rains, the fungus spreads through the soil to kill other vegetation. Last year, they were hit with one of these and lost many plants. For blackberries or veggies, you can contact Daniel at danielcooke40@gmail.com or text (865) 806-2528. Check out their Running Buck Farm Facebook page!

Kenlie Rutherford has loved baking (“and eating” what she bakes, she says!) for around 5 years now. This 15-year-old accomplished entrepreneur has been selling her cookies and brownies from her Facebook page “Keep It Sweet by Kenlie”. Today was her very first Market Day. She had quite a selection of cookies available earlier in the day, but most were sold out at the end! Welcome to the Market, Kenlie!

Tanya Leehans, successful Magnolia Mountain entrepreneur, is now the new Operations Manager for the Union County Farmers Market! Tanya oversees the Commercial Kitchen and assists Market Manager Deborah Sylvia-Gardner. She helps chefs apply for and schedule kitchen time, takes care of orientation and rules (including Health Dept regulations) for new folks using the facility, and advises those who may be just starting up a food business. So nice to see her always smiling face! Welcome, Tanya. And thank you for helping make the Market Commercial Kitchen successful and easy to navigate!

Volunteer Elizabeth Tindell of Tindell Farms returned as Market Chef for the day with another of her delicious but simple-to-make recipes using produce from the local vendors. There were two different free samples available. Elizabeth chopped fresh green beans, zucchini, and onions and sautéed them in butter. The pieces were bite-sized, making them easy to eat as a sample or with dinner. Her dessert was made with Ann Dixon’s pound cake and sweet peaches from Hansard Farm.

Today was Free Hot Dog Day to celebrate the 250th year of the founding of our country. Volunteers Patrick “Hot Dog” Hurley, ably assisted by his wife Laurie Oppel, were in the Commercial Kitchen keeping pretty busy filling hot dog orders and chopping onions.

Seven Springs Farm to Table seldom misses a Market Day and had a large selection of fresh veggies: peppers, cherry tomatoes, squashes, green beans, a variety of greens including a crisp, slightly sweet Butterhead lettuce. There was a strange piece of equipment on the table. My first impression was that it was some kind of copy machine. Donna Riddle explained that it was a portable freezer. It allows them to transport frozen meats to markets without any chance of them thawing. It can be plugged into a standard electric plug or, if a vehicle still has one, a cigarette lighter to keep it turned on. Today it held very frozen ground beef and pork sausage!

3 generations of Brantleys have farmed their 75 acres in Sharps Chapel. This is the second year Brantley Farms has been attending this Market. While they grow corn and other veggies, blackberries, apples, and pears, UCHS Health Science teacher Stochia Brantley has been branching out. She loves canning and makes jellies, jams, pasta, and tomato sauces. She had jams and jellies for sale, and several different desserts were available as well. Cute mini-cakes (strawberry shortcake, white chocolate, chocolate with peanut butter, and banana pudding) as well as an assortment of rich truffles (Oreo, peanut butter, Butterfingers). Her Creamsicle Jam is made from fresh-squeezed orange juice reduced to make the jam. Work-intensive, time-consuming, and very tasty.

Two of the Union County Jehovah’s Witnesses, Cindy Cassidy and Olivia Hill, were available to discuss the Bible with folks, answer any questions, or just to chat with market-goers. They are very upbeat and friendly ladies. There was free literature available for anyone to take. Kingdom Hall is in Halls Crossroads.

Monkey Wrench Ministries Harley and Kysha Martin returned with their beautiful harmonies to provide listening and shopping music.