4-H Debuts at the Downtown Farmers' Market Grand Opening

Many people wonder what the four H's stand for in 4-H. Any present and past member can tell you they stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health. In the early days of 4-H boys learned about new ways of growing crops with increased yields as part of boys corn clubs. While girls took part in canning clubs that taught them new and better ways to preserve foods. Now, a hundred years later, we work with youth (both boys and girls) on healthier ways to eat and teaching them about food supplies, and food chains. So it seems rather appropriate that 4-H had the opportunity to debut marketing material as part of the Annual Grand Opening Event at the Robeson County Farmers' Market.

The market sits in the parking lot of the old Agriculture Building on Elm Street in Downtown Lumberton. Approximately a dozen Robeson County Farmers sell everything from flowers to vegetables, fruits to eggs. To sell at the market producers must raise their crops in Robeson County so buyers know that they are buying local, fresh products. Of course tempting people to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables is often easier said then done and that is where the Grand Opening event comes in.

Kerrie Roach, the Horticulture Extension Agent works with the Farmers' Market Association to put together the event which includes prizes, free canned drinks, and samples of fresh grilled vegetables, fruits and other local products. Kerrie sets up an information tent where people can learn the hours of the market (Wednesday and Saturday ) sign up to receive updates on the market, and spin a wheel to win free prizes. The prizes ranged from free burlap Farmers' Market shopping bags, to 4-H totes, 4-H pencils and Farmers' Market Bookmarks, coupons for buy a dollar get a dollar of produce, not to mention free produce items from the vendors. Everyone walked away with a prize.

Janice Fields, Family and Consumer Science Agent was on hand to cook up fresh vegetables on the grill and offered samples to Farmers' Market patrons. She had grilled zucchini, squash, eggplant, peppers (green, banana and jalapeno), tomatoes (both red and green), okra, and a combination of all of it in different forms. With the help of her daughter patrons also experienced watermelon spritzers and fresh berry smoothies. If you were looking for something a little sweeter there was a honey mustard pretzel dip made from fresh honey from our local bee keepers. In other words there were plenty of yummy healthy choices for patrons to try and buy to take home.

Of course to make this a big event the Robeson County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Office pulled out all the big guns. Interim Director, Keith Walters pitched in to help out. Family Consumer Science Agent, Christy Strickland lent both hands, chopping dicing greeting and meeting. Summer Intern Amanda Hoitt jumped right in offering to help spin the wheel, hand out prizes, and even an occasional hug. Volunteers Dennis Watts, Larry Russ, and Zach Roach braved the heat, to take photos, grill, and get us loaded up at the end of the event.

All in all it was a fantastic day that had patrons buying and trying fresh produce, and promoting the Downtown Farmers' Market and 4-H. If you would like more information about the downtown Farmers' Market you can contact Kerrie Roach at Kerrie_Roach@ncsu.edu or become a fan of the Robeson County Farmers' Market Facebook Page.