Today was the
official opening of the Robeson County Farmers Market. You might ask what this has to do with 4-H? Actually more than you might think. Each year, for the last nine years, NC Cooperative Extension has partnered with the farmers at the market for their official opening. How we do that is by partnering with other agencies such as the hospital, demonstrating what we do best, and offering samples of what you can create with the farmers market.
This year our Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program staff members had the blender bike on hand. Participants had the opportunity to get on the bike and ride. So while you were getting exercise you were also powering a blender which was making an icy cold healthy fruit smoothy for you to enjoy when you were done.
In another tent Christy Strickland and Janice Fields were having oodles of fun making zoodles. Zoodles are noodles made from zucchini or squash. They showed how to make it, sautéed the zoodles with a little tomato sauce and offered samples. The zoodles were the talk of the market.
At the far end our staff and volunteers were offering samples of blueberry salsa, corn with cilantro lime butter, beef sliders, and blueberry cobbler. Patrons could also pick up the recipes of everything that was offered and pick up the fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. Many of the farmers said it was a great day in terms of traffic and sales.
So how does 4-H fit into this? The market is really an example of the things we teach our 4-H members. Think about all the things offered at the market today. We want our youth to make healthy food choices, increase their physical activity, and eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Also with entrepreneurial careers on the rise it is important for youth to understand small businesses that make their own products, think outside the box to market the product, and can convey why folks need the product, and sell that product at a reasonable price. Our farmers at the market a truly an example of the entrepreneurial spirit that we try to instill in our 4-H members. Plus the Robeson County Farmers Market is a great place for youth and adults to find out where their food comes from, actually meet the people who grow it and have a more personal relationship with their food. That's hard to do in bigger populations, but here in Robeson County, it is one of the benefits.
Today was the official opening of the Robeson County Farmers Market. You might ask what this has to do with 4-H? Actually more than you might think. Each year, for the last nine years, NC Cooperative Extension has partnered with the farmers at the market for their official opening. How we do that is by partnering with other agencies such as the hospital, demonstrating what we do best, and offering samples of what you can create with the farmers market.
This year our Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program staff members had the blender bike on hand. Participants had the opportunity to get on the bike and ride. So while you were getting exercise you were also powering a blender which was making an icy cold healthy fruit smoothy for you to enjoy when you were done.
In another tent Christy Strickland and Janice Fields were having oodles of fun making zoodles. Zoodles are noodles made from zucchini or squash. They showed how to make it, sautéed the zoodles with a little tomato sauce and offered samples. The zoodles were the talk of the market.
At the far end our staff and volunteers were offering samples of blueberry salsa, corn with cilantro lime butter, beef sliders, and blueberry cobbler. Patrons could also pick up the recipes of everything that was offered and pick up the fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. Many of the farmers said it was a great day in terms of traffic and sales.
So how does 4-H fit into this? The market is really an example of the things we teach our 4-H members. Think about all the things offered at the market today. We want our youth to make healthy food choices, increase their physical activity, and eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Also with entrepreneurial careers on the rise it is important for youth to understand small businesses that make their own products, think outside the box to market the product, and can convey why folks need the product, and sell that product at a reasonable price. Our farmers at the market a truly an example of the entrepreneurial spirit that we try to instill in our 4-H members. Plus the Robeson County Farmers Market is a great place for youth and adults to find out where their food comes from, actually meet the people who grow it and have a more personal relationship with their food. That's hard to do in bigger populations, but here in Robeson County, it is one of the benefits.
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