Fleming Farmer’s Market holds annual appreciation day

The Fleming County Farmer’s Market Recipe Contest winners were: first place Robyn Goldy, second place Wanda Vise and third Place Samantha Collins.

There were many items on display at the 4- H Rally Day exhibit, including local farm fresh vegetables. Hundreds of Fleming Countians agree that the Farmers Market is their happy place.

The Fleming County Farmers Market hosted its annual appreciation day Saturday August 5, at the county extension office on Elizaville Avenue.

The market began 14 years ago and continues to grow every year.

“This has been the most market members we have ever had, plus a more diverse selection of products than ever before,” Donna Fryman, Extension Agent, and one of the events coordinators, said. “We have hosted the Appreciation Day for several years, but this was one of the biggest turnouts we have had. The 4-H rally day exhibit and the 4-H cupcake wars have been added in the past three years.”

The event featured pressure canning dial gauge testing and information on food preservation, tasting new local farm fresh recipes, free grilled hotdogs, chips and drinks, and a bag full of free gifts prepared and served by the generous Fleming County Extension Office Committee and their friends.

Some of the highlights of the day were the exciting contests and exhibits that took place inside, including the youth and adult recipe contest, the 4-H cupcake wars and the 4-H rally day exhibits, the tomato contest, and door prize drawings.

There were several large tomatoes, which were entered in the tomato contest and the largest tomato weighed in at 2.641 lbs. and was grown by Darrel Doyle. He won a prize basket donated from Around Town, Peoples Bank, Steve’s Ace Hardware, Community Trust, Lasting Impressions, and the Fleming County Extension Office.

Youth division recipe contest winners were: 1st place-John Graham, red pepper jelly appetizer, 2nd place- Mckenzie Medley, eggs in bell pepper rings.

Adult division recipe contest winners were: 1st place- Robyn Goldy, jalapeno popper tater tot casserole, 2nd place-Wanda Vice, stuffed pepper casserole, 3rd place - Samantha Collins, blueberry and red bell pepper salsa.

The Fleming County Farmers Market sponsored the recipe contest.

Lynn Mitchell, Katie Hamilton and Danny Moran, were the door prize winners, they registered to win a bag full of fresh produce from the Farmers Market members.

The 1st place winners of the 4-H Cupcake Wars were Laura Ann Pettit and Jenna Utterback, they won bags full of Tupperware donated by Amanda Ramsey and 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent, Staci Thrasher, hosted them.

Though the contests were going on inside the extension office, the parking lot was filled with vendors who offered a wide variety of produce and goods.

“The market members have worked hard to grow and display their produce and other items for sale. Having the ability to accept senior vouchers and WIC vouchers add to the profitability of the market and it adds to the benefits of the recipients with fresh local produce to feed families,” Fryman said, “The dedication to their crops and the community is amazing. They have become a huge family and help each other out.”

For more information about the Fleming County Cooperative Extension Service, the Farmers Market, upcoming activities and events, you can call (606) 845-4641, you can also find them on Facebook.

4-H Cupcake Wars contestants and cousins, Ariel Grannis and Hanna Florence, love to bake and want to do it professionally someday. Photos by Amber Hodge.