Farmers

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB) has announced the availability of applications for the 2012 Farmers' Market Infrastructure Competitive Grant Program. The Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy (GOAP) is accepting applications postmarked no later than Friday, June 29, 2012.  “Kentucky's more than 150 community farmers' markets play an important role in providing a direct link between farmers and consumers of fresh, locally grown products,” Gov. Steve Beshear said.

The Boyle County Farmers Market 3rd Annual Christmas Sale was a huge success. Thanks to all who came out to do their Christmas shopping with us! It was wonderful to visit with all of you again. The market will open a month earlier next year. Watch this column for more news and updates as the 2012 market days approach. If you are interested in becoming a member of our market for 2012, contact Gary Taylor at the phone number listed below. The Boyle County Farmers Market is located at the Boyle County Fairgrounds.

So, what's with this flurry of hiring friends by outgoing Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer? Multiple news sources have reported that Farmer hired his girlfriend for a $5,000 per month job, just eight days before the gubernatorial election that Williams/Farmer would lose in a landslide. Farmer is term limited, and wouldn't have been able to serve another term as agriculture commissioner even if he had wanted to, so he had to know this wouldn't pass the smell test. Farmer also has hired a couple of other friends in the last month or two for positions within his department.

Local farmers will no longer have to travel long distances to purchase seed products, or for mapping services. Pyle Ag Service, a new Ag business, is currently building a warehouse in Stanford that will offer agricultural products and services to the farming community. In August, Jerry Pyle contacted Matt Belcher, the executive director of the Stanford- Lincoln County Industrial Authority about establishing an ag business in Stanford, where he would sell Beck's Seed products. Pyle purchased five acres in the Lincoln County Business Park at $5,000 an acre and construction of a warehouse is well underway.

Saturday had a frosty beginning but the sun warmed us up nicely as the day progressed. One of our entrance gates was closed off by the fairgrounds, which affected the market traffic for the day. There was some sort of recycle/reclamation drop-off program in progress. Some assumed we had closed for the season. We still had a good day, in spite of the confusion. This is the last week for the regular 2011 Farmers  Market. Saturday, October 29th is the closing date. However, we will have a special sale on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 19th with plenty of goodies for your turkey day. Breads and baked goods can be pre-ordered from your favorite vendors.

Ragweed is a common foe both to allergy sufferers and to crop producers. In late summer, people can suffer allergic reactions associated with plant pollens, often ragweed plants. Ragweed also has the potential to severely interfere with crop production and greatly reduce crop yield.  The phrase “hay fever” often is misleading. It might seem that hay fever is caused by cut hay; however, you usually can blame those reactions on ragweed. Ragweeds are native species that grow throughout the United States.

Sure didn't feel much like fall during the weekend. Saturday's hot weather didn't slow our customers down! We had a very busy market day. We appreciate everyone who came out to visit us. Lots of summer veggies and fruits are still available. Some of us have put in late plantings of squash and beans with hope of getting a second crop to extend the season. However, we desperately need rain for that to happen. A few fall items are beginning to show up. Early mums, apples, etc., were at a few of the booths this week.

Hilltop Kitchen will be at the Constitution Square Arts Fest Friday through Sunday. The Heart of Danville Farmers Market will be set up Tuesdays and Thursdays across from Save-A-Lot on Lexington Road in the old Mini Mart lot. Hours are 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., or until sold out. On Saturdays, the farmers market will be set up at the U.S. Bank parking lot at Fourth and Main streets; hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m., or until sold out. This week look for: ...

Two local visual artists will be featured at the 2011 Constitution Square Arts Fest. Painter David Farmer and sculptor Russ Barragan will be at the festival with their works of art on display and for sale. Farmer, an oil painter, keeps busy at his home studio. He has works going to the Carnegie Center in Covington that he is packaging for shipping. Eastern Kentucky University installed one of his paintings in the library. St. Joseph hospital in Lexington purchased from him. A Louisville client commissioned him to create a racehorse scene for her that she sent to her son in Hong Kong.

The Heart of Danville Farmers Market will be set up Tuesdays and Thursdays across from Save-A-Lot on Lexington Road in the old Mini Mart lot. Hours are 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., or until sold out. On Saturdays, the farmers market will be set up at the U.S. Bank parking lot at Fourth and Main streets; hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m., or until sold out. This week look for:  Baked goods: fried apple pies  Fresh, local produce: apples; banana peppers;...