I am looking forward to Sundays on the Island In Madison County, North Carolina coming soon! It's still cold, so the Farmers' Market is indoors (see flyer and note below.)
But I can hardly wait to find vocal streams, rolling pastures, welcoming "coves" and unending vistas that take your breath away as I head out in Spring, 2010 to the Madison County farmers market (see photos.)
There's a spirit of community here. Camaraderie. Inclusiveness. A sense of place and a sense of belonging, all exemplified in the weekly tailgate markets. .It is all about Reconnecting with the Land; Meeting the People. Again... Heaven-on-Earth...For those of us who live and work here, that's how it can feel.
Today I'm taking you on a short drive north of Asheville, NC (about 18 minutes) to the tailgate market in Marshall, NC.Look out your window as we drive the scenic (excellently maintained) country roads. Do you see tobacco crops? Quite a few of them, actually? . That's because Madison County is the largest burley tobacco producing county in North Carolina. In fact, there are approximately 2,350 farms with burley tobacco quotas.
A decade ago, burley tobaccoaccounted for $10 to $12 million for agriculture income annually. But recently, as you may suspect, the demand for tobacco has been on the decline. Not to be defeated, local farmers have become cre
ative. Crops are changing, and farmers are diversifying, and we are moving into sustainable agriculture.
That is one reason why Marshall's tailgate market exists.
And wait until you see where it is located. (see photos I took during my tailgate market visit)
Under huge, old trees, the Marshall tailgate market decorates the banks of the French Broad River every Sunday during the season.
Park your car and walk over to the colorful tents, produce, crafts...and PEOPLE!
Today expect to meet a master craftsman, a gourmet meatball sandwich chef, some political activists, musicians and local growers.
It's a community get-together where laughter and good-things abound. We will be able to enjoy the harvests of the most amazing ORGANIC crops.
Sundays on the Island
Cross the river at the Courthouse on Main Street
Marshall, Madison County
Sun 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Starts April 20, 2008
Meatball Sandwich, Anyone?
MMmmmmmm! Dee-lish-UHsss!
In the meantime, you and I can stop by Madison County Cooperative Extension Saturday (10am-2pm) to pick up some winter veggies, delicious breakfast, crafts, goat cheese and more for the Winter, 2010 Indoor Tailgate Market cur every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month in January, February and March.
WE SUPPORT LOCAL FARMS AND FOOD
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in Mountain Homes and Land Legacies in Asheville, North Carolina.
This professional REALTOR® has an eye for extraordinary value " What I want is so simple I almost can't say it: elementary kindness. 828-776-0773
in Mountain Homes and Land Legacies, green-living communities,
and properties of enduring excellence.
Enough to eat, enough to go around.
The possibility that kids might one day grow up to be
neither the destroyers, nor the destroyed."
~ Barbara Kingsolver
An ideal community might have only 19 or 20 homesites on good-sized (3+acre) lots and be carved thoughtfully into a larger parcel-say of 250 acres or so that could not be developed and would stay forever wild. The protected land would encompass the waterfalls, trails and other outstanding or environmentally sensitive areas. That common land would invite homeowners to be part of a pristine mountain environment simply by taking a walk. 
Here is a list of " critical issues for property purchase" fron one such person: .
those special finds!
experience levels. (Photo taken just a short walk from a birding adventure at Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society. ) 
can Chestnut trees as much as I do? Check out this link where you can connect with other folks who are working to restore the American chestnut tree to its native range within the woodlands of the eastern United States.
