Gourmet News

Fridays on the Farm: A Young Farmer’s Mission to Make an Impact

Published September 23, 2022

From the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To read the entire story, click here.

By Amelia Dortch, NRCS, Georgia

Sep 22, 2022

Kendall Rae Johnson is the youngest certified farmer in Georgia. Photo by Amelia Dortch, NRCS.

This Friday meet Kendall Rae Johnson, the youngest certified farmer in Georgia. Before starting school each morning, this 7-year-old starts her day by heading outside to her backyard, an urban oasis where she grows fresh fruit and produce. This oasis is called aGROWKulture and it’s an urban farm located in the heart of Southwest Atlanta.

Kendall’s love of vegetables started at a young age while cooking collard greens with her great-grandmother, Laura-Kate, who used to always say, “Hey, don’t throw my stems away. I can put those back in the dirt.” That’s when Kendall developed her interest in growing practically “anything” at only three years old.

“She would go ahead and put seeds in pots from some foods that we ate,” said Kendall’s mom, Ursula Johnson. After those pots grew into a patio garden, her dad, Quentin, built her a larger garden for her 4th birthday.

The garden has now expanded to cover the fayoungemily’s entire backyard and is becoming a source of fresh produce in the area. Kendall sells food basket subscriptions and grow boxes and donates food boxes. The farm is also a learning hub in their metro-Atlanta community where Kendall regularly hosts classes about urban agriculture and conservation.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Chestatee-Chattahoochee Resource Conservation and Development Council partnered with aGROWKulture to construct a high tunnel, enabling Kendall to grow fresh produce all year. It’s a great growing resource for Kendall and a big attraction to others.

Pointing out the high tunnel, Kendall said, “I call it Kendall’s Garden Playhouse! When other kids visit us and see it, they get really excited and ask a lot of questions.”

Read the full story here. For updates on issues of interest to the specialty food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Farmland Bacon Helps Luke Bryan Kick Off Tour

Published September 23, 2022

Luke Bryan’s country music and Farmland bacon– what’s not to like? Luke Bryan discovered a new, tasty way to help kick off his 2022 Farm Tour!

The country music star was surprised at his second tour stop in Mechanicsburg, Ohio, with a fun way to celebrate … a bacon-themed bar where everything served – from cocktails to snacks – was brimming full of Farmland bacon.

With eccentric drink options like Farmland Bacon-Infused Bourbon Manhattans and Farmland Bacon-Popcorn Bourbon Sours, made with the singer’s Two Lane Beer, it’s fair to say Luke Bryan was intrigued by the savory display. The bar even offered an array of delicious bacon-themed snacks ready to curb any pre-show appetite, including Bacon Swizzle Sticks, Bacon-Wrapped Hush Puppies, and Bacon On-The-Ranch Pinwheels.

As an official partner of Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour, Farmland presented its Bacon Bar to commemorate the annual concert series that gives back by awarding college scholarships to students from farming families who are attending a local college or university near the tour stops. To date, more than 60 scholarships have been granted.

In the brand’s continued efforts to support agriculture and farming communities, Farmland is proud to launch year two of its Honoring the Heartland Tour and be an official partner of country superstar Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour for a second consecutive year.

Throughout the 12-week mission, Farmland has been making two or three trips per week across the Midwest to deliver grab-n-go meals to those working in the agriculture industry, farming communities, and grocery/retail, and provide monetary donations to support the next generation of farmers.

To further invest in the future of the agricultural industry, Farmland is also excited to introduce its Farmland FFA Heartland Grant Program, which will be providing $20,000 in financial support to eligible members of the FFA to improve students’ work experience and to help with their development in the agriculture industry.

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Tractor Supply to Hold Nationwide Farmers Market

Published September 23, 2022

On Saturday, Oct. 1, Tractor Supply, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, will host a nationwide Farmers Market to showcase the talent and products of local farmers, growers, craft makers, artisans and other producers within the community. The community is invited to shop and explore homemade and homegrown goods from local vendors and enjoy fun, family-friendly activities.

The free event will be hosted outside of all 2,000+ Tractor Supply stores nationwide, featuring vendors who sell a variety of goods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, arts and crafts, accessories, specialty food and drink and more.

Many of the vendors look forward to this event and return year after year. This is the third year Andrea Nixon from Best Friends Farms will be at the Tractor Supply store in Pahrump, Nev., selling fresh vegetables, plants and local hemp products. She also likes to offer advice to her neighbors looking to start a garden.

“I really love this event because I get to meet lots of great people,” Nixon said. “I enjoy being able to help them with growing tips because gardening in the desert is tough.”

For Jennifer Ewald, the Tractor Supply Farmers Market gives her an opportunity to share the good works of The Farmette donkey rescue in Pipersville, Pa. This year, The Farmette will be selling homemade wreaths, jewelry and other items featuring donkeys to raise money and awareness for the non-profit rescue.

“I enjoy seeing all of the other vendors and talking with all those who come out from the community,” said Ewald.

“The Tractor Supply Farmers Market event provides a platform for growing family farms and makers and gives the community an opportunity to showcase their skills and creativity,” said Kimberley Gardiner, chief marketing officer of Tractor Supply. “We take pride in the communities that we serve and look forward to giving our customers the space to enjoy the hard work of their neighbors with their friends, families and neighbors.”

The Farmers Market event at Tractor Supply will offer a wide range of vendors whose specialty ranges from plants and herbs to soaps and candles. Go online to learn more about Tractor Supply’s Farmers Market and Tractor Supply Company.

Although registration for vendors is closed, customers can reach out to their local store for additional information regarding vendors and activities.

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