Waynesburg PA Farmers" Market Visit

We had a trip planned to the Waynesburg area, so I tied it in with the Wednesday farmers' market, of course. It was overcast today --- the first rain that we've had in nearly a month. The market vendors set up in the rain, but it cleared up until the market closed. The Waynesburg Farmer's Market is sponsored by Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful and is located on High Street in the First Baptist Church parking lot. This is one of the markets that I worked with in the past, so I knew Carol, the on-site market manager. She opens and closes the market by ringing a school bell. I got to ring the bell at closing today --- thanks Carol! Today was "Senior Day" so there were some added booths providing information, blood pressure checks, etc. Look closely at the picture of my market goodies and you'll see the tomato stress ball "squeezie" ...... today's featured freebie! The stuff you can pick up at the market, eh? I also bought a copy of the market "Recipe Collection" cookbook, available for $10 at the market or by ordering from WP&B. http://www.waynesburgpa.org/index.html

This is one of the markets in the area where you can purchase meats including pork and beef. The beef is from Strath an De' Farm --- they raise Scottish Highland beef cattle. http://www.strathande.com/

There were some beautiful heirloom tomatoes from Stewart's Farm. Couldn't resist picking up a piece of fudge .......

The Auction - hard work pays off!

Tonight was the 4H livestock auction at the Hookstown Fair. Here are a few pictures of the livestock that were auctioned and the crowd doing the bidding. The animals will be custom processsed to each buyer's specifications by local butchers. Livestock purchased for retail sales or restaurants must be slaughtered under USDA inspection, just like the meat in your grocery store. What a great way to buy local! We didn't buy this year ---- we're still finishing the pork from the hog that we purchased last year ........ We spotted several bidders who got together and divided up their steer between 2 to 4 families. Another interesting feature of the sale is that you can purchase an animal & "donate it back" to the scholarship fund. You pay the price you've bid - those $$$ go to the 4H member - and the proceeds from the 2nd bidder go to the scholarship fund. It's another way to support our youth if you don't want to fill your freezer.