Berries for Jams and Jellies at the Jasper Farmers Market

Now is a good time to get berries if you would like to enter the Jasper Farmers Market jam and jelly contest that will be held later this fall. There were both blueberries and blackberries at the market this weekend. Jenny Fellenbaum said she had a lot more blackberries to pick and would be back next week. Jenny was one of the original Master Gardeners to start the farmers market 15 years ago and has been a vendor ever since. You have probably seen her beautiful flowers and her many crafts, the latest one being turned wooden wine stoppers.

Selling blueberries was a much newer vendor, Rene`Bastidas who lives and grows berries in Talking Rock. He also has a lot of berries yet to pick but plans on selling at some other farmers markets this week so wasn’t sure if he would be back or not.

But the berry crop seems to be a big one this year so make some jelly; fill up your freezer and enjoy a taste of summer all winter.

Working with horses inspired Justin Howard to do something different with horseshoes. He has created unique and original horseshoe art. There are functional pieces like wall hooks and wine racks and decorative wall accents to lend a distinctive style to your home or your barn and all are made out of horseshoes, altered as necessary.

His horseshoe Welcome sign would be welcome in a lot of Pickens County residences.

You have probably heard about the devastating loss of honeybees and other pollinators that seriously threatens our food sources. Perhaps you have even wondered if there was anything you could do about it. Members of the Appalachian Bee Club will be at the farmers market next Saturday, July19, 10:00AM, to tell you what you can do. Awareness is the first step.

The Jasper Farmers Market is held on Saturday morning (April through October) and Wednesday morning (June 18 through August) from 7:30 am to 12 noon in the Park n Ride lot at Lee Newton Park on Hwy 53 in Jasper; except for Marble Festival activities. New vendors are always welcome; items sold must be handmade or homegrown. The Jasper Farmers Market is a project of the Pickens County Master Gardeners. See www.pickensmg.org for more information and complete vendor rules or call the County Extension Office at 706 253 8840.

Article submitted by Darla Huffman