Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 8:30 AM
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Farmers markets: A community resource

National Farmers Market Week is August 7-13, an annual celebration organized by the Farmers Market Coalition, highlighting the indispensable role farmers markets play in the nation’s food system.

National Farmers Market Week is August 7-13, an annual celebration organized by the Farmers Market Coalition, highlighting the indispensable role farmers markets play in the nation’s food system.

We are all familiar with Farm to Market roads. Historically, these roads were built to connect farmers and ranchers to their communities.

The Texas Farm to Market Road System is the most extensive secondary highway system in the United States. Permanent funding was established for the FM road in 1949. These roads now account for 41,000 miles of Texas’ 73,000 miles of highway.

Today, farmers markets are a popular go-to place for those looking to get outside and shop locally. But farmers markets do so much more: they help preserve farmlands, stimulate local economies, increase access to nutritious food and promote sustainability.

The Cibolo is proud to host a year-long weekly farmers market for the growing Boerne community and has for nearly 10 years.

The Farmers Market at Herff Farm is a beautiful way to connect with folks from the Texas Hill Country and beyond. Our market supports local businesses while preserving the natural resources and wildlife on Herff Farm.

Our market has additional attractions such as The Teaching Garden, Inspiration Garden, Hatchery, Historic Herff House and trails that add to your experience but also serves as an entry point into the extensive work the Cibolo does.

NFMW is an opportunity to learn about locally grown and handmade goods created by small businesses. We are so fortunate to have such skilled growers, farmers, bakers, artists, chefs, coffee brewers and vegan ice cream makers, to name a few. Our diverse vendors offer local favorites like brats and homemade pickles, gluten-free cakes, 100 percent natural cold-pressed juices and even baklava and jarred curries.

Those who care about where their food comes from, those looking for unique, hand-crafted pieces, those looking to add new flavor or spice to their meals or anyone just looking to get out of the house on a Saturday morning can shop happily with us knowing they are supporting hard-working, local small business owners.

There are many ways to create community connections at a farmers market, especially with food. We’ve also welcomed many new vendors, including food trucks, to our market family.

Some of our community partners, such as Miss Constance from the Patrick Heath Public Library, have done several engaging storytimes with us. We have had live music, which provides opportunities for local musicians, and have even hosted the Boerne Middle School North Jazz Band.

We also had the honor of having the Boerne Community Theatre perform at our market in July. In addition to all this, we also offer a variety of classes for people of all ages during our market.

We are vested in uniting and supporting the community that has made this market possible. We are working to continue all these incredible activities and more as the year progresses. This is especially important as we transition to being a year-round market.

We want to share the energy and spirit of the Farmers Market at Herff Farm with everyone, and we encourage you to support farmers markets beyond National Farmers Market Week. Please follow the market on Instagram, Facebook, and Cibolo.org for more information.

Cibolo Happenings

August 3 and 10

•Art in Conservation: Drawing from Nature, 10 a.m.-noon. Join international artist Jeannette MacDougall and Rebecca Burritt. The Art of Drawing is simply a form of mark-making. With the practice of the basic skills of blind contour, proportion, value and detail, we learn to draw what we see through our interpretation. We develop a new awareness and appreciation of the natural beauty in the world around us. This class is hosted inside or outside the Herff House and is offered every Wednesday. Learn more at www.cibolo.org.

August 6

•Farmers Market at Herff Farm, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Join us at the Farmers Market at Herff Farm and enjoy locally produced products and goods from small businesses and farms in the Texas Hill Country. Herff Farm offers trails and programming for children and adults. More information is available at www.cibolo.org.

•Art in Conservation: Watercolor, 10 a.m.-noon. Join international artist Jeannette Mac-Dougall and Rebecca Burritt in a watercolor class where you learn to paint with the practice of the basic techniques: glazing, wet-in-wet, dry brush and more. This class is hosted inside or outside the Herff House and is offered every Saturday. Learn more at www.cibolo.org.

August 12

•Night Hikes for Adults – Explore the Cibolo at Night, 7:30-9 p.m. Join the Cibolo staff as they walk the trails learning about all the nocturnal animals that call the Cibolo home. This is a longer hike suitable for adults 18 and over. Attendees should bring comfortable shoes, a flashlight, and a water bottle. Register on www.cibolo.org.

August 13

•Moondance Outdoor Concert Series – Ruben V. Enjoy music at the nature center, 7-10 p.m. Attendees can bring their chairs, coolers and friends to enjoy dancing under the full moon. Ticket pricing is available for members, nonmembers, students and children. Learn more at www.cibolo.org. It’s member appreciation night.


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