Plum Granny Farm’s elves have been hard at work to make your locally sourced gift giving easier!  Our delicious, full-fruit raspberry and blackberry (and now sweet potato!) jams make wonderful Holiday gifts!  Here are two options this week to take care of your gift-giving needs:

• King Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Shopping Night (at the Chamber Office at 124 South Main Street in downtown King) on Friday, December 7th from 5-9 p.m.  Only jam will be available at this location.
  
  
• Cobblestone Farmers Market POP UP at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts (251 N. Spruce Street in downtown Winston-Salem --1 block off Fourth Street) on Saturday, December 8th from 10am-1pm.  At this market we will have Holiday greenery in addition to garlic braids and jams.

Speaking of jams, pre-orders are strongly encouraged!  Please email us at farm@plumgrannyfarm.com or call 336-994-2517.  Don’t want you to be disappointed that your favorite flavor is sold out!  We now have 10 flavors!  They are Old Fashioned Raspberry, Old Fashioned Blackberry, Raspberry-Baby Ginger, Raspberry-Extra Baby Ginger, Raspberry-Chipotle Chile, Raspberry-Cranberry, and Sweet Potato Butter (Yam's Jam) plus Raspberry-Roselle Jam, Raspberry-Chipotle Molé Sauce and Old Fashioned Blackberry Sauce in limited quantities.  All are delightfully yummy!  Descriptions of each of the jams can be found on our website by clicking here "Our Jams and Sauces".

We will also cheerfully and happily mail your gifts to loved ones near and far!  Just drop an email and let us know what you want and where you want it shipped.  Shipping is extra but we have found that the USPS Priority Mail flat rate or regional boxes to be very cost-effective!  We now also take credit cards for your shopping ease!

Hope to see you at one of these Holiday venues this week!  We will be announcing other locations for later in the month soon!

Here's to getting in the Holiday Spirit,

Cheryl & Ray

Hello Plum Granny Farm Friends!

Wanted to fill you in on the latest news about our markets and products. 

Several of you have been asking about our ginger harvest this year.  Unfortunately several issues kept us from getting a good harvest but we do have some ginger available now at market.  The photo above shows a small display of the baby ginger, galangal and turmeric.  The turmeric will be growing a bit longer so that it can bulk up some more.

And speaking of markets... it is hard to believe, but we are closing in on the LAST regular farmers markets for 2012!  There are 2 more Tuesday Cobblestone Farmers Markets (11/13 and 11/20) and 1 more Old Salem Farmers Market (11/17).  All 3 makrets are from 9-noon and we'll be at them all!  They are perfect opportunities to get some wonderful delights for your Thanksgiving Holiday table!

We'll have several items that will meet that need:

• Raspberry-Cranberry Jam (Terrific with turkey!)
• Raspberry-Chipotle Molé Sauce (also great with turkey)
• Baby ginger
• Thai ginger (Galangal)
• Tomatoes (yes!  We still have field grown tomatoes - especially the little jewel-like "fruit" ones!)
• Garlic (get it while you can!)
• Sweet peppers
• Tomatillos
• Baby Salad Mix

In addition to the things that you'll be serving up, don't forget about Holiday gifts!  It would be a great time to stock up on jam (we now have 7 varieties!) or our gorgeous garlic braids for gifts!  We can even ship your purchases to out-of-town family and friends if you'd like!

Plans are underway to do some Saturday Holiday markets in Winston-Salem during December.  The details are still being worked out so we'll let you know as soon as we have the specifics.

So take advantage of these last few opportunities to support local farms.  Let "Buy Local" be your mantra for the Holidays!

In this time of Thanksgiving, we want to express our sincere appreciation to you for your ongoing support.  It is wonderful having great customers like you -- you have become much more than customers -- you are our friends! 

Here's to enjoying organic, local and GOOD food!

Cheryl & Ray

A touch of fall is in the air and it is bringing some wonderful things with it!  At the Old Salem Cobblestone Market tomorrow (September 8 from 9-noon), we'll have muscadine and scuppernong grapes, Shishito Japanese frying peppers, Antohi Romanian sweet frying peppers (we'll have samples of them roasted), garlic (including Metechi and the last of the Killarney & Georgian Crystal), a few Red Thumb fingerling potatoes, and of course, we'll have our famous raspberry and blackberry jams and our new Raspberry Chipotle-Molé Cooking Sauce.

Wanted to give you an important heads up about the market tomorrow: This Saturday ONLY, the Market will be in the Old Salem Visitor's Center Parking Lot due to the Brenner Walk and Bike Race. Entry to the market is from Marshall Street. Parking is available in the Visitor's Center parking lot, along Marshall Street and the surrounding streets, and the Enrichment Center's parking lot (reserved for market shoppers). We will back in our regular location next week!  Here is a link to the Old Salem's event page that has the location change posted:  http://www.oldsalem.org/old-salem-cobblestone-farmers-market19.html

Our late summer and early fall crops are looking GREAT!  Tomatoes, peppers, green beans, okra, herbs, swiss chard and hopefully some fall potatoes are growing beautifully!.  We'll keep you posted!

Wanted to share a great recipe with you from the Humble Seed blog which features the delicious Antohi Romanian peppers and other wonderful veggies you can find at market now.  Enjoy!

Mediterranean-Style Vegetable Sandwich

 (Makes 4 Sandwiches)

 1 medium sized eggplant, sliced length-wise into ¼ inch thick rounds

 1 tomato, sliced into rounds

 ½ onion, cut into half moon slices

 5-6 Antohi Romanian Specialty frying peppers, de-seeded and sliced

 8 ounces of Mozzarella cheese, ¼ inch slices (optional)

 10-12 basil leaves

 4 teaspoons Balsamic vinaigrette

 ¼ cup olive oil

 8 slices of crusty French bread

 salt and pepper to taste

 Method:  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Lay a single layer of the eggplant rounds on a baking tray.  Brush each round with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping them over halfway for even cooking. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet to medium high heat.  Drizzle 2 teaspoons of olive oil in the pan, and add the onion, a pinch of salt, and your frying peppers.  Sauté until tender and fragrant.

Once the eggplant has cooled, layer on the eggplant, onions, peppers, basil and cheese (if using) on a slice of crusty bread.  Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Serve immediately.

Thanks for your ongoing support.  Here's to enjoying organic, local and GOOD eating!

Cheryl & Ray

So many of you have been asking "When are you doing another raspberry pick-your-own??"  Well, the berries have responded!  It's your weekend to come out and pick!  We will be open Sunday, August 12 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.. There are still LOTS of berries out there just waiting to go home with you!  Other farm products will be available as well including freshly cured garlic, potatoes, and our famous raspberry jams and our new Raspberry Chipotle-Molé Cooking Sauce.

In addition we wanted to let you know about some changes to our market schedule.  Let's fill you in on the latest scoop!

• Every Saturday we are at the wonderful Old Salem Farmers Market from 9-noon.  This is a fantastic market in an amazing venue.  Come on out to Old Salem and see why US News and World Report named it as the 11th best market in the country!  Here is a link to directions and more information: http://www.oldsalem.org/farmersmarke
• We are now alternating being at the Cobblestone Farmers Market Downtown (3rd and Patterson) and the Reynolda Village Farmers Market.  Beginning Friday, August 17th we will be at the Reynolda Village Market from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. every other Friday.  Beginning Tuesday, August 7, we are at the Cobblestone Farmers Market from 9 a.m. utnil noon (Note new time!).  We will be there every other Tuesday.
  

We don't want to confuse our great customers but had to do some schedule shifting.  We wanted to be at all three of these markets but just couldn't be there every week.  We hope this schedule works for you!  If you have querstions about where we will be on a given week -- or want us to reserve an item for you, don't hesitate to call us (336-994-2517) or email (farm@plumgrannyfarm.com)

We'll have many late summer and early fall crops coming before long including tomatoes, peppers and hopefully some fall potatoes.  We'll keep you posted!

Thanks for your ongoing support.  Here's to enjoying organic, local and GOOD eating!

Cheryl & Ray

Come and get 'em!  There are lots of big, juicy (and SWEET!) blackberries and jewel-like red raspberries out there just waiting to go home with you!  We will be open this Saturday morning, July 14, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.. Other farm products will be available as well including freshly cured garlic, fingerling and standard potatoes, and our famous raspberry jams.

Speaking of jam, we have two new varieties that we premiered last week -- our Old Fashioned Blackberry Jam (twice as much fruit as sugar!) and the tempting (and quite tasty!) Raspberry Chipotle-Mole Grilling Sauce. These put a smile on MANY customers last week and we almost ran out -- but we made more and are ready to serve YOU!

We will also be at the top-rated Old Salem Cobblestone Farmers Market with a van-full of organic goodness -- raspberries, blackberries, potatoes, oriental lilies, jam and sauce.  This week the market is opening EARLY at 8:30 a.m. because of the KrispyKreme celebration on Main Street.  Get there early to beat the traffic!  The market will run as usual to noon.  Here is a link to directions and more information: http://www.oldsalem.org/farmersmarket

We hope to see you at the Farm or at our tent at Old Salem!

Thanks for your support of organic and local small farms!

Cheryl & Ray

We had a great time picking raspberries and blackberries on Wednesday -- such a good time that we'll do it again!   We will be open this Saturday morning, July 7, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.. There are still LOTS of berries out there just waiting to go home with you!  Other farm products will be available as well including freshly cured garlic, fingerling and standard potatoes, and our famous raspberry jams.

We will also be at the wonderful Old Salem Farmers Market with raspberries, blackberries, potatoes, oriental lilies, and jam.  The market hours are 9-noon.  Come to the market early to beat the heat!  Here is a link to directions and more information: http://www.oldsalem.org/farmersmarket

We hope to see you at the Farm or at our tent at Old Salem!

Here's to enjoying organic, local and GOOD eating!

Cheryl & Ray

Kick off your 4th of July with Plum Granny Farm!  We'll be open for picking on Wednesday, July 4th from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  You can get some beautiful berries and head on out for a wonderful celebration for the rest of the day.

We have LOTS of great certifed organic, farm-fresh goodies for you -- pick-your-own raspberries (they surprised us by coming in early!), super sweet blackberries, and gorgeous oriental lilies!

Raspberries are $7 per pound, blackberries are $4 per pound and lilies are $1.50 per stem.  We provide picking containers but please feel free to bring your own container to take your treasures home. 

The blackberries are in full force and the raspberries are still early so it is a little more difficult to pick now than it will be later in the season – but there is a lot of fruit out there!

In addition to pick your own, we will have freshly harvested garlic, our popular fingerling potatoes and our "amazingly good" raspberry jams.

So come celebrate your independence from weeks-old grocery store berries and enjoy a beautiful morning in Stokes County.  We are just 9 miles south of Hanging Rock State Park so you could make a day of it!

Hope to see you on Wednesday!  (We won't be at Cobblestone Farmers Market on Tuesday 6/3 so we can prepare for this event!)

Cheryl & Ray

SCAPES!!!  Yep, those tender garlic tips are here for their annual flash dance.  Sauteed, they’re like a mild garlic asparagus.  Diced raw, they add a nice bite to salsas and salads and slaws.  Or stir fry to mellow them into your spring veggie medley.  But they’re only here for about 3 weeks, so come on down!  We’ll have scapes this week at the markets we are doing this week:  Cobblestone Farmers Market (Tue.), Old Salem Farmers Market (Opening Day is Saturday, May 12th), and also at PYO Strawberries at our farm this Saturday, May 12^th.  (9 a.m.--NOTE new later time!-- to noon.  Last picking starts at 11:30 a.m.)

 It's time to e-Scape!!

Here's to Happy, Healthy, Organic & Local Eating,
Cheryl & Ray

We had a great time picking strawberries last weekend!   This week, we will be open on Saturday morning (8 a.m. -noon). Yes, the weather has been crazy this week (cold, hot, hail, rain, ...) but there are LOTS of berries out there just waiting to go home with you!

Here are the details:

Where:  1041 Flat Shoals Road – Take US Hwy 52 North of Winston-Salem, Exit 122 RJR - Moore Rd.  Turn left at the ramp and continue straight on Moore Road (which then becomes Mountain View Road).  Drive 4.3 miles to intersection with NC Hwy 66.  Turn left and drive 4.3 miles to Flat Shoals Road which branches off to the right.  Take Flat Shoals Road – parking for the PYO field is the first driveway on the right – across the road from the farmhouse.

How Much?  $15 per 4 pound “busket”– picking containers provided

Other farm products will be available as well including spring garlic and our famous raspberry jams.

We hope to see you at the Farm!

Cheryl & Ray

Based on the popularity of our pick your own raspberries, we are opening up our new STRAWBERRY field to PYO as well!  Pesticide-free, organically grown strawberries will be available depending on weather and growing conditions. 

Due to the rain, we will not be able to be at Reynolda Village Farmers Market on Friday morning (4/27) but the berries will have dried out and will be ready for your picking pleasure Friday late afternoon.

This week, we will be open on Friday afternoon (4-7 p.m.) and on Saturday morning (9 a.m. -noon). This is not a weekly schedule -- the farm may or not be open for picking so please check to confirm that the PYO is open before coming! The website and farm phone message provide the most up-to-date information so please check one of those first.

Where:  1041 Flat Shoals Road – Take US Hwy 52 North of Winston-Salem, Exit 122 RJR - Moore Rd.  Turn left at the ramp and continue straight on Moore Road (which then becomes Mountain View Road).  Drive 4.3 miles to intersection with NC Hwy 66.  Turn left and drive 4.3 miles to Flat Shoals Road which branches off to the right.  Take Flat Shoals Road – parking for the PYO field is the first driveway on the right – across the road from the farmhouse.

How Much?  $15 per 4 pound “busket”– picking containers provided

Other farm products will be available as well including spring garlic and our famous raspberry jams.

We hope to see you at the Farm!

Cheryl & Ray