A few times a year here at Let’s Get Fresh we like to get one of the Market’s vendors to provide their take on things. Sometimes it’s some technical aspect of farming, sometimes it’s about how a vendor balances work and family, and sometimes, like today, it’s a little taste of the farming life.

Today we’re lucky to have Farmer John Jennings of Jennings Brae Bank Farm in Wetzel County sharing that little slice of life with us. John and Mollie are long time vendors at the Market and offer a wide range of fresh produce as well as grass-fed Scottish Highland beef. Check them out at the Market today and at http://www.jenningsbraebankfarm.com/

 

Farming is a hard profession. There are days where I have questioned my sanity for quitting my day job, and its steady paycheck, to toil away in fields with my hands in the dirt. I have seen freshly planted fields sitting under 6 inches of water. I have felt helpless as sick calves die under my care. I have cursed after finding my 600 pepper plants, just starting to blossom, munched back to the stem by invading deer.  I have spent more time working on fixing equipment than I ever will working on farming with it. There are some days that all of this seems not worth the effort. Mother Nature can be a cruel boss.

 

On the days where farming seems too tough and I start feeling a little sorry for myself I have to focus on the rewards I’m granted being a farmer. Cherry tomatoes right off the vine are my favorite summertime treat. A newborn calf trying to find its legs for the first time is adorable. The view from our fields at sunset could be on a postcard. A barn full of hay gives me as much satisfaction as money in the bank. Generally, though, my greatest reward every week is attending Farmers Markets.

 

Farmers Markets give me an opportunity to put our hard work on display. Providing food for people provides me a great sense of pride and accomplishment. Talking with other farmers about our successes and failures makes me feel less alone in this challenging endeavor. The gratefulness of the customers who buy our products provides me with the energy to keep going. An afternoon at the market is time well spent.

 

Living in West Virginia I sometimes feel disheartened by the constant barrage of negative news about the struggles of our state and its people. It can feel a little hopeless. Farmers Markets help restore my hope for our state, communities, and farming. The action of traveling to market to purchase local and quality ingredients takes a little effort. There are so many of you making that effort every week at the Bridgeport Farmers Market. It is uplifting to see all of the Farmers, small businesses, customers, and organizers working so hard to create a wonderful community. Thanks to all of you who organize and attend the market, your support keeps me farming.

 

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Thanks Farmer John!

 

Also at the Market today will be Chef Mark Tasker of Table 9 Restaurant in Morgantown. Chef Tasker is back by popular demand after staging two exciting demos last season.

 

And we have a double bill of ladies under the Music Tent today. Kristen Federer and Madison Douglas are both well-known performers around these parts but this will be both ladies’ debut at the Market. You’ll hear some familiar covers as well as some fresh, original music in the folk/pop vein. Stop by and check them out and while you’re there leave a little something in the tip basket.

 

Until next week, Stay Fresh!

 

The Bridgeport Farmers Market Association is the seven member all volunteer board of directors that governs the Bridgeport Farmers Market. It is supported by a wonderful group of community volunteers who help in the setup and maintenance of the market. For more information on the Farmers Market or to see how you can help please e-mail us at bridgeportfarmersmarket@yahoo.comor, better yet, LIKE us on Facebook and follow us on both Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out the Market’s own YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BridgeportFarmersMktor for more BFM video content you can now go to http://vimeo.com/bridgeportfarmersmarket/videos

Go here to see all of the entries in the Let’s Get Fresh blog: http://tinyurl.com/kdv4mhl