Editor's Note: We welcome back "Let's Get Fresh." Today marks the debut of Bridgeport Farmers Market winter season. The indoor market is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Bridgeport Conference Center. 

 

Now onto Bob Workman's blog: 

 

Each year when the Market moves indoors to the Bridgeport Conference Center for the winter season, many folks assume that the West Virginia-grown produce season is finished. Alas, they assume wrong. You see, many West Virginia farmers have built a relatively inexpensive secret weapon that enables them to extend their growing seasons. This secret weapon is known as a high tunnel.

 

A high tunnel is essentially an unheated greenhouse. Usually constructed with a frame of either PVC or metal pipe, a high tunnel will then be covered tight with plastic sheeting. The farmer controls the heating and cooling of the tunnel manually by rolling up the plastic sheeting on the sides in order to cool the interior or rolling them down tight in order to trap heat inside.

 

Other advantages of using a high tunnel include weed control and crop protection. Due to there being no natural rainwater in the tunnel (irrigation systems provide the water in a high tunnel) weeds have a hard time growing in the areas where there are no crops. And while it may be a no-brainer, those pesky deer can’t destroy the crops in a high tunnel. At least until the time comes when they figure out how to open doors.

 

BFM vendors who are taking advantage of the benefits of a high tunnel are Green Acres Farm, Mountain Hollow Farm, Harmony Farm and Jennings Brae Bank Farm.

 

So, what can a farmer grow in a high tunnel this time of year? According to Chef Dale Hawkins you can expect to see lettuces, cabbages, mixed greens, beets, broccoli and butternut squash at the Market today and throughout most of the Winter Market season. And, believe it or not, Green Acres Farm will have tomatoes at the Market today as well. These were harvested this past week from vines that were planted under a high tunnel in April of this year. Amazingly, these plants have been producing tomatoes since June. Now that is an extended growing season!

 

We hope to see you today at the first Winter Market of the season. We’ll be inside the Bridgeport Conference Center where they will also be serving a Market-style local foods brunch. The fine folks at the Conference Center will be donating 15% of today’s brunch proceeds to the Harrison County United Way.

 

And to add to the good-deed-doing the Market will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items for the Shepherd’s Corner. Everyone who donates will be entered in a drawing for a $30 BFM Gift Certificate.

 

And don’t forget the Market hours change to 11 a.m to 2 p.m. for the winter season. The Winter Market will continue on the second Sunday of each month from now until April.

 

Until next month, 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 or follow us on Twitter. 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

 

Read more about today's Winter Market debut HERE.