Farming | The Ben Franklin Follies

Browsing All Posts filed under »Farming«

Grapevine Grill at Chaumette Vineyards

September 1, 2011

While wandering around the Soulard Market on August 13, during my last hour in St. Louis, I stopped by the Baetje Farms stall to sample (and purchase) a bit of their divinely-inspired, award-winning goat cheese. I bought the last package of their Bavarian Lemon Creme. As we chatted, I mentioned that I was driving south […]

Epiphany: Tuscaloosa Farm-to-Table

August 19, 2011

I don't recall precisely when Chef Tres Jackson launched Epiphany but it instantly became my favorite after my first meal there. From the outset, Epiphany and Chef Tres Jackson focused on local foods and suppliers that used sustainable-production methods.

East Lake Farmers Market

August 5, 2011

I’d only been in the East Lake community of Birmingham once before this summer. That was in the Fall of 2009 when I attended a couple of session of a sustainable foods conference held at East Lake United Methodist Church. Last year, I moved to the east side of town. The East Lake community is […]

Averiett Branch Farm: A Heritage Farm

July 26, 2011

One of the nicest things about hanging out at farmers markets is that you get to talk to the men and women who grow and raise your food. Over the past two months I’ve had several short (he’s always busy), but pleasant chats with John H. Wesson, current purveyor of Averiett Branch Farm in Sylacauga, […]

Peaches from Witt Farms

July 23, 2011

I bought the most delicious peaches from Mr. and Mrs. Hays who were representing Witt Farms at the East Lake Farmers Market last Saturday, July 16. These peaches have been scrumptious. I’ve eaten them as a snack, as dessert and mixed them into my smoothies this past week. I’m not sure where else you can […]

Winfrey Farms at East Lake Farmers Market

July 21, 2011

Winfrey Farms, located in Boaz, Alabama, sells a variety of wonderful produce at the East Lake Farmers Market in Birmingham. So far this season, I've bought cabbage, onions, yellow pattypan squash, new potatoes and green beans from Winfrey Farms. That's what I can think of. Every bit of it has been superb.

Whited Farms at East Lake Farmers Market

July 19, 2011

I spoke with Jennifer Smelson of Whited Farms at the East Lake Farmers Market last Saturday. Jennifer’s family owns Whited Farms. So far this season I’ve bought strawberries and green beans from Whited Farms and have been quite pleased. I look forward to trying more of the wide assortment of vegetables and fruit grown on […]

Oak Hill Angus: Grass-fed Black Angus Beef

July 17, 2011

I met Richard Harvell, owner of Oak Hill Angus at the Homegrown Alabama Farmers Market in Tuscaloosa a few days ago. Mr. Harvell raises grassfed, antibiotic- and hormone-free Black Angus cattle at his family-owned farm in Eutaw, Alabama. We create the society and culture we want to live in by the choices we make every day, in the products we choose to purchase and the foods we choose to eat.

Grilled T-bone Steak (Grassfed Beef) & Grilled Veggies

July 4, 2011

I have a steak about once every three to four weeks, preferably grilled. For the past few years, I’ve pretty much limited my beef consumption to grass-fed beef, buying as “local” as possible. More and more ranchers and farmers are raising grass-fed beef and selling it directly to consumers at farmers markets. Some producers offer […]

On encountering cows while running….

June 28, 2011

I always say “Hey” to cows whenever I pass them while running. Kind of like when Scout says “Hey” to Boo Radley.