Enchantment Under the Soil Celebrates Life Beneath the Surface

We are unearthing the secrets of the soil on June 12^th.

As potatoes, onions, and other favorite subterranean vegetables start to surface, the market will celebrate all the life that flourishes beneath.

Soil life is the foundation of sustainable farming; the complex eco-system of worms, bugs, butterflies, and micro-organisms are what make organic growing possible. On June 12^th from 8 am to Noon, the market will host demonstrations and activities for kids and adults about these wriggly miracles.

At 10 am, Muriel Williman will lead a workshop on composting at home. She will highlight the advantages of converting your food and garden waste into nutrient-rich soil. She will also teach methods for setting up a simple, easy-to-use composting system at home.

At 10:30, Williman will lead kids in a composting exploration. Make sure they have their play clothes on, because things might get dirty! Kids will learn, play, and get their hands in the dirt, exploring everything creepy and crawly that helps convert plants into compost. (Hand-washing facilities will be available!)

Suzanne Tilton, “the Butterfly Lady,” will be on hand displaying butterflies, caterpillars, and cocoons, and talking about butterfly gardening. Market-goers of all ages will enjoy observing and learning about Monarch eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises and adult butterflies, along with other species. Suzanne will help kids and adults hold caterpillars and feel their tickly feet. At 11:30, she will lead a butterfly release.

Vendors will be getting in the act as well. Stephany Weston, the Queen of Tartes, will be making creepy, crawly cupcakes for bug-crazed kids. Debra Wuliger of Winking Moon Garden will lead kids in bug-themed craft activities.

Chris McKinley of Box Car Farms will lead cooking demonstrations highlighting potatoes, garlic, onions, and root crops including beets and turnips. He will offer new twists on cooking with these sub-soil favorites.

In addition, the market vendors will have their usual abundance of fresh, local vegetables, pasture-raised meats, crafts, and baked goods.

The Eno River Farmers Market offers farm-fresh, organic produce, cheese, meat, eggs, baked goods, prepared foods, and crafts from local growers and producers. It is open to vendors who reside and produce the items they sell within a 60-mile radius of Hillsborough, NC. Vendors must be the original producer of their items.