The folks at Watauga County Farmers' Market are pleased to announce out annual Customer Appreciation Day for this Saturday, September 20. This event will be starting earlier in the day this year, possibly as early as 7:30, to allow us to thank those who arrive early in the day to support the market. BSA Troop 109 led by Troopmaster Arvil Sale will be serving up some fine treats for everyone. We hope to see you there!

There are plenty of other reasons to stop by the market this Saturday. There are still plenty of tasty homegrown tomatoes to be found. Don Owens will have red, stripey and pin tomatoes in addition to yellow squash, eggplants, pumpkins including Cushaws, and Turk's Turban gourds. Don also has a wide variety of peppers including sweet and hot banana peppers, bells, Poblanos and Jalapenos. Shiloh Avery and Jason Roehrig of Tumbling Shoals Farm will have Beefsteak, Arkansas Traveler and Green Zebra tomatoes for this market, and also sweet peppers of all colors, acorn and butternut squash, arugula and spicy greens. Sally Thiel and Joe martin will be harvesting Brandywine, Hughes, and Cherokee Purple tomatoes, and will also be offering samples to help you choose your favorite variety. Sally and Joe will also have plenty of sweet bells and Fingerling potatoes on hand.

There is still plenty of corn being sighted at the market, and Jerry Harvey will have the varieties Silver King, yellow sweet and bicolor corn this weekend. Green beans are also still available, and Sue Thomas will be bringing Venture green beans as well as turnip greens, mustard, spinach, Swiss chard, kale, and yellow squash.

Susan Wright and Brent Cochran of Shady Grove Gardens will have more cut sunflowers this weekend, and also selections of Hydrangea, lilies, and globe amaranth.

Don Cox of Bald Guy Brew is continuing to seek out new ways to make the world a batter place to live. Be sure to stop by and ask him about how you can contribute to the well being of others while enjoying a freshly roasted cup of coffee.

Don't forget about all of the fine crafts available at the market every week, including artful pottery pieces including Becki Henderson-Gow with her functional wheel thrown and Raku pottery, and Caron Baker Wike with food safe giant leaf bowls and hundred year old lace pottery.

Watauga County Farmers' Market will be open on Saturday mornings through the end of October at the Horn in the West in Boone. Turn next to First Citizens Bank on Highway 105 Extension and go to the top of the hill. Call WCFM manager Karen Bauman at 1-828-355-4918 or send an email for more information. We will be there rain or shine!