The Town of Halifax Farmers’ Market is participating in the First Annual Market Stroll on Saturday, May 20^th, starting at 7:30 am. What a way to start the outdoor season by getting out and celebrating Spring and supporting our local Agriculture. During the day you will find multiple special activities and vendors with everything from fresh vegetables and meats, to baked goods and local crafts. Our local Culinary Arts Students will be on hand from 10am-Noon providing a cooking demonstration with samples of locally raised product. Visit the seed library where you can pick out some seeds to take home and plant or you can bring in those leftover seeds to donate to the library.

Then stick around all day or come back in the evening at 6:00 pm and participate in the first ever SWINE event where “Cork Meets Pork”. At this event, you will have the opportunity to sample local wines from Hunting Creek Vineyard, eat locally raised chemical free pasture raised pork products from Hudson Heritage Farms, and buy a bag of everyone’s favorite pork rind skins from D and D Skins. All while listening to music from Turkey Scratch and letting the children engage in educational activities hosted by our local library staff. Yes, there will be something for everyone at this year’s Market Stroll. So bring a chair and sit back and enjoy the evening at your local Farmers’ Market.

Our Farmers’ Markets play an important role in the community by providing locally raised products to our residents. This season is off to a great start with warmer than normal weather which has provided a boost to vegetable crops. We are ahead of the game and consumers are

the beneficiaries of the “Bounty of our County”.   Although the Grand Opening of Halifax Farmers’ Market is a full month away, folks coming out for the Market Stroll and SWINE event will be pleased with what is available now.

Halifax’s farmers work day in and day out to produce the crops and livestock that are the building blocks of our community. But it can be easy to forget that the products we use daily all begin with a farmer and can be bought directly from farmers at our local Farmers’ Markets. Farmers markets serve not only as a way for people to purchase locally grown produce but also as a chance for them to connect with others within their communities. Purchasing local goods is an experience that promotes a sense of place, important in making individuals feel tied to their communities.

Let our farmers’ and friends know that you appreciate they are here. Come out to the Halifax Farmers’ Market on May 20^th and meet a farmer and their family, visit your neighbors and connect with others in the community. Sample some of the products locally produced in Halifax, and talk with our farmers’ directly about their products. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring a friend and come out and show your support for Agriculture in Halifax.  

FAIRY GARDEN CONTEST AT THE HALIFAX FARMER’S MARKET

By Andrea Burke

The Southside Master Gardener Association will hold a Fairy Garden Contest on Saturday, June 10 2017 at the Halifax Farmer’s Market from 8 to 11:30 a.m. This contest is free to the public and prizes will be awarded. A miniature container garden may be submitted by an individual of any age, a group, such as a Sunday School Class or a Garden Club or a family, a Grandmother and Grandchild for example. There is no size limit, but the gardens must be able to be carried to the display tables. Please bring your gardens between 8 and 9:45 a.m.

The basic idea of fairy gardens is to create a space where it appears that little creatures have taken up residence in your garden. There is a little artist in all of us – and an even bigger artist in children! It doesn’t have to be expensive. The more items you personally make, the more fun it is. As you take a walk and notice gumballs from “Sweetgum Trees” (Liquidambar styraciflua), you may think that if you sprayed it with green paint it would make a perfect bush in your fairy garden! Or a pine cone – makes a great tree! Branches and twigs can be sliced up to make stepping stones, or become parts of little furniture. We have a lot of moss growing wild around our neighborhood and it makes a lovely “grass” for your fairy garden.

A modeling and sculpting clay such as Sculpey™ clay is really fun to work with – you can create just about anything from rolling a long worm to rolling a ball and turn it into mushrooms, tables, beach towel, umbrella – just use your imagination! Bake it according to package directions, then paint it with Acrylic paint and spray it with Krylon if using indoors, or Polyurethane if using outdoors. There are wonderful books on how to paint rocks to look like a house fairies would love to live in, or to paint rocks that look like animals and bugs! Pinterest is a wonderful sight to get ideas for creating your special fairy garden. You will be amazed at just how much information is out there! Or if you are so inclined, you can find accessories galore on the internet for sale from websites such as www.myfairygardens.com. A fairy garden is a chance to rediscover the fun and wonder of gardening.

The Fairy Gardens will be judged by a panel of independent judges based on the overall design, creativity, imaginative use of live plant material (must have at least 2 live plants) and other components used. NO artificial plants or live animals can be used. Judges will determine the first and second place winners. Visitors may vote for one entry for the People’sChoice category between 10 and 11 a.m. Winners will be announced at 11:30 a.m and receive their prizes. During judging you will be able to enjoy all the market has to offer, fresh produce, organic meats and eggs, homemade breads and sweets and lots of arts and crafts. The Halifax Farmer’s Market is located at 209 S Main St, Halifax. Entry forms and rules may be picked up at the Halifax Extension Office, 171 S Main St, Halifax, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at the market during regular market hours. For more information, visit www.ssmga.org or call the Halifax Extension Office at 434-476-2147 option 0. Please put the Fairy Garden Contest on your list of the most fun things to do this summer.

Caption for picture: This whimsical fairy garden used multiple pots to create a tower design created by Kathy Thomas and her granddaughter Chloe Klingerman took first prize in the 2016 Fairy Garden Contest

Town of Halifax, Virginia

FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Halifax Police Department is taking applications for a full-time Police Officer to be under the direct supervision of the Police Chief. Candidate will perform law enforcement duties within the Town as required. Shift work may rotate with weekly hours.

QUALIFICATIONS: High school graduate or GED. Must possess current Virginia Law Enforcement Certification. Must possess a valid Virginia driver’s license. Must pass an extensive background check.

COMPENSATION RANGE: Salary with benefits based on experience.

HOW TO APPLY:Town of Halifax employment application is required along with submitting a resume and copy of certification. Application can be obtained at the Halifax Town Hall located at 70 South Main Street, Halifax, Virginia 24558. Applications can be submitted in person or mailed and addressed to Police Chief,Town of Halifax Police Department, Post Office Box 627, Halifax, Virginia 24558.

Deadline: May 19, 2017.

EOE

Tomatoes, Mother, Tools and Herbs – Oh My

           What do tomatoes, Mother, tools and herbs have in co. mmon? They are all part of the Second Saturday at the Halifax Farmer’s Market on May 13^th. This is the first in the Southside Master Gardener’s series of Second Saturdays for 2017. Master Gardeners will be at the Farmer’s Market to help children pot up plants for Mother’s Day. Bring your kids, grandkids or the neighbor’s kids to introduce them to plants and give them an opportunity to make a gift for their Moms.

           Gardening tools are an extension of the gardener’s hands. It is important to keep them clean and sharp. Bring your tools to the market on the 13^th for a free cleaning and sharpening. We will also be selling some heirloom tomatoes such as Saint Pierre, Moneymaker and Kellogg’s Breakfast. There will be some regular tomatoes such as Better Boy and Big Boy. A few herbs will be available – Bergarten sage, variegated lemon thyme and bay.

           Join the Master Gardeners from 8 am to 11 am on Saturday, May 13 for a fun morning with your children and to ask any questions you may have about your yard or garden. While at the market take the time to visit the outdoor vendors with fresh produce, organic meats and eggs. Inside you will find baked goods, handmade herbal lotions and soaps, arts and collectibles. For more information about the Master Gardener program, please call the Halifax Extension Office at 434-476-2147 or visit their website at www.ssmga.org or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Caption for picture

Some herbs available at the Southside Master Gardeners May 13^th Second Saturday.Bring your gardening tools for cleaning and sharpening. Bring your kids or grandkids to the Halifax Farmers Market on May 13^th and the Master Gardeners will help them pot up a plant for Mothers Day.

June 3^rd Rain Barrel Workshop

The Halifax Soil & Water Conservation District and the Virginia Cooperative Extension-Southside Master Gardeners Association will be hosting a Rain Barrel Workshop on June 3^rd at 10 a.m. at the North Halifax Volunteer Fire Department, 4201 Leda Grove Road, Nathalie 24577.  Participants will learn about the benefits of using rain barrels and will construct their own rain barrel to take home.  Thanks to a River Bank Fund Grant from the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region, workshop cost is $12 and includes a quality food-grade barrel, required materials and hardware, instructions, and assistance needed to construct your rain barrel.  Bring gloves and channel locks to the class.  Visithttp://halifaxswcd.org/rain-barrel-workshops/ to register or stop by the HCSWD office located at 171 S. Main Street in the Town of Halifax and fill out the application and pay by cash or check.