Roy Mullins (Wise):  Roy is generally known as the “Apple Guy.”   A third generation apple grower, he says “My family has always grown apples.  All combined, we’ve got a total of about 92 years devoted to growing apples.”  And he’s a bit of a “movie star” around these parts, too!  In 1997, Appalshop produced a documentary film about the Mullins family called “Applewise,” which tells the story of the Wise County apple growers.  And Roy grows a lot more than just apples, such as peaches, tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, and snap peas.

Roy Mullins with his wife and business partner, Dianna

Martin Miles (M&M Farm, Dryden):  Martin learned to farm from his parents more than a half century ago on a hillside farm not far from where he now lives. "We didn't have a lot, and the farming could be rough on you, but we always had enough to eat," Miles says.  He began as a tobacco farmer and cattle rancher but switched to organic vegetable gardening in 1999.  Miles' efforts to share information about the production methods and profit potential involved in switching from tobacco and cattle to organic vegetable production has been influential for other growers making similar transitions.  Martin grows a multitude of vegetables, including ‘Peaches & Cream’ corn and watermelons.

Martin Miles

Cindy and Gary Laws (Laws Organic Farm, Stickleyville):  The Laws have spent their ‘lifetime’ farming, but have been growing organic for about 6 years now on their 96-acre farm.  “Appalachian Sustainable Development worked to establish a market for organic produce in our region,” explains Cindy, “and we were more than ready to get on board.”  The Laws grow a variety of vegetables using organic methods, including corn, potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and beans.  They also raise horses, cattle and grow hay.  When asked what the most challenging aspect of growing organic is, Gary replies without hesitation, “Getting rid of bugs!”

Gary & Cindy Laws

Norris Bolling (Wise):  Norris describes himself as a “mountain man,” saying he loves the outdoors.  When he’s not in his garden, he can be found hunting, fishing, and looking for ‘seng (ginseng).  A retired miner (25 years) and logger (15 years), he says he’s been gardening as a hobby on and off all his life.  With retirement, what was once a hobby has become a full-fledged “occupation.”  Norris grows lots of tomatoes, as well as corn, green beans, potatoes, and peppers.

Norris Bolling (Left) with David at the market.

Jessie Hamm (Vance Mountain Farm in Haysi):  “I was born a farmer,” says Jessie with a twinkle in her blue eyes.  And with 39 years of farming behind her, she has the experience to prove it!  Besides growing a huge assortment of vegetables (corn, beans, pumpkins, squash, greens, and herbs), she also raises beef and milk cows, lamas, rabbits, chickens, and emus.

Jessie Hamm (Left) with her Daughter and Grand-daughter

Laura Lawson (Dryden):  Laura says her life as a farmer began when “my daddy let me plant radishes when I was four years old.”  Growing dried flower “demonstration” gardens for TVA that can be used to make wreaths and dried flower arrangements, Laura also grows and sells organically grown fresh or dried herbs and many different kinds of vegetables including patty pan squash, green beans, onions, cucumbers and more.

Laura Lawson

Bob Orr (Dryden):  Bob spent many years growing tobacco before he made the transition over to vegetable farming.  And like others, he was brought into organic farming by Appalachian Sustainable Development.  Bob says, “An acre of tomatoes is worth more now than an acre of tobacco.”   Bob grows organic green beans, corn, lettuce and cabbage.

Bob Orr

Ruth and Doyle Mefford (Wise):  Life-long residents of Wise County, Ruth and Doyle love the sense of community they get when vending at the farmers’ market.  “There’s no other place that has such a great feeling of community spirit,” says Ruth.  Doyle, a retired coal miner, is an accomplished oil painter who has won over 40 ribbons at local festivals and fairs.  Ruth sewed her first “dress” when she was seven years old from a potato sack provided by her mother.  The Mefford’s sell aprons; various crocheted items, and framed oil paintings.

Ruth & Doyle Mefford

Thomas Hobbs (Dryden):  When Thomas retired from coal mining, he opened a vineyard.  A soft-spoken man with many wonderful stories to share, customers can find him at the market every Tuesday where he sells his wonderful homemade apple, peach, and pumpkin butters—depending on what’s in season!

Thomas Hobbs

Trish and DA Ward (Norton, Virginia):  This is the first year that Trish and DA have participated in a farmers’ market, and both say they are confirmed groupies!  Both have been berry pickers for many years, and they now provide them to market customers through July.  Trish is also well-known for her considerable talents as a baker, and treats market goers to her delicious home baked goodies throughout the season.

Trish & DA at the market.

Buren Bloomer (Dryden):  Buren is a farmer and a craftsman!  When our customers visit his tent, they may purchase locally raised vegetables such as beans and corn, or they might have a blueberry bush to plant (with Buren’s special directions to put some rusted nails in the bottom of the planting hole).  They might even walk away with a hand-turned wooden bowl made of maple, cherry, or sassafras.  Possibly they’ll leave with a split-oak basket or hand-carved utensils made of wood.  Visiting Buren at the farmers’ market is always a treat for the customer—you never know what treasure you’ll find!

Buren Bloomer

Beth Thacker (Coeburn):  Beth enjoys making country crafts, such as her “cat in a box” and whimsical Christmas decorations.  Her homemade banana nut, pumpkin, and cranberry breads are pretty fine, too!  And if you’re interested in glass bead jewelry, then you’ll find Megan Calhoun’s lovely bracelets and earrings under Beth’s tent.

Beth Thacker

Dale Myers (R&D Farms, Bristol):  Dale along with his wife Rebecca and three daughters sell USDA inspected, grass fed and pasture raised meats:  Black Angus beef, lamb and pork.  Dale also operates a hunting preserve for quail, pheasant and chukar partridge.  All of Dale’s meats are antibiotic, hormone and steroid free.

Dale Myers

John Woodworth (Opossum’s Bottom Farm/Ziegenwald Dairy, Gate City):  John and his wife, Andrea moved to Virginia in 1993 and purchased their first goats in 1994—which marked the beginning of their cheese making.  With a fluctuating herd of well over a hundred goats at kidding time to around 50-60 on a regular basis, John produces chevre-style cheeses, a Colby-style hard cheese, and camembert from goat’s milk at his fully licensed Grade A dairy.  And if you’re looking for those hard-to-find heirloom seeds, John is a seed saver who provides a wide range of heirloom seeds to a local seed company and at the farmers’ market.

John Woodworth

Loretta Yoder (Loretta’s Kitchen, Ewing):  Mrs. Yoder brings her considerable baking talents to the market weekly.  Customers enjoy the yeasted breads, fresh pies, and homemade donuts made from her family’s Amish recipes.  She also makes a “mean” can of strawberry jam!

Loretta Yoder

Marla Weitzman (Big Stone Gap):  Interested in sampling chocolate babka?  How about some freshly made bagels?   Or maybe you’d like some homemade Challah for that special bread pudding recipe you’ve been dying to try?  Marla makes delicious baked goods, many of which are found in traditional Jewish cooking.  Marla’s sourdough bread is pretty hard to beat, too!

 

Marla Weitzman