Loganville Growers Help Nourish The Community

In its second year, the Snellville Farmers’ Market shares local bounty with the community and several of those  participating each week are based out of Loganville. Dillwood Farms, Sophia’s Garden, and Buffalo Lick Farm and Nursery brought out some early spring and late winter crops to the market’s opening day on May 14. Also back for the season is Monroe’s Local Herb Grove.

 Dillwood Farms, located on Brushy Fork Road, is back for this second year in Snellville. The farm is owned by Doug Dillard and managed by Cindy Harris.

“Dillwood plans to be at the market every week through October,” said Brandon Sandy, their representative for the market. Sandy, his wife Sarah and daughter Summer, brought an abundance of greens, onions, radishes and turnips along with some early squash which sold out way before 10:00 a.m.!

 “The produce is organic and Dillwood Farms and Cindy (Harris) is working on the certification process,” said Sandy.

Dillwood Farms now has a CSA program from which you can pick up your produce either at the farm or at the market on Saturday.

 New to the market this year is Sophia’s Garden, named for a very precious pre-schooler with the ability to inspire. Anna Maria Brosan, who is Sophia’s mom, said she started her garden after Sophia’s birth and felt she “needed to share the plentiful harvest (they) were blessed with.” Though not as large as some of the other producers, their summer bounty will include “lots of flowers,” according to daughter Katrina. “Mom has a way with Zinnias.” Anna Maria will also share more than 25 years of tested cookie recipes along with breads and a surprisingly refreshing basil jelly! They will also have hand made wind chimes and other garden ornaments throughout the summer.

 Also in its second year at the market is Buffalo Lick Farm and Nursery. Mike and Stefanie Weathers shared a wide array of late winter crops including icicle radishes along with some early spring offerings and their local honey. With farm locations and bee yards in Greene County and in Loganville, this year they hope to expand with a crop of Silver Queen corn planted at a third location in Good Hope and will once again provide some cotton honey as it is available.

With expectations of plentiful harvests from the different growing areas, this year, the Weathers also hope to bring carrots, sugar snap peas, garlic, spinach, lettuce, snow peas, cabbage, potatoes, cucumbers, squash, melons, tomatoes, okra, peppers, green beans, eggplant, broccoli, turnip greens, herbs, blueberries, figs, blackberries, muscadines as they come to the absolute peak of harvest for our enjoyment.

Buffalo Lick has a summer CSA program from which you can pick up  your “share” each week at the Snellville Farmers’ Market.

Jeff Smith of Local Herb Groves in Monroe was on hand with fresh basil and some sweet lettuces and spring mixes from their hydroponic garden. Free of herbicides and pesticides, this gardening practice according to manager Ratnaker Ray not only produces a herbs and greens with a uniquely fresh taste, it is an eco-friendly process that is growing in its sustainability and productivity. They are active in several other area farmers markets and are partners in the Buffalo Lick CSA.

 Several other growers and producers from Loganville and Grayson will be participating in the Snellville Farmers’ Market as their crops mature.

From Loganville to Snellville to the community. It just doesn’t get any fresher than that!