BEST NEW FARMERS' MARKET IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY

The South Street Barn Market in Historic Downtown Woodstock, VA is in THE place to be on Saturdays. You won’t find a better place to get a feel for the Shenandoah Valley. Hot breakfasts start at 8 a.m. Come hang out with us for a while

Location: 336 S. Main Street, Woodstock, VA 22664

WELCOME TO OUR NEW VENDORS

In our pursuit to bring you the best selection of only the highest quality products made right here in the Shenandoah Valley, we are very pleased to introduce several new vendors this week w ho fit the bill: AlpacaSpirit, Andy’s Furniture and Skyline Soapworks. Our wonderful little market just keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it?

EXPANDED LAYOUT

Growing our market means expanding into the American Legion space on the west side of the barn this week. (Thank you American Legion Post #199!). We’re going to mix it up a little, so don’t panic if you don’t see a vendor in her/his regular spot. If you’re looking for someone or something in particular, jump up and down in front of the purple tent (next to the barn) to get my attention. That usually works but, admittedly, not always. Especially if I’m over-caffeinated.
DID YOU KNOW?Terry the Cookie Man uses approximately 20 pounds of flour, six - nine dozen Fairview Oaks Farm fresh eggs, and 10 pounds of sugar each week!

APRIL RAFFLE & LUKE’S BACKPACK

Thanks to everyone who has shown such support to Luke’s Backpack, an organization dedicated to feeding hungry kids in Shenandoah County. Together, we’ve raised a nice chunk of money so far, but we still have April and May to go! April’s raffle is a $40 gift certificate to Country Gardens. The drawing will take place just in time for Mother’s Day. Tickets are a mere $1 each. It only takes one to win! Terry the Cookie Man is providing a sweet incentive: Buy five raffle tickets, get one free cookie, or buy 10 raffle tickets, get THREE free cookies. A representative from Luke’s Backpack will be on site from 10 a.m. - noon.

You can read more about each vendor, see our mugshots, look at some product photos (new photos are added every week), and get our contact information on the South Street Barn Market website.

AlpacaSpirit - Linda Gold - We know Linda as a loyal customer, so we are thrilled to have her at the market as a vendor this weekend. Hopefully it will be the first of many Saturdays Linda joins us. If you don’t already know how to knit, her absolutely gorgeous, soft and cozy alpaca yarn in natural shades of tan, dark brown, grey and white will make you want to take up the craft. Some of the fiber is harvested from Linda’s very own alpacas. The alpaca fiber is spun with 15% merino wool to prevent stretching when knitted. Skeins are 150 yards and cost $24. Learn more about Linda and see photos of her alpacas on our website.

Andy’s Furniture - Andy Gonzalez - Andy is familiar to many of us from the farmers’ market circuit, and we couldn’t be happier that he’s joining us this weekend. (Again, hopefully the first of many Saturdays.) Andy’s handcrafted solid oak furniture is both beautiful and made to last, perhaps two of the finest qualities a product can have. Andy’s craftsmanship is visible in everything he makes, and he’s just an all around great guy.

Country Gardens - Rhonda Stephenson (Amanda Leonard will be on site) - This weekend, Amanda will have flowering Almond Shrubs, blooming Columbine, hardy fig trees, Bleeding Hearts (I LOVE those!), Virginia Bluebells (sigh), and house plants. She’ll also have culinary herbs and blueberry, raspberry and blackberry plants! Undoubtedly, there will be an assortment of sun and shade perennials not on this list, but these beautiful surprises make our day.

Country Rhodes Farm - Judy Rhodes - This weekend, Judy is serving up sausage gravy biscuit for breakfast, and roast beef sandwiches for lunch. The coolers and freezers will be packed to the gills with hormone free, grain fed beef and pork. Oh, and good news: Smoked Ham is back in stock! Grilling season is officially here (because we’ve had a week without rain or ice), so stock up now. Judy will also have the ever-popular Swover Creek Farms sausage made with, you got it, Country Rhodes Farm pork. Check out all the flavors: Knockwurst, Regular and Spicy Kielbasa, Andouille, Apple Maple, Chrizo and Sweet or Hot Italian.

Add to your shopping list:

• Mount Crawford Creamery white (whole & 2%) and chocolate milk, butter (salted and unsalted);
• Main Street Farmstead Cheddar, Gouda, Smoked Jalapeno, and Garlic and Chives cheese . . . drinkable yogurt and cheese clouds are back in stock;
• Cabin Creek Roasters* coffee by the cup (decaf & caf = $1.50/cup) or 1/2 pound bag ground. Proceeds from coffee sales go back into the market.

*Cabin Creek Roasters donates 10% of the sales to the Battlefield Foundation for preservation of battlefields in the Shenandoah Valley.

Fairview Oaks Farm - Jim & Kathy Hepner - Jim and Kathy will have chicken eggs, duck eggs, goat meat and FRESH whole chickens, breasts, thighs, wings and legs. (You will never again buy chicken from a grocery store after you cook with Fairview Oaks Farm chicken!) They should have some greens, though I am not sure what kind. Get to the market early, because freshly harvested greens sell quickly this time of year.

Fancy Bolts Aprons - Claire Hollady - I continue with the roguish behavior by sewing everything but aprons. The new Grab-n-Go bags are a big hit. Each Grab-n-Go bag is lined with contrasting fabric and has a pencil/pen/stylus pocket either inside or outside the bag, depending on the whim of the seamstress. I have a good selection of Project Aprons, which make a perfect gift for teachers, moms, caregivers, artists, dog walkers, domestic goddesses (Like that one? There were no fancy names when I stayed home with the kids!), Harriet Homeowners and knitters, because aprons aren’t just for cooking! Receive a free small drawstring bag with any purchase of $20 or more while supply lasts.

Mountain Valley Nursery - Christie Osborne - Christie’s plants still have a few weeks to go before they’re ready for market. Thankfully artwork and photography are always in season. Her beautiful greeting cards with photography and illustrations of the Shenandoah Valley are mesmerizing. Mix & Match Greeting Cards (pre-mixed or pick your own) are 5 for $12 (that’s a $3 savings); Matted Artwork is $8 ea. or 2 for $12 (wow!); Rock Magnets (new this year) are $3 ea. or 2 for $5. My Confidential Informant tells me Christie has been cruising the valley with her trusty Canon Rebel, so keep your eyes open for new pictures in the coming weeks.

Ree’s Treats - Annmarie Mrazik - Well, if Annamarie strolls in with a tan, we may send her home. Just kidding! Seriously, though, some folks are going through chocolate withdrawal, so it’s in everyone’s best interest to ignore Annamarie’s tan and get down to the business of chocolatiering. Since she has been on an adventure, I haven’t received an update on what goodies she has in store for us, but I’m sure they’ll be sweeeeeet!

Shen Valley Designs - Matt & Kelly Spinks - The Spinks’ return to the market bearing new items. Herb drying racks - which make drying your own herbs a snap - are made from walnut cut in Fort Valley. Back by popular demand are two-toned butcher block cutting boards. SO beautiful. (Terry the Cookie Man has one and loves it!!) They will also have primitive items available as well, including picture frames and deer antler jewelry. For those busy birdies out there, pick up a handcrafted suet bird feeder and enjoy watching the birds right in your front yard. Hunter’s and Kyleigh’s creations will be on display, too.

Skyline Soapworks - Jennifer Anderson - Jen will have a variety of handmade, cold processed soaps, many of which are made with her proprietary milk blend. Soaps are $6 each or 3 for $15.Liquid Soaps are $9 each. Lip Butters are $3.50 each. Also available are her NEW Butter Bombs($3.75 each or 6 for $20) and Cocoa Butter Body Mousse ($9.50 each). We can’t wait to meet Jen and see her product in person. Read more about Jen and check out the photos of her beautiful products on our website.

Terry the Cookie Man - Terry Smith - If you notice your Terry the Cookie Man cookies, pound cake, sweetbreads and brownies are a little bit fluffier, a little bit tastier, it’s because he is now using Fairview Oaks Farm fresh eggs. They really do make a difference! Terry is busy baking up all your usual favorites, and his gluten-free brownies have gone over so well he’s working on one or two more gluten-free products. Alas, he’s still in the taste testing phase, so ask him how it’s going. Although I’m not sure what’s on the GF menu for this weekend, I know you’ll find something delish.

NEW PHOTOS ARE POSTED FIRST TO TWITTER THEN ADDED TO OUR WEBSITE EVERY WEEK
Buy local, eat seasonal produce. Really!