The calendar says spring. Can farmers markets be far behind?
Nancy DalySpring weather has been all over the map, so it may surprise some of you that it's almost farmers market time.
Our cold spring and relentless rain mean some crops will be delayed, said Susan Turner, vice president of Campbell County Farmers Market Inc. But from the get-go, there should be a decent variety of greens, kale, Swiss chard, spinach and spring onions.
Turner, a California resident, is a VP, yes, but also a farmer.
"I primarily do eggs, beef, honey and goat meat. I do some vegetable production and a few peppers, a few tomatoes."
What sells out earliest at CCFM's three farmers markets?
"People come for the traditional items: the tomatoes, the peppers, the corn when it's in season," she said.
"I tell people we really need to watch the cooking shows," Turner added with a hearty laugh.
In Northern Kentucky, nine farmers markets supply food, creating an up-close-and-personal connection between consumer and farmer. They range from a large, seven-day-a-week market in Boone County, to four each in Campbell and Kenton counties. Those one-day-a-week markets stretch from Alexandria to Newport and Independence to Covington.
Erlanger's market starts the earliest. The Dixie Farmers Market opens at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 26, next to Erlanger Baptist Church on Commonwealth Avenue.
Here's a look at each of Northern Kentucky's nine. We'll look at Hamilton and Clermont counties' farmers markets soon, too. (Organizers, drop me a line at ndaly@enquirer.com).
Boone County Farmers Market
Daily between May 5 and Oct. 27
6028 Camp Ernst Road, Burlington (next to Boone County Extension Service)
Phone: 859-586-6101
Products: Breads, pies, poultry eggs, quail eggs, fruits, apples, blackberries, blueberries, melons, pawpaws, peaches, jams, preserves, spices and herbs.
With about 50 member farm families, all the fruits, vegetables, flowers and other items sold are grown exclusively in Northern Kentucky.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (May 5-27); 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (May 28 to Sept. 3); and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sept. 4 to Oct. 27)
Campbell County Farmers Market Inc.
Three locations with the first opening on May 15.
► Highland Heights: Senior Citizens Activity Center, 3504 Alexandria Pike
Tuesday, 3-6 p.m. starting on May 15
► Alexandria: Southern Lanes Sports Center, 7634 Alexandria Pike
Friday, 3-6 p.m. starting on May 18
► Newport: 709 Monmouth St.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon starting on May 19
Phone: 859-380-0742
Products: Strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, green beans, squash, apples, eggplant, peaches, onions, cut flowers, red beets, fresh-baked breads, icebox pickles.
Fort Thomas Farmers Market
Wednesday, 3-7 p.m. starting on June 6
Living Hope Baptist Church, 1080 Highland Ave.
Products: Apples, half-runner beans, honey, homemade pies, kale chips, cookies, eggs, wine, gift soaps, jelly, jam, marmalade, red velvet fudge brownies, sweet potatoes, okra, zucchini.
Covington Farmers Market
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting on May 5
Third and Court streets (Roebling Point), Covington
Phone: 859-261-7111; cell: 513-706-5148
Products: Meats, shrimp, flowers, coffee, bagels, honey, books, salsa, distilled spirits, soy candles, artichokes.
Sneak peek: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 21 and April 28 at Baker Hunt Arts & Cultural Center, 620 Greenup St.
Farmers Market at DCCH
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting May 5
75 Orphanage Road, Fort Mitchell
Phone: 859-393-8477
Products: Scones, flowers, spices and herbs, hanging baskets, liquid honey, gourds, wool items, fudge, bok choy, cushaw, green onions, peas, radishes, squash, turnips.
Independence Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting April 28
5272 Madison Pike (Courthouse Square)
Phone: 859-640-1609
Products: Cheese, duck and quail eggs, apples, blackberries, cherries, plums, meat rubs, hanging baskets, cilantro, comb honey, rabbit, soap, wool items, fudge, asparagus, edamame soybeans.
The Dixie Farmers Market
Thursdays, 2-6 p.m. starting April 26
Erlanger Baptist Church
116 Commonwealth Ave., Erlanger
Phone: 859-342-6903 (Don Koop)
Products: Local produce, baked goods, eggs, honey, jams, scones, brats.
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