Social Networking = Free Stuff for You!

(Let's just pretend it hasn't been months since I've posted here and jump right into it.)

Don't let the fact that I milk goats by hand fool you, I'm all about technology, especially the interwebs. In addition to our website and blog, we also have a Facebook page and Twitter (and here's my semi-personal page if you're keen).

Why should you Follow, Friend or Fan us? To win free stuff, of course!

For the next five weeks, we'll be offering free product for our Facebook fans. Twitterers who re-tweet (e.g. repost) the message we post on Friday mornings will be entered to win two passes to Busch Gardens' inaugural Christmas Town event.

Pretty sweet deal, huh? :D

A swiftly tilting schedule

'You cannot plan enough'. That's been a motto of mine for years now. But maybe I need to update the mantra to, 'You cannot plan enough for contingencies.' Left and right, I'm finding out that I won't be doing shows that I was counting on and am left scrambling for substitute events.

On that note, keep a close and constant eye on our calendar for changes, such as adding (hopefully) Chesterfest and Blackstone Arts and Crafts Festival and loosing Indian River Craft Show and Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife (which I'm going to try like hell to weasel my way in to).

To stay as up to date as possible, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Front Page News!

Huge thanks to Elyse Reel for her incredibly informative article on the front page of this week's Chester Village News.

Grab your free copy at locations like The Weekend Brewer or Old Dominion Animal Clinic. (There are tons more, but those are the only two I can think of right now.)

Countdown to Shockoe Chef Showdown!

If you missed last year's Shockoe Chef Showdown at 17th St Farmers Market, you owe it to yourself to go this year. A dozen local restaurants will be on hand doing marvelous tasting plates and some of the chef will participate in a live Iron Chef-style competition at 2. There will be free kids activities and live music all day and of course crafters, artisans and growers with fine wares on offer.
Last year's Showdown was a great event to do. Not only did I have good sales figures, but every time there was a lull in customers, I ran to a different restaurant's booth for a tasting plate. There was everything from bar-b-que to cold soba noodles to abusively hot but very tasty Ethiopian chicken, and I must have tried it all!

(grapic by Linette Bond)

Regarding our absences from the South of the James Market (Forest Hill Park)

"Are you still doing the South of the James/Forest Hill Park market?" folks ask me.

In theory, yes. In actuality, no, apparently. I've been scheduled to be there once or twice a month all season. However, as things began to get tough for the business, I had to sit out some Saturdays for lack of product. Then of course, we were closed for a month of so. Now we're back up and running, but no sooner did I re-start the website, but so many orders flooded in that I'm about out of product again - popularity is a double-edged sword.

So if you don't see me at South of the James market on a date you'd expected to, it's because I don't have a whole Saturday's worth of product. Rest assured, you can always find me Thursday morning at 17th St Farmers Market in Shockoe Bottom. Be sure to check our calender of upcoming events often for changes. I try to keep it as accurate as possible.

Speaking of triumpant returns, it's time for Shockoe Tomato

The typical, oppressive summer heat-and-humidity combo may be holding off for the time being, but one July tradition is upon us - Shockoe Tomato Festival at 17th St Farmers Market.

This Saturday (7/11) from 11-5, head down to the Bottom for all things red, ripe and wonderful. Admission and parking are free and there are kids' activities and face-painting all day. The New Oldz will be playing and there's a Tastiest Tomato competition at 2 and the nearly-world-famous Hot Tomato Talent Contest at 4. If you've never seen the Hot Tomato Contest, you've never really lived. Email the staff at the market to sign up to compete.

Me, I love Shockoe Tomato and wouldn't miss it for the world.

Our triumphant return!

After nearly a month with no farmers market or craft show appearances and no online ordering, Wild Heaven Farm is pickled tink to announce we will be at Williamsburg Farmers Market this Saturday, July 4th from 8-12 and back at 17th St Farmers Market every Thursday morning. Thank you for your patience during the down time, especially our CSA customers.

As always, check our calender for a complete list of upcoming events.


Why do I always say 'we'? It's just me. Maybe it's the royal We, I dunno.