Join Us Every Saturday
Wire Park
🕘9:00 AM - 1:00PM
Oconee Farmers Market Weekly Newsletter
🌻 Welcome to Another Wonderful Week at the Oconee Farmers Market!
This weekend is shaping up to be an extra-special one for our Market family! Saturday morning brings us back together at Wire Park for another market filled with fresh seasonal produce, locally made goods, familiar faces, and all the little conversations and connections that make Saturday mornings something we look forward to each week.
And this weekend, the celebration doesn’t end when the Market closes! On Sunday evening, we’ll gather once again—this time around the table—for our annual Farm-to-Table Dinner. It’s a wonderful reminder of how everything comes full circle: the farmers who grow it, the hands that prepare it, and the community that comes together to enjoy it.
In this week’s newsletter, we’re also celebrating one of summer’s Southern favorites with our Southern Peas Produce Spotlight, discovering the surprising purpose behind all that pesky corn silk, and sharing some great events happening around Oconee County.
Whether we see you Saturday morning at the Market, Sunday evening around the table—or, hopefully, both—we’re so glad you’re part of our community. 💚
From Market Morning to Sunday’s Table—Local Is at the Heart of It All. 🌿
🌽 Did You Know?
That silky tassel you pull away when shucking an ear of corn is much more important than it looks. Each individual strand of corn silk is connected to one potential kernel on the cob.
Corn is pollinated by the wind. Pollen is released from the tassel at the very top of the corn plant and carried through the air. When a grain of pollen lands on a strand of silk, it germinates and sends a tiny pollen tube down the length of that silk to the developing kernel. Once fertilization occurs, that kernel can begin to grow.
That means an ear of corn with 500 kernels needed 500 individual silks to be successfully pollinated! 🌽
And those occasional empty spaces on an ear of corn? They can be a clue that something interrupted pollination. Extreme heat, drought, poor timing, or other growing conditions can prevent pollen from reaching some of the silks. When a silk isn't successfully pollinated, its kernel may never fully develop.
Here's another fun fact: the silks don't all appear at once. Silks connected to kernels near the base of the ear generally emerge first, while those toward the tip emerge later. That's one reason poor pollination sometimes shows up as an ear of corn with a poorly filled tip.
So the next time you're standing over the kitchen sink trying to remove every last stubborn strand, remember:
That pesky corn silk isn't just packaging—every single strand was part of creating the ear of corn you're about to enjoy. 🌽💚
Nature really is pretty amazing.
🫛 Produce Spotlight: Southern Peas
A Southern Summer Tradition
Black-eyed peas, purple hull peas, crowder peas and cream peas are summertime staples across the South. Fresh from the farm, they’re tender, flavorful and quite different from the dried peas we enjoy throughout the year.
Did You Know?
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🫛 Southern peas aren't actually peas—they're a type of bean, also known as cowpeas.
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☀️ They love the heat, making them especially well suited to Georgia summers.
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🌱 Southern peas help the soil by working with bacteria to fix nitrogen, which can benefit future crops.
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💜 Purple hull peas get their name from the beautiful purple color their pods develop as they mature.
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🍽️ Fresh Southern peas cook much faster than dried peas and have a wonderfully creamy texture.
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🧺 Market Tip: If you find fresh shelled peas at the market, grab them! Their season doesn't last forever.
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How to enjoy them: Simmer them simply with onion and seasoning, add them to fresh summer salads, or serve them alongside cornbread and sliced garden vegetables.
Fresh. Local. Southern. 🫛💚
🌻 Looking for more family-friendly fun after your visit to the Oconee Farmers Market? There’s plenty happening around our community this week!
🌾 Sunday, August 16 | Oconee Farmers Market Farm-to-Table Dinner
Historic Thomas Cotton Gin | Doors Open at 5:00 PM
There’s something special about gathering around a table filled with fresh, locally inspired food and sharing a meal with friends—both old and new.
Join us for the Oconee Farmers Market Farm-to-Table Dinner, featuring Chef José Zambrano, who has created a delicious menu celebrating the flavors of our local farms and community. Enjoy an evening of wonderful food, fellowship, and live music by Art Grider.
🍽️ Farm-fresh flavors
🌱 Local farms & producers
🎶 Live music by Art Grider
❤️ An evening of community & connection
🍞 Tuesday, August 18 | 5:00–8:00 PM | Sourdough Social
📍 South Main Brewing – Warehouse 270
Ready to learn sourdough without feeling overwhelmed?
This relaxed, hands-on three-hour workshop will walk you through the foundations of sourdough baking from start to finish. You'll create your own loaf to take home and bake while learning how to make the process approachable, fun, and rewarding.
The evening also includes a complimentary charcuterie board and one South Main Brewing drink voucher for each adult participant.
🎶 Friday, August 21 | 6:30 PM | Music City Nights
📍 The Pavilion Stage at Wire Park
Get ready for a Nashville-inspired evening at Wire Park! Music City Nights brings the songs—and the songwriters who created them—to The Pavilion Stage.
Enjoy performances by Adam Hambrick, Eric Dodd, Kylie Sackley, and Sonia Leigh beginning at 6:30 PM.
🎟️ Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online or at the door - Purchase your ticket here!
🏺 August 22–September 6 | 24th Annual Perspectives Georgia Pottery Invitational
📍 OCAF – 1902 Center & Rocket Hall
One of Oconee County's signature arts events returns! Perspectives brings together top potters from across Georgia and features more than 5,000 original works of pottery, all available for purchase.
Exhibition Hours:
Tuesday–Sunday | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Fridays | Open until 8:00 PM
Closed Mondays
Preview Reception: Friday, August 21 | 6:00–9:00 PM | $25
The preview reception is general admission, and guests should bring their own chairs.
📅 Community Happenings
🌾 Farm-to-Table Dinner – Only 4 Days Away!
The table is almost set! In just 4 days, we'll gather for a very special evening celebrating local food, local farms, and the wonderful community that brings it all together.
Join us Sunday, August 16, for our 2026 Oconee Farmers Market Farm-to-Table Dinner, featuring a delicious farm-fresh meal prepared by Chef José Zambrano and live music by Art Grider.
🎟️ Tickets – $75
Adult tickets are $75 and are available through the event, including at the door if seats remain available.
👧 Children 7 & under eat FREE
🧒 Children ages 8–12 are $30
📍 Event Details
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Historic Thomas Cotton Gin
3783 Greensboro Highway
Watkinsville, Georgia
Doors Open: 5:00 PM
Dinner Served: 5:30–7:30 PM
🍽️ Featured Menu
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Shrimp & Grits
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Beef with Peach & Bleu Cheese
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Chicken with Mushrooms
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Roasted Potatoes
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Green Beans
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Broccoli & Carrot Medley
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Dinner Rolls
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Assorted Desserts
This evening is about so much more than
a wonderful meal. It's a celebration of the
farmers, growers, artisans, sponsors, and
community members who help make the
Oconee Farmers Market possible.
Come enjoy great food, live music, warm
fellowship, and a beautiful evening together
while supporting our local farmers and the Market.
Only 4 days to go! Seats are limited, so reserve yours today.
🎟️ Tickets & Event Information:
www.oconeefarmtotabledinner.com
Great food. Great company. A lasting impact. 🌾
👉 Click below to purchase your tickets:
The Table
As we head into a very special weekend for the Oconee Farmers Market, I’ve been thinking about something incredibly simple: the table.
Some of life’s best moments happen around one. We gather there for ordinary weeknight dinners and holiday celebrations. We share stories, laugh, catch up with people we haven’t seen in a while, meet someone new, and sometimes sit together long after the plates have been cleared.
That is really what I love about a farmers market, too.
Every Saturday, we gather. We may come for tomatoes, fresh bread, flowers, eggs, handmade treasures or simply to see what’s new, but somewhere along the way, relationships are formed. Farmers know their customers by name. Shoppers ask about someone who missed a Saturday. Vendors celebrate one another’s successes. And people who may never have met anywhere else become familiar faces and friends.
This Sunday, many of us will gather around a different kind of table at our Farm-to-Table Dinner. But whether you’ll be sitting with us Sunday evening or visiting us Saturday morning, you are part of the same table and the same community.
And that is something worth celebrating.
Thank you for continuing to show up, shop local, encourage our vendors, and make the Oconee Farmers Market so much more than a place to buy things.
It’s a place to belong.
As always,
Carol
Shop Local. Support Local. Love Local.
Another Saturday is almost here, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you back to the Oconee Farmers Market!
Every visit, every purchase, and every friendly conversation makes a difference to the farmers, growers, bakers, makers, and artisans who bring this market to life each week. Thank you for choosing to spend part of your Saturday with us and for continuing to support the people behind the products.
And this weekend is an extra-special one for us as we carry that spirit of community from Saturday at the Market to Sunday around the table at our Farm-to-Table Dinner.
We wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and blessed weekend.
We’ll see you at the Market! 🌻
📍 Wire Park – Watkinsville
9AM - 1PM
Join Us This Saturday -
August 15
*Vendors*
*This list is subject to change with or without notice
Bee Kids Honey
Meet our young beekeepers selling homemade honey and syrup!
They learn entrepreneurship and sustainability while sharing sweet rewards. Support these inspiring kids!
Crochet Art
Handcrafted crochet pieces including accessories, children's toys and more.
Dark Corner Candle Co.
I take pride in using only the finest ingredients for my candles, including coconut apricot wax, non-toxic phthalate-free fragrances, and all-natural, ring-spun cotton wick
Hallowed Hawks Farm
Hallowed Hawks Farm has been around since 2009, offering naturally grown produce, farm-raised sheep, and handcrafted sheep’s milk soaps—all with a strong focus on quality and sustainability.
Lemons & Leather
Freshly made lemonade in a variety of flavors, watermelon, peach, blueberry, coconut & more! We also offer handmade leather wrist bracelets and other accessories.
Loblolly Vintage Jewelry
Nature-inspired, handcrafted jewelry featuring pressed flowers, butterflies, resin, and vintage elements.
Piedmont Bee Company
Our Wildflower Honey is nature’s sweetness at its finest – raw, pure, & unfiltered to preserve all the natural enzymes, antioxidants, and nutrients
Sew Nerdy
Selling custom clothing (and accessories), household items using quirky fabrics, each creation is infused with love and creativity. and offering sewing classes.
Sunshine Farms
Driven by a passion for organic vegetables to promote better health for our customers. Over the years, we've expanded our offerings to include dried apples, & jams, .
Tastenini
We create craft sauces to complement and enhance your home recipes and favorite dishes. We craft our sauces in small batches and with only the freshest and hand selected ingredients.
The Soil Ministry
With over ten years of experience in the fields of permaculture gardening and regenerative no-till agriculture,
Veggies, vegetable plant starts, medicinal plant starts, healing salves
Whymss Farms
Our farm features a delightful selection fresh vegetables, homemade jams, and rich vegan butter, all crafted with care.
Wild Acres Farm
We produce fresh farm eggs and naturally grown seasonal produce with a commitment to nourishing our community year-round.
Wildflour Sourdough Bakery
Everything I make is naturally leavened with sourdough and baked in small batches from scratch. I source local ingredients whenever possible.
Pre-Order (by 9:00 pm Tuesday)
Order Here
