It has been a dry and cool spring. The dry weather has caused farmers to delay planting some of their crops in hopes that we would receive enough rain to get the soils wet enough for seeds to germinate and plants to begin growing properly.

The cool weather has been more of a problem. Soils have remained too cool for seeds to germinate as they should. When the seeds did sprout, the weather was so cool that they would not grow very fast. This has caused most of our crops to be later than normal, especially our vegetable crops. We have received some much-needed rain during the past several days, but it still remains very cool for this time of the year.

Even though the fresh vegetable season is somewhat later than normal, there is finally a good assortment of fresh vegetables at our local markets. I encourage you to visit one of the local markets and enjoy a refreshing change from canned and frozen vegetables.

The Robeson County Farmers Market officially opened in downtown Lumberton last weekend. A couple of our farmers began selling fresh vegetables at this market several weeks before the official opening. Now that the weather has warmed up, more of our farmers now have a better supply of fresh vegetables, and the selection at this market should be much better.

The Southeastern North Carolina Farmers Market operates year-round, but the selection and supply of fresh vegetables gets a lot better at this location at this time of the year. In addition to a large selection of regional fruits and vegetables, you can now find a very good selection of fresh, locally grown vegetables as well.

Our Regional Farmers Market has drawn a lot of attention recently. This is an ultra modern, state-of-the-art farmers market with all the conveniences and features that anyone could ever imagine. Most counties in the state would dearly love to have a farmers market like this in their communities. We do have this facility in our community, and it offers a tremendous potential for both our farmers as well as each of us as consumers. Each of us should make the commitment to use this facility as much as possible and to do everything we possibly can to keep it operating.

The south side of Lumberton has not grown as rapidly as has the north side. We have seen a lot of business and residential development along Fayetteville Road and in all areas close to this major highway. But there has been only a limited amount of development in the southern side of Lumberton.

All of this will change as the new interstate highway is constructed around the south of Lumberton. Predictions are that major development will occur around each of the interchanges that connect to this highway. The NC-41 interchange will probably include additional convenience stores, possibly a truck stop, maybe even a restaurant or two, and a couple of motels. Other interchanges will develop as well.

As commercial businesses develop around these interchanges, so will residential development. The conveniences that people want to live close to will be there, so a lot of houses and several subdivisions will probably be developed in those areas. The City of Lumberton, and Robeson County as well, is preparing for this development. All this new development and all these new residences will need services.

I am being somewhat futuristic, because at some point in the not-too-distant future, the Regional Farmers Market will be surrounded by lots of traffic, lots of people, and lots of activity. This market will be a lot more convenient for more people and will become a more valuable asset to our county.

In the meantime, local farmers should take advantage of the opportunity that this potential will provide for them. There is quite a bit of activity at this market right now. Just ask those who are currently selling products at this market. Better still, visit the market for several hours on a weekend day and observe just how many customers come through those facilities - each of them visiting the facility with intentions of buying something.

Consumers should help prepare for this potential as well. The Farmers Market needs everyone's help in order to grow. I would like to encourage everyone reading this column to make a commitment to visit the Regional Farmers Market at least once a week for the next three months. While there, purchase some fruits, vegetables, or other items that you would normally purchase anyway. I am not trying to encourage you to purchase anything you don't need or anything you would not be purchasing anyway.

As more consumers visit the market and purchase items from the vendors at the market, those vendors who are currently selling will increase the amount and variety of what they are selling. Additional vendors will see the potential and will begin using the farmers market to sell their products. The number of vendors will increase, the number of customers will increase, the activity at the market will increase.

It does not matter if you are a farmer or a consumer. You have a responsibility to do whatever you can to make this market successful. The season for fresh fruits and vegetables is here. I'll see you at the market.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 11/04/05