We are right in the middle of the prime time of the year for fruits and vegetables. Of course, it is too late for strawberries, broccoli, turnips, and good collards. But at this time of the year, there is an abundant supply of just about everything else.

As I prepare this column, I have just returned to the office after visiting the Robeson County Farmers Market in downtown Lumberton. It was interesting to visit with each of the farmers and chat with them about why they grow the vegetables they do and why they do not grow other vegetables. Some of it has to do with available labor for harvest, some of it has to do with the lack of time or lack of space on the farm, and sometimes it is just tradition - it is what they really like to grow and have always grown.

Although most farmers at the market offer a variety of fruits and vegetables, most of them do have a specialty - something they are recognized for. Some are known for their tomatoes, some for their honey, some for their watermelons, some for their sweet corn, and some for peas. Sometimes those who come to the market have certain farmers they prefer. Although they may buy from other farmers, they always shop first and spend most with their favorite farmer. It may be because there is a family connection or previous work connection. It may be personality or attitude. It may be the appearance of the vegetables that are being sold or the appearance of the person selling the vegetables.

The most important thing is that this market is offering fresh fruits and vegetables that are grown right here in Robeson County. Vegetables that are grown in other areas cannot be sold at the market. In addition, those who grew the vegetables must be the one who sells them.

There are a few farmers in the county who operate a kind of specialized farm, and they do not typically sell their products at the market. They sell what they grow at their farm markets, or they sell wholesale to stores or to others who resell them elsewhere.

Two very good examples of this are peaches and butter beans. Roy and Geraldine Herring operate a large peach orchard. They sell their peaches, as well as other vegetables they grow on their farm, at their roadside market on NC-41, east of Lumberton. William Leggett and his family specialize in nothing but butter beans, and they grow several hundred acres of them. They sell everything they grow either wholesale or right from their farm market, Packhouse Farms, on the Old Whiteville Road southeast of Lumberton.

Roy and Geraldine Herring operate the only large-scale commercial peach orchard in Robeson County. This orchard is part of a high-intensity produce farm that also grows nectarines, plums, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, and over 40 different kinds of vegetables. Everything they sell at their roadside stand is grown right there on the farm.

They have over 2,400 trees in their 15-acre orchard - over 22 different varieties of peaches, including both the traditional yellow and the white varieties. This many different varieties have been planted because not all varieties become ripe at the same time, so the harvest season is spread over the entire summer.

When buying peaches, look for a creamy gold to yellow under-color. The red or "blush" is an indication of variety and not of ripeness. The crease should be well defined and run from the stem end of the peach to the point. Since it is a member of the rose family, a peach should have a pleasingly sweet fragrance and should smell "peachy."

The Leggett's have grown butter beans as a family project for many years and have become so famous for their butter beans that people come from everywhere to buy them. Although their daughter Shannon has now left the farm to start her own profession, their son Brad is heavily involved in the farm and is responsible for all production and harvest.

Customers know to call in advance and place their order, and someone will call and let them know when their beans are ready. When you buy butterbeans from Packhouse Farms, you get a lot more than butter beans. You get the Leggett reputation for quality, and you get the convenience of a high-tech operation. Not only are the butter beans already picked for you, they are shelled, cleaned, vacuum packed, and chilled. According to William, the vacuum pack process extends the shelf life of fresh beans to as much as 7 to 10 days before cooking or freezing.

If you want to see a couple of fascinating farm operations, I encourage you to visit Geraldine's Peaches and Packhouse Farms. If you want to see a large variety of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, I encourage you to visit the Robeson County Farmers Market. You can see for yourself how quality fruits and vegetables are grown right here in Robeson County, and you will meet some of the most wonderful people in the world - those farm families who grow fruits and vegetables for you.

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 07/02/09