Halloween Celebration 2010

A great big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in today's BVFM Halloween Celebration. The kids seemed to have a wonderful time and, as always, you went out of your way to make the event a real blast!

A special thank you to everyone who donated to the raffles for the Friends of the Market booth. Here was the turnout, which raised $72 for the Friends group to help with future events and advertising our great market:

1. Salsa Basket (donated by Marge Beeler) - won by Silvia Tigerina
2. Pumpkin Cake (donated by Joe and Karen Jozwiak) - won by Linda Stearns
3. BVFM Calendar and T-shirt (donated by the Friends of the Market) - won by Donna Burton
4. Jam Basket (donated by Amy Decker) - won by Mike Jackson
5. Halloween Baby Blanket (donated by Helen Wise) - won by Jelinda Pepper
6. Wool Socks, Wooden Bookmark, and Bath Salts (donated by Jan Gerston, Stacie Grange, and Flor de Noche Soaps) - won by Heather Duchscher
7. GRAND PRIZE!!! A Variety of Produce, Baked Goods, Canned Goods, and Crafts (donated by the Jozwiaks, the Epps, David Elsik, Lita Riley, Tanya Miller, and the Burtons) - won by Mike Treglia

Thanks also to those helping with the Kids Booth - Rhonda Richardson created all the activities and brought crafts for the kids; and Tanya Miller supplied the "Green Pumpkins" that each kid got to take home with them.

It was another wonderful success this year. I hope everyone had fun!

Independence Day Celebration - 2010

What a wonderful morning to be at the Brazos Valley Farmers' Market this morning! The rain held off long enough for The Friends of the Market to host our Independence Day Celebration which included patriotic music, a raffle with great raffle prizes donated from our wonderful vendors, a kids booth so parents can shop while the kids play, and vendor booths decorated in red, white, and blue.

Raffle prizes included:

1. Grand Prize winner Helen Wise - BVFM t-shirt, banana bread, kitchen timer, salsa, and veggies donated by Marge Beeler, Helen Wise, Roger and Donna Burton, and FBVFM
2. Patriotic quilt winner Tanya Miller - donated by Helen Wise
3. Basket of Peaches winner Alan Pepper - donated by Alicia Redden
4. Jam Assortment with Dried Apples winner Hollie Woodward - donated by Amy Decker
5. Soaps and Salsa winner Sasha Kay - donated by Two Brothers Salsa and Flor de Noche
6. BVFM t-shirt winner Suzy - donated by FBVFM

A great big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the raffle (both buying tickets and donating our wonderful prizes). Thank you also to Marge Beeler who donated the kids table, boom box, and music for the morning's festivities!

Happy 4th!

Market to Menu - 2010

What an amazing Saturday today was - our first funding from the Texas Department of Agriculture. Not only did we bring in the Village Downtown, our local/organic cafe, for cooking demonstrations and free omelet samples, but Pamela Walker, author of Growing Good Things to Eat in Texas was there, as were representatives from the TDA and TOFGA.

To make the day even more exciting, we revealed our very first BVFM t-shirts and sold 14 in the first day.

Truly, it was the best market ever. We continue to grow and expand, and it's obvious our customers just can't get enough. Thanks to everyone who supports and volunteers at our market!

New Business Member - The Village Downtown

It's been an exciting Spring with many new members. Today brings the Friends of the Brazos Valley Farmers' Market another great business partner: The Village Downtown, a downtown cafe which specializes in local and organic ingredients. That's right - many of their food ingredients come right from farmers' market vendors here in the Brazos Valley.

A great big WELCOME to Kristy and the gang at The Village Downtown!

New Business Member - Wild Type Ranch

The Friends of the Market is proud to announce another new business partner: Wild Type Ranch. Located in Milam County, Wild Type Ranch has been bringing local grass-fed beef and veal to the farmers' market since late 2009. They are a wonderful asset both to the market and the "Friends" group. A great big WELCOME to Wild Type Ranch!

New Business Member - Three Acre Ranch Soaps

A great big WELCOME to Amber Keown of Three Acre Ranch Soaps. Also a vendor at the Brazos Valley Farmers' Market, she is our newest business member. We're looking forward to working with you, Amber, to spread the great news about our market throughout the community.

Welcome!

Earth Day 2010

The rain held off and the Brazos Valley celebrated the 2010 Brazos Valley Earth Day celebration in Wolf Pen Creek from 11-4. The Friends of the BVFM hosted the farmers' market booth with the help of some of our dedicated volunteers: Tanya Miller, Jan Gerston, and David Duchscher. Thanks so much for donating your time and energy to be out there today!

Spring Event - Another GREAT Success!

Saturday's Spring Event was another GREAT success!

A great bit THANKS to all the vendors for their generosity in giving back to the Friends of the Market with their decorations, donations to the raffle and to the musicians, as well as for the children's' booth. We were able to raise $118, handed out about 75 packets of seeds to customers eager to try their hand at gardening, and entertained loads of little ones at the kids booth while their parents shopped.

Speaking of which, a special thanks to volunteers Jan Gerston, Nancy Burford, Hugh Stearns, and Tanya Miller for making the kids booth a fun time for all!

We had 6 happy winners for our 6 raffle prizes:

• Easter Cake (donated by Karen Jozwiak) was awarded to Marjorie Beeler
• Vegan Tshirt (donated by Thomas Liberty) was awarded to Chris Bachers
• Baby Quilt (donated by Helen Wise) was awarded to Betty Duncan
• Jam/Jelly Variety Basket (donated by Amy Decker) was awarded to Marjorie Beeler
• Easter Chives (donated by the Newmans) was awarded Meghan Boston
• Grand Prize Basket (donated by the Vaughns, the Burtons, Lisa Monson, Marge Beeler, and Barb Lorraine) was awarded to Virginia Koran

Congratulations to all our winners!

New Business Member - What's the Buzz Coffee Co.

A great big WELCOME to our newest business member: What's the Buzz Coffee Company!

Both a farmer's market member and a local business, What's the Buzz Coffee Company is owned and operated by John Flynn and his team of coffee experts bringing locally-roasted coffees to the Brazos Valley which include both fair trade and organic coffees.

Welcome to the Friends of the Brazos Valley Farmers' Market, John!

St. Patty's Day Celebration a Great Success

Another great big THANKS to everyone who participated in the St. Patty's Day Event. A couple vendors have told me it was our best event yet!

We had a steady lot of customers and had a lot of fun, not to mention raised $62 for the Friends of the Brazos Valley Farmers' Market. Thank you!

So many volunteers and vendors were generous with their time and donations to the raffle. Here's how things turned out:

Grand Prize Basket (donations by Tanya Miller, Mark and Terry Newman, Marjorie Beeler, David Elsik, Roger Burton, and Barbara Lorraine) - Virginia Koran, winner

St Patty's Day Cake (donated by Karen Jozwiak) - Roger Burton, winner

Tie Die T-shirt and Vegan shirt (donated by Sara of Wild Type Ranch and Thomas Liberty, local designer) - Amy Decker, winner

Spring Baby Blanket (donated by Helen Wise) - Hona Backstrom, winner

Irish Baby Blanket (donated by Helen Wise) - Leigh Anee Sheets

More coming soon on our next event: Spring Event (Saturday April 3, 2010).

Valentine's Celebration - Front Page of the Eagle

Yesterday's Valentine's Celebration at the BVFM made the front page of the Eagle. Check it out...

Sweetheart (The BCS Eagle)

Thanks again to everyone who made it possible!

Valentine's Celebration at the BVFM

What an amazing morning! With live music from "States," 6 raffles, decorated vendor booths with tasty treats, and a kids activity center, the Brazos Valley Farmers' Market was hopping this morning!

To add a little something extra special, the raffles (all donated from very generous vendors) raised $72 for the Brazos Valley Food Bank! A huge THANKS to everyone who donated goods towards the raffle. They included:

1. Bath and Body Product Basket - Amber Keown
2. Baked Goods and Teddy Bear Basket - Karen Jozwiak
3. Jellies and Jams Basket - Amy Decker
4. Market Basket w/ salsa, fudge, cupcakes, a plant, a soy candle, and magnets - Helen Wise, Donna and Roger Burton, Marjorie Beeler, James Kneip
5. Baby Quilt and Heart Ornaments - Helen Wise
6. Case of Tomatoes - Millican Produce

Of course, we had three wonderful volunteers to coordinate the morning. Thank you to volunteers Jan Gerston, Sonya Cooley, and our Volunteer Coordinator Nancy Burford!

Finally, I can't say enough about Janie Stein and Martin Bates, our talented musicians for the morning who drew the crowds and vendors in singing along. In town through May, we've asked them to return and play any Saturday they wish.

Stay tuned for more market celebrations in the months to come. Oh, and Happy Valentines Day!

Spring Volunteer Opportunities Announced

There are several opportunities to volunteer this spring for special events:

Valentines Celebration at the Brazos Valley Farmers' Market

Saturday, February 13 (8AM-Noon)

The FBVFM will be coordinating the Valentines event to include live music, a raffle for market gifts, and a kids activities table. Help is needed at the kids table as well as the info booth. Shifts are 8-10 (2 people needed) and 10-12 (2 people needed). Email Nancy to sign up.

Call+Response Movie Screening

A&M United Methodist Church

Friday, February 19th (7PM - ?)

A&M United Methodist has asked the BVFM to host a booth at the upoming screening of "Call+Response," a feature film regarding the slave trade and human trafficking. Fair Trade will be discussed (the tie in to food). The church felt people would be interested in a booth about the farmers' market to follow the screening. More information to come. Volunteer Tanya Miller has offerered to host our booth. I'd like to have one additional volunteer to help her. Email Nancy to sign up.

Messina Hof Birthday Bash

Sunday, March 10, 2010 (1:00-4:00)

Messina Hof has invited us back this year for the annual Birthday Bash. Setup will begin at noon in front of the facility. Vendors will sell out of their vehicles. Volunteers are needed to help setup, host the info booth, and help load up. Shifts are 11:30-2:00 (2 volunteers needed) and 2:00-4:30 (2 volunteers needed). Email Nancy to sign up.

Messina Hof Wine and Roses Festival

Saturday, April 24, 2010 (1:30-6:00)

Messina Hof has invited us back this year for the annual Wine and Roses Festival. Setup will begin as soon as vendors start to arrive from the regularly scheduled Saturday morning market in downtown Bryan. Volunteers are needed to help setup, host the info booth, and help load up. Shifts are from 1:30-4:00 (2 volunteers needed) and 4:00-6:30 (2 volunteers needed). Email Nancy to sign up.

Of course, you can always get the latest on our Upcoming Events page. With spring will surely come some gorgeous weather, so get on out there and show your support for the Brazos Valley Farmers' Market by volunteering today!

Holidays at the Brazos Valley Farmers' Market

The new year has begun, giving the Friends of the Brazos Valley Farmers' Market a much deserved rest after coordinating two holiday celebrations at the BVFM, December 12th and 19th. Included were live music, demonstrations by a local spinner, raffle prizes with proceeds going to the Brazos Valley Food Bank, and appearances by Old Saint Nick himself.

A big thank you to everyone who helped to make both events a great success. We raised $145 for the local food bank, gave away some wonderful prizes, and shared the holidays with our amazing community.

Happy New Year, everyone!