Many folks ask how Matt got started farming.  Matt began farming as a hobby when he was 19 years old.  He would watch “Square Foot Gardening” on PBS with Mel Bartholomew on PBS in the 1980’s.  He read all of his books and practiced and practiced his techniques.   Every mistake he made was an opportunity to learn and grow!  In 2008, our son was born, his birth changed our lives in so many positive ways.  Matt began growing even more food because he knew that it was no longer just for us and wanted to make sure his child had the best food available.  He produced so much food that year, as a family, we decided it was time  for him to quit his 9 to 5 job and turn his passion and talent in to his career.  In 2009, you could find us as at the South of the James Farmer’s Market.  We were so proud to be able to provide the folks of Richmond the same quality food Matt produced for his family.  You can still find us there every Saturday from 8:00-12:00!

From this picture, you can tell Matt has come a long way from his small scale garden.  The techniques he honed in on as he first began growing has blossomed into the most beautiful field I have ever walked.  I walk this field daily, rain or shine, and marvel at my husband’s work.  My very favorite day of the week is Sunday mornings, when Matt and I shop the field for the upcoming week.

I don’t grow the food, but I do help harvest it and help Matt at market.  At market, I meet the very best home chefs.  I listen to them as they describe how they will serve our food.  It makes me so happy and through the years, I have collected their ideas.  This year, I decided to share them here.

My very favorite thing Matt grows is arugula. One of our customers told me that in the summer, they love arugula and watermelon salad!  Here is a very simple recipe that Britt Wilcox uploaded to Vimeo.  So simple and truly tasty!

watermelon arugula salad from Britt Wilcox on Vimeo.

Ina Garten on the Food Network has another awesome Arugula, Watermelon, and Feta salad.  You can never go wrong with the combination of feta and watermelon!  It is super good and so refreshing in the summer!  Both of these recipes are so EASY and extremely delicious.

Another delight we have coming is purple carrots.

You can’t go wrong with these!  You can eat them raw, put them in salads, dip them, and roast them.  My favorite recipe comes from one of my favorite sites, Skinny Taste.  It is called Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Ginger.  It is so fresh and the ginger is just right!

Summer is on and so is the harvest!  So, what’s coming to market this week?

• Salad and Arugula
• Swiss Chard
• Kale Galore
• Squash
• Fennel
• Turnips
• Kohlrabi
• Cabbage
• Purple Carrots
• Tatsoi
• Bok Choi
• Radishes
• Beets
• Fingerling Potatoes
• Honey
• Eggs

See you at market!  We will be there from 8:00-12:00.  Come early to get the best treats!