St. Andrews Market Opens this Saturday, May 2

Please join us at St. Andrews Episcopal Church at 910 Columbia Ave. in Glasgow this Saturday, May 2 from 8am-12pm for the opening of the farmers’ market season. St. Andrews will host a farmers’ market on the church grounds each Saturday in May until the opening of the Bounty of the Barrens Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 30 when the market will move to the BB&T parking lot on W. Main St in downtown Glasgow. St. Andrews will also be hosting a yard sale on May 2. Be sure to stop by and get your first local products of the 2009 season this Saturday!

Additionally, for those interested in canning and freezing products for sale at the market, there will be a certification class at the Agriculture Extension office (1463 W. Main St. in Glasgow) on Tuesday, May 5 from 6-8pm.

We would also like to thank David Downing and his company, Yellow Berri, for the fantastic new Sustainable Glasgow logo you see at the top of the blog page and the equally fantastic Bounty of the Barrens Market logo on the left side of the page. David has done an incredible job creating local graphics for us. If you would like some local graphics too, you can contact him at dero@yellowberri.com

See you all on Saturday!

Sustainable Glasgow and BB&T – Glasgow Announce 2009 Location for Bounty of the Barrens Market

Sustainable Glasgow, Inc. announces that they have reached a final agreement with BB&T on a partnership which will bring The Bounty of the Barrens Market to the parking lot and green space behind the BB&T building on West Main Street in Glasgow. The “BOTB” farmers’ market concept has been one of the original goals of the members of Sustainable Glasgow since its inception in 2008. Though Sustainable Glasgow initially planned the BOTB market for the parking lot of the South Central Kentucky Cultural Center an accommodation there failed after extensive negotiations. Undaunted, the Sustainable Glasgow group found a willing partner in Debbie Livingston and the rest of her team at BB&T - Glasgow. Sustainable Glasgow’s President Dr. William Travis announced that the written agreement giving Bounty of the Barrens Market a home at BB&T was finalized this week.

The BOTB market is designed to carry on a grand tradition of a marketplace for local food and local products, produced by local people, which was initiated a few years ago by the community-minded folks at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Travis stated,

"In today’s economic circumstances it is vitally important for us to utilize the talent of the people of the Barrens and the bounty of our land to build a secure and sustainable local economy. We can no longer afford to be vulnerable to decisions made in distant corporate boardrooms. Sustainable Glasgow, Inc. is determined to jump start this new way of thinking about our local economy by bringing food producers and food consumers together for commerce in a festive atmosphere. While engaged in these satisfying exchanges market patrons can enjoy the talents of local musicians, local chefs, and camaraderie with friends. The real benefactor of this market will be the residents of Glasgow and this region that we call ‘The Barrens’.”

Already more than twenty local farmers and other producers have applied for vendor space at the BOTB market and have added to the growing ranks of members of the Sustainable Glasgow organization. The market is scheduled to open at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 30 and on each Saturday thereafter through early October. Local produce and other regionally produced goods will be available for purchase at the market. Area musicians will be on hand to entertain the crowds and local chefs will be conducting cooking demonstrations and turning some of the local produce into delicious treats for the market patrons.

Dr. Jerry Ralston, Sustainable Glasgow Vice President stated, “While the members of Sustainable Glasgow still have a lot of work to do, a lot of money to raise, and a lot to learn about running a market like the one we have planned, these are frightening economic times which call for new and bold initiatives for the community we love. The members of Sustainable Glasgow have already conquered many obstacles but we will persist in our efforts for the benefit of this community. We are determined to succeed. Our measurement of success is improvement in the life and lot of the citizens of this community and region.”

About Sustainable Glasgow:

Sustainable Glasgow, Inc. consists of hundreds of local citizens who are dedicated to the development of the theory and practice of sustainable living in the Barren County area. We seek to provide the ideas, information, education, infrastructure, and political will that can inspire and facilitate community members to bring about the systemic changes in all of our institutions necessary to create a sustainable economy for the region surrounding Glasgow, Kentucky. You can read more about our activities by visiting our website at www.barrencountybounty.com. You can become a member by completing a membership application available on the website and submitting the annual membership fee of $25. All membership proceeds support efforts like the farmers’ market and other local projects for the benefit of our community and region.

John's Custom Meats Sends Us Great Idea!

Sustainable Glasgow is designed to reinforce Glasgow's economy and promote the construction of infrastructure which is essential for making our community self sufficient. The folks with the 3/50 project feel exactly the same way. Amy Sipes with John's Custom Meats sent us this link and information about this initiative. We highly recommend that you visit their site at this link and sign up as a supporter.

It is a simple idea. Do you know of three local businesses that you cherish and would miss if they were gone? If so, then make a commitment to spend at least $50 per month at those businesses. You cannot lose in this mission. You will help guarantee the survival of your favorite places AND you will receive goods and services from a business that also does business with your business!

This is at the very heart of localism.

Glasgow's Own Joe Trigg in Louisville's LEO Magazine!

Click on this link to see a great article about Sustainable Glasgow Board Member Joe Trigg and his statewide influence on farming and food. Congratulations Joe!

The Vendor Meeting Rocked!

Last night we had about fifty folks join us for our Bounty of the Barrens Market Vendor Meeting. This was organized as an informational session to aid those interested in becoming vendors at the market. The response was overwhelming! It is clear that there are many local folks who want to come to Glasgow and sell their produce and products that they so proudly and expertly grow and provide.

A day at the BOTBM should become THE thing to do in the region on Saturdays. We are clearly going to have a lot of fantastic vendors. In addition, we plan on having local musicians perform and local chefs preparing food for consumption as patrons shop and enjoy the music from their neighbors.

Mike Maggard is working with Sustainable Glasgow to book a variety of bluegrass or country bands for one hour performances (11am-12pm) at the BOTBM in Glasgow every Saturday from May until October. Think "Concert in the Park" only at the "Bounty of the Barrens" farmers market. PA is provided for the Bands. Please call Mike direct at 270-404-5707 if you wish to perform or want to recommend someone.

All we really need now is another volunteer like Mike for our cooking demonstrations. Are there any volunteers out there? We need to organize and schedule which Saturdays that different local restaurants might want to send a chef to BOTBM for demonstrations, cooking classes, or even just general sale of food for a profit! We are also interested in allowing local non-profits...athletic teams, chruches, clubs, etc. to come in and cook as a fund raiser for their respective organizations. We just need someone to step up and organize this!

South Central Business Journal

I recommend that everyone pick up a copy of the most recent South Central Business Journal, published by Jobe Publishing. Jeff Jobe wrote a really nice article about development of the LOCAL economy, especially with any stimulus dollars that might come to our area. He emphasizes infusion of that capital into LOCALLY OWNED sustainable businesses that, through the local dollar multiplier effect, can cause a stimulative ripple effect through our economy and lead us to greater self-reliance and prosperity.

Also, Jerry Ralston wrote a nice article in the same journal edition about the initiative to bring fresh local foods into the Barren County School system's food service.

I much appreciate the support shown by Jeff Jobe and his publications for the local economies of Glasgow, Barren County and this region we call "The Barrens" and for their support of Sustainable Glasgow.