Last year was the first time the market opened up the application process to allow prospective sellers to apply year round versus the one-quarter window from January through March. With that, you may have seen some new vendors arrive mid-year. Laurelbrook Farms, after much market research, decided to make the MSFM the only place where you can purchase their beautifully grown veggies and joined in September. Besides raising heirloom tomatoes in greenhouses almost all year, Laurelbrook has an interesting story on how they are reclaiming their fallow land and getting a fresh start.

The fields at Laurelbrook Farms, encompassed by Laurelbrook Academy in Dayton, are filled with opportunity and hope as they have not been utilized in over a decade. Vast overgrown fields have so much potential and so the staff at Laurelbrook began growing relationships with like minded farmers, inviting them to share in the bounty.

Having moved to Tennessee less than seven months ago, Laurelbrook (and we) have had the pleasure of working with Farm Manager Gerrie (pronounced Harry with a harsh H and rolling Rs) and Marketing Manager Michelle. Both born and raised from South Africa, having spent all their lives there, they discovered Laurelbrook through mission work and decided to move to the states to help breathe new life into their awaiting fields. Vegetarian, hard working, parents of three young daughters (Rebeka 13, Maria 9 & Tabita 6) these two are bringing joy to our market as well as the fields at Laurelbrook.

Be sure to stop by their booth and enjoy the fruits of their labor and make them feel welcome as they are still getting their feet planted while planting multiple crops on multiple plots. My favorite of theirs have been their beets.

I slice and toss in olive oil, basil salt and pepper then roast at 400 for 45 minutes. Take those out of the oven then toss in a bowl with crumbled Ocoee Creamery feta and its my simple, sweet and savory snack any time of day.