Cooler temperatures seem to have settled into the area for the time being. The harvest continues on local farms, with crops ripening up to and most times even after frost arrives. The selection of apple varieties increases greatly at this time of year, and Deb Lowe plans on having apple varieties Gala, Golden, Red Delicious, Stark Delicious, Jonagold, Wolf River, Courtland and Empire on hand this Saturday. Deb will also be offering raspberries, pears, and even some yellow peaches at the market.

Jerry Harvey will have a good supply of white and yellow corn, and will be bringing plenty of carving and pie pumpkins as well. David Sengel will have fresh organic celery, and a good assortment of peppers including Serrano, Thai, and Habanero Peppers. Matt Cooper will be harvesting Swiss chard, Dyno Kale, basil, green bell peppers, Fingerling potatoes, tomatillos, and Gala apples. Matt will also have bright arrangements of marigolds and zinnias to offer.

Richard Boylan has grown some tasty French Breakfast radishes which will be ready for market this weekend, along with kale, arugula, leaf lettuce, and a wide variety of herbs including cilantro, rosemary, thyme and Mint. Richard also has bottled herb tinctures made from his own high quality ingredients. Charles Church fills out the menu planning with natural pork, plenty of local potatoes, various squash including Butternut winter squash, onions, garlic, and honey made and collected on his farm in Valle Crucis.

Carol Miller has preserved the flavors of summer in her culinary vinegars, and for a limited time only will be offering specialty fruit preserves including brandy-blackberry and brandy-peach preserves. Carol also has baking mixes suitable for holiday gift-giving.

Local artists at Watauga County Farmers' Market are constantly working to bring you the finest crafts available. Be sure to check out April Graham's handcrafted jewelry including necklaces made with fossilized walrus ivory, fire agate, and arrowheads. Mary Prewett has painted gourds and custom signs, cute stuffed bears, and crochet items including hats, scarves, and purses. Tom Wooten will also be at the market this Saturday with his hand forged steel and bronze plant hangers.

There will be a workshop and conference on natural products at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center in Boone on Friday, November 14. There will be two tracks: one for businesses involved in Natural Products and one for consumers of Natural Products. Call Joe Furman at (828) 264-3082 or send an email to joe.furman@ncmail.net for more information.

Watauga County Farmers' Market will be open on Saturday mornings through the end of October at the Horn in the West in Boone. Turn next to First Citizens Bank on Highway 105 Extension and go to the top of the hill. Call WCFM manager Karen Bauman at 1-828-355-4918 for more information. We will be there rain or shine!