Piney Woods Shop Garden

 **Farm Safety Reminder  Here's a safety education paragraph for farmstand operators: **Farmstand Safety Checklist**: Simple improvements can prevent accidents and liability issues at your stand. Consider adding handrails to steps, stable walkways or mats over gravel, clear signage for uneven areas, and secure areas for farm animals during customer hours. These small investments protect both your visitors and your business. Many customers have mobility challenges, use walking aids, or may not see hazards clearly. What seems manageable to you as the operator might pose real risks to others. Taking basic safety precautions shows you care about your customers and helps avoid potential legal complications down the road. **Farmstand Safety Checklist**: Simple improvements prevent accidents and liability issues. Consider adding handrails to steps, stable walkways over gravel, clear signage for hazards, and secure areas for animals during customer hours. What seems manageable to you ...

Yesterday was June 5th, 2025 The busy day that I was having trying to get corn planted. Having to remove tons of weeds from the area. I decided to take a break from the heat and harvest a small crop of cabbage.  It was in the fall of 2024 when I planted three seedlings. Cabbage is not something that we eat a lot of.  However I do enjoy homemade stuffed cabbage and sauerkraut.  The cabbage has been growing in my winter garden bed which is up close to the front porch for the convenience of picking form it during the cold weather. I also planted it there to keep an eye on the "blessed groundhog". It was slow growing during the winter and then in spring it took off.  No issues with anything until about April. It seems like the slugs woke up and began to eat at the lower leaves. Then by the first of June the slugs had started to make their way into the forming heads.    To mitigate the groundhog issue, the winter garden bed is caged in using chicken wire. Yes th...

 June 2nd, 2025 Currently, I have my farm stand on hold. There is a big issue in locating an insurance company to insure this project. I am still promoting the Farm Stand Marketer Guild on Next Door. Because I have committed to building the group, even if I am not selling from a roadside stand, I am very much involved in gardening.  If you are aware of an insurance company that will cover farmstands, use the email below. 

 "Garden-grown vs. store-bought vs. farmers market: Where do you get the best vegetables and fruit? I'm curious about the differences in taste, cost, and convenience between growing your produce, shopping at farmers' markets, and grabbing fruits and veggies at the grocery store.  What's your preference and why?" Attribution & Privacy of the commenters, instead of full names, only their initials are used. P.R. It may not be the best option, as taste, cost, and convenience all fall into one category. Taste and nutrition are likely best when grown in your garden. For convenience and cost-effectiveness, methods like the "Square Foot Gardening" technique by Mel Bartholomew offer ways to achieve decent yields in small areas or backyards. However, one may still be limited by the types of plants that can thrive in their specific climate. I apologize if this isn't particularly helpful; I just wanted to share my thoughts. *Your response is excellent! You c...

 "The nature of nature, the "fast pace of man." Nature has such beautiful sights. Waterfalls cascading over rocks dappled in the shaded pines and oaks.  Flowing for miles of creeks, streams, and rivers filled with fish and fowl. Squirrels climb the tulip poplar to build their dray.  We are captivated by God's handiwork. Then we "move" from a "civilized" location called city life or suburban, even country; and with ALL of those convenient things Without the "destructive " animals.   Sometimes, it is better to understand who moved where! I have had many things destroyed by animals. It is annoying, agree, and even costly. However, it is teaching me patience, the very virtue we all want but don't have time for! ---------------------------------------------------------- Comments below are unedited by me. I obtained them from my personal post on Next Door.   Attributes are given without full name to protect privacy. -----------------------...

 The monkey wrench in the middle is what I wasn't looking for. But it is what I got. I have to announce that my hope to open a farm stand has come to a screaming halt.  I cannot find insurance coverage for the farmstand operation.  It is very important from a business point of view that proper insurance is obtained.  My homeowner's insurance policy will not cover a farm stand. or the liability that comes with setting one up.  I am researching different companies and am open to any suggestions. 

It is my goal to comply a list of roadside stands here are some that I have located since April 9th, 2025. One or two of these stands I have found prior to this date.  Some of the information is either right or partly correct. Since many of the owners have not actually spoken with me, I may have researched their whereabouts through the members of the Next Door App.  1)  Mt Gilead Farm Store  588 Green Valley Road, Leicester, NC 28748 2 . ) Windy Farm farm stand ...

  FARM STAND MARKETER GUILD On April 9th, 2025, I founded the Farm Stand Marketer Guild. The guild is online using the Next Door App. Simply scan the QR code below and click the join button, and you will be a member. Membership is Free and available for those who currently operate, or are contemplating opening an Honor System roadside or farm front stand.  The guild will be focused on the support of stand owners throughout the region of Western North Carolina.   Using the Next Door Post and DM or chat, members will be able to share tips and ideas that they are using with their roadside stand.  This will grow into local awareness and the development of these rural roadside stands. As the guild grows, a directory will be designed. and distribution at various outlets such as farmer markets and farm supply stores. Along with many more promotional ideas during the late spring and early fall harvest seasons. The Directory is a members-only listing. You must be a curre...