Spring is here and I love it!!!

Hi All!

It's been a wild ride these past few weeks preparing the soil and the Trolley Stop Market! The farm is rocking and rolling for sure. Keith has already planted more in these past 3 weeks than we did all of last year! Potatoes, onions, carrots, beets, swiss chard, lettuces, greens, turnips, radishes, mustards, sorrel, and much more!!! The greenhouses are over flowing with all kinds of heirloom veggie transplants, herbs, and cut flowers. Here's hoping that the weather cooperates for all us farmers in the MidSouth this year!

A few new projects on the farm are in the works. We have finally constructed our giant gourd trellis, and our old school bus Irene that we used to live in has been officially converted into our new farm stand! She's looking pretty hip these days! Our 3rd greenhouse has arrived and construction will start in just a few days once the ground firms up a bit. Keith and I feel really good about having the ability to start our own farmers market right on our grounds each Saturday during the summer growing season. We are in the process of drafting policy and forming a board of directors for our own little Whitton Farmers Market! We know a few beginnnig farmers in the Delta who aren't quite big enough just yet to make the trip to a Memphis or Jonesboro Farmers Market, so we are going to allow area gardeners and small time farmers to set up for free at Whitton Farms on Saturdays and sell their goods right along with ours. Wholesome, local, food sources are somewhat scarce in the Delta so we feel its time to spread the "foodie" love and make it affordable for area residents. Vouchers will be accepted and we are in the process of learning more about which EBT program we'd like to participate in.

Good food should be available for everyone y'all!

Some of you have been asking about the Trolley Stop Market! We are still working hard to meet our projected opening date of April 21!!! Our TSM Team have been painting, building, cleaning, researching etc... We all have completely renovated what used to be the Complex Nightclub. It's been a hell of a job so far, but we are over the hump so to speak. Right now we are in the process of hiring our staff so if you know of anyone who might enjoy working at the TSM send them our way! Interior construction is coming right along. and the exterior is in the works! This week the outside of the building will be painted, and our brand new awning will be hung! We can't wait!

Well gang, that about does it for now. Just wanted to give all of you an update! Gotta stay on schedule!

Til next time,

Jill

Trolley Stop Market & Deli - All Local - Farmer Owned

Remember me? Hopefully so! Keith looks really enthralled in this picture, but he'd been up since 5:00 am - brainstorming. He's getting really good at it!

Keith & I have had a pretty eventful Fall & Winter. We are adding several acres to our farming operation, and Keith's been a welding maniac creating new small scale equipment for the farm.We've both been selecting, storing, and researching seeds. Composting-can't get enough of it, and thanks to our Winter Intern, Ted Lusby, our shiitake farm is ever expanding. (The logs we are using for shiitake production were rescued from being bull-dozed & burned). At least now they have a function & new life living within them. We now have a nice place for our apprentices to dwell in over the growing season, and Keith is so proud of his plans for a new, washing station. It's gonna be large and in charge! Greenhouse work is my favorite job on the farm, except for cutting flowers and picking tomatoes. It's relaxing to be in the toasty greenhouse listening to the radio, sowing seeds, and transplanting seedlings.

Well, another major project we've decided to undertake, (after much thought, research, & debate), is to open our own farm-based business in Memphis.

I am proud to say that we have started a new business called the Trolley Stop Market!

Trolley Stop Market is a small "all local" grocery & deli located at 704 Madison, in Downtown Memphis, on the trolley line, no less. (Go green travel!). TSM is located next door to the UT Medical College, & right in the midst of the medical community over there. Our primary goal is to give the residents & consumers in the region an opportunity to have access to a wide variety of locally/sustainablly grown, & produced goods from the Mid-South.

The Trolley Stop Market will serve breakfast & lunch, and our menu will feature farmers and food artisans from across the MidSouth. Our shelves, crates, and bins will house local & certified organic produce, grains, nuts, mushrooms, fruit and more. Locally & humanely raised beef, poultry, pork, freshwater fish, and seafood will be in abundance too! A wonderful assortment of freshly baked goods, and desserts will be readily available as well. I can already smell the REAL strawberry muffins coming out of the oven!!! Come on April!!!

Don't you want to learn what's in season, and how to eat it -deliciously!?!

In addition to the food, TSM will also have a hip, floral & gift shop stocked with the finest, locally & organically grown cut flowers around. You're going to have to see it to believe it!

We will be open Monday - Friday, year round!!! Smoothie & juice bar coming soon, in addition to private meeting/party room, and a stage ready for local musicians to perform on! Plenty of wall space to display local art, and dinner club parties to begin this summer! If you've got a suggestion or interest in becoming a vendor you can contact us at trolleystopmarket@live.com. Website coming soon!

One other important note about Trolley Stop Market is that it will be home to CSA- Memphis, a multi-farm partnership/local food subscription service. Participating farmers will be advertised each week, with recipes, and cooking classes available for participating CSA members! More information to come! TSM will serve as the pick up point & subscribers can simply choose the day of the week (Monday - Friday) they wish to collect their veggie or floral share!

TSM customers are encouraged to bring their own shopping bags - just trying to stay away from plastic ya'll. Periodically throughout the year we will accept recycled donations like: glass jars & newspapers. Composting & other green living methods will be showcased at the Trolley Stop Market!


If you are excited to see something like this come to Downtown Memphis, please help us spread the word!!!

We are all taking one more step toward revolutionizing the food culture of this region! Support local farmers, farmers markets, green living & locally owned businesses, especially ones like Trolley Stop Market! ;) Not only are we growing food, we are growing our own agri-related businesses right here in the Mid-South! Check us out on facebook ya'll!!!

Opening mid April, so come in... hungry for more than just food for your belly! How about some food for thought on that plate too!
Cheers,
Jill

LOCAL Holiday Goods: Handmade Wreaths & Homemade Pecan Pies!!!

We're still at it ya'll. Despite the rain and mud we can't stay away from the farm chores. In my free time I've recently starting making handmade wreaths with a fair amount of success.

Keith has decided to put his baker's hat on and begin making homemade "Local" pecan pies for the holidays! The pecans come from Whitton Farms and Penderosa Pecan Orchard located just a few miles away from us.

If you're interested in purchasing a handmade wreath or a homemade pie here's all the info you'll need. Forward to anyone you think might be interested.

Whitton Farms Homegrown Holiday Wreaths &

All Local Pecan Pies.

All wreaths are handmade by Jill Forrester. Wreaths are created with locally, organically grown materials collected at Whitton Farms. Keith's homemade local pecan pies are super delicious, plus the pecans are from local orchards located right here in the Delta.

Cedar & Broomcorn Wreath $30.00 Approximately 28 inches in diameter
Pine & Broomcorn Wreath $30.00 Approximately 28 inches in diameter
"All Local" Pecan Pies $20.00

Deliveries run throughout the Month of December:

First Delivery: December 5th Memphis Farmers Market Holiday Market 9:00 - 1:00

Jonesboro Residents: Mondays: Midwest Rug 3212 E. Nettleton, Jonesboro, Ar.

Memphis Residents: Wednesdays: Outdoors Inc. Union Ave. Memphis, Tn.

Email your order today.

List the following information in your order:

Wreath Style

How Many

Delivery Date/Location

Pecan Pie

How Many

Delivery Date/Location

whittonfarms@live.com 8708159519