Fresh Picks for May & Peek into June

Fresh Picks for May & a Peek into June

Eating with the seasons isn’t just a trend—it’s a smart (and delicious) way to support your health and your local food system. Seasonal produce is harvested at its peak, meaning it’s more flavorful, more nutritious, and has traveled fewer miles to get to your plate.

As we move through May and into June, here’s what’s fresh and thriving at your local farmers markets:

Garlic & Garlic Scapes

Garlic is known for its bold flavor and heart-healthy, immune-boosting properties. In spring, you’ll also find garlic scapes—the tender green shoots that curl off the top of hardneck garlic plants. Scapes have a short season, so grab them while you can. They’re delicious pickled, sautéed, or blended into a zesty pesto.

Strawberries

Peak strawberry season is here. These juicy berries are rich in vitamin C and powerful antioxidants that support heart health, immune function, and healthy skin.

Leafy Greens

Lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, and arugula are thriving right now. These fiber-packed greens are nutritional powerhouses, loaded with vitamins A, C, and K to help keep your body nourished and detoxified.

Green Onions & Scallions

These mild, versatile alliums are great in everything from salads to stir-fries. They also support bone strength, immunity, and gut health thanks to their natural prebiotic properties.

Carrots & Snap Peas

Crisp, colorful, and great raw or cooked. These spring favorites help regulate blood pressure, aid digestion, and provide a clean, steady source of energy.

Fresh Herbs (Parsley, Cilantro, Dill, Mint)

Fresh herbs not only enhance the flavor of your meals but also offer impressive health benefits—from digestive support to anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties.

Where to Find It All

Celebrate the season by shopping local. Join us every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at your community farmers markets:

Lexington Farmers Market

Lexington Farmers Market
129 S Railroad Street, Lexington, NC
(Historic Southern Railway Depot)

Thomasville Farmers Market
21 East Guilford Street, Thomasville, NC
(Under the Water Tower near PACE PARK)

Can’t make it to the market? You can also shop online anytime at PiedmontFresh.com for convenient pickup or delivery options.

Opportunity for Local Entrepreneurs: No-Cost Business Growth Program

Are you a rural small business owner looking to grow? The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, with support from Golden LEAF, is now recruiting for its next North Carolina cohort starting in September 2025.

This fully funded program—at no cost to participants—offers a mix of online and in-person workshops led by top business experts. You'll learn how to strengthen your operations, gain insight into accessing capital, and build a valuable network of peers and mentors.

---

Applications are open now through June 15.

Learn more and apply here: gs.com/10ksb-north-carolina

Thank you for supporting our local farmers, makers, and the future of food and business in Davidson County.

Let us know if you’d like help applying to the program or connecting with other resources in our network.

What's in Season this Spring?

What’s in Season This Spring?

Spring is a time of renewal—not just for nature, but for our plates. As temperatures rise and daylight stretches longer into the evenings, local farms across Davidson County begin to harvest some of the freshest, most flavorful produce of the year.

From early fruits to crisp greens, seasonal eating in spring offers a colorful variety of ingredients that are harvested at their peak—meaning better taste, better nutrition, and stronger support for local growers.

Here’s what’s in season right now in the Piedmont region:

Strawberries – One of spring’s earliest and most beloved crops. These berries are juicy, sweet, and ideal for everything from snacking and salads to desserts and homemade jams.

Leafy Greens – Spinach, lettuce, arugula, and more are thriving in the springtime. These greens are packed with nutrients and perfect for refreshing salads, sautés, and smoothies.

Why Choose Seasonal Produce?

Eating seasonally means enjoying food at its freshest and most flavorful. It also helps reduce your environmental impact by minimizing long-distance transport and refrigeration, while keeping your dollars circulating within the local economy. Most importantly, seasonal eating keeps you in tune with the natural rhythm of the region—connecting you to the farmers and land that sustain our communities.

Ready to fill your table with the best of the season?

Visit the Thomasville or Lexington Farmers Markets this Saturday, or shop anytime online at PiedmontFresh.com. When you eat with the seasons, you eat better—and you help keep Davidson County growing.

So You Want to Be a Farmer?

So You Want to Be a Farmer?

Dreaming of life on the land? Whether it’s the peace of rural living, the joy of growing your own food, or the call to steward the earth—farming is a powerful and rewarding path. But before you leap into full-time agriculture, it’s important to understand that successful farming takes more than a love for the outdoors. It’s a lifestyle that blends grit with knowledge, passion with practicality.

Modern farmers wear many hats:

• 📊 Business managers and bookkeepers

• 🔬 Soil scientists and pest detectives

• 🛠 Engineers and mechanics

• 💪 And always, hardworking stewards of the land

If you're considering this journey, here are a few ways to get started:

• ✅ Attend an agricultural conference or beginner farmer training

• ✅ Try homesteading or gardening as a stepping stone

• ✅ Ease into farming with part-time or small-scale production

• ✅ Volunteer at local events like our Farm Tour to experience real farm life

Experience Farming Firsthand: Join the 6th Annual Davidson County Farm Tour!

One of the best ways to explore farming is by connecting directly with the people who live it every day. That’s why we’re thrilled to invite you to our 6th Annual Davidson County Farm Tour—happening a bit earlier this year on May 31 and June 1!

🌾 What to Expect

This self-guided tour features 9 unique local farms, each showcasing different aspects of agriculture—livestock, produce, flowers, homesteading, and more. You’ll get to meet the farmers, ask questions, and walk the land they cultivate.

🧭 It’s the perfect way to:

Learn how local food is grown and raised

Get inspired by sustainable practices

Explore your interest in agriculture

Enjoy a weekend outdoors with family and friends

🎟️ Early Bird Tickets Just $5 Per Vehicle!

That’s right—one car pass covers everyone in your vehicle. Choose your favorite stops or visit them all!

📅 Tour Dates: May 31 – June 1

📍 Location: Farms across Davidson County (full map coming soon!)

🔗 [Click here to get your tickets now]

Whether you're thinking about becoming a farmer or just want to get closer to your food, this is your chance to take the first step. We hope to see you out on the farm!