The Heron Letter - September

“The goldenrod is yellow,The corn is turning brown,The trees in apple orchards

With fruit are bending down.

…It is the season of the year

When all things old seem new,

And what we hold most dear

Comes back in gentler view.”

— Helen Hunt Jackson, September

Reflection

As the brilliance of summer begins its fade into the golden hush of autumn, we find ourselves standing at a threshold — the close of one season and the eager beginning of another. The fields grow quieter, mornings carry a crispness, and with that change comes a sense of readiness, of something long-tended finally about to bear fruit.

This summer has been one of steady work and wholehearted intention: securing permits, designing and ordering our market building, and carefully selecting vendors whose standards of farming and making mirror our own. In the kitchen, countless hours were spent testing, tasting, and refining recipes — using only the best, 90%-100% local ingredients until each one felt just right. Beyond the food, we’ve pored over every detail of the space: gathering eclectic decorations that reflect our family and legacy, designing our logo and labels, and arranging things just so, so that the market feels as inviting as the goods on the shelves.

Looking Back

We've been amidst this whirlwind of water-powered, whole grain, stone-milled flour, Appalachian ancient ocean salt, maple syrup from our very own distant cousins' maple sugar orchard, and it seems we’ve been racing toward this moment: opening weekend. It has felt at times like a sprint to the finish line, but each detail has brought us closer to this dream becoming real. What an honor it is to represent our local farmers and producers who are aligned with our own philosophy - that tending the land and what it gives us deserves intention and integrity. We hope in the months to come we will have the opportunity to slow down and truly soak in the incredible connections we have made and think on how lucky we are that it has all come together to share a space in our very own farm market.

What’s Fresh Now

Our shelves and baskets will be filled with:

• Lettuce and other seasonal produce

• Sweet Potatoes & Potatoes

• Pasture Raised Farm Eggs

• Blue Heron Farm's Healthy and Wholesome Baked Goods (sourdough sandwich loaves, muffins, cookies, crackers)

• Artisan Coffee

• Local Cheeses & Artisan Goat Cheese

• Local Grass Fed Butter

• Local Raw Honey

• Local Pickles

• Locally Grown, Water Powered & Stone Milled Flours

• Locally Sourced Meats

• Artisan Salts

• Artesian Virginia Glass-Bottled Water

• Blue Heron Farm Wool and Yarn

• Local Handcrafted Pottery

• And More!

Farm Animal Update

The hens are busy and happy in the cooler mornings, and our sheep are enjoying the last of summer’s grasses before autumn pasture takes hold. The rhythm of the animals always seems to mirror the turning of the seasons, reminding us to slow down and settle into the shift.

Coming Soon

We’re especially excited about the autumn offerings just around the corner:

• Seasonal breads and baked goods full of fall flavors

• Locally Sourced Beef

• Locally Sourced Cream

• New seasonal produce as fall deepens

Closing Thought

As summer gives way to fall, we are filled with gratitude and anticipation. This farm market has been a dream long in the making, and we can’t wait to welcome you inside. Whether you come for a fresh loaf of bread, a jar of honey, or simply to see what’s new, we hope you’ll feel at home here — a neighbor among neighbors, sharing in the goodness of this season together.

We can't wait to welcome you in starting September 20th! Check out our website for more details.

-Jess and Farmer Jen