KANNAPOLIS ó In the coming weeks, the N.C. Research Campus Farmers Market will feature a return visit from the Produce Lady, previews of the Rowan and Cabarrus county fairs and a lesson for kids in making biofuels.
– Thursday
Previewing the Cabarrus County Fair
Enjoy games for the kids, pick up informational brochures and meet some of the farmers and N.C. Cooperative Extension staff who will participate in the fair, which runs Sept. 11-19.
– Sept. 10
Previewing the Rowan County Fair
Get a sneak peek of the Rowan County Fair, which runs Sept. 21-26. Games, prizes, information, special guests and more.
– Sept. 17
Tasty Tips from The Produce Lady
The Produce Lady returns to the Farmers Market to provide a cooking demonstration using okra, corn and tomatoes. She will share tips on using fresh produce from local farmers.
The Produce Lady, Brenda Sutton of N.C. Cooperative Extension in Rockingham County, appears on UNC-TV’s “Almanac Gardener” and is online at www.theproducelady.org.
– Sept. 24
Terrifically Tangy Pasta Salad
Join Millie Clark, N.C. Cooperative Extension agent, as she prepares a tangy pasta salad made from ingredients found at this year’s Research Campus Farmers Market. Sample the salad and take home information on fresh produce preparation, shopping and recipes.
– Oct. 8
Biofuel Blast
Youth 5-18 years old are invited to take part in Biofuel Blast, the 2009 National Science Experiment, to learn and lead the way on alternative energy.
Hundreds of thousands of young people across the nation will be working to create biofuel as part of 4-H National Youth Science Day.
The Biofuel Blast at the Research Campus Farmers Market will teach youth how cellulose and sugars in plants such as corn, switchgrass, sorghum and algae can be converted into fuel.
4-H National Youth Science Day will encourage young people to pursue science college majors and careers. To learn more, call Heather Jones, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development at 704 920-3310 or e-mail hrjones@cabarruscounty.us.
The Research Campus Farmers Market takes place Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. on West Avenue in downtown Kannapolis.
The market runs until Oct. 29. The full 2009 calendar of events can be found on the N.C. State University Program for Value-Added & Alternative Agriculture Web site www.ncvalueadded.org.