In 2009, Market Central launched a new program aimed at familiarizing area shoppers with some of the growers who sell plants, flowers and vegetables at the Charlottesville City Market. Overwhelmingly, consumers want to know the grower and their growing practices, and these tours offered a unique opportunity to visit the farms and see first hand where and how food, plants and flowers are produced, and maybe even some tips to apply in home gardens!.  Many thanks to the growers who graciously opened their farms and fields to visitors, and to our volunteers for their help in staffing this fun event! 

     Our first tour, “Hazy, Hot & Bloomin’!” was held on August 5, 2009.  Participants met at the Northside Branch of the Jefferson Madison Regional Library and cruised via shuttle to Eileen Stephens’ Earlysville farm, Green and Gold.  There, we strolled her half acre garden, viewing colorful displays of various field grown flowers for cutting.  On this overcast summer morning, the birds and bees were busy, and seemingly oblivious to our presence as participants talked flowerspeak – and the camera shutters snapped repeatedly.

Our next stop on the tour was The Orchid Station, operated by the Philhour family in Barboursville, Virginia.   Guests were treated to an insider’s tour of the family’s three greenhouses, where we saw thousands of orchids in and out of bloom.  Guests learned about the growing cycle of Phaleanopsis orchids, and watched a potting demonstration.  The tour concluded with an edible spread of goodies, featuring produce from some of our local growers.