Henry Daily Herald

By Jason A. Smith

jsmith@henryherald.com

Area farmers and gardeners will offer their crops one last time this year in McDonough, just in time for the holiday season.

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Office will host a one-time, fall session of the Henry County Farmers Market Thursday, from 2 p.m., to 6 p.m., at Heritage Park.

Extension Coordinator Susan Howington said the market will help patrons in search of foods that are not grown in the warmer months.

"I think it's important, because we have different vegetables that come around at different times of the year," Howington said. "So it gives clients an opportunity to, maybe even, get some sweet potatoes, or some winter squash -- things that we normally would not have during our summertime farmers market ... especially with the holidays coming up."

Items to be offered by vendors at the market, include kale, collard greens, turnip greens, and other vegetables that thrive in cooler weather, said Frank Hancock, agriculture and natural resources agent for the extension office. Baked goods, jellies and homemade crafts will also be available, he said.

Hancock, who is coordinating the fall market, said the concept followed requests from vendors, who took part in the market from May through September.

"A lot of our suppliers grow vegetables in the fall, also, and they take them to other markets that are open year round," said Hancock. "Some of them asked us if we could have one more market before Thanksgiving. So, it will mostly be fall crops, although some of our gardeners may still have a few tomatoes and things that they grow under shelter."

More than 6,000 customers have visited the market thus far this year, he said.

For more information, call Hancock at the extension office, at (770) 288-8421.