Name: Farmer P (aka Paolo Scardina) with Agrarian Acres Farm.
Products: Grass Fed and Finished Beef, Rabbits, Pastured Broilers, Free Range Eggs, and Seasonal Fruits.
Farmer P acknowledges that while he has great livestock husbandry skills, he lacks a green thumb. So, in order to help bring locally grown produce to the Radford market, he's leased a portion of his farm to Seed Simple Organics – a group of young, aspiring gardeners who bring veggies to the Market. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Radford-VA/Seed-Simple-Organics/111715295536402
Additionally, Farmer P is working with the Crows Nest Greenhouses in Price's Fork, who have planted a variety of vegetable produce and have agreed to supply Farmer P with fresh veggies for the Radford market.
Biographical Snapshot: Farmer P grew up on a small Appalachian farm in West Virginia; his family was originally from Ohio. He works part time as an adjunct environmental engineering professor at Virginia Tech. He stays quite busy on the farm and with his 4 year old daughter, Kathy Kate. She is in charge of “handling baby animals” and “pointing out weeds for her dad to remove.” Kathy Kate has a particularly sharp eye for thistles. In his free time, Farmer P enjoys “taking a nap – when I get the chance.”
How did you get started with Farming? “Well, it started as a conceptual idea that slowly developed into Agrarian Acres. It started with apprenticing at other farms before and after work and grew into a few cows and chickens – and a pig, but the pig ran off. We’re a family enterprise and that’s a big motivator – the wealth really comes from the quality of life.”
What’s the best thing about the Radford Farmers Market? “The people you meet each week! The best thing about Farmers Markets is they build and facilitate community. My farm touches Radford City, and it's good to be associated with such a fine town.”

Donna Deaner - Vendor Spotlight

Name: Donna Deaner
Products: “A little bit of everything.” Donna offers perennial and annual plants/seedlings. BBQ/Grilling, Smoothies and drink “mixes in a cone.” Her Lemon Oatmeal Pancake Mix is a local favorite. She brings veggies from her garden in season – tomatoes, beans, pumpkins and gourds. She has many fresh baked goodies and snack mixes too. Donna enjoys crafting and has cross stitch cards and crochet dishcloths available too.
Biographical Snapshot: Mrs. Deaner has lived in Riner, VA for the last 30 years. She is a native of Maryland. She has taught Special Education at Shawsville Middle School for the past 9 years; her students adore her. “Gardening and Cross Stitch are my passion.” She has a daughter who is a Radford Alum and lives in Richmond. Donna has been at the Radford market since 2001.
How did you get started with gardening and crafts?
I’m a busy beaver. It started with our farm we were in the pumpkin business, but we branched out every year. I’m crafty and enjoy doing crafts.
What’s the best thing about the Radford Farmer’s Market?
“The people. Folks stay awhile and visit. Many older folks wait for friends so they can shop together. Recently we’ve been having more young people and I’m so happy about that. There is more variety at the market. I like being here – it’s my relaxation. “

Holly Moore - Vendor Spotlight

Name: Holly Moore
Products: Hand-sewn Leather keepsake boxes, wallets, Bible Covers, Letter writer kits, jewelry . Holly loves custom orders best.
Biographical Snapshot: Holly is originally from New Jersey. Her parents retired to a horse farm in Christiansburg. Holly and her family moved here so that her son Ethan (age 5) could be near them. Ethan enjoys exploring and getting very dirty on the farm! Holly’s husband works at Virginia Tech. Holly has lived in the NRV for 2 years and feels that it was a “good move.” When she’s not working with leather and playing with her son, Holly enjoys reading fantasy, Sci-Fi, and mystery books. She’s also a movie buff and could chat about movies “all day.”
How did you get started with leather work? “I learned in 1983. I still have a coaster I made at Camp Cherith (a Pioneer Girls camp in the Poconos). I got back into leatherwork by making a sheath for my college service group’s broadsword. I learned a lot from my local Tandy (major leather supplier) and really enjoyed it.” Holly enjoys working with kids ; she teaches leather workshops for local elementary schools, 4-H and scouts. She attends many local festivals and has competed, judged, and won awards internationally for her work.
What’s the best thing about the Radford Farmer’s Market? “ The family like environment! I miss the other vendors over the winter. Becky (market director) really has it together. I say that even a bad day at the market is better than being at home watching TV.”
Links
http://www.wrcleather.com/ Holly’s Website
www.leatherworker.net – Free Leatherwork forums Holly co-founded and often frequents

Virginia Akers- Vendor Spotlight

Name: Virginia Akers
Products: Apple Butter, Current Jelly, Cinnamon Apply Jelly, Crabapple Jelly, Peach Preserve, Blackberry Jam and Jelly, Raspberry Jam and Jelly, Gooseberry Jelly, Damson Plum Preserve, Plum Preserve, Grape Jelly, Strawberry Preserve, and Strawberry Rhubarb Preserve. Mrs. Akers also offers many handmade crafts such as Hobo Bags, placemats, kitchen towels, pot holders, pincushions, and sewing kits.
Mrs. Akers and her husband grow blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries, currents and other fruits on their farm that she transforms into her delicious preserves.
Biographical Snapshot: Mrs. Akers was born and raised in Radford; she returned home to the area in 1967. She’s quite proud of her daughter, granddaughter and 2 great grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys sewing and crafting. She is active in her New River, VA church- Morgan’s Chapel. She has participated in the Dublin Flea Market for 33 years and often frequents crafts shows in Dublin. She has been part of the Radford Market since 1998.
How did you get started with making preserves?
Mrs. Akers has been preserving throughout her life. “Well, my husband planted the berries and we harvested too many just to eat.”
What’s the best thing about the Radford Farmer’s Market?
“The people. I came from here and I see a lot of people that I hadn’t seen in years! We don’t get rich, but we have a lot of fun.”

2010 TOR Pictures