In the last twenty years since the 1998 Tobacco Settlement Agreement, Carroll County farmers have been required to diversify their farming operations into agricultural enterprises that will be successful for them into the future. One route farmers took was focused on growing produce and meat, as well as developing a vegetable, fruit, and meat market for the community. The Riverview Farmer’s Market was established in 2004, and in the 2018 season, there were nine vendors (including one new vendor) with an incredibly diverse selection of products, including: traditional vegetables, blueberries, red and black raspberries, blackberries, melons, honey, jams, jellies, vinegars, eggs, and meat (beef, pork, lamb, rabbit).

With this vast array of produce, and the growing demand for locally-produced foods, members of the Carroll County Extension Council, Riverview Farmers’ Market, and the Extension Agents placed high priority on concentrating programming to promote the Riverview Farmer’s Market. In response, Market members and the Carroll County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) organized the first Farm to Table Dinner in Carroll County.

Farm to Table Dinners have become very popular and well attended events across the Commonwealth. For over two years, the Riverview Farmers’ Market had been working towards developing this event for our county. The goals for the event included: spotlight the farmers growing food in the county, encourage consumption of locally-grown food, increase awareness of the Riverview Farmers’ Market, and support local businesses. The funds generated from the dinner would be used toward saving for a permanent structure for the Market.

The Farm to Table Dinner was a huge collaborative effort among many different entities inside and outside of the Cooperative Extension Service. The farmers of the Market provided all the local produce and flowers for the event as well as serving a vital role with the planning, preparation, and decorating of the dinner. A local caterer in the county, MoonGlimmer Gardens, developed an amazingly unique menu and assisted in decorations. Market members, Homemaker members, and 4-H members worked together to create the floral centerpieces under the direction of a local florist. A local artist created the welcome sign for attendees and a local photographer took pictures. The local newspaper ran a story promoting ticket sales two weeks prior to the dinner. 4-H’ers served the food during the dinner. All agents and staff worked behind the scenes to help the event run smoothly. The Carroll County Extension District Board fully funded the dinner. An interesting collaboration occurred with some of the local business around Main Street that wished to participate. Two businesses remained open late leading up to the dinner.

The Farm to Table Dinner was held on a perfect Saturday evening on July 28, 2018 in the middle of Main Street in Downtown Carrollton. A sell-out crowd of 48 dinner guests attended. Of the 48 guests, 23 guests were first-time attendees to an Extension program. All proceeds from ticket sales ($1200) went to the Market. Following the dinner, one business reported that five dinner guests came into their shop as a direct result of the dinner. The local caterer, who was a relatively new caterer in the community, made contact with two individuals for two future catering events. Professional pictures from the event were posted online through social media and reached approximately 700 people. The original announcement of the dinner on social media was shared 58 times and reached over 4600 people. Dinner guests commented on the event through social media:

“Thank you Riverview Farmer’s Market, Carroll County Cooperative Extension Service, and MoonGlimmer Gardens, and everyone else who helped make the first Farm to Table event a success. The food was excellent! We had a great time and would definitely do it again!”

“I’m telling you, the Riverview Farmers Market Farm to Table Dinner was incredible! Every detail was so nice, and I truly felt special at this event. The catering was impeccable! What a great community event!!!”

“This was so much fun!! Food was amazing.”

“…It was a night to remember!!! Loved every part of it.”

Members of the Riverview Farmer’s Market have already discussed next year’s dinner, and have asked to increase the number of attendees from 48 to 60. Members of community are also requesting when the next dinner will be held.

The first Farm to Table Dinner was a tremendous success in Carroll County, and garnered large support and awareness for local farmers, the Riverview Farmer’s Market, and the Carroll County Cooperative Extension Service.