There will be something for everyone at the Mill Spring Ag Center on March 9.

The activity-packed day kicks off at 9 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m. Dozens of vendors for the indoor farmers’ market will have tables displaying all of their local goodness for you to take home from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be a multitude of local fresh produce, baked goods, crafts and art available.

If you are interested in chickens, then participate in the Heritage Poultry Swap and sale from 9 a.m. -2 p.m.

Bring healthy birds (adults, pullets, chicks or hatching eggs) in your own carrier to trade with others or to sell. So far, there will be Ameraucanas, Orpingtons, Cochins and Jersey Giants available, but the list is growing every day. If you plan to purchase chickens or chicks to take home, please bring a carrier or box in which to transport them.

If you would rather exchange seeds, then the community seed swap from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. is for you. Bring your favorite variety of seeds to share with others and take home something new to try without having to purchase a whole packet. The seed swap is also a great place to network with other local gardeners and farmers.

If you want something more hands-on, then let Vaughn Loeffler teach you how to inoculate your own shiitake mushroom logs in his workshop from 10 a.m.- noon.

For a small registration fee, Vaughn will provide you with a log, all the necessary tools, and shiitake spawn and walk you through the inoculation process so that you can enjoy fresh mushrooms at home within a matter of months.

To get your fill of rural heritage, peruse the displayed quilts and enjoy demonstrations such as wool spinning, blacksmithing and more. Several of the market vendors will also be demonstrating their craft skills. From 1-2 p.m., gather in the auditorium of the Ag Center to enjoy a talk by Bill Thompson, renowned storyteller, novelist, and writer for Our State magazine.

Thompson is a native North Carolinian and has spent most of his life traveling across and writing about the South. His talk will focus on rural heritage and is sure to be humorous, witty and full of stories. Thompson has graciously offered to talk here for no charge simply because he supports the work of the ag center and enjoys speaking about southern, rural heritage. This is a free event you will not want to miss.

If you would like to sign up to be a market vendor, display a quilt, demonstrate a craft/skill, bring poultry to sell or swap, or register for the shiitake workshop, please contact Laura at 828-894-2281 or at laura@polkcountyfarms.org. You can also visit our website at polkcountyfarms.org. The Mill Spring Ag Center is located at 156 School Rd, Mill Spring, N.C. 28756.

– article submitted by Laura Brookshire