Of Heritage Pigs and Nearby Gigs

In this part of my winter products report, I'm waxing poetic over local pork, lamb jerky, and socks...yes, socks. All of these goodies were purchased at the modest little gem of a farmers' market in Berryville, just a few miles west of the Loudoun County line. You can shop some of the vendors at the Clarke County Winter Market, which is held once a month on the corners of Main Streets and Church Streets right next to the Dollar General Store in the Town's Parking Lot. The market will be held on the following dates: 1/19, 2/16, 3/15, 4/12. The regular season begins again in May 2008.

As a special holiday breakfast treat, I broke out my frozen slab of heritage breed uncured bacon. It was made from Tamworth pork by Briars Farmstead. It was not too fatty, and a dark, pleasing color. The taste was definitely intense, a little gamy, not too salty, and a wonderful accompaniment to farm-fresh eggs. Briars Farmstead offers a variety of produce, depending on the time of year. You can reach Matt or Ruth at 540-837-2554 or email them for current product availability. Or better yet, stop by their stand at the market, say hi, and buy something yummy! For more information on natural pastured products around Virginia, check out the Eat Wild website.



I bought several items as Christmas gifts before the holidays from the Berryville Farmers Market. The best-received one was a thick, cozy pair of woolen socks from Virginia Lamb of Clarke County. Virginia Lamb is a family-run farm encompassing several generations of sheep farmers. The Childs family is very involved with agriculture in Loudoun and Clarke counties, including the Ag Extension and 4H.

I bought a few different flavors of their lamb jerky sticks, hoping to use them as stocking stuffers. Sorry to say they never made it into those stockings. The jerky was so good, I kept to all for myself. I'll have to see if they have more this Saturday, Jan. 19, when Virginia Lamb is scheduled to be at the Winter Market again. The socks were made of wool from their own flocks of blackface Suffolk and Southdown sheep. They were a welcome gift to my friend in blustery New England. You can check product availability by calling them at 540-955-4242 or email them. For information about lamb and sheep products in Loudoun County, see the Loudoun Valley Sheep Producers website.