Celebrating Women in Agriculture: The Backbone of Nolensville Farmers Market
Spring is almost here! Soon enough, flowers will bloom, we’ll have baby cows and goats and sheep, fresh greens and roots and herbs, and we’ll turn our faces up to the sun in gratitude and relief. As we embrace March 2025, we're celebrating International Women's Day and Women's History Month by highlighting the incredible female farmers and artisans who make the Nolensville Farmers Market a vibrant community hub.
We value these women not just because of their senses of humor, their drive, and the care they bring to our community, but because they remind us that we have built a space where they can shine and share their passions and stories with others. They reflect back to us what we most wish to see in ourselves; determination, ambition, and fierce compassion. Thank you to our female-owned businesses for showing us everything femininity is and could be - limitless and ever-changing.
This month also marks National Nutrition Month and National Agriculture Month - perfectly aligned with our mission to bring fresh, local food to our communities while supporting local farmers. As one humanity, we have so much to thank women for in our ancient and living history, and their contributions to the evolution of nutrition are no different. Let’s take a peek into how that manifests today with this month’s vendor highlight!
Women Cultivating Community at Nolensville Farmers Market
Every Saturday from 9am to 12pm, our winter market comes alive with the fierce spirit and diverse energies of our women entrepreneurs. One such inspiring figure is Brittney Blackshear of Blue Heron Farmstead, who has been a cornerstone of our market for the past five years.
Nestled in the rolling hills of Milton, Tennessee, Blue Heron Farmstead stands as a testament to sustainable agriculture and community nourishment. Brittney started her farm with a clear mission: to care for the land and her community. Her deep-rooted love for feeding people and contributing to their nutrition drives everything at Blue Heron.
"We practice organic regenerative methods; no synthetic fertilizers or chemicals are sprayed on our farm," explains Brittney. "We aim to look at our farm as a whole system, from taking care of the soil with low-till and cover cropping to providing opportunities for beneficial insects to thrive."
When you visit the Nolensville Farmers Market, you'll find Brittney's employee Rose at the Blue Heron booth. Rose, a dried herb and flower enthusiast, crafts beautiful, medicinal tea blends and stunning flower wreaths. She's also an accomplished crocheter and brings her passion for farming and community building to every market day, along with stories about her two tuxedo cats.
A Tapestry of Female-Owned Businesses
The Nolensville Farmers Market proudly showcases a diverse array of women-owned businesses that reflect our community's entrepreneurial spirit. Here are many of the ones you can find this weekend:
Arrington Bread Co. - Olivia Gonzalez delights customers with fresh-baked bread and pastries.
Backyard Tailz - Savanah Kortright provides specialized feed and structures for backyard wildlife.
Bead Creative - Sarah Clayton offers stunning jewelry featuring an impressive variety of crystals.
Caroline's Spice Pantry - Amy Mullen creates everything from popcorn seasoning to soup and taco kits.
Delicias Colombianas RR - Ruth Rico serves authentic Colombian arepas, empanadas, and picadas.
Fiber, Feather & Fur Farm - Shani Sprague's urban farm offers soaps, honey, yoga retreats, and operates a farm store supporting other small businesses.
Kneading to Bake - Monique Germaine bakes clean and diverse sweet and savory treats.
Kuyah Jamaican Patties - Tamara Hill brings Caribbean flavors with her amazing patties, including vegan options.
Lavender & Blooms - Wendy Perry's flower farm creates luxurious and pampering products.
Olive Juice Oils - Jenny King provides natural skincare and aromatherapy solutions.
Retrogrinds - Brianne "Bri" Bugbee keeps the community caffeinated and brings sunshine to every market.
The Krafty Kupboard - Stephanie has been providing nourishing and convenient goods such as beans and lentils, brownie mix, and granola for over 10 years at the Nolensville Farmers Market! Go Steph!
Sunshine Kitchen & Bakery - Ellena Bell creates culinary masterpieces that never disappoint.
Nourishing Our Community During National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month, reminding us of the importance of making informed food choices. At the Nolensville Farmers Market, nutrition isn't just a monthly focus—it's our year-round commitment.
When you purchase produce and meat directly from local farmers like Blue Heron Farmstead, Brush Creek Farm, Baker Family Pastures, Elk River Wagyu, Hempin Shrooms, and Pink’s Micros, you're not only supporting sustainable agriculture but also ensuring optimal nutritional quality. Without long transportation routes or extended storage times, the food you buy at our market retains more nutrients from farm to table.
Blue Heron Farmstead is now offering CSA subscriptions for 2025, providing a weekly supply of nutrient-dense, delicious food straight from their regenerative farm. They're also expanding their flower beds and introducing a flower club for those who want to bring fresh blooms into their homes regularly!
The Future of Farming at Blue Heron
Looking ahead, Blue Heron Farmstead plans to host more community events at their farm. Visitors can meet their dogs, goats, chickens, and pigs while learning about sustainable farming practices and eating delicious food catered from local businesses. From growing and building to animal care, fermenting, natural dyeing, and soap making, the farm offers endless opportunities for inspiration and education.
"We are very grateful for this opportunity to be good land stewards and want to bring the community back to the farm," says Brittney. "We hope that you will join us this year, and come see what the farm magic is all about."
Join Us at the Nolensville Farmers Market
This March, as we celebrate women in agriculture and the nutritional benefits of local food, we invite you to visit the Nolensville Farmers Market every Saturday from 9am to 12pm. Meet the women who are cultivating not just crops but community, and discover the difference that locally grown food can make in your life.
The Nolensville Farmers Market isn't just a place to shop—it's where neighbors become friends, where you'll always see a friendly face, and where our community grows stronger with every visit. It’s a place where you can be whatever or whoever you want to be. We hope you come as yourself!
The Nolensville Farmer's Market is operated by WilCo Events, a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Dr. Miro Bandalo and a dedicated team of Americorp Volunteers committed to bringing local, natural products closer to home.
