By David Davis

It is hard to believe, but Christmas will be here before you know it. Many have already started shopping for Christmas gifts. 

Others, like myself, probably have not started yet. Don’t tell my wife.

You have a great opportunity to get those last few gifts, or to purchase those first few at the upcoming Winchester-Clark County Farmers’ Market open house.

For unique gifts, the annual WCCFM open house is a great stop. The WCCFM is the only, or close to the only, place to purchase many of these available items. Best of all, you will be supporting Clark County farmers and craftsmen. 

Each year, I like to put together gift baskets filled with Clark County products for various people. Last year, I had a gift basket filled with products like Reece Farm candied jalapeños, Burley BBQ’s  sauce, gift certificates to the farmers’ market and a few other locally-crafted items. I also added a few Kentucky Proud items like Ale-8-One and wine from Harkness Edwards Vineyards. It was a unique, but a great gift basket!

The open house will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. The farmers’ market will be set up at the Winchester Opera House which is located on the corner of Main Street and Lexington Avenue in downtown Winchester. 

I encourage you to come out.  Even if you don’t find gifts, you can always purchase gift certificates that can be redeemed for fresh vegetables later in the year or purchase locally-produced meats that will be available. These will be great additions to holiday meals. 

For more information about what will be available, check out the Winchester-Clark County Farmers’ Market Facebook page.

I would also like to encourage you to look for Kentucky Proud items to give as Christmas gifts this year. Remember the Kentucky Proud logo indicates those products have been grown, processed or manufactured in Kentucky. Purchasing Kentucky Proud items is another way to support Kentucky farmers, craftsmen and businesses.

David Davis is the Clark County Cooperative Extension Service agent for agriculture and natural resources.