Together We Grow at the Pilgrim's Agricultural Market ALL DAY Events

Composting 101 | Back by popular demand from her Hugger Mugger series, Carolynn Fox breaks down the "magic" of decomposition. This 50-minute crash course covers the perfect "recipe" of Nitrogen (Greens) and Carbon (Browns) to keep your pile cooking without the smell. Whether you have a massive backyard or a small countertop bin, you’ll learn how to turn yesterday’s lunch into tomorrow’s prize-winning tomatoes.

From Farm to Vase: Designing with Locally Grown Flowers | Join us Wednesday over your lunch break at the new market pavilion at the Pilgrim’s Sanford Agricultural Marketplace to learn how to craft your own flower bouquet! In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the basics of how to construct a flower arrangement from one of our local flower farmers. You will also get to design and take home your own beautiful bouquet to enjoy or share with a loved one!

Intro to Container Gardening: BYOC (Container!) Edition | Small space? No problem! Grab your favorite container from home and bring it to the Marketplace for a hands-on design session. We’ll troubleshoot your specific drainage issues, talk about the "root" of soil health, and help you select the right plants for your sun exposure. You’ll leave with a custom-planted container and the "how-to" for keeping it thriving.

Farm to Table Made Easy | Experience the flavors of our local food landscape during this interactive farm-to-table lunch session. Participants will learn easy, practical ways to incorporate locally grown foods into everyday meals while enjoying a fresh, seasonal lunch menu.

Spring Wreaths | Take the beauty of the Sanford Farmers Market to your front door! Nadine will guide you through the mechanics of wreath-making using seasonal textures and fresh-cut elements. Learn how to layer colors and secure your materials so your wreath stays vibrant and welcoming throughout the spring season.
Presenter: Nadine from Plant Treasures, LLC

Fairy Gardens | Join local favorite Nadine for a whimsical dive into the world of miniature landscaping. This session is perfect for gardeners of all ages who want to combine art with horticulture. You’ll learn how to choose slow-growing "tiny" plants, use moss and stones for realistic hardscaping, and create a little world that sparks the imagination.
Presenter: Nadine from Plant Treasures, LLC

Beekeeping | Get a "bee’s-eye view" of life in Lee County! Local beekeeper Bo Holland brings his famous observation hive, allowing you to watch the colony work safely behind glass. You’ll learn about the different roles within the hive, what it takes to start your first colony, and why these "busy" neighbors are the backbone of our local agriculture.
Presenter: Bo Holland, Local Beekeeper and Honey Vendor at the Sanford Farmers' Market

Shark Tank | Calling all young entrepreneurs! Do you have a cool business idea or a product you’d love to sell? Now’s your chance to show it off at our Youth Shark Tank at the Farmers’ Market! In this fun workshop, you’ll learn from local business experts how to turn your idea into a great business. Then you’ll use your creativity to design a product made with local ingredients that could be sold right at the farmers’ market. You’ll even get the chance to create your own market stall! Finally, you’ll pitch your idea to our judges—just like on Shark Tank!  The best ideas will win a voucher for a free basket of fresh strawberries from one of our local farm stands, plus Ag Week swag. Come ready to think big, get creative, and have fun!

If you’re tired of fighting North Carolina clay or frustrated with your sand, this session is for you. We’ll explore why raised beds are a great option for gardening success. Learn about the best building materials, the ideal "soil cocktail" for high yields, and how the improved drainage and ergonomics of a raised bed can save your back and your harvest.

Gardening for Pollinators (Offered twice!) | Turn your yard into a buffet for butterflies, birds, and bees. This session focuses on the "Power of Natives"—selecting plants that belong in our Sanford ecosystem. We’ll discuss how to provide food, water, and shelter for local pollinators and how a few simple changes can turn your garden into a buzzing sanctuary of biodiversity. Attendees will get three free plants to take home!

Farm to Table Charcuterie Boards | Join us in the brand-new teaching kitchen at the Pilgrim’s Sanford Agricultural Marketplace for an evening of hands-on culinary creativity with some of our very own Sanford Farmers’ Market vendors! Together, we will learn how to build a beautiful charcuterie board perfect for entertaining guests—or simply treating yourself.

Chef Clare Reding of Celebrity Dairy Goat Farm will guide you through the art of crafting a well-balanced board featuring locally sourced ingredients! You’ll work with a variety of flavors and textures, including cured meats, fresh pickles, savory nuts, sweet fruits, and of course, Celebrity Dairy’s creamy goat cheeses. You’ll also hear about their dairy goat farm and how they make their delicious goat milk products.

Cider Tasting! | After creating your own charcuterie board, explore local ciders with James Creek Cider House! They will share how they transform orchard fruits like apples and peaches into refreshing craft ciders, and you’ll learn how to pair these beverages with the ingredients on your board. You’ll get to try some samples too!

Bring a friend and enjoy a relaxed evening of food, flavor, and farm-to-table inspiration at the new Pilgrim’s Sanford Agricultural Marketplace!

Gardening for Pollinators | Turn your yard into a buffet for butterflies, birds, and bees. This session focuses on the "Power of Natives"—selecting plants that belong in our Sanford ecosystem. We’ll discuss how to provide food, water, and shelter for local pollinators and how a few simple changes can turn your garden into a buzzing sanctuary of biodiversity. Attendees will get three free plants to take home!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

157 Charlotte Ave, 157 Charlotte Avenue, Sanford, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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