Local growers have been an important part of the Tuscarora Mill Family since 1985. Each year for the past 11 years, Tuscarora Mill celebrates this relationship with the local farmers, growers and wineries. Today we were honored to be a part of this luncheon, and to get to meet so many of the people that mean so much to this family of restaurants. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch prepared by Chef Mark Marrocco of Magnolia’s at the Mill, featuring many of the local products. Chef Patrick Dinh, and Kevin Malone told us a bit about how important these farmers are to the overall product that the chefs produce. The farmers all introduced themselves and I loved to see the support that everyone gave each other. Luke Wiseman of Stoneybrook Farm shared their plans for

a new Farm Market, and we all soon learned that Luke’s wife baked over 1,000 pies this past year during the holidays! Norma Wilson of Butterfly Hill Plants now has us all convinced we should grow wolf berries. Not to be forgotten was Breaux Vineyards‘ Jennifer Blosser’s reminder that viticulturists are farmers too, and have many of the same challenges. It was great to meet these farmers and vintners and hear their ideas, as well as get to know them as people. Thank you, can’t wait to see what grows this year.