Everyone enjoys a good story, so we couldn’t imagine a better way to start each market than with StoryThyme.
Stories not only develop language and listening skills, they stimulate our imaginations, promote lifelong learning and can expand our understanding of the world we live in.
While the Union County Farmers Market and UT Extension are all about promoting good health and nutrition for our children, story content will vary. Obviously, many will be food and farm related.
We want our children to know all about farms, where their food comes from, how to grow it and to understand that our farmers are wonderful stewards of our land and must grow enough food to feed our expanding world.
Roger Flatford, beloved former teacher at Maynardville Elementary School, principal at both Big Ridge Elementary for many years and then Sharps Chapel Elementary School, will be our first storyteller. While StoryThyme will usually begin at 10 a.m., market participants always enjoy ceremonies led by our mayor, Jason Bailey, on opening day at the market. StoryThyme will follow the opening ceremonies on May 6—be sure to join us!
Our area is full of wonderful storytellers just waiting to engage children’s imaginations as they weave their stories. We have invited teachers, librarians, authors and more. Brooke Cox, local author and storyteller is even writing a story just for our farmers market. We will usually read an entire storybook, but we may on occasion read a chapter and leave you stranded and wanting more.
Please join us at 10 a.m. every Saturday morning for StoryThyme at the Union County Farmers Market. For more information, contact UTExtension, 865-992-8038 or bbergero@utk.edu.