Mini Blessings Farm

Our mini-farm is abundantly blessed, and despite its size, it is bountiful. We have fresh herbs, lettuce, onions, rhubarb, tomatoes, green beans, potatoes, squash, and whatever else is in season.

Here at home, we make apple butter, chow chow, pickled beets, and other canned goods. We sell right off the farm and sometimes at the Farmer’s Market. Feel free to give us a call and swing by the house.

We also do a variety of crafts, everything from window treatments to handmade purses, rustic handcrafted tables and other custom wood items. Give us an idea of what you’d like and we’ll see what we can do.

We’re located in Troutville, and you can reach us by phone at (540) 992-4579 or send us an e-mail countrycrafters@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Familiar faces at the Botetourt Farmers’ Market are Earl and Linda Ruggles, who sell seasonal produce, home canned goods, freshly-baked breads and handmade aprons and woodcrafts.

Linda Ruggles comes from a family of 15 with parents who always had a garden and canned what they grew.

Earl was raised in a gardening and canning family, too. They’ve been married for 36 years and, not surprisingly, have been gardening for nearly that long.

They find that working in the garden together gives them a chance to talk about what has happened during the day, to solve all kinds of problems and to share a good laugh.

The Ruggles joined the Botetourt Family Farmers at its inception and began selling at the first market with apple butter, baked goods, and herbs. They have continued to expand their offerings and arrive early at the Farmers’ Market.

Linda now has a USDA-inspected food license, which allows her to sell in other businesses as well. She orders grains such as rye, barley, kamut, and spelt to mill into flour at home.

She bakes specialty breads using local eggs and produce for sale at the market and, after the market ends in October, by special order at her home.

Linda describes the Farmers’ Market as vital to our community, benefiting both the vendors and those wishing to purchase fresh produce, local meats, unique items like soaps and candles, home-canned fruits and vegetables, and specialty baked goods.

She adds, “The market is also a fantastic meeting place for all of us to get to know each other and become neighbors and friends!”