![](\"https:\/\/www.google-analytics.com\/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Tomato+Feastival+is+back+at+Goodwood+to+benefit+Red+Hills+Small+Farm+Alliance&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA4MzU1MzUzMDEzMTkyMzAwMzY5MjY1Mw004)\")
<\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":12034,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","wds_primary_category":0},"categories":[],"tags":[1136,1135],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Capital Region\u2019s small farm owners are celebrating the noble tomato with a special event this weekend. It\u2019s the second year that Tallahassee\u2019s Goodwood Museum and Gardens will host the group\u2019s Tomato Feastival.<\/p>\n
The happening is hosted by the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance, which Turkey Hills Farm owner Louise Devine helped organize.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Red Hills Small Farm Alliance was formed 11 years ago by myself and a farmer colleague. We are an alliance of over 100 farmers and food artisans,\u201d she said, although pointing out that the Feastival, which is now the Alliance\u2019s major annual fundraiser, actually predates the Alliance itself.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Feastival originated here at Turkey Hill Farm 16 years ago. And that was just a big celebration party for the tomato, because tomatoes are the \u2018love apple,\u2019 y\u2019know?\u201d<\/p>\n
Actually, there is some recent research suggesting the humble tomato may have some stimulating properties. Anyway, Devine\u2019s husband Herman Holley said this year\u2019s crop is coming in right on schedule for the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks this year like they\u2019re going to line up very nicely. So the tomatoes should be peaking right around June 12th when we have the Feastival.\u201d<\/p>\n
Something that won\u2019t be lining up, he chuckled, will be traffic coming into Goodwood itself. That\u2019s because the big lot at the neighboring Ghazvini Center on Surgeons Drive is reserved for Feastival parking all day Sunday. Meanwhile, Louise Devine said everyone who grows tomatoes can be part of a fun competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cBring your best tomatoes to enter in the contest for \u2018best tasting,\u2019\u2019ugliest\u2019 and \u2018biggest.\u2019 Whether it\u2019s a cherry or slicing tomato, the main thing is to be sure and know the name of your tomato,” she laughed. “We can\u2019t have anonymous tomatoes! Every tomato has to have a name.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course there will be plenty of produce vendors and entertainment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout 30 members of the members of the Small Farm Alliance. Music from the Air-Fried Turkeys, a special area for kids, photo booth, a silent auction. And every year we have an old fashioned cake walk, which is one of the popular things that we do.\u201d<\/p>\n
And both Louise Devine and Herman Holley exlained there will be plenty of other edible treats including tomatoes and other things.<\/p>\n
\u201cKitchenable will be doing a tomato pie and some of our farmers will be doing tomato sandwiches, sausage dogs from Glendower Farms (in Monticello,) ice cream from Lofty Pursuits and local beer from all the local breweries will be there.\u201d<\/p>\n