Dawn's Early Light Homestead

10/04/2026

Our neighbor finally got rid of his pigs and goats after letting them roam free for 6 months. It only cost us our watermelons, blackberries, fruit tree saplings, gourd vines, sweet potatoes, canna lilies and a pile of wood chips scattered everywhere. I should sleep well tonight.

08/25/2026

Do you save your own vegetable seeds to grow next year? You should! I noticed some seed companies are having sales to clear out their seeds from this year. I was curious, so I went on to a website where they advertised 75% off of this year's seeds. Then I looked at the sale price...$2.50. even my Elmore County education tells me that the original price would be $10 per package. That's insane. Please tell me that none of the people I know are actually paying this amount. Save your own seeds, make your own potting soil, build your own raised beds. Doing this will save you big money in your gardening journey. So, who is growing a fall garden? I'm trying a few things and still considering a few others. I'm most proud of my late planting of purple hull peas. They look great so far. I'm trying not to hover over the kukuza squash. (a watched pot, right?). Anyway, enough rambling. I think I will go start some kohlrabi seeds (another new one for me). Y'all feel free to comment, and it's not too late to get your hands dirty. See you later!

07/14/2026

Come see us tonight!

Jacksonville Sunset Market

Bring the whole family out for an evening of shopping, great food, live music, and lots of fresh local produce!

📅 Tuesday, July 14
🕔 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Jacksonville Community Center
501 Alexandria Rd SW
Jacksonville, AL 36265

🎸 Live Music by Austin Bishop

🍔 Food & Drinks
☕ Electric Bean Coffee Truck
🍋 Main Squeeze Lemonade
🥔 Get Loaded Loaded Baked Potatoes
🍦 Alsie’s Ice Cream
🍧 Kona Ice Truck

🥕 Fresh Produce from Backforty Produce
You’ll find a great selection including:
🍅 Tomatoes
🥒 Zucchini
🥬 Cabbage
🍆 Asian Eggplants
🍆 Chinese Eggplants
🍉 Sweet Gem Watermelon
🌽 Corn
🥒 Cucumbers
🍈 Cantaloupes
🍅 Grape Tomatoes
🫛 Pink Eye Purple Hull Peas
…and more fresh seasonal produce!

🎟️ Market Bucks Drawing
Be sure to enter for your chance to win Market Bucks to spend with our vendors!

🛍️ 50+ Local Vendors
Shop local farmers, bakers, crafters, makers, specialty foods, fresh produce, handmade items, gifts, and so much more.

There’s something for everyone—come enjoy a beautiful summer evening, support local businesses, and experience one of Calhoun County’s favorite sunset markets!

05/28/2026

Where have we been? Dawn had to have some vertabrae fused together in her neck. Surgery went well and she is recovering at home as well as could be expected. She has much pain from the incision and new hardware. The pain seems less than the first few days and we hope you will join us in praying for it to continue to decrease as the healing increases. Thank yall so much. As for me, I haven't starved to death LOL!

05/12/2026

Come see us tonight!

05/09/2026

At the Jacksonville Farmers Market today, debuting our new hand painted sign. We are loving the talents of Michelle Smith at WhimsyWorks !

04/30/2026

HATCH DAY!