Sofia Gets Help Promoting Her Stand At The Market

By Lee Becker

Market Board Customer Representative

The chicken's name is Knock Knock.

"Like, who's there?" Sofia Franzluebbers, 12, told me when I repeated the name questioningly.

No hyphen, she said.

Sofia, the Oconee Farmers Market's second youngest vendor, was at her booth Saturday when I talked to her. She sells freshly cut potted and dried herbs, potted flowers and other products she harvests from the family garden in Watkinsville.

That includes bamboo sticks.

"For staking up tomatoes," Sofia explained.

Knock Knock does promo, sitting on Sofia's shoulder or walking around, unleashed but very much under Sofia’s control.

Sofia said Knock Knock is one of 29 chickens she keeps. And most, she said, are nearly as friendly and well-trained as Knock Knock.

Booth Belongs To Sofia

The booth at the Market belongs to Sofia, her father, Alan Franzluebbers, explained.

He added that he’s there for a simple reason.

"Sofia can't drive yet," he said.

Alan does staff the booth when Sofia carries Knock Knock about the Market on tour.

Children--and adults--love to pet Knock Knock and ask questions.

"Does she speak English or French?" one adult, obviously thinking himself very clever, asked Sofia on Saturday.

"Chicken," Sofia said with a straight face.

Knock Knock's breed, Araucana, has its origins in South America, Alan said, but he conceded “chicken” was probably a good answer.

Sofia In Grade 6

When not at the Market, Sofia is busy being a sixth-grader at Oconee County Middle School.

Sofia said she hopes to be back in front of the courthouse this week, when the Market launches at 8 a.m. in downtown Watkinsville.

Lexi Pritchard, the Market's youngest vendor at 8, should be there as well with her birdhouses and lemonade.

The Market runs, rain or shine, until 1 p.m every Saturday through late November.

And starting on May 14, a smaller version of the Market will operate from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays on the grounds of Watkinsville First Christian Church at the corner of Simonton Bridge Road and Main Street.

Saturday’s Offerings

• Farm fresh eggs
• Local wildflower and sourwood honey
• Pecans
• Grass fed meats- all cuts of beef, chicken and pork
• Fresh Shiitake mushrooms
• Greens galore-kale, lettuces, radishes, carrots, turnips, bok choy, swiss chard
• Beets
• Fresh herbs
• Herb
• Tomato and pepper plants
• Landscape plants
• Fresh breads
• Cakes
• Pies
• Sweet of all kinds including breakfast items
• Boiled peanuts
• Fresh popped kettlecorn
• Lemonade
• Gluten free granolas
• Honeyed peanut butter
• Flowering hanging baskets
• Handmade jewelry
• Soaps and lotions
• Lip balms
• Handcrafted candles
• Squirrel feeders
• Birdhouses
• Local made pottery and other art items
• Vegetarian dog and cat treats
• Free coffee and ice water