If you sit on the side of the road from Dillard, GA, to Franklin, N.C. in mid-September of each year, you'll see Grammy and me chugging along, headed to Bateman's to pick up our annual supply of homemade jellies, jams, preserves, relishes and locally sourced hog jowls and side meat. We love to buy and use these delicacies made in the kitchens of local farms from peaches, grapes, muscadines, strawberries, cherries, boysenberries, rhubarb, apples, jalapenos (yes, jelly and pickles), watermelon pickles, gooseberries, blackberries, raspberries, plums, corn cob( jelly), red peppers, corn, cucumbers, and squash. Ever have squash blossom jelly? It's here and it's great. We usually pick up two cases' worth of sun kissed goodies to enjoy during the cold months for a total of $100-$120 or so. Just made some baking powder biscuits this morning to enjoy with muscadine jam. PS: They're closed from November 1 through March 30th. read more