GETTING UP EARLY TOMORROW in order to visit the farmer’s market at Ridge Ferry Park may help take care of two out of three elements in the old Benjamin Franklin saying: “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

No guarantee regarding the wealthy part, but Ben did live to 85 in an era where old age was uncommon and the only access to edibles was from the neighborhood farms.

While it often seems as though everyone in Greater Rome grows tomatoes, the variety at the annual market — open 7 to 10 a.m. every Saturday and Wednesday — is considerably greater though hardly as extensive as in the produce shipped in from all over the world that is found in the aisles of supermarkets. On the other hand, one vendor recently reported selling out of kohlrabi, also known as the “German turnip.” Most of us were probably unaware that some Georgians eat the stuff, much less grow it.

The farmer’s market prices tend to be good, the produce fresh and not dipped in a wax bath before being put on display, and a visit often leads to unexpected “finds” — as note the kohlrabi. Definitely worth a visit.

And if somebody around here grows fennel — another definitely acquired taste somewhat foreign to these parts as it is like eating licorice-flavored celery — let us know and we’ll be there at 6:45 a.m.