Taste Your Place, the annual two-week period of events designed to make you think about and appreciate local agriculture, is kicking off this weekend at the Athens Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to noon, with a focus on squash.

It continues Sunday, July 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with something called "Crop Mob Athens" at 3 Porches Farm in Comer. In exchange for some crop-working assistance (mulching! weeding!), you'll get lunch at Watson Mill Bridge Park. That evening, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Heirloom Cafe, PLACE is running a cooking class with Heirloom's Chris Rountree and Travis Sgarlata ($35 individuals/$60 couples, includes food and wine).

Next weekend, on Saturday, July 21, from 10 to 11 a.m., is the Taste Your Pie Contest at the farmers market, which was a big hit last time. Bring two pies per recipe and $5 if you want to enter or $5 to taste pies both sweet and savory. 

Sunday, July 22, from 5 to 9 p.m. is the Summer 'No Waste' Block Party, Potluck, and Casserole Contest at the West Broad Market Garden, cohosted with the Athens Land Trust. Bring a casserole or side dish plus your own plate and eating utensils, then chow down on BBQ, witness demos on canning and composting, and listen to music. Judges will be awarding cash prizes for the best three casseroles.

Tuesday, July 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ciné, Janisse Ray, author of The Seed Underground, will be on hand as part of her book tour, with light refreshments by Heirloom. Reservations are strongly recommended.

And finally, Thursday, July 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., is "Taste Your Tapas," a silent auction and awards ceremony for local food, Tickets are $10 advance/$12 at the door.

For more details or to buy tickets to any of the events that require them, visit the P.L.A.C.E. website.