Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Little Shoppe of Horrors

As we approach the July 4th weekend market, where there will be tons of folks scrambling for everything we can possibly load into our booth. People who will want melons ( i think its a little early) and wonder where are the apples? Not that we sell either of those, but other folks at the market do; when they are in season.

Some folks don't know what the difference between conventional and organic produce is, and why organic can be more expensive. There was a time when I didn't know. And when I thought local meant grown in Pop's back yard. And Pop surely wouldn't use chemicals to grow. right?
Farmers Markets are not only a point of sale but also an opportunity for education. Some folks don't know where, when or how. Just FEED ME. Some do. Some already know.

Last week a middle school aged girl was at the market with her grandmother and the girl was amazed "you grow all this stuff yourselves? Everything? Wow, that's cool" .
I realized that she was offering a compliment to us. She really cared that it took a lot of work to do this and was thanking us. I proudly said "thank you very much, it is a tough job and it's people like you that make it worthwhile." and that was mostly it. but I think that she understood it was hard & there were lots of veggies. Maybe she grew a squash for science class and saw the constant care needed.
But I created a happy thought that she would be one of those future grownups who asked where & how it was grown. I was so surprised by her interest that I didn't engage her as much as I wish I did. I would have asked her if she ate beets or if she wanted to try some arugula. Maybe she will be back.

I guess my soapbox moment here is that if you know about organic farming; help those who aren't aware to understand what it takes to be a farmer, and if it's your thing, how organic farming can work. It might have to be administered in small doses.

Some topics to begin talking about food:
• what is seasonal eating
• why eating local is good for our economy
• how to cook a particular item from the farmer
• books that are fun to read about eating locally
• the dirty dozen - fruits and veggies that are best when organic
• and if you are feeling brave, chat about GMOs and CAFOs

And don't forget that it is okay to do your best and not do everything.


The best advice is to KNOW YOUR FARMER.

See you at your local Farmers Market

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

just a quick howdie


Here is a bee of some sort ( anyone know?) trippin on natures fractals.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

market mania and whatnot


Saturday will be our 3rd market of the year. And I have to say the garden is RAWK'n. It's become a little tough to make an entry every week since there is so much I want to share that I get overwhelmed and then get paralyzed by inaction. I will try to be better and pick maybe one thing to blog about.

I have an amazing dinner made from last weeks finds from the HLFM . The first market we were chained to the booth, it was an incredible week. So I made up for it last weekend.

But First The News:
We also have our version of crop circles appearing in the Sunflower patch. I saw a few layin over, and with the heat I figgered, hey heat exhaustion. Upon further inspection it appeared SOMETHING or SOMEONE systematically walked through the patch down the center and took a few spoonfuls at the base of every flower!


EVERY SINGLE FLOWER. so first my mind goes to the weird bugs that always show up for happy hour. No bug is that big. well maybe but still.
So next it's oh no voles? moles? anteater? well possibly, maybe & no.
Then it's decided that there might have been an incredibly interesting critter that the neighbor kitties just couldn't resist. Now I have seen Ol Sammy go in shoulder deep after a vole. So my guess is that he woulda had that foolish critter in no time. His pal LELO tho, poor widdle, he works with no claws so I'm thinking maybe he was intrigued by something and kept at it. I honestly have no idea what happened, only that we lost a few but I was able to sturdy up & redirt what was left and the patch stands. And they will be coming soon to a market near you!!

NOT Enough for a mater pie:
but you can be assured they are coming....


AND now what you have all been drooling for:
here is a broad photo of the dinner:
WHAT WE HAVE HEYAH is achievement of a local meal.


Grilled Roasted Chicken ( pure harvest farm) Sourdough Bread (Koglers Old World Bread) with some Parm (First State Creamery) Grilled Napa Cabbage ( greenbranch farm, thanks Julia Wycall for the recipe) Arugula, Beet Salad (hatties garden) with Chevre (First State Creamery)
And a glass of Namaste from dogfishhead.
To all of you in our dinner ... NAMASTE...
and because the foodie in me has to take detail shots....


Chicken Grillin tastieness. Special brining & roasting by Andy ( our special guest at last weeks market booth)


Roasted Beets, arugula and goat cheese, YUM



Grilled Napa!!



Sourdough with PARM!


This is just a smattering of what you can do with market goodness. Come on down and check out the tasty business we have for you this weekend.

If I am feeling extra rested after tomorrows siesta, I will post what I did with Calliope's Peas and Davidsons mushrooms!!

Oh heck, why wait?
PEAS AND SHROOMS and a spot of dill....



okay so .... SEE YOU AT THE MARKET!!