The Weblog
This weblog contains LocallyGrown.net news and the weblog entries from all the markets currently using the system.
To visit the authoring market’s website, click on the market name located in the entry’s title.
Champaign, OH: Sugar Magnolia
Sugar Magnolia, blossoms blooming…
Heads all empty and I don’t care…
Saw my baby down by the river…
Knew she’d have to come up soon for air…(Sugar Magnolia-Grateful Dead)
So…Magnolia, blossoms, blooming…do we have a theme? The warm weather, the longer days, the sun, the rain, the hint of even warmer days…April showers, May flowers, and not just flowers but amazing herbs!!!
Yes…you are correct…the market is now LIVE and in action…with live plants!!! It’s that time, again!!!
Swisher Hill Herbs brings us their selection of live herbs!!! This is the time of year that makes me so excited!! During the growing season, SHH are the only herbs that this market manager grows, and uses in her breads!!! SHH are the best…make sure to get your selections ready, place your orders, and let your planting begin!!
Flowers…beautiful flowers!!! As with each year, we bring you the live flowers from the green thumb of Katie Hoover of Sunshine Gardens!!! Her hyacinths are simply amazing!! And, she is running a special price for the market!! Make sure to get them while they last. They are very time sensitive so I suggest ordering, pronto!!
Herbs, flowers, plants…it’s that time, again…and we couldn’t be happier!!
I am opening the market, once again, for the week!! Thank you, always, from the bottom of our hearts for supporting this little market of love…
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam
Spa City Local Farm Market Co-op: JV Farms visit update
Farm Dinner Dates Set:
Please correspond directly with Jay and Valerie. See email address below.
We’ve settled on May 17 and May 31 for our Farm Dinners. These will feature local food from JV Farms and surrounding farms.
The table and set up will be provided by Cody & Company, and you can enjoy the sunset as we eat, from 6 to 8 pm. There will be a short, mushroom log tutorial before we eat.
Limited to 20 per dinner and $35 per person. Reserve now.
Jay and Valerie
jvfarms71929@gmail.com
CSA Farmers Market: Growing Season Update April 17, 2015
Koleine Law has reported that the Maple Syrup has been flowing good this year.
The above picture is the inside of one of the hoop houses at White Pine Farm. Inside it is a few things that are ready to be harvested, although in limited quantity as not everything is good enough quality. When harvesting happens they may find they have more than they put on the website so please request it in the comment section.
This picture is the tomato plants waiting to be transplanted into one of the hoop houses.
Delbert from GCC Organics reported that the pullets are starting to lay eggs. Pullets are the younger chickens and when they start laying they lay smaller eggs. As the chickens get older the eggs get larger.
They will next order cycle have turkey parts available on the website.
White Pine Farm will be planting onions soon, for anyone that would like to help with this task you are welcome to contact us to get details, you will also get a farm tour.
Until Next Time
Marian Listwak
CSA Farmers Market: FUTURE HOUR CHANGES
It may not seem like much of a miracle, but pulling off this market often feels like one. There are other markets in other states that do very similar markets. They give their customers about 2 days to order and the farmers 5 days to get the orders together. Some monthly markets actually give the farmers about 10 days to get the order together. We are the other hand give the customers about 4 1/2 days to order and us only about 2 1/2 days to harvest and gather product. Since we give ourselves such a narrow window we will eventually be shortening the order time we give customers. This I believe will give us a little more time to deal with issues that arise and more time to pay attention to detail. The future time we plan to be open the market will be 7:00 pm on Thursday and we will close the market Monday night at 10:00 pm.
On Thursday it sometimes is a madhouse here because we are packing orders at the same time when the market is being opened and it is often that the farmers that have just harvested their crops are also packing their items and they have not always had time to update the website. At the same time we have to back up all files, edit invoices, write the weblog in HTML before we are even down packing order and by 3pm we would love to have all our hair in our head.
Adding three hours for us at the beginning of the market would make a huge difference and the two hours at the end of the market would also help.
The beginning time will be implemented before we go onto a weekly order cycle. The closing the market time we be implemented sooner.
Thanks
Suwanee Whole Life Co-op: Market is OPEN! Group Buy Maple Syrup this weekend
ORDERING:
The market is now open for ordering!
suwanee.locallygrown.net
Group Buy Maple Syrup Grade B – We order only once a year so don’t miss out.
If you do NOT receive a confirmation email immediately after you placed your order, then your items are still in your cart and your order is not complete. All orders must be placed by 5pm on Sunday.
PICK UP:
Pick up is on Tuesday at 4942 Austin Park Avenue, Buford 30518 from 1pm to 6:45 pm.
PAYMENT:
We take checks, cash, credit card and Dwolla
If you are planning to pay using Dwolla please make sure your deposit includes the 25 cents fee. For example, if your order total is $22.50 make your deposit for $22.75.
Please make sure you understand our pick up policy before you order.
Have a blessed weekend!
Nora
Suwanee Whole Life Co-op: News: Group Buy Maple Syrup
Suwanee Whole Life Co-op
Our Website: suwanee.locallygrown.net
Pick Up Location: 4942 Austin Park Avenue, Buford GA 30518 on Tuesdays
Like Us on Facebook: Suwanee Whole Life Co-op
Have a question for other co-op members? Want to split a gallon of Maple Syrup?
Submit questions on our Google Group Discussion Board: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/suwanee-whole-life-co-op
Group Buy :Maple Syrup Grade B
This weekend I will be taking orders for organically produced Maple Syrup – Grade B, Unfiltered Grade B Maple Syrup, Maple Sugar and other products from Old State Farms in Northern Pennsylvania. This is a seasonal product and we only order once a year!
If a gallon is too much for your family and you want to split a gallon, I suggest using our Google Discussion board to post your request. We just need 1 person to order and submit payment. You will have to divide among yourselves.
My family easily goes through a gallon each year. This is a delicious nutrient dense traditional sweetener that has many uses besides a great pancake syrup. Use it in smoothies, glazes for salmon & chicken, marinades, yogurt & ice cream topping, maple butter, vinaigrettes,and baking.
I also buy a gallon and put in pint and quart mason jars with a pretty ribbon to give as gifts. Add Lizzie’s whole grain pancake mix and you have a nutritious, non-GMO, pesticide free, healthy gift basket anyone would love to receive!
This maple syrup and other maple products are organically produced, no chemicals, formaldehyde-free, no sprays or fertilizers used on trees, evaporator is stainless steel (lead free) and they practice Low Impact Maple Production.
What is unfiltered maple syrup?
Maple Sap is tree’s the primary source for nutrients. When the tree’s root system begins pumping sap up the trunk to feed the tree in early spring it brings with it many nutrients and minerals (Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese & Selenium). Old State Farms collect the sap and boils off water until the syrup reaches the proper density (66.7brix). During the boiling process only the water evaporates. Not only does the sugar concentration increase, so does the mineral concentration. These minerals begin to collect to one another and form small granules (known to syrup makers as “sugar sand” or niter). This “sugar sand”, given this name because of its light blond color and slightly gritty texture, is then filtered out of the maple syrup. Unless you have asked for it specifically from a producer, any syrup you will find will be the filtered variety and look very clear.
In a nutshell unfiltered syrup is pure maple syrup with all the minerals and nutrients that were present when the sap was collected from the tree. It tastes the same and looks the same but will have a cloudy rather than clear appearance.
Joseph Burkett and his family has been producing maple syrup on their farm since 2001.
This is a pre-order and payment will be due at next week’s pick up or you can mail your check. Our order will take several weeks since Joseph is still tapping the trees. It will also arrive via freight so it takes longer than FedEx.
I will contact you as we get closer to a delivery date.
Market News
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and relaxing Spring break! The market will be open this week for ordering Friday to Sunday at 5pm! We will have normal pick up on Tuesday from 1pm to 6:45pm at the warehouse.
New Items this week:
Gluten Free Glorious Morning Muffins
Aromatherapy Inhalers
Grass Fed Water buffalo Ribeye Steaks
Grass Fed Alpaca Andouille Sausage
HELP! We need Volunteers!!
We need volunteers next TUESDAY!
THANK YOU Pam for allowing us to pick up produce boxes at your home on Tuesday!
If you are interested in volunteering to help at pick up, I have created a volunteer sign up on Signup Genius. I am asking for volunteers to sign up for 1 hour shifts from 2p to 6:45 pm. No packing is involved just need someone to be there to assist other members. You are welcome to bring your kids as long as they are supervised. Here is the link to the sign up http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44AEA623A7FA7-volunteer
The link is also posted on the About page on our website.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Upcoming Group Buys
Below is a list of upcoming co-op group buys to help with planning and budgeting. All dates are subject to change.
Grass Fed Cheese – 4/17 – 4/19 (Sorry this keeps changing. There are a few items currently out of stock and we want to make sure it’s available before you order)
Vital Choice (Wild Caught Seafood Only) – April TBD
Unrefined Maple Syrup – Grade B- 4/10/15 – 4/12/15
Sorghum Syrup – TBD Spring 2015
Upcoming Local Events
Forsyth County Master Gardener Plant Sale – April 10-11
Annuals, Perennials, Trees, Shrubs & Vegetables
Mel from Sweet Pea Garden will be at this event! Stop by and say hi!
The annual Forsyth County Master Gardener Plant Sale offers a wide variety of southern plants, unique garden accents and more.
Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer any questions or offer expert advice on planting, growing & caring for your plants.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
8:00am-5:00pm
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
8:00am – 4:00pm
LOCATION:
The Barn @ Cumming Fairgrounds
235 Castleberry Road
Cumming, GA 30040
RAIN OR SHINE!
Covered Venue -inside heated barn on fairgrounds
We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible!
Cape Locally Grown: Eat those weeds! They're local, delicious and nutritious!
We will be featuring different recipes each week featuring the local products and wild crafted edibles that can be commonly found. This weeks recipe features dandelion blossoms and wild morels, oyster or shiitake mushrooms that you grow yourself from Upchurch Meats fruiting mushroom logs.
Local and Wild Wrap:makes 8 servings can be frozen
6 *eggs (lightly beat with fork)
1/2 lb *pork sausage thawed
1/2 cup *wild or shiitake mushrooms chopped
*seasoning salt to taste
2 *green onions finely chopped
1/2 cup torn dandelion blossoms(forage from a chemical free yard)
1 cup GMO free farmers cheese
fill wraps with egg/sausage mixture and top with onions and dandelion blossoms.
you can disguise the dandelions by cooking them with the eggs and sausage mix instead of serving raw.
WOW! Upchurch Meats and More is selling Shiitake mushroom logs that are already fruiting. Tiffany has been carefully tending her logs for 2 years and imagine how excited she is to see them burst with mushrooms finally…and she’s sharing them with us, so we can grow our own shiitakes! Woohooo!!! If cared for they can produce for 5 years!
Support your local growers!
Eggs and seasoning salt available from Manoor Manor
Maple Cottage Farms also has eggs this week.
Upchurch Meats has pork sausage
Green’s Garden has green onions
Champaign, OH: Extended Last Call!!
Ok, Kit Kats…
I extended the market while I am finishing up a few Art Affair tasks!! That means, you have until 10:15, and then the market will close for the week!!
Go, run, take advantage of the extra few minutes!!
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam
ALFN Local Food Club: Market Reminder!
Well, y’all, it sure looks like we’re gearing up for a fantastic growing season. In fact, all the recent warmth, wetness, and sunshine is already doing fabulous things to the selection on The Market. Did you notice the first few fresh strawberries trickle in from Green Acres Atkins? Me neither, at least not in time to snatch them up. I’m sure there will be plenty more in the next few weeks, which means it’s time to hone those cream whipping skills!
And if you think fresh strawberries are the best news in food this week, prepare to have your mind blown. After a lengthy hiatus brought on by exceptionally difficult circumstances, and due, undoubtedly, to an unfathomable amount of hard work and determination, Kellogg Valley Farms is back in action! Check out their broccoli, mustard, and mixed greens; spinach; kale; and even broccoli plants. All Certified Naturally Grown, ridiculously fresh, and, if history is any indication, just the beginning of all the phenomenal produce we’ll see from this top-notch local farm. It’s gonna be a great year!
-Rebecca Wild
Program Manager
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