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.
CLG: CLG Pickup TODAY 4-6pm. Bring glass jars, egg cartons please.
Good morning,
This is a pickup reminder for those of you who ordered this week. Thank you for your order! You can pick up your order from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. today at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 925 Mitchell Street in Conway.
If something comes up that you cannot personally pick up your order today, please contact someone to pick up for you.
Remember to bring your glass jars for recycling, egg cartons, and bags for ordered items. Reduce, reuse, recycle! See you this afternoon.
Come early for the best selection from the EXTRAS table!
Thank you,
Steve
How to contact us:
DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. Instead…
Phone or text: Steve – 501-339-1039
Email: Steve – kirp1968@sbcglobal.net
Our Website: www.conway.locallygrown.net
On Twitter: @conwaygrown
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Conway-Locally-Grown/146991555352846
Aiken: Market is open
The market is open from 12 noon on Friday until 8pm Monday.
We now have MiBek Farms as one of our vendors. They have some great natural beef products listed.
Thank you for keeping your shopping local and supporting local farmers.
Champaign, OH: A Word From The Sugar Shack!
I love the Stadlers, and love their product. I love that they are the Sugar Shack. One of my favorite clubs to hang out in Los Angeles when I lived there was the….Sugar Shack. So, of course, I am all over the whole Sugar Shack fun!
Anyway…this season needs a word from Marc and Shary…
After the brutal weather we’ve had in February and late March, it’s hard to believe there is a downside to this wonderful weather we are experiencing. But for maple producers, there is.
The “normal” season for making maple syrup starts in mid-February and runs for four to six weeks. An ideal day for collecting sap is sunny in the 40s to 50s, with nights below freezing. The freeze-thaw process creates changes in pressure within the tree, causing sap to flow. Nothing flows before it warms up, and the small holes begin to heal themselves and close after four weeks. Once the trees begin to bud, the sap turns bitter, and all collection stops.
This year, we got our latest start ever. On Saturday, Marc finished tapping our trees, and we were ready to email everyone, letting you know that Maple March Madness had begun. With warm temps, we expected a banner collection of sap. But the trees reminded us that it takes them a day or so to really wake up from their winter rest. Our first collection was meager, and the sugar content was down as well. In a typical year, sap contains a 2.5% sugar content; this year it’s looking more like 2%. What that means is that it will take more than the usual 40 gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup.
The weather forecast initially did not call for another freeze until two weeks out. We were lucky to have a low in the mid- 20s last night, so we will be collecting again today or tomorrow. But if you look at the extended weather forecast, there are not many days which show the needed below freezing weather at night. So we are uncertain how much maple syrup we will be able to produce this year. We are a small producer, with only 100 taps. We bottle our syrup after each boil, and put it in clear bottles so you can see as well as taste the difference in the syrup as the season progresses. We hope to be sharing our syrup with you again this year, but we have temporarily taken our syrup off the market as we wait to see how much we can produce this year.
For anyone who thinks maple syrup is a get-rich quick scheme, you might not know that most maple trees aren’t tapped until they are 30 to 40 years old. Also, we invite you to listen to this humorous poetic performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqreE_O6mBU.
Thanks for your support.
Marc and Shary Stadler
Valley View Woodlands
Champaign, OH: Sweet Child O' Mine
She’s got a smile it seems to me…
Reminds me of childhood memories…
Where everything…
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky…
(Guns ‘N Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine)
We have had an amazing few days of weather, totally inspiring to our souls that we are about to exit the depths of winter, and come out on the other side to see spring, sunshine, excitement!
This song was in my head when I woke up, on my baking playlist at 3am, this morning, AND one of those songs that requires an open sunroof, a convertible, or just windows down, song blasting, just going where the wind will take you.
It was so amazing to greet so many customers, tonight, at market pick up!! New customers, old customers, frequent customers. And, now that the weather is breaking, how about everyone decides to place an order and come out to see us on Thursdays!
It’s easy, it’s fast, it’s fun!
I am now opening the market for the week…I do have one announcement…
Littler Farms has been out of town. They will need to remain out of town for a period of time with family commitments. They are missed, thank you to all of their fans who asked about them, and we will be happy to announce when Bev gets back to town, and ready to bake everyone’s favorite cookies!!
Okay…let the fun begin with ordering all of your favorite products!!
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam
Suwanee Whole Life Co-op: Market News
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? Submit questions on our Google Group Discussion Board: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/suwanee-whole-life-co-op
A&A Alta Cucina Italia Balsamic Vinegar wins 2015 Flavor of Georgia contest
Congratulations to A&A Alta Cucina Italia for winning the grand prize in the 2015 Flavor of Georgia Food Contest with her Balsamico al Mirtillo, a blueberry balsamic vinegar reduction. Not only did she win the grand prize, her blueberry balsamic vinegar also received the category
award for best salsa, chutney or condiment.
If you want to try the winner of the 2015 Flavor of Georgia it’s on the market in vinegar section!
Market News
Maple Syrup- I spoke with Joseph from Old State Farms and we will start taking orders next month for Unrefined Maple Syrup Grade B and other maple syrup products. We only do this order once a year so you don’t miss out! They’re still having cold weather up north. When I talked with him last week he said it was -12 outside that morning! We’re planning on taking orders the weekend of 4/17.
Recycle NGE produce boxes – Don’t forget to bring your boxes to pick up if you would like NGE to reuse/recycle your box. There’s a large gray plastic bin by the roll up door at the warehouse for you to deposit your box. Please make sure all your boxes are folded flat.
Wilderness Family Naturals Group Buy- Our group buy order has still not shipped. Since WFN is shipping from Minnesota they will not ship until temperatures are at least close to freezing. This is to ensure nothing cracks or is damaged before it gets to us. Once I receive the tracking information I will contact those who have ordered and give an update.
HELP! We need Volunteers!!
We need volunteers next TUESDAY!
THANK YOU Mollie, Marie, Stephanie, TJ, Virginia, and Vicki for helping on Tuesday! You guys are truly a blessing! We couldn’t have a co-op without volunteers and we appreciate you all so much!
If you are interested in volunteering, 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 – 3/20/15 – 3/22/15
Vital Choice (Wild Caught Seafood Only) – 3/27/15 – 3/29/15
Unrefined Maple Syrup – Grade B- 4/17/15 – 4/19/15
Sorghum Syrup – TBD Spring 2015
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!
Superior Seasons: Enjoy food!
Order Now (until Monday at 4:30pm) for Pickup or Delivery next Wednesday! We are still offering HOME DELIVERY to Individual customers! Restaurants, Institutions, and other wholesale customers can access delivery with wholesale pricing – ask us how! CLICK HERE, to see what’s available, set up your account, and order. Help push us over 500 members!
What’s Featured and New? Click HERE to find vegetables, meats, syrups, milled products, bath and beauty products, seeds, garden supplies and more!
Read our Recipe section HERE
CSA Farmers Market: Fundraisers & Projects
Walk In Freezer Fundraiser Update <———- We have raised $1,142.65 so far! THANK-YOU!
The people have contributed so far, listed in order of largest amount to the smallest is to the left side of the Weblog.
The kitchen is almost done, we just have a few minor things to do before we get it inspected. Marian & Dale have been working hard to make the kitchen happen and we shipped a lot of things out to Fritz Auction to make room and to provide a little cash flow to help pay for the expenses associated with the kitchen. Marian’s printing press operation had to get moved aside to make room, at 850 lbs per press moving them was a hernia challenging experience.
The walk in freezer is our largest expense that we will be facing and we need all the help we can get on it. All proceeds collected here are going to the walk in freezer fund. We do have a ways to go before we have enough to fix the freezer.
Other things that can be done to help is collect paper grocery bags so that we don’t have to buy so many of them, donating used ink/toner cartridges that we can recycle in exchange for paper products we need for the market.
We do have some other fund raiser plans in the works.
Here is a little history on the Freezer. Dale & Marian bought the freezer walls, floors and the condenser. Dale with the help of a friend Vince poured the cement pad and assembled the freezer. Brand new freezers this size are way beyond our means. Used freezer compressor are almost always bad or short lived so we knew that would be an additional expense. The freezer currently needs a compressor, rubber roof and door trim. The temperature in the freezer will be much lower than standard commercial freezers.
Please note that these contributions are not tax deductible. A $20 contribution receives an antique historic wine bottles. All other expect an item to show our appreciation.
Click here to see whats available!
Gwinnett Locally Grown: The Market is open for ordering! We're having workshops!!
The Market is open Thursday at 9 – Monday at noon After that, ordering is disabled until Thursday morning. Pick up your order Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. only at Rancho Alegre Farm at 2225 Givens Road, Dacula, GA 30019. New to The Market? Learn about how it works here.
MARKET NEWS
Workshops
Join us for a workshop! You’ll be amazed by the plethora of information and lessons offered by our fantastic workshop instructors. Our workshops cover subjects such as gardening, nutrition, nutrient dense foods, natural remedies, essential oils, and much more!
Our goal is to host one workshop a week which will always be on Tuesday. The workshop schedule will rotate from 10:30 AM, 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM for the community’s convenience. The farm brings workshops to the community as an outreach to share the wealth of knowledge we have attained over the years. We do not charge for these events but allow the speakers to charge a fee to cover their time and supplies. We hope everyone will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
Please share this with all your friends and family and RSVP via FB Eventsand/or Meet-Up.
Workshops @ the Farm
Mozzarella Cheese Making Class – With Operation Homebrew – Next Tue. Mar. 17, @ 7:00 PM_*
This workshop is 60 minutes, includes a mozzerella cheese sampling once finished and wine tasting which leads into the next class. $5 per person. RSVP at Meetup.com
Build a Rain Barrel Workshop with Ken
Tue. Mar. 24, 2015 @ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Building a rain barrel for your garden helps with water conservation. Each person will build their own rain barrel with Ken’s help. RSVP on facebook or meetup.
Nutrient Dense Food with Dr. Tara Miller: Healthy Diets Your Family and Children – Tue. Mar. 31, @ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Dr. Tara Miller will cover the importance of nutrient dense foods and how she improved the health of her two young children who were born prematurely but now live healthy and productive lives without sickness. RSVP for this fascinating lecture on facebook or meetup.com. Suggested donation is $5.
Remember, we have items like dog treats, wonderful raw honey and our pork farmer, Brady who came on with more items a couple weeks ago! We are working to get more jams, freshly canned items and more dry goods, so stay tuned!
_As Always….
_Please share with friends and family about us so that we can give more people the opportunity to buy and eat healthy! Local farmers need our support to keep providing us with all the fresh foods! If we don’t give them enough business, it’s hard for them to continue to deliver to us. Please let’s not let that happen! Tell your friends about us so we can keep the Growers supported as this is how they make their living. *_
Thank you to all of you who support Gwinnett Locally Grown!
If there is something you’d like to see in the Market, please let me know! I would love your imput!
Remember…
The Market is extending their hours! The Market will now be open from 4:00 to 7:00pm!
Having said that, if you place an order with us, PLEASE remember to pick it up on Tuesday. As I am so grateful for your orders, I also have a family at home waiting on me too! We cannot hold orders, especially cold items due to limited refrigeration space, so please be courteous and come for your order.
CLICK HERE NOW to Shop Gwinnett Locally Grown!
Thanks for all your support!
Shop often and eat well!
Cheryl Gelatt
Market Manager
grow@ranchoalegrefarm.com
Fresh Wishes,
Pilar Quintero
Market Host
Rancho Alegre Farm
Please email grow@ranchoalegrefarm.com for questions pertaining to Market or Raw Milk. It is very difficult to return phone calls. Remember to interact with us on Facebook and follow us on Meetup to get notification on all our wonderful events and news.