Northeast Georgia Locally Grown:  Northeast Georgia Locallygrown availability list for Fri. Feb.8

Good Evening North Georgia Locavores.
Your Locallygrown market is open for placing orders.

Dothan, Alabama:  Feb 9, 2019 M@D Newsletter

This Week’s Newsletter:
The Rest of the Story
Market Chitchat
Grower Notes

AVALON FARMS

Part 2
For those who have enjoyed Avalon’s wonderful broccoli this year, this is the bed it was harvested from. As you can see, the plants are still rather lush and green. Broccoli is one of those crops that offers it’s prime first and diminishing quantity afterwards as long as you keep it picked. When the plants have finished producing they will be given to the chickens who turn it into nitrogen fertilizer.

Left to Right: Senposai, Red Russian Kale, Broccoli

Speaking of chickens – I met the Freedom Rangers! While Avalon’s egg layers are a mix of chicken breeds (the reason for all the lovely colors) the Freedom Rangers are grown for meat. They are slow growing birds that work well in free range, organic and pasture environments. The hatchery they are from is very intentional about using sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming methods to raise them. These birds are housed seperatly from the egg producers and their mobile housing is moved frequently so they are always on fresh grass.

Wendy’s Freedom Rangers were a bit younger & smaller than these. I wasn’t able to get a good photo of them in their very large mobile pen.

The aquaponics system caught me by surprise. Wendy showed the damaged bok choy that had been flourishing there until those unseasonable sunny days in January burned the plants. Wikipedia defines aquaponics as “any system that combines conventional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment.

I felt right at home when we went indoors and I got to load up on caffine for the drive home. All the seed catalogs and sustainable farming books on the big coffee table with the great view outdoors felt familiar and invited good conversation. While Wendy is the hands on person during the week she has the complete support of her Mr. who helps design and build some of the equipment and systems they use. One of their growing principals is that they grow things they themselves enjoy eating. It’s one of the reasons they’re the only growers in the area to offer patty pan squash in season. They are not opposed to trying new methods and vegetables, like the Senposai (which is delicious!) and are constantly looking for ways to improve.

On the drive home I thought about how they have adapted their farming methods to the conditions we have here in Southeast Alabama. Just like beekeeping methods in Ohio and California won’t work here, neither will every organic trick of the trade practiced in other places. The principals are the same but things like soil composition, local resources, heat, humidity, and the local pests play into how those principals are utilized. The Robbins’ are lifetime students in this regard and will no doubt continue to innovate to produce great food. We’re thankful to have them as part of our Market Family.

MARKET CHITCHAT

DON’T FORGET NEXT WEEK’S HYDROPONICS CLASS! Class will start at 10am in the Market Shed. We don’t know how many people to expect so come early and if you have a favorite folding chair feel free to bring it. This class will be presented by Dr.Virginia Schafer who along with Chris Judge produce organic microgreens. They will explain the science behind hydroponics and how it can be done successfully on a small scale at home.

Dr. Schafer has helped several of our Market customers grow their own hydroponic vegetables with the Kratky system which can be used with many different type containers.

THIS WEEK’S GROWER NOTES

We have the best Growers in the Wiregrass! Please learn more about them on our Grower Page.

DANNY’S GREENS: Danny is listing more greens this week as his beds have LOVED the longer days and nice temparatures.

HORTONS FARM: Off again! Today something special happened as seasoned Alabama Master Beekeepers were trained by the Department of Agriculture to be “first responders” for beekeeping related issues. This is something near and dear to Ros’s heart as she initiated training the Wiregrass’s fire departments and EMS personnel about africanized “killer” bees in 2013. Thankfully there have been no incidents where that information has been required, but the need for qualified beekeeprs to be eyes and ears around the state remains. We are happy to be part of this and look forward to serving our community.

On a different note, we have re-listed some soaps and will be new-listing a couple of products over the weekend AFTER the trip. Keep an eye out! Thanks in advance for being considerate of our time crunch!

AVALON FARMS:

Current events on the farm.

(Upper left) This is not what this pear tree is supposed to look like now! The next freeze will give it a rude awakening and ruin that potential fruit. It shouldn’t be putting out blooms till March.

(Upper right) These tatsoi transplants are suffering from an iron deficiency, based on the veining and yellowing of the leaves. To remedy this, they were sprayed with an organic mix of micronutrients.

(Lower left) Apparently one of the pasture chickens is an escape artist that wants to lay in the blackberry row. These beauties went in the home consumption pile.

(Lower right) This is Ms. Pickles. She’s pretty much our honorary quality control. She inspects everything! Here she is checking out the onion transplants.

Statesboro Market2Go:  The Market is Open!

The market is open! Happy Valentine’s Day – We have lots of news for you!

This is the first week of our new Statesboro location. Thursday pickup will be at the Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau at 222 S. Main St. Click to read about our exciting changes. Hours will remain the same, and our Sylvania pickup will remain the same at Victory Garden General Store.

We have a new vendor, 920 Cattle & Co. from Millen, and many of our vendors have new items for Valentine’s Day- Chocolate dipped strawberries from Hardcore Apples, gift baskets from Southern Soaked, cupcakes, tiramisu, complete meals from Scratch Made Catering, salsa specials from Ma’s Country Pantry, and you can be a sweet Friend of the Market!

Sugar Magnolia Bakery & Cafe now has several of their products like baguettes, cheese rolls, and whole wheat bread listed online. We are grateful to them for having been our pickup location for many years.

If you pre-ordered dipped strawberries from Hardcore Apples and Sweets in the last few weeks, this Thursday is the delivery day.

Russellville Community Market:  The Market Opens at Noon! - Valentine’s Day Goodies

To ensure your order is placed, make sure you click the “Place My Order” button once you have completed your shopping. You will receive a confirmation email.

Orders will be ready for pick from 4PM – 6:30PM this Tuesday at the Downtown Russellville Train Depot!

We Valentine’s day goodies on the market this week along with ny strip steak, sweet potatoes, garlic, rosemary, eggs, and tons of other locally grown produce and products!
Thank you for choosing support local farms and families!
-
Valentine’s Sugar Cookies from Pleasant View Farm photographed above
Photo courtesy of Elaina Owens

Russellville Community Market

FRESH.LOCAL.ONLINE

CLG:  CLG Pickup TODAY 3:30-6pm. Bring eggshells, glass jars, & egg cartons please.

Good afternoon,
There will be lots of goodies on the Extras table so come early.

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 3:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. today at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 925 Mitchell Street in Conway.

Usually our awesome volunteers have the market ready for customers to pick up before 4pm. If you are out and about and want to know if we are ready, just text me to see: 501-339-1039.

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 EGGSHELLS, 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! Even if you didn’t make an order, you can come by to shop the EXTRAS table.
Steve

McColloms Market:  February FFFN Order is Open!

Hi All:

The Market is now open until Monday night. Please note that Rehoboth is participating this month so it’s ok to go ahead and order from them if there’s something you want.

Pick up will be next Wednesday from 4:30 – 6:30 at my house.

Happy Carnival!

Melinda
518-354-0202

Champaign, OH:  True Colors

But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that’s why I love you
So don’t be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow…
(True Colors-Cyndi Lauper)

I couldn’t think of better song or lyric to talk about the new additions to our market products!

Our market artist vendor, Art By Adair, has added hand painted market bags to our bag of tricks!! They are ADORABLE!!

And, in my mind, I am seeing all of these different colored designs, coming and going to our market, or on any of your daily travels. Then, everyone will see you, be so envious, and then you can tell them all about our online market, the beauty of supporting local, and that by buying a bag, supports the local arts, as well! Then, they will be so excited that they will want to order a bag, and all the market products to put in the bag!!

So…go ahead…get a colorful bag, get all of the other market products that you need, and by doing so, you are showing the colorful vibe of our little local market of love…

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Suwanee Whole Life Co-op:  It's Ordering time! Group Buy Cheese this weekend

Happy Friday! It’s time to order for this week’s market! Order before 6pm on Sunday.

Click link to order: suwanee.locallygrown.net

ORDER CONFIRMATION:
If you don’t get an email right after you order then your order is NOT complete. Log back in and your order will still be there waiting for you to check out.

PICK UP:
Pick up is on ***WEDNESDAY*** at 1300 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite 1104, Suwanee at Cultured Traditions from 1 pm to 6:30 pm.

PAYMENT:
We take checks, cash, Zelle, PayPal, and credit cards online. Credit cards cannot be swiped at pick up location b/c there is no Wi-Fi.

To pay by credit card on file click “Pay Now” button at the bottom of the check out page. I don’t run credit cards until after pick up on Wednesdays.

If paying by DWOLLA or PayPal, please pay by Wednesday! I pay our vendors on your behalf before you pick up so I need all payments initiated by Wednesdays.

Champaign, OH:  Are You Ready?

Let’s get this market party started!

Each week, we rock and roll to the best of a strong market, and, we just keep bringing you more and more!

We are opening for the week, and we welcome you to start the ordering to jump start this week’s party!!

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Yalaha, FL:  Mushrooms and Order reminder

Still Time to Order, and Just in, Mushrooms available.

Order now through 5 pm Thursday February 7th for Saturday February 9th Pickup, (or contact me if you want a different day, we do have some flexibility.)

Remember to tell me when you want to pick up!

Hi All, Just want to share that I have been getting back into fermenting again. Let me know if you are interested in getting fresh cultures for Kombucha, Milk Kefir, or Water Kefir. My Kefir grains especially have been growing fast. The Kombucha scoby is a little slower about it.

Please let me know what micro greens or shoots you are interested in and I can start growing enough to make them available (most take less than 2 weeks.)
Also, if you want me to list super foods like Purslane, let me know, I have it volunteering wild here and I will likely also have nettles come winter/spring season.

Send me a message if you are interested in Getting Channel Catfish.

If you have any particular requests, let me know I’m happy to grow to order.

Sign in to order. https://yalaha.locallygrown.net/market

You have to sign in to see the add to cart button. Then set the number and click the add to cart button on the items you want to buy (it is the little picture right next to the quantity box.) Remember you need to check out before your order will be placed.
Remember to let me know when you want to pick up on Sat or maybe even Friday late afternoon or on Sunday. (If I don’t send you an e-mail confirmation of your order and pick up time, please make sure you checked out and completed your order.)