The Weblog

Market At Dothan News & Coming Events
Our goal is 100% Customer Satisfaction…comments, questions or concerns always welcome!
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April 9 Newsletter - The Market is OPEN


Market News

You’ll Find Us . . .

Our Website: marketatdothan.locallygrown.net

Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarketatDothan

For Friday Pickup: Dothan Nurseries, 1300 Montgomery Highway, Dothan, AL 36303




This Week at the Market


A note from Ros – THANK YOU to everyone who brought back all the extra bags (including my personal ones!) that were used during the great April Fools downpour last week.

If you are new to the market, WELCOME! Please take the time to read the FAQ’s about the Market, what we are about and how everything works. And of course ask questions if you need to. We’re here to be a blessing and want your experience to be as great as the food is!


SPRING 2016 ORDERING SCHEDULE
Order April 9 – April 12 for Pickup on April 15
Order April 16 – April 19 for Pickup on April 22
Order April 23 – April 26 for Pickup on April 29


Order April 30 – May 3 for Pickup at

SPRING OPEN HOUSETHURSDAY MAY 5, 3-7pm!

Join the Fun! Your Farmers will be there and look forward to meeting you!




THIS WEEK’S VENDORS, PRODUCTS, IDEAS ETC.


AUGHTMON – Delicious Bath and Body Products!
HORTON’S FARM – Limited quantities of STRAWBERRIES, Plenty of Fresh greens, Onions, Carrots & Radishes
Local Honey, Fire Ant First Aid, BEEMU & Simply Because Bath Products
KATHY’S CHURPERS fresh eggs from happy chickens
MARY’S PEEPS! Baked Goods, Eggs, Gourmet Jams & Jellies
RICHTER FARMS – Local, Fresh, Sustainable Pork – check them out at http://richterfarmspork.com/
SMITH FARMS – Ground Lamb and Dexter Beef
SPRING HILL FARM is off this week and will have product available to order next week


SANDSPUR FARMS – A Note from Jennifer: Pork is RESTOCKED! Plus, we’ve added a few new pork products.
Beef will be restocked, hopefully by next weekend. There are a few cuts left.
I failed to label some jelly jars and have them at a discounted price. 
If you like surprises, this is the deal for you!
Once again, thank you for your continued support of our family farm. Be sure and like us on Facebook if you have not already.”


Your SUSTAINABLE Market

How does Sustainable compare to Organic?


Market at Dothan prides itself on offering the freshest, purest, cleanest grown and most natural products in the Wiregrass, but . . . we are not “organic.” The word “organic” was taken over, ‘owned’ if you will, by the USDA in 2002 and can only be used for products that meet minimum certification requirements following basic guidelines they have set forth. The irony of “organic” is that organic products can be (unsustainably) produced on large industrial farms, and farms that are not certified organic can produce wholesome, equally healthy food using methods that will sustain the farm’s productivity for generations.


The word, “sustainable” is much newer to agriculture. In simplest terms, sustainable agriculture is the production of food, fiber, or other plant or animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare.  This form of agriculture enables us to produce healthful food without compromising future generations’ ability to do the same.

The primary benefits of sustainable agriculture are:

Environmental Preservation
Sustainable farms produce crops and raise animals without relying on toxic chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified seeds,or practices that degrade soil, water, or other natural resources. By growing a variety of plants and using techniques such as crop rotation, conservation tillage, and pasture-based livestock husbandry, sustainable farms protect biodiversity and foster the development and maintenance of healthy ecosystems.

Protection of Public Health
Food production should never come at the expense of human health.  Since sustainable crop farms avoid hazardous pesticides, they’re able to grow fruits and vegetables that are safer for consumers, workers, and surrounding communities.  Likewise, sustainable livestock farmers and ranchers raise animals without dangerous practices like use of nontherapeutic antibiotics or arsenic-based growth promoters.  Through careful, responsible management of livestock waste, sustainable farmers also protect humans from exposure to pathogens, toxins, and other hazardous pollutants. 

Sustaining Vibrant Communities
A critical component of sustainable agriculture is its ability to remain economically viable, providing farmers, farmworkers, food processors, and others employed in the food system with a livable wage and safe, fair working conditions.  Sustainable farms also bolster local and regional economies, creating good jobs and building strong communities.

Upholding Animal Welfare
Sustainable farmers and ranchers treat animals with care and respect, implementing livestock husbandry practices that protect animals’ health and well being.  By raising livestock on pasture, these farmers enable their animals to move freely, engage in instinctive behaviors, consume a natural diet, and avoid the stress and illness associated with confinement.

adapted from sustainabletable.org

Footnotes

Market At Dothan is a small group of niche growers and producers promoting sustainable agriculture and supporting our local economy. Each grower/producer is dedicated to providing the freshest, highest quality products to their customers. Our growers use natural growing principles without synthetic chemicals. Local products available include: fruits, vegetables, herbs, eggs, beef, chicken, lamb, honey, baked goods, jams, jellies, goat cheese, frozen casseroles, pottery, nuts.
All growers /producers believe in providing locally grown foods and goods seasonally to promote a strong, local community and economy. Our goal is 100% Customer Satisfaction…comments, questions or concerns are welcome!

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!