Haiti Relief Issue

The Wiregrass was thankfully spared the devastation that Hurricane Matthew brought to our country, but our neighbors in the Caribbean were not so fortunate. Haiti in particular was hit hard barely 2 years ago by an earthquake, and now with Matthew having leveled much of the country the needs are astronomical.

Market customer, Chris Lamere, is spearheading an effort to help rural farmers in Haiti and this week the Market is matching all donations made this week to help the farmers of Petit Trou de Nippes rebuild both local infrastructure and their farms. This means that if you donate $10, the farmers will receive $20. We hope you’ll read Chris’s letter and check out the young couple who have adopted these farmers and are going back in a few days.

We have made it easy for you to donate. There are several new Market “items” of donations in several amounts to choose from. Whatever you donate will added to your invoice total and matched by the Market.

There are other things we as a market community can do as well. The people of Petit Trou will be needing both tree and vegetable seeds going forward as they rebuild. Please start NOW saving topical tree seeds, especially mango and avocado seeds if possible. If anyone has any 2016 seed they don’t anticipate using in the near future it could help save lives and help rebuild the lives and economy of this village. Chris is a regular at the Market and has volunteered to mail all seeds we collect.

“Thank you for allowing me to present this idea to you.  After Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti so hard, I was looking for a way to help that would be localized and targeted to the specific needs of the Haitians.  I came across a couple with an amazing story that actually started with the devastating earthquake in 2010.  Since then, they have created and nurtured a project which has brought together around 30 small farmers in the village of Petit Trou de Nippes.  These are not farmers that use heavy machinery to help them work, either.  They dig roots up by hand, build retention ponds by hand and water with water pails when the small generator quits on them.  The efforts were successful in helping those farmers in the village come together and work to improve their lands, their lives and the small economy around them.  In fact, those efforts were so successful that prominent Haitian politicians had reached out to find ways to duplicate those methods around the country.  Hurricane Matthew has destroyed about 80% of the village and eradicated most of the agricultural accomplishments they had been able to make.  Mackenzy and Kirsty are returning to Haiti in less than two weeks to start the arduous task of rebuilding.
I hope you will read their blog to fully understand what they have done and what they have ahead of them now.  https://haitiansforchange.wordpress.com  
I thought that the participants in our Market might think the same way that I do: that it is the perfect match for us to support Mackenzy’s Vision.  A local sustainable market reaching out to another in need.  In the immediate future, they are in need of funds to secure basic necessities, food and shelter.  They will also need certain help to re-establish the farming community itself, such as rebuilding a seed supply.  The Haitians are a resilient people and particularly the people of Petit Trou.  If anyone is interested in donating organic or heirloom seeds, they can contact me and I will cover the cost of shipping to Haiti. 

For donations of funds, people can visit the blog site listed above or  https://freefunder.com/campaign/Haiti-Hurricane-Relief

Thank you,
Chris Lamere"

Market Info

UPCOMING ORDER SCHEDULE Order October 15 – October 18 for Pickup October 21 Order October 22 – October 25 for Pickup October 28 Order October 29 – November 1 for Pickup November 4 November 5 – November 8 for Pickup November 11 Order November 12 – November 15 for Pickup November 18

Bountiful Pepper Harvest
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GINTHER FARMS Fresh UNFERTILIZED eggs from young chickens.

HORTON’S FARM Local HONEY, Lettuce greens, Bee Bath and Body Products. TUPELO restocked. Good supply of Cinnamon Cream Honey for Holiday Dining and Gifts

KATHY’S CHURPERS Farm fresh eggs from happy chickens.

MARY’S PEEPS Hand made cakes and muffins. Mary’s Peeps provides good bakery items from a Mom and Grandmother who has been cooking for 40 plus years.

RICHTER FARMS Zimmermans said this about Red Wattle pork chops: “The flavor is rich, herbaceous, even a little sweet. It packs more flavor than I’ve ever had in a pork chop. The crowning glory of Red Wattle pork, however, is its fat. It marbles the meat and wraps the chop in a soft, opaque band. When cooked it melts within the meat and softens its edge to a luscious, lip-smacking bite. This is melt-in-your mouth fat, the kind of succulent experience you expect in great steaks and some cured meats.  It’s never a sensation I’d experienced in a pork chop until I met this one. The pork comes from hogs that are raised impeccably. The pigs are not confined, have access to the outdoors, and never receive antibiotics or hormones. This lifestyle is good for the pigs, but it doesn’t make for uniform pork—the chops may vary a bit from piece to piece, rather than being identical.”

SANDSPUR FARMS “I hope everyone enjoyed the samples of our “pig-pickin’ cake.” We do have it available for sale as well.“

SMITH FARMS – Ground Lamb and Dexter Beef

SWEET ACRE FARMS: NEW PRODUCTS THIS WEEK! Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Whole Wheat Cinnamon Bread and Subtly Sweet Peanut Butter! Don’t forget to try the Natural Peanut Butter and the Roasted Garlic Hummus. I also still have Pumpkin and Pear Butter! Check out the crocheted items for cute and cozy Christmas gifts!

Coming Soon: Almond and Cashew Butter as well as Spicy Hummus! Thank you so much for your continued support of Sweet Acre Farms and EVERY vendor in our Marketplace!

ANGIE’S PASTA Angie is off at this time

AUGHTMON Off for a few weeks for job training. Congratulations and Good Luck!

CASABLANCA RANCH. Read more about them: http://casablancaranch.com/. Locally Grown Hormone Free Santa Gertrudis Beef

D’S JELLIES – D’s Jellies are LOCALLY MADE with LOCALLY GROWN Fruits and Vegetables. Diane has the only Mahaw jelly in the Wiregrass.

Footnotes

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