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February 11 Market Newsletter
Vendor Spotlight: Smith Farms
Our family moved to Graceville Florida in 1999. We had always wanted to live in the country; so when the opportunity arose, we moved out to 40 acres of family land. For the last 18 years, we have worked to turn that land into a home and working farm…..it seems like there is always some project to start, improve on, and/or finish!
When we first moved down, we lived in a small trailer-house (the land only had a small shed that kept an old tractor that was used maybe once a year). We knew we wanted to build a house, but after pricing it, we decided that the most economical thing to do was to build it ourselves. So for the first three years we were down here, we cut lumber off of the property, milled and dried it on site, and eventually used it to build the house. That was a process! …but we learned so much!
My parents home-schooled me and my three sisters during all of this (we were ages 5-11) and we had the most fun (and learned ALOT) being able to help with the house. We didn’t hire any steady labor. My Dad, my sisters, and I (with our Mom running everything else) mostly built the house ourselves.
We got started with livestock because we girls got on a dairy goat kick (don’t ask me how or why…I think it had something to do with a little goat book we randomly rented from the library one week), and we bugged our parents until they gave in!
To begin with, we raised livestock for our own fun/use: dairy goats for milk, then chickens for eggs, then sheep because we love mutton (and couldn’t always afford it!), and then cows because we wanted to have natural meat (and again, its cheaper to do it yourself than to buy organic! …this seems to be a recurring theme!).
We have always appreciated the natural way of doing things, be it raising livestock or growing a garden. Learning how to actually pull it off and be productive at the same time was a huge learning process…and one that we are always working on. It is a lot of work, but what has delighted us is the return: the difference in quality and taste is very noticeable and very much worth it.
I also love how at the end of every day on the farm, after work has been accomplished and your body is equally as tired as your mind, you can enjoy a rest that feels justified, and wake up eager to do an even better job the next day!
Sweet Happenings at Market at Dothan.
If you placed an order last week you got a sweet surprise with your products – Mrs. Birdie’s cookies! Mrs. Birdie is an expert herbalist and specializes in unique blends that have provided the Wiregrass with the highest quality teas that are both delicious and good for you. Naturally we’re excited to have The Tea Cart join us!
D’S JELLIES – D’s Mayhaw Jelly, Hot Pepper Jelly, and BlackBerry Jelly are good year round.
GINTHER FARMS Fresh UNFERTILIZED eggs from young chickens. Perfect for Deviled Eggs.
HORTON’S FARM Local Wildflower honey in several sizes and a limited quantity of Tupelo. Check our our plain and flavored Kombuchas: your system will THANK you for it. Danny only has salad greens available this week while his other vegetables reach maturity. Thank you for your support of FRESH, LOCAL and SUSTAINABLE agriculture!
KATHY’S CHURPERS Always the finest in fresh local eggs.
MARY’S PEEPS Specialty treats: cake in jars, muffins in jars, cake rolls chocolate, vanilla and a peanut-butter cake roll. There will be several 2 person layer cakes and individual cup cakes wrapped with fancy wrappings. A special THANK YOU to everyone returning containers to recycle. Thank you for your orders and support. Mary Peeps, Mary Dale Peeples
RICHTER FARMS: Red Wattle Pork Products raised in rural Henry County. Red Wattle is an old heritage breed producing high quality, highly sought after pork products.
SANDSPUR FARMS Sandspur is BUSY getting ready for spring! This farm has it all: Meats, Vegetables, Kitchen Treats and more. To see Sandspur items exclusively please use the “show specific growers” feature in the box below the categories on the Market Page.
SANDY VALLEY Sandy Valley is taking a week off to give their vegetables time to mature. This way you can enjoy them at their prime!
SMITH FARMS – Ground Lamb and Dexter Beef
SWEET ACRE FARMS We have it on good authority they will return later this year with lots of yummy vegetables. Stay Tuned!
AVALON FARMS New this week will be Garlic scallions. They are small whole garlic plants used like regular scallions but with bonus garlic flavor.
In farm life, we’ll be making our first potato planting of Red Pontiacs (red new potatoes) and fingerlings this week.
CASABLANCA RANCH. Locally Grown Hormone Free Santa Gertrudis Beef.
Footnotes
Our Website: marketatdothan.locallygrown.net
Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarketatDothan
For Friday Pickup: Dothan: Dothan Nurseries, 1300 Montgomery Highway, Dothan, AL 36303
Daleville: Corner of Daleville Avenue and Hwy 134
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!