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February 25 Market Newsletter
This Week’s Newsletter:
New Vendor: Mayim Farms
Schedule
Market ChitChat
Farm to School Legislation
This Week’s Grower Notes – VIP!
New Vendor: Mayim Farms
Greg and Carole live on almost 30 acres of pasture and oak/pine woods in the Opp area. Neither has a farm background but love having fresh produce, free range eggs and clean meat. They knew early on that they wanted to garden sustainability and raise livestock.
Much research and many hours of study and asking questions later both Greg and Carole are Master Gardeners who have a unique understanding of traditional vs. sustainable agriculture. They now grow delicious nutrient dense produce using natural farming methods and teach others how to both do the same indoors and outdoors. Greg speaks about soil health and natural production methods to Garden Clubs, civic groups etc, and Carole shares preparation information through her blog.
All of Mayim’s produce is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, chemical or organic.
“It is not our job to improve nature. Nature already has what it needs to survive and thrive. Our job is to optimize and partner with nature.”
Schedule
Market ChitChat
A hearty THANK YOU to JD and Maura at Dothan Nurseries for all the work that went into moving our pickup location across the property. I’m told that some heavy machinery was involved . . . and JD wasn’t running it! Yesterday was the first time working from the shed and everything went very smoothly. Our vendors are already tossing around ideas about how to “decorate”. This is going to be fun!
On a different note, you may have noticed the different logo at the top of this newsletter complete with a different website address . . . well, don’t try that url yet! It is secured and belongs to us but it’s not “connected” yet. We’re just happy to have the new image and want to start getting it out there. It will be on all our digital and print material in time. We’re just kind of proud of it and want to show it off. Many thanks to one of our behind the scenes supporters, Becky Sue Wehry, whose 15 minute youtube tutorial showing how she created it (one vegetable at the time) did not go viral.
Lastly, a hearty recommendation for SANDSPUR’s whole leaf collards. I don’t know if anyone besides me compares grocery (chemical induced perfection my husband calls it) produce to the Market’s wholesome sustainable vegetables, but Sandspur’s collards leave them all in the dust. Bigger prettier plants, better for you and cost less on top of that. It don’t get any better.
Saveur has a collection of creative recipes that feature collards.
Farm To School Legislation
If you have a child in Public School this issue concerns YOU. In 2012 our state took the bold step of allowing farmers to sell to school lunch programs. Because of the way the paperwork was written however that has not happened. There is an amendment introduced to our current legislative session that clarifies and will enable this to take place. We hope you’ll take the time to contact your representative and senator and tell them to support this! Even if it don’t affect you personally it could make all the difference for a child who needs better nutrition. Legislative contacts can be found here
FARM TO SCHOOL PROCUREMENT ACT AMENDMENT
This simple amendment will clarify the Farm-to- School Procurement Act (Act 2012-437) which was unanimously passed by the legislature in 2012. The Alabama State Department of Education and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries have jointly drafted this amendment in an effort to clarify the 2012 Act.
This amendment will:
1. Clarify that federal dollars received by the Department of Education for the school lunch program may be spent to secure healthy unprocessed agricultural products for our students from local producers pursuant to the Farm to School Procurement Act.
2. Raise the small purchase threshold for agricultural products from $100,000.00 to $150,000.00 which is the amount currently allowed by federal law. This is accomplished by indexing the State’s small purchase threshold to the federal small purchase threshold set by the United States Code.
3. Remove any ambiguity that might be preventing local school districts from taking advantage of the Farm-to- School Procurement Act and allow another opportunity for Alabama agricultural producers to sell their products within Alabama.
This Week’s Grower Notes
We have the best Growers in the Wiregrass! Please learn more about them on our Grower Page.
AVALON FARMS Red Thumb fingerling potatoes breaking ground. I grew some of these as a test last year. They have the most amazing flavor when roasted. Well worth a few carbs.
Cut the first 3 (count them, 3) asparagus tips. If the weather cooperates I’ll be listing a few in next week’s market.
SANDY VALLEY We’re glad to hear everybody enjoyed our strawberry samples. We expect to have more in the coming weeks as the plants are LOADED. Be sure to check out the vegetables we have available this week.
SANDSPUR We are busy planting for spring and starting transplants for summer veggies. We have updated some inventory. Thank you to each person that orders every week.
THE TEA CART The pollen came early this season. If you are sneezing, coughing, wheezing and generally feeling terrible try , THYME TEA. Go to your spice cabinet get the thyme. Boil 8-12 oz. of water. Use one teaspoons of thyme. Steep for five minutes, strain and enjoy the warmth and aroma. I hope this herbal help relieve some of your symptoms.
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!