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March 16, 2019 M@D Newsletter
This Week’s Newsletter:
This & That
Who Does What
Market Chitchat
Grower Notes
ROZ’S RAMBLINGS
Pardon us for being a bit late this week. And perhaps a bit scruffy! It’s not often the Hortons have Canadian relatives visit and today was one of those heaven sent opportunities to introduce our nieces to one of their childhood heroes. It’s a little early but with any luck I can share photos on our facebook page soon.
Hopefully Alabama will soon have more local Farmer’s Markets! ASAN, the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network has recently launched an initiative to train local directors. We were contacted early on, however ASAN was more focused on traditional tent markets than the online “modified CSA” (as state ag calls us) model we use. While we’re not sure if they plan to create sustainable only markets, Market at Dothan has offered to assist any willing to create the Locally Grown platform we use.
We’ve shared a bit in the past about the connection between radical animal rights proponents and farming. The short version is that PETA and the Humane Society of the US want to eliminate meat consumption entireley. “Meatless Monday” is is a product of this effort. This is good news for grain & vegetable farmers but not for meat farmers. Here at Market at Dothan we support the ability of the individual consumer to choose the foods best for them and support consumer education to that end. The problem is that neither of these entities are being truthful in their promotions. No hyperlink this time, but you may read about the latest nonsense here: https://www.thelunaticfarmer.com/blog/3/14/2019/schools-promoting-lies#comments-5c8a3e8341920299216652e2=
WHO DOES WHAT PART II
KATHY’S CHURPERS Fresh local eggs.
MARTIN TEAS Martin Teas offers exquisite teas both online through Market at Dothan and her store on Honeysuckle Rd.
MARY’S PEEPS Delightful southern baked goods and farm products.
MAYIM FARMS Local biodynamic produce, green medicinal and food products from sustainable Master Gardners.
RICHTER FARMS: Farm fresh kitchen products and Red Waddle Pork in season.
ST ANDREWS SOAP COMPANY A wide variety of locally handcrafted bath & body products. They also offer candles.
SMART DOC RESOURCES Hydroponic microgreens and food products, CBD oil, Fresh Shea Butter from Africa. See Virginia’s note in the Grower Section.
SMITH FARMS – Ground Lamb and Dexter Beef
MARKET CHITCHAT
We are happy to announce our participation in the area’s first ever Earth Day event. The Get Green Initiative is all about sustainability and we hope you’ll mark your calendars!
New This Week
- Microgreen Pea Shoots
- Coconut Shea Butter Soap
- Shea Butter Better Cream
THIS WEEK’S GROWER NOTES
We have the best Growers in the Wiregrass! Please learn more about them on our Grower Page.
SMART DOC RESOURCES Hi From SmartDocs, Spring is in the air but the weather is still crazy. 28 one day and 78 the next but at least we have sunshine and getting ready for the good farming weather. Great day at the market event today. I know there are many other events going on today so we thank you all that came out to see us. We made a lot of new friends and got to talk about our African mission. It ties in nicely with our home project – hydroponics as we are building hydroponic units(and Terrace gardens) in Gambia , Africa. I will be returning in April (I think) to hopefully finish up on our site compound. Check us out on fb at Earth Farm Gambia. We are doing research on using fish hydrostat and have an engineer from England getting the formula together. It is our goal to utilize the resources in this very poor country to feed these people and make gardening a sustainable and profitable venture. Therefore you will see new products from us including Shea Butter Better Cream made with FRESH (snuck in my suitcase) shea butter from Mali . About 10% of the better butter cream is the finest oils to make a creamy, all purpose medicinal cream and moisturizing lotion. We also have a glycerine and shea butter soap with coconut essential oils (smells awesome) that can be used for cleaning, moisturizing and hair conditioner. All profits go to Earth Farm Gambia. There is a collection bin in the shed at Dothan Nurseries for donations (we ship quarterly) . Smart Docs is requesting good used clothes (especially children), hygiene products, art supplies (we also work with Art Farm Gambia) and school supplies. (children’s books, paper, pencils) to send to Gambia. We thank you for your help!
On the homefront we are enlarging our hydro unit and setting up some research as well. We are back this week with some yummy produce.
The Yummy Pea Shoot: These foods are incredible sources of antioxidants, phytonutrients, enzymes, minerals and vitamins. They help to alkalize your body, support your immune system and ensure proper cell regeneration.Seven times more vitamin C than blueberries. Four time more vit A than tomatoes and eight times more folate than bean sprouts. Up to 69% of high quality bioavailable protein. Delicious in soups, salads, as a snack, in a stir fry, as a side dish, on a sandwich, as a garnish and in a smoothie.
AVALON FARMS:
The plan was for these handsome guys to be going to “freezer camp” this weekend, but when I weighed a few they just weren’t quite ready yet. They should be ready next week and possibly listed in the market. There are 50 of these and another group waiting to take possession of this chicken tractor.
It was fun seeing old friends and making new friends at the physical market set-up last Saturday. The response was great and I appreciated the opportunity to explain the benefits of pastured poultry.
Growing News:
- Sugar Snap Peas and Green Arrow English Peas are loving these crazy spring days. There will be 4 to 6 more weeks before they are ready.
- Radishes and spinach are coming along, if slowly.
- Senposai (everyone’s new favorite green) and tatsoi plantings are coming along as well.
- First plantings of green beans, cucumbers and squashes are going in now.
FOOTNOTES
We would love to hear from you! If you have a favorite recipe, want to write a product review, have an idea or request for an article or information, let us know! You can reply to this newsletter or write marketatdothan@gmail.com.
Order Saturday 5pm to Tuesday 5pm weekly for Pickup the following Friday
Dothan Pickup: Dothan Nurseries, 1300 Montgomery Highway, Dothan, AL 36303
Daleville Pickup: Parking area behind Daleville Chamber of Commerce
Enterprise Pickup: Grocery Advantage, 1032 Boll Weevil Circle, Enterprise
Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com
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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!