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March 30, 2019 M@d Newsletter
This Week’s Newsletter:
The Bad News, the Good News . . .
Market Chitchat
Grower Notes
& A BIT OF HISTORY
When Avalon Farms first shared the above article with me the answer to that first questions was a no-brainer. Experience had taught that lesson a long time ago.
Your Market Manager first became involved with Farmer’s Markets the year Poplar Head Farmer’s Market was started. I had the great fortune of developing both a friendly and business relationship with Julie Bishop whose vision for a Farmer’s Market in Dothan lives on in that venue. We brainstormed a lot of ideas and wound up being mentioned in Farmer’s Market Today complete with a photo of some lovely girls dressed as honeybees (who were in my daughter’s wedding a few years later!).
I’ll spare you the details between then and now. Suffice to say I found myself unable to participate in all the small local farmers markets that were subsequently started in the area. There were so many! Somewhere along the way, a couple of ladies I had close connections with started Market at Dothan and I was one of the original vendors. In retrospect, it was excellent experience!
It’s possible and very probable that Market at Dothan is the oldest sustainable farmer’s market in the state. That’s the history part here. The good news is that while traditional farmer’s markets may be floundering, organic and sustainable markets are on the rise because organic and sustainable food is in increasing demand. Just this year the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network launched an initative to train farmer’s market directors. They’ve done a great job of helping raise up farmers like ours around the state, and are now working on distribution systems. It will be exciting to see how this plays out going forward and who knows. . . . we might even wind up with other online shopping systems like Market at Dothan!
And for the record, Julie Bishop became a regular Market at Dothan customer before moving upstate a few months ago. She is still a great lady and a wonderful friend.
MARKET CHITCHAT
A hearty WELCOME to our new customers! We are used to having first time customers regularly and always enjoy meeting new folks. I’m pretty sure this last week broke all records as multiple locations received multiple new orders. Great to meet all of you and we look forward to serving you as you allow us.
We don’t want to bombard you but if you’ve not picked it up from previous newsletters APRIL 13 & APRIL 20 are important dates for Market at Dothan. Saturday, April 13 is our monthly Farmer’s Market and Saturday, April 20 is Get Green Alabama Marketplace. Both events take place at Dothan Nurseries from 9:30 am to 1 pm.
New & Relisted Products
- Asparagus – Avalon Farms
- Chicken – Avalon Farms
- Tatsoi rosettes – Avalon Farms
- New – Red radish bunch – Avalon Farms
- New – Sunflower Seed Microgreens from Smart Doc Resources
- Free Range Pullet Eggs
- Organic Wheatgrass
- Microgreen Radishes
THIS WEEK’S GROWER NOTES
We have the best Growers in the Wiregrass! Please learn more about them on our Grower Page.
AVALON FARMS: As the Daleville and Enterprise delivery person, I want to say it was a pleasure meeting our new customers last week. It’s fun making new friends who care about where their food comes from.
Tatsoi rosettes are listed this week. Previously I was harvesting outer leaves from plants grown aquaponically. These are grown in soil and are harvested as a whole. As you can see from the picture there are a few bug nibbles but overall they are beautiful.
Asparagus are popping up! Last year we planted 3 more rows of asparagus, bringing us up to 1500 ft of asparagus beds. The young plants can be harvested for 2 or 3 weeks in addition to the older plants. Hoping for a prolific season!
Spring seems to have finally sprung, although I’ve had a light frost twice in the last week. (Crazy I know.)
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!