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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
Join our Online Discussions! www.facebook.com/groups/MarketatDothanDiscussion
Be sure to use our hashtag! #marketatdothan
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!
March 23, 2019 M@D Newsletter
This Week’s Newsletter:
Focus On . . . .
Upcoming Schedule
Market Chitchat
Grower Notes
GLUTEN FREE
With the 2013 study about the link between gluten intolerance and glyophospate use becoming more well known, it was rather refreshing to stumble onto what follows this week.
Let me introduce Julia Kuiper. Julia is from a large homeschool family and at age 14 found herself missing home baked goods because she was gluten intolerate. Rather than be deterred or discouraged, she studied and developed her own mixes and recipes that seriously rival traditionally baked foods.
Julia has a few recipes to try on her blog and tells her story here where her cookbook is available. Even if you’re not gluten sensitive we hope you’ll check it out.
COMING SOON
In between our next two tent type Farmer’s Markets something special is taking place at Dothan Nurseries. Market at Dothan along with some of our market vendors will be in attendance at the area’s first GET GREEN ALABAMA marketplace event. This will take place on Saturday, April 20. We hope you’ll put both dates on your calendar and plan to join the fun.
MARKET CHITCHAT
New & Relisted Products
- Microgreen Komatsuna (mustard Spinach)
- Shea Butter Lotion
- Whole Chickens, pasture raised
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 Exciting news from SmartDocs! Back to Africa via England in April. We have been working with an engineer that has recently patented a hydrostat fish nutrient (in research on our farm in Gambia). We also are coordinating with a scottish scientist who has a new formula for all natural insect repellent and pest control ( who knew a lot of folks in Africa are working on farm initiatives!?) Our hydro facility is enlarging getting ready for these folks to come later in the year to present our place as a site farm! More news soon!
DANNY’S GREENS Well, Danny didn’t have much to say this week but he did have a lot to show . . . . in particular the onions and carrots (with a little lettuce in there to boot) that will be available next month. It was just too purty not to share!
AVALON FARMS: To quote one of my favorite movies, “Looks like meat is back on the menu, boys!”
Spent all morning taking half of our current batch of Freedom Ranger meat birds to “freezer camp”. Didn’t take as long as last time, but still lots of room for improvement. Next time will go even better.
Remember Freedom Rangers have more dark meat. These guys are awesome foragers and really enjoy being moved around on fresh pasture twice a day. They are fed supplemental rations that are non-GMO and no soy. And of course, no antibiotics or hormones.
They will be in the market today!
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
Join our Online Discussions! www.facebook.com/groups/MarketatDothanDiscussion
Be sure to use our hashtag! #marketatdothan
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!
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
Join our Online Discussions! www.facebook.com/groups/MarketatDothanDiscussion
Be sure to use our hashtag! #marketatdothan
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!
March 9, 2019 M@D Newsletter
This Week’s Newsletter:
Our Core Values
Market Chitchat
Grower Overview
What We’re About
Every once in a while someone asks why our Market does not have (insert fruit or vegetable product) grocers and roadside vendors. They thought it strange those people would offer certain food items that we do not.
While roadside products may appear FRESH, (as opposed to overripe or poor quality), sometimes that’s not the case as many items can be refrigerated an extended time or ripened with gasses before being put on display for sale. They are seldom LOCAL. More often than not, they have been purchased from a wholesaler who got vast quantities by truck from down in Florida. If not there they’ve probably been hauled off a boat from Central America. These too have been subject to refrigeration, spray, dye or gasses. Market at Dothan limits our distance to within fifty miles of Dothan, ensuring that the food you purchase from us is truly LOCAL. As far as FRESH, it is usually picked 1-2 days before pickup on Fridays.
Another issue is SUSTAINABILITY. Sustainability is all about growing food without depleting natural resources. The nutrients taken from the soil by crops must be replaced using natural methods. The USDA defines sustainable farming as agriculture that:
*Enhances the natural resources upon which society lives
*Efficiently uses resources by implementing natural controls and biocycles
*Is economically viable
*Enhances life for farmers and those eating the products
The grand hope of sustainable farming is that mankind will be able to continue living off the land without depleting natural resources and ruining the earth. To be sustainable, farmers must also be able to afford their business.
The last core value of Market at Dothan is YEAR ROUND. While it is nice to serve fresh berries during the fall and winter, it is not natural, and it is not necessarily what our bodies need the most. Case in point: citrus in this region ripens and is available most of the winter months. What does citrus offer? Vitamin C. We all know that. And what do we need during the fall and winter months to help fight off colds and flu? Vitamin C, of course. There are other studies showing the value of root vegetables during the cold months as well as leafy green brasseric vegetables which are very popular in the deep south.
The downside of a Year Round Market is unpredictable conditions and weather. Those of you who ordered greens from Avalon a couple of weeks ago experienced this after aphids devoured her crop. This time last year Danny was recovering from a freeze that killed everything he had.
Thank you to all our customers who stick with us through the thick and thin of farming life. We enjoy serving and and deeply appreciate you.
MARKET CHITCHAT
The Good News Our first Spring Farmer’s Market held earlier today was MARVELOUS! Marvelous weather, marvelous vendors, marvelous folks coming to visit. Five of our regular Market vendors were present and we were joined by Mt. Moriah Farms, She Sings Bling, Lewis Farms and Make it with a B. If you are not familiar with these folks and their products they’ll be back on April 13 for our next Spring Farmer’s Market.
The Bad News Coastal Sharps sends their apologies to our Market customers who brought knives and scissors to be sharpened. If we have not shared this with you before, Amory lost her home to Michael last October and pretty much had to start over. She has landed further away from Dothan in a very demanding job. The combination was just too much and she could not get away. No future visits are planned until her schedule is more stable.
Ending on a high note Market at Dothan is teaming with the Get Green Alabama initiative to organize a fun and educational event at Dothan Nurseries on April 18. The official announcement will go out next week sometime. We can’t tell you too much except to mark your calendars for that day.
WHO DOES WHAT? PART 1
Because we are a year round market, not every grower lists product every week.
3LC Apiary Great Beekeepers! 3LC honey is produced within the city limits of Dothan and contains nectar and pollen from landscaped as well a wild growing plant sources.
AVALON FARMS Avalaon Farms has produced quality sustainable produce & eggs in the Wiregrass for many years. They have recently added pastured chicken to their listings as they become available.
CASABLANCA RANCH. Read more about them: http://casablancaranch.com/. Locally Grown Hormone Free Santa Gertrudis Beef
D’S JELLIES – D’s Mayhaw Jelly, Hot Pepper Jelly, and BlackBerry Jelly.
DANNY’S GREENS Tender and tenderly cared for sustainable lettuce mixes all year round.
GRIER ACRES Just getting started on their sustainable journey. Great folks! You’ll hear more from them!
HORTON’S FARM Natural Goodness from the Hive and the Heart.
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: Daleville Chamber of Commerce Office
Our Website: marketatdothan.locallygrown.net
Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarketatDothan
Join our Online Discussions! www.facebook.com/groups/MarketatDothanDiscussion
Be sure to use our hashtag! #marketatdothan
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!
March 2, 2019 M@D Newsletter
This Week’s Newsletter:
This Week at M@D
Market Chitchat
Health Trivia
LOT’S HAPPENING!
Friday – Coastal Sharps
Every time Amory brings her sharpening equipment she stays busier and busier! She will be with us on Friday, March 8 and this time she’s bringing her scissor equipment as well. So whether it’s kitchen knives, pocket knives, hunting knives or your favorite pair of fabric scissors she can handle it. If you cannot make it on Friday and want to take advantage of this great opportunity, contact us at marketatdothan.com and we’ll help make arrangements that work for your busy schedule.
Saturday – Spring Farmer’s Market Please note that we’ve changed the date for the May Market to coincide with Spring Open House.
Outside vendors and Market friends will be on site with wonderful products! For our regular customers, you still get first pickins of the Market’s Local, Fresh, Sustainable and Year Round produce as our regular growers will still list and bring extras on Saturday.
MARKET CHITCHAT
An Africa Donation Crate for spring/summer type clothing & shoes for all ages has been placed in the Market Shed. It is teal colored and located on the botton shelf of our bookcase. Feel free to place items in it any time during Dothan Nursery’s regular hours. Children’s books and art supplies are also needed. Smart Doc Virginia Schafer is heading up this effort. You can catch up with her recent trip to the wonderful people these items will be helping on her Facebook page.
Our folks are BUSY getting ready for next week so this newsletter will not have any Grower Notes.
HEALTH TRIVIA
Scientists have been connecting the dots between overall health and outdoor play in children for many years. Dr. Richard Louv was one of the first to recognize Nature Deficit Disorder. Jordan Rubin explained how soil bacteria builds the immune system in The Maker’s Diet. Now a new vocabulary word has surfaced that describes the psychological trauma caused by being disconnected from nature in adults. ”Psychoterratica” has been identified as a real issue and is prevented and treated by spending time outdoors in nature. We’re glad to tell you that your growers do not suffer from this.
Today is Read Across America Day! Who would have thought that reading could be healthy but studies have shown that diving into a book can reduce stress levels by 68 percent. Reading regularly has also been shown to help sharpen your mind, fend off dementia and foster empathy.
For those watching your numbers, there are 22 calories and 4.1 g carbs in 1 cup of cabbage.
59 minutes a week lifting weights will lower your risk of Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels — that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Lastly, the ban on Triclosan in antimicrobal soaps was finalized by the FDA in 2017 but evidence is growing that it can actually help create bacterial superbugs and interfere with the use of antibiotics. Triclosan is found in everything from body wash to lip gloss to deodorant to household cleaners to mouthwash & toothpaste.
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: Daleville Chamber of Commerce Office
Our Website: marketatdothan.locallygrown.net
Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarketatDothan
Join our Online Discussions! www.facebook.com/groups/MarketatDothanDiscussion
Be sure to use our hashtag! #marketatdothan
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!
Feb. 23, 2019 M@D Newsletter
This Week’s Newsletter:
Announcement
Market Chitchat
Grower Notes
SPRING FARMERS MARKET
We are excited to announce that we will be setting up in the Dothan Nursery parking lot on the three Saturdays listed above.
LOCAL – all food sold is produced within in the Wiregrass
FRESH – Always, and usually just picked!
SUSTAINABLE – Our regular Market vendors use organic growing methods, however for special occasions like this we do allow guests who are not part of our weekly operations.
YEAR ROUND – this means the produce offered is in season. You’ll probably not find tomatoes or cantaloupe, but you will find what nature deems good and necessary this time of the year. As we get further into spring the produce will change.
MARKET CHITCHAT
Mark Your Calendar! At this time COASTAL SHARPS is planning to be with us on Friday, March. 8 or Saturday March 9. Honestly we’re not sure which date yet so we’ll announce both on Facebook and in next week’s newsletter. If you can’t come and see her wizardy for yourself, free to drop off your blades ahead of time. They’ll be sharp enough to skin an elk when you get them back! Email marketatdothan@gmail.com for instructons. No need to purchase new knives when Amory can turn your old blades into sharper than new condition for a fraction of the cost.
It took longer than expected but the Market Bags are all dry and secure in their new crate now. We had to go with a different type container than planned (and the staff at Lowes is perplexed that there are no lids for their 27 gallon storage bins in stock!). Most of your bags are in great shape however we noticed that a few could use a wipe down or run through the washer. Your beautiful orders deserve to finish their journey to your home clean and safe.
THIS WEEK’S GROWER NOTES
We have the best Growers in the Wiregrass! Please learn more about them on our Grower Page.
HORTONS FARM: So Excited!
Part 1: When I was a kid my dad grew the BEST watermelons in the world. They were a roundish yellow variety with tan seeds and Dad told us the reason you didn’t see them in stores was because they did not travel well – they were so juicy they would burst in transit. As an adult I’ve enjoyed the occasional yellow watermelon, but none ever as good as the ones Dad grew.
Part 2: Many of you know my mom came to our home mid December to recover from pneumonia. She’s doing very well now and has left to spend some time with one of my sisters. Right before leaving she told me she’d found my Dad’s watermelons in a catalog.
Somebody just across the county line from where we grew up gave this local variety a name and introduced it to the rest of the world. Mom thinks The Catfish Preacher Zenus Windsor is responsible but I’ve not been able to confirm that. We only knew the melons as “yellow watermelons” and saved seeds every year that were shared and replanted the following year. It’s now known as a Clay County (Alabama)Yellow Watermelon and Ashland, AL even has a yearly festival in honor of them.
Seems I’ve missed a lot since moving from the area! Regardless I’m thankful to find them and am hoping they’ll take as well to our sandy south Alabama soil as well as they’ve done for generations in the rocky clay soil of my childhood. We shall see!
AVALON FARMS:
It’s taters, Prescious! (Yes! I love Lord of the Rings! Books and movies.)
Putting in 8 rows of red potatoes. We’ll move enough dirt into the furrows to just cover the potato pieces. Then in a few weeks when the potato plants are about 6 inches tall, we’ll cover them again. And probably 1 more time after that. That is referred to as “hilling” the potatoes. In a few months we’ll have new potatoes!
SMART DOC RESOURCES: Exciting news from SmartDocs! I just returned from a lengthy trip to West Africa and fell in love with the local people . I toured many facilities of like minded people (and nonprofits) that did everything from skill training to farming techniques. Most of these nonprofits were sponsored by Norwegian folks, Jamaican and British. We formed a nonprofit – Earth Farm Gambia collaborating with Art Farm and are in the process of putting hydroponics in the compound. Our R&D guy, Terry, who just patented a fish serum nutrient is from England and my best friend in from Canada so we have an international group. Terry also has been working with other nonprofits and putting in Terry Gardens (terrace gardens using compost) in many areas. BTW we will be shipping supplies once a quarter to Gambia, so any throw aways (clothes, children books, toiletries, etc) we will be collecting. No electronics please….they don’t work on the european plugs!
Here is our progress:
Editors Note: If you wish to donate usable items we will have a secure plastic tub at the Market Shed designated for this effort. You may drop off items at any time starting Friday March 1.
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: Daleville Chamber of Commerce Office
Our Website: marketatdothan.locallygrown.net
Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarketatDothan
Join our Online Discussions! www.facebook.com/groups/MarketatDothanDiscussion
Be sure to use our hashtag! #marketatdothan
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!
February 16, 2019 M@D Newsletter
This Week’s Newsletter:
In Season
Market Chitchat
Grower Notes
SPOTLIGHT ON GREENS
As an “in season” Market we realize seasonal eating can start to become boring after a few months of eating the same recipes for root veggies and winter greens. It doesn’t have to be that way! We’ve located some greens recipes that should shake things up in your kitchen and keep things fresh and exciting. The nice thing about some of these recipes is that you can substitute greens that you like. Let us know what you try and how it turns out!
MARKET CHITCHAT
Today was the day! All total we had about 30 people show up for Hydroponics 101. We appreciate everyone’s patience with the technical difficulties and the noise. Normally classes like this are held in the nursery greenhouse but with it being stacked and packed with spring arrivals we met in the Market Shed instead. Plans are already underway to do a make-it-and-take-it type hydroponics class in the fall.
Farewell & Best Wishes This week we say Goodbye to Bain Home Gardens as their gardening journey takes a different direction. You’ll find their sweet goodbye note in the Grower Notes section.
THIS WEEK’S GROWER NOTES
We have the best Growers in the Wiregrass! Please learn more about them on our Grower Page.
GRIER ACRES: We have been absent for a while. Hurricane Michael did quite a bit of damage and hindered our ability to grow and maintain all of our crops. We have a lot of deer on our property and they took full advantage of our absence and just had a buffet of Harry’s greens and Jeannie’s radishes. We also rescued a Anatolian Shepherd for our future livestock. Hopefully that will be coming soon once we can restore fencing. We tried him with 2 adult chickens 1 older hen and a beautiful rooster. It lasted about 5 days. Earl killed and ate them on the 5th day. We were late getting home that night. We hope to try chickens again. Be on lookout for mayhaws which we have on property and possibly some blueberries. Harry’s Dad planted them years ago and we have cleared around them for this year. Harry has aso found Paw paw’s on the property as well. Our apologies again for our absence. We have noticed we have some garlic and mullein which the deer don’t seem to like. On a lighter note, Jeannie is considering becoming a deer hunter. HaHa.
AVALON FARMS:
Our wonderful new greens, Senposai, are beautiful when they bloom. Unfortunately that means they are no longer good eats. The Spring crop of transplants will be going out this week. Excited to introduce you all to our new favorite green.
Also going in the ground this week will be transplants of: cabbage, broccoli, tatsoi, spinach and kale. Seeds going in the ground include: turnips, salad turnips, watermelon radishes, other radishes, sugar snap peas and english peas.
BAIN HOME GARDENS: Marketeers, This will be our final Market post as this is our last week as a grower of the Market of Dothan. Thank you for joining our adventures & supporting our Farm & this Farmers Market. We are growing and expanding and traveling unchartered waters and we just know we will see you along our voyage. May the seas be kind to you and yours.
The Bain Family,
Of Bain Home Gardens
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: Daleville Chamber of Commerce Office
Our Website: marketatdothan.locallygrown.net
Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarketatDothan
Join our Online Discussions! www.facebook.com/groups/MarketatDothanDiscussion
Be sure to use our hashtag! #marketatdothan
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!
Feb 9, 2019 M@D Newsletter
This Week’s Newsletter:
The Rest of the Story
Market Chitchat
Grower Notes
AVALON FARMS
Part 2
For those who have enjoyed Avalon’s wonderful broccoli this year, this is the bed it was harvested from. As you can see, the plants are still rather lush and green. Broccoli is one of those crops that offers it’s prime first and diminishing quantity afterwards as long as you keep it picked. When the plants have finished producing they will be given to the chickens who turn it into nitrogen fertilizer.
Speaking of chickens – I met the Freedom Rangers! While Avalon’s egg layers are a mix of chicken breeds (the reason for all the lovely colors) the Freedom Rangers are grown for meat. They are slow growing birds that work well in free range, organic and pasture environments. The hatchery they are from is very intentional about using sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming methods to raise them. These birds are housed seperatly from the egg producers and their mobile housing is moved frequently so they are always on fresh grass.
The aquaponics system caught me by surprise. Wendy showed the damaged bok choy that had been flourishing there until those unseasonable sunny days in January burned the plants. Wikipedia defines aquaponics as “any system that combines conventional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment.
I felt right at home when we went indoors and I got to load up on caffine for the drive home. All the seed catalogs and sustainable farming books on the big coffee table with the great view outdoors felt familiar and invited good conversation. While Wendy is the hands on person during the week she has the complete support of her Mr. who helps design and build some of the equipment and systems they use. One of their growing principals is that they grow things they themselves enjoy eating. It’s one of the reasons they’re the only growers in the area to offer patty pan squash in season. They are not opposed to trying new methods and vegetables, like the Senposai (which is delicious!) and are constantly looking for ways to improve.
On the drive home I thought about how they have adapted their farming methods to the conditions we have here in Southeast Alabama. Just like beekeeping methods in Ohio and California won’t work here, neither will every organic trick of the trade practiced in other places. The principals are the same but things like soil composition, local resources, heat, humidity, and the local pests play into how those principals are utilized. The Robbins’ are lifetime students in this regard and will no doubt continue to innovate to produce great food. We’re thankful to have them as part of our Market Family.
MARKET CHITCHAT
DON’T FORGET NEXT WEEK’S HYDROPONICS CLASS! Class will start at 10am in the Market Shed. We don’t know how many people to expect so come early and if you have a favorite folding chair feel free to bring it. This class will be presented by Dr.Virginia Schafer who along with Chris Judge produce organic microgreens. They will explain the science behind hydroponics and how it can be done successfully on a small scale at home.
THIS WEEK’S GROWER NOTES
We have the best Growers in the Wiregrass! Please learn more about them on our Grower Page.
DANNY’S GREENS: Danny is listing more greens this week as his beds have LOVED the longer days and nice temparatures.
HORTONS FARM: Off again! Today something special happened as seasoned Alabama Master Beekeepers were trained by the Department of Agriculture to be “first responders” for beekeeping related issues. This is something near and dear to Ros’s heart as she initiated training the Wiregrass’s fire departments and EMS personnel about africanized “killer” bees in 2013. Thankfully there have been no incidents where that information has been required, but the need for qualified beekeeprs to be eyes and ears around the state remains. We are happy to be part of this and look forward to serving our community.
On a different note, we have re-listed some soaps and will be new-listing a couple of products over the weekend AFTER the trip. Keep an eye out! Thanks in advance for being considerate of our time crunch!
AVALON FARMS:
Current events on the farm.
(Upper left) This is not what this pear tree is supposed to look like now! The next freeze will give it a rude awakening and ruin that potential fruit. It shouldn’t be putting out blooms till March.
(Upper right) These tatsoi transplants are suffering from an iron deficiency, based on the veining and yellowing of the leaves. To remedy this, they were sprayed with an organic mix of micronutrients.
(Lower left) Apparently one of the pasture chickens is an escape artist that wants to lay in the blackberry row. These beauties went in the home consumption pile.
(Lower right) This is Ms. Pickles. She’s pretty much our honorary quality control. She inspects everything! Here she is checking out the onion transplants.
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: Daleville Chamber of Commerce Office
Our Website: marketatdothan.locallygrown.net
Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarketatDothan
Join our Online Discussions! www.facebook.com/groups/MarketatDothanDiscussion
Be sure to use our hashtag! #marketatdothan
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!
February 2, 2019 M@D Newsletter
This Week’s Newsletter:
A Visit To . . .
Mark Your Calendar
Market Chitchat
Grower Notes
AVALON FARMS
Part 1
Several years back we ran a series of articles written by our growers about the history of their farms. It was most helpful and very informative, and before Avalon Farms rejoined the Market after being away a few years. Recently Wendy shared the history of their farm in the Grower Notes section of our newsletter. We had already scheduled a visit coinciding with my monthly visit to Coffee County Jail. As luck would have it I got out of there a bit early which gave us more time to visit.
There was NO DOUBT I had arrived at a real sustainable farm when the gps told me I had arrived. After driving past miles and miles of traditionally farmed land seeing neatly sectioned beds in various stages of preparation (complete with a movable chicken fence and chickens) was a welcome sight.
I have to admit being a bit jealous of the the relatively flat land where they are located. Different parts of the farm operation pretty much circled the home making the 100 ft. beds an easy walk in any direction, but possible to get something motorized close enough to assist if needed. Being out in the open with no close forest also meant their main predators came from the sky instead of the woods (like those of us who deal with possums, fox, coyotes, bobcats, etc). Different outbuildings on the backside of the house serve different functions including housing the aquaponics, a walk-in cooler and chicken station.
Lloyd and Wendy wasted no time showing me around and telling me about the various garden beds and what was going on there. The asparagus bed was happily overwintering under a layer of mulch so there wasn’t much to see there. The blackberries looked like . . well, blackberry plants in winter! The egg chickens had recently finished digging up grass and weeds in one area, fertilizing it well in the process, and had started on another. I saw the disked area Wendy wrote about in last week’s newsletter and agree that the space will give them a lot of breathing room in their soil preparation and crop rotations.
This bed featured in our Dec. 8 newsletter“wowed” me. The straight lines and perfect spacing appealed the my little bit of OCD because I’ve never managed to plant even a small bed that neat, let alone 100 ft! The other thing was the nice thick layer of peanut hulls mulching the area. Talk about utilizing sustainable local materials! Once the crop has been harvested the hulls will be tilled into the soil (making it that much richer) then the spot will be planted with a cover crop, then tilled again for additional benefit before hosting a different vegetables crop.
Wendy had shared her planting grid back then with us. It is one of several with varying size grids for even spacing. This like many things on the farm are build from available and recycled materials.
Hate to stop now that I’ve got you good and interested, but don’t despair – more good info to come in Part 2 next week.
HYDROPONICS CLASS
“Smart Doc” Virginia Schafer, along with Chris Judge will be presenting a class on Hydroponics at Dothan Nurseries on Saturday, February 16 at 10am. Many of you have enjoyed their hydroponic greens. This class will cover many aspects of the system including how you can do it at home! The class will take place in the greenhouse. Seating is limited so please arrive early.
MARKET CHITCHAT
Thank You for your kind patience to those of you who paid with credit/debit this week. We trust you didn’t feel too much like guinea pigs as we attempted to break in our new credit card system.
We’re pretty sure all the personalized Market Bags have dried out from the deluge we experienced week before last. They’ll go back into a new secure storage container next week.
THIS WEEK’S GROWER NOTES
We have the best Growers in the Wiregrass! Please learn more about them on our Grower Page.
MARTIN TEAS: Martin Teas on vacation February 1,2019 through February 12, 2019. No online orders February 5th. You may order again on February 12th. Thanks Birdie
AVALON FARMS: Taking advantage of these cold days to get my seed orders done. Then I have to work out the when, where and how of planting them. How many succession plantings? Row feet needed? Seeds per row? Direct seed or transplants? It’s sort of like a puzzle or playing tetris.
I’ve also started a bunch of cool weather transplants; kales, cabbages, broccoli, tatsoi, senposai and spinach. The fall spinach was a dismal failure, hoping these do better.
In the warmer afternoons I’ve been working on incorporating my “cover crop” of winter weeds. LOL It’s actually a thing, really. Kill them before they make seed and till them in as green manure. They’ve been using the soil’s nutrients to grow and I don’t want to lose those nutrients by throwing them out, so back into the soil they go.
There will be some kale available this week. At this writing I’m not sure how much.
EGGS….in an effort to “share the love” I’m going to stop offering 18 count eggs and add more dozens. This will allow more people the opportunity to get some farm fresh eggs. Thank you for your understanding. Hopefully everyone’s egg production will be up soon. Go, Chickens! Go!
HORTONS FARM: Today I’m at the 24th Annual Alabama Cooperative Extension System Beekeeping Symposium in Clanton. This is one of two annual statewide educational events for both new and experienced beekeepers. I must say I’m thankful to be attending as a participant and not a teacher this year!
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
Join our Online Discussions! www.facebook.com/groups/MarketatDothanDiscussion
Be sure to use our hashtag! #marketatdothan
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!
January 26, 2019 M@D Newsletter
This Week’s Newsletter:
Organic and Sustainable
Market Chitchat
Grower Notes
THIS IS US
This quote was lifted from a 2012 article on The Atlantic.com. I had to chuckle – the four words they chose are very close to Market at Dothan’s four core values: Fresh, Local, Sustainable, & Year Round.
The word “organic” is pretty much a household word now and most people have a pretty good idea of what it means: crops grown without artificial pesticides, fertilizers, GMOs, irradiation, or sewage sludge, and animals raised without hormones or antibiotics. Organic food production can take place in a bucket on a balcony or a monstrous farm using tons of machinery on thousands of acres. As long as the production meets certain standards the food is considered organic with or without certification. Certification means an agency has examined the practices and bequethed the USDA stamp of approval. For small farms producing under 5k in revenue use of the word is allowed but without the green & white seal. Fines for claiming “organic” without following the guidelines are substantial for any size farm.
Sustainability goes beyond production methods focused primarily on the end result to consider the manner in which land, man and beast are treated. The grand goal of sustainable farming is that mankind will be able to continue living off the land without depleting natural resources and ruining the earth. Using cover crops and green manures to nurture the soil for the long haul is one example of sustainable methods. This the primary reason why Market at Dothan chooses to use the word “Sustainable” over “Organic.” You can grow organic without being sustainable, but you cannot be sustainable without utilizing organic practices.
One of the things that sets our Market at Dothan vendors apart from most local food sources is that all of our growers/vendors use sustainable methods, meaning we grow organically while tending to the welfare of the earth & animals and with human welfare in mind. This means we’ll probably never be a big business as so few growers are up to the extra work invoved, but it does mean that you can trust the food we offer to be clean . . . to be safe. Each of us nurture the land God has provided. We treat our animals with dignity. Some, as one recently shared, work family land with years of records knowing what has and has not been used in and on the soil. Others are working hard to transform urban plots with unknown history and most of us are somewhere in between.
A few weeks ago I shared with our growers that I plan to visit their farms. I’ve been to many but there are still a few that I’ve not had the privilege of seeing yet. This year we’re fixing that! I’ve seen the Richter’s Red Waddle pigs but I’ve not seen Smith’s Dexter cows or sheep yet. I’ve seen Mayim’s aquponics but not the mahaw trees down in Cottonwood where D’s Jellies are made. The plan is to share with you the unique ways your M@D growers balance organic methods with sustainability. Stay tuned – it will be fun!
MARKET CHITCHAT
This week we say Goodby to Hawkins Homestead. They’ve done a marvelous job building their farm and their business in preparation for this this next big step. No doubt they’ll do well and we wish them the best! Many of you received their goodbye statement by email and if not you may view it here.
If you’re up for doing something crazy cool Wiregrass Beekeepers (WBA) starts their 2019 Beginning Beekeeper Classes next month. Normally we don’t publish notifications like this but since several Market customers have mentioned beekeeping we’re sharing in case there are others interested. WBA is partnered with the City of Dothan to help new beekeepers if that is a concern. Class participation does not require anyone to get bees, but who knows, you might find yourself excited like a little kid again!
Have you tried to join our Market at Dothan Discussion Group and failed to connect? This is a problem we’ve been working on for a while and we’re happy to announce it’s recently been fixed. This page is where our Market family can stay in touch during the week.
THIS WEEK’S GROWER NOTES
We have the best Growers in the Wiregrass! Please learn more about them on our Grower Page.
MAYIM FARMS: Greg and Carole of Mayim Farm will be travelling on to Little Rock Arkansas to the Southern Sustainable Ag Workshop Group (SSAWG) conference this week so no market on the 26th. We’ll return on the Feb 2 market…thank you all for your generous support!
HORTONS FARM: We will not be listing some of our prepared products for the next two weeks to accommodate participating in the annual Auburn Beekeeping Symposium and the Alabama Master Beekeepers Recertification Program. THANK YOU for your understanding.
AVALON FARMS:
I’ve definitely lost my mind. LOL I borrowed the tractor and disced up a new garden patch 100 ft by 300 ft. This will double the garden area, bringing it up to 1.25 acres in total. Insane, I know! But I don’t plan for all of this to be planted in vegetables at one time. This extra space will allow me to put more in cover crops to build the soil and reduce weeds. Creates time and space to utilize the chickens to help recycle and fertilize old garden areas. It will also allow space for more long term crops like onions and garlic that take 4 to 6 months to grow.
Oh, man! Today is a beautiful sunny day! I wish we would have a week of these. The plants could sure use the sunlight. Even though our day length is once again over 10 hours a day the lack of actual sunshine is still hampering growth. For this reason I have decided to not list kale this week. I’m going to pamper them with some organic fertilizer and spray them with some soap to help with the aphids.
The broccoli will also be removed from the market. It has basically run its course and it’s time to let the chickens have the rest.
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: Daleville Chamber of Commerce Office
Our Website: marketatdothan.locallygrown.net
Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarketatDothan
Join our Online Discussions! www.facebook.com/groups/MarketatDothanDiscussion
Be sure to use our hashtag! #marketatdothan
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!