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April 9, 2022 M@d Newsletter - No Market this Week
GROWER & MARKET NOTES
Decisions, decisions, decisions! It was once said that a decision is what a person has to make when a clear choice does not present itself.
So actually, the clear choice not to open Market at Dothan this week became obvious after another of our vendors was recently injured and after consulting about what is going on with our farmers right now. Plus it’s Easter weekend and many would appreciate the extra time for family.
On the upside – we look forward to bringing you information about a couple of new vendors in the near future.
All that being said this is what the coming weeks look like:
THANK YOU for your support and kind understanding!
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!
M@D is OpEn - ApRiL 2 NeWsLeTteR
GROWER & MARKET NOTES
I don’t know about you, but April excites me! It’s officially spring, flowers are blooming everywhere, the honeybees are in full swing bringing in nectar, days are warm, nights are cool – life is bursting every which way you turn. For us at Hortons Farm April Fools Day brought a sweet surprise – puppies! We have five sweet little ones, now with fat little bellies, to tend to. There’s nothing like new life to remind us of the miracle of life.
Saturday, April 9, 2022: Farmers Market Saturday
RICHTER FARMS will be offline for the foreseeable future as Viki heals from a fractured wrist sustained in an auto accident. She sends thanks for your understanding and desires prayer for healing and for the family as they cope with the situation. If anyone would like to send cards feel free to message us (marketatdothan@gmail.com) for the address.
AVALON FARMS: And suddenly it’s Spring! Ha Ha The blackberries and blueberries are blooming. The onions and garlic are thinking about bulbing. There might even be a tomato bloom out there. Put the first round of squash and cucumber seeds in the ground. It just snowballs from here!
We’re trying our hand at lettuce this year. We grew a few heads last year, which did pretty well and tasted great. So we are going bigger this year. Lettuce will start in the greenhouse then be transplanted out in the field at 3 or 4 weeks. This means every week lettuce has to be started and transplanted. Currently there are 2 sets in the field and 3 more sets growing in the greenhouse. Hoping the first ones will be ready to harvest in a few more weeks.
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 27, 2022 Special M@D Notification
We’ve never had to do this before but due to unforeseen events we are closing the market early this week. There will be no pickup or deliveries this Friday April 1. (And no, this is not a prank.) Please accept our apologies for this inconvenience.
We will reopen this Saturday on schedule with the next pickup on April 8 followed by on site tent farmer’s market at Dothan Nurseries on April 9. We encourage our customers to ORDER as you’ll be more likely to get the items you want as some of the vendors won’t participate on Saturday.
Thanks and God Bless,
Your Market Manager (Ros)
March 26, 2022 - M@D is now OpEn 4 OrDeRs
GROWER & MARKET NOTES
Good Saturday Afternoon! We just finished the books for the first quarter of 2022 and had to reflect on how very BLESSED we are to do something we love so much. All of our local growers are so thankful for your support of our sustainable ventures, however large or small. At the same time we’re deeply aware of how much you enrich our lives with your encouragement, your friendship and the knowledge you freely share whether it be chatting at pickup, business calls that turn into great conversations or Facebook posts. Life is better because of you. It’s one of the things about local interactions that you just don’t get in the produce section or a box from FedEx. Of course they have their place – nobody is denying that – but for real community, you can’t beat dealing with real people.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 9, 2022: Farmers Market Saturday
May 7, 2022: Mother’s Day Open House
Do You Like Fresh Herbs? The quality of the new herbs at Dothan Nurseries far surpasses any we’ve run across since . . . well, last year when they had them! If a kitchen garden is your thing we strongly recommend checking them out. The Pesto Basil especially is divine!
HORTON’S FARM: One question that comes up at least once a year concerns sourcing for seed, plants, trees, etc. I wish I could say I have an answer for each question. Seed is easy enough as there are multiple excellent suppliers of top quality organic seed. In my opinion starting from organic seed in organic soil is the ONLY way to be sure it’s organic from seed to plate.
And I have not started anything from seed this year. As it is I’m thrilled to have two of my new raised beds filled with fresh organic material and a few bedding plants in them that will live our their fruitful existence in sustainable luxury. This week I added several tomato varieties.
These sets were planted three days apart. I was pleased by how much the first one (on the left) had grown when the one on the right was planted. We have always planted deep and down: the bottom of a 18-24 inch hole is layered with a bit of Epsom salt, chicken guano, and peat moss. The tomato is stripped of all but the top leaves then planted above all that with only the top leaves above soil. This encourages the existing roots to push deep into the soil while developing new roots on the buried stalk.
So far we have Romas, an heirloom Stripey and yellow salad tomatoes growing. There’s another bed to fill as soon as we get the ground leveled.
A Note About Goat’s Milk: As announced a few weeks ago, selling goats milk in Alabama for human consumption is NOT LEGAL. This is why we request the name of your pet when you order. Well . . . it happened – an order without a pet name – for multiple quarts no less! Mighty Suspicious if you ask me! As it turned out Mrs. Debbie will be using her goat’s milk to make SOAP. Say no more! This is a legal and legitimate use for this product and if soap making is your thing what better than fresh from the source!
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 19, 2022 M@D Newsletter - TiMe 2 OrDeR!
GROWER & MARKET NOTES
Good Afternoon! We hope you’ve enjoyed this glorious day after the beating Mother Nature gave us yesterday. THANK YOU to everyone who got those orders before the downpours yesterday and you great Enterprise folks who graciously collected your orders today.
April 9, 2022: Farmers Market Saturday
May 7, 2022: Mother’s Day Open House
AVALON FARMS:
We are trying folks. My inspectors keep me honest. Ha ha These 2 we’re keeping a close eye on the installation of this ground cover. This will be the 3rd season this piece of row cover has been used. Baby lettuce transplants will be going in tomorrow.
Vendor Spotlight: I expect 3C Apiary won’t be happy with us for “outing” them a little, but we felt it only fitting that with the bees a buzzing and Mr. Steve spending many hours every week with his own hives and serving others through beekeeping that we spill a bit of the honey about these great folks.
Steve Loveland started keeping bees in 2017 after retiring from Forestry. It was a natural fit for him and he took to the craft like a fish to . . . no, a better analogy would be like a bee to a flower. He spent a lot of hours studying, learning, working with his own bees and became a conscientious beekeeper within a short time. He and Mrs. Anne have a heart for ministry and service and became lovely friends as well. (no pun intended)
Steve has volunteered with Aunt Katie’s Garden for several years now and recently taught an extended course that included beekeeping to a homeschool group. We have it on good authority that he included God’s original “shake your bootie” dance that honeybees do on comb to communicate where food sources can be located. In addition he is the webmaster for wiregrassbeekeepers.com.
Market at Dothan had a honey supplier (wink, wink) before 3LC joined the Market. We were glad to welcome them as their honey is produced within the city limits of Dothan, making it more LOCAL for some of our customers than the other which is produced in the countryside.
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 12, 2022 M@D Newsletter - WooHoo! Ordering is OpEn!
GROWER & MARKET NOTES
Tax Time Blues: It’s that time of the year and it’s a chore we all dread and love putting in the rearview mirror. Businesses are no different, even very small ones like M@D; every dime has to be accounted for. One thing we’ve noticed this year are our electronic payment fees and this is an area you can help us with if you use Paypal to prepay your order. We love it when you do, but have noticed that their fees (if you don’t use friends and family) are HIGH, about 160% higher than the standard fees we pay when you present a debit or credit card in person.
So that’s our request, please use friends and family settings when prepaying with Paypal, or just pay in person at pickup. M@D LLC is structured like a non-profit which means we operate on a shoestring in order to maximize our grower take home payments. The difference will help ensure we can keep the fire extinguisher inspected, purchase business licenses and cover incidentals. THANKS SO MUCH!
So. COLD. At Hortons Farm And it’s about to get worse! Up here on our hill in Echo we’ve had plenty of stuff knocked down and have heard lots of wind howls today. Reminds me of that old saying about March blowing in like a lion! Just finished building a nice hot wood fire and will be going out to cover herbs, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and lettuce in a bit. Many of those plants enjoy some cold but I don’t think tonight’s temperatures will leave them unscathed without intervention.
TWO CALENDAR ITEMS:
1. Dothan Nurseries will be hosting two Saturday events in the weeks to come, Saturday, April 9 and Saturday May 7, our annual Mother’s Day Open House. Both will be fun special days with vendors, sales and lots of cool fun things to do!
2. The 2nd item . . . (you knew it was coming . . .) Be sure to set your clocks tonight!
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 5, 2022 M@D is Ready for OrDeRs!
GROWER & MARKET NOTES
Scroll through Market Pictures: If you click on any “What’s New” or “Featured Products” photo on the Market Page of the website you can use the left and right arrows to view photos of those products without descriptions.
MT. MORIAH FARMS: Wow, talk about a week of beautiful weather! Our bees are buzzing like crazy, egg production is picking up, and the goats are happy to get some freshly picked weeds. I have something to share with those of y’all who enjoy using a bar of soap in the shower! My Grandma introduced me to a “Soap Mesh Pouch” years ago and they are absolutely amazing! For a long time I had trouble holding onto the bar of soap while trying to suds up my body. The mesh material is the same used to make a regular shower poof. There is an opening that you slide your bar of soap in and a string to close it in. All I do is rub the bar against the mesh side and BAM! I have suds galore! I have recently seen some at Ollies in Dothan for $1 and of course you can order them from Amazon! It is a must try, especially for those who might not want to switch from (chemical filled) body wash to a bar of soap!
SCRAPPYCHIC: It’s been a beautiful week. Spent some time visiting family and crocheting while sitting in the passenger seat on the way up to Georgia. Have some lovely new baskets so show you all. I’m thinking of SPRING with the color combinations. (Shown under new products)
Editors Note: each of these products are one of a kind creations and are not guaranteed to be available the following week.
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. 26, 2022 M@D Newsletter - Time to Order!
GROWER & MARKET NOTES
Have you been outside today? It’s been a glorious day to live in south Alabama! A favorite quote is that sometimes God shows up, and sometimes He shows out. Today has definitely been a “show out” day and this editor is keeping this newsletter brief to get more time outside before the sun sets.
A technical word about ordering: DON”T LEAVE YOUR ITEMS IN THE SHOPPING CART! Market at Dothan’s shopping cart works like other online stores in that you have to click PLACE YOUR ORDER for it to go through. We recommend checking your email after ordering for confirmation.
AVALON FARMS: Greenhouse Update
Most of these were started before the family medical emergency interrupted “the plan”. We have some experimental greenhouse cucumbers just starting to bloom (top left). Lettuces! Trying lots of lettuces. (Lower left) With tomatoes and eggplants in back. The empty tray (top right) will be more lettuces. A full tray of broccoli and sprouting broccoli (lower right) with peppers in the back. Some of these will be heading to the field soon.
Thank you all for your prayers and kind thoughts for our son. He is at home now (in West Virginia) but continues physical and occupational therapy. He has a long road ahead but is on the road to recovery.
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!
M@D is OpEn for OrDeRs! Feb 19, 2022 Newsletter
WELCOME SCRAPPY CHIC!
If you’ve seen the beautiful fabric items in the What’s New box of the Market Page they are from our newest Vendor. We’re glad to welcome Vickie aboard and look forward to more of her creations.
“A lot has happened to bring us here and we are so thankful! First we moved close enough to be buyers from this wonderful market, then the opportunity came to be a vendor! I am a “Repurposer.” I love taking things headed for disposal and making useful items for home and family. I crochet rugs and baskets and bags primarily from recycled, repurposed fabric remnants. Thank you for the opportunity to show you my treasures!”
GROWER & MARKET NOTES
GOOD NEWS! Avalon Farms has relisted some of their products. They will be back in Alabama sometime next week and will be able to list available fresh products (hopefully to order next Saturday!) after they’ve returned and checked to see how everything is growing. Please continue to pray for their son as he recovers.
A very special Thanks to SHERRIE T who has covered our Enterprise deliveries in Wendy’s absence. SO BLESSED to work with such great folks!
Egg Notification: Chickens are Laying again! The ducks actually never stopped. Regardless, as the days have lengthened the girls have ramped up production and those of you who enjoy fresh eggs from our Growers know how good they are! Please be mindful when you order of the quantities available. If a listing says there are 2 dozen, don’t order 3 because you can’t squeeze more eggs out of them! Please email us (marketatdothan@gmail.com) if you need more than is available as there’s a good chance someone in our Market family will have them. We’ll find them if they’re available!
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. 12, 2022 M@D NeWsLetTeR - We're OPEN for Orders!
GROWER & MARKET NOTES
Mt. Moriah Farms What an eventful week here on the farm! We have three new additions! Vivian and Blossom both kidded out and their babies are doing fantastic! Vivian had twin bucklings and Blossom had a single buckling. We named them Cupid, Casanova, and Felix! At a week old (as long as the kids are progressing in growth without any issues) we start pulling them off the moms in the evening and put them back with the moms after the morning milkings! We then use the milk we get to make our 100% goat milk soaps! This does several things… First, it ensures the kids are used to being handled; secondly, it starts the weaning process; thirdly, it keeps the mom’s milk production up. The moms will start to naturally wean the kids off and the milk supply will start to go down. Since we milk them for 9 months out of the year we want to keep that production going! Enjoy the pictures, they are cutie pies for sure!
AVALON FARMS Wendy sends word that she won’t be listing again this week as they as still in Virginia dealing with a family medical emergency. She thanks everyone for their prayers.
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!