The Weblog
This weblog contains LocallyGrown.net news and the weblog entries from all the markets currently using the system.
To visit the authoring market’s website, click on the market name located in the entry’s title.
Dothan, Alabama: Market is OPEN! and OPEN HOUSE IS THIS THURSDAY
Where to Find Us:
You’ll Find Us . . .
Our Website: marketatdothan.locallygrown.net
Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarketatDothan
Normal Friday Pickup: Dothan Nurseries, 1300 Montgomery Highway, Dothan, AL 36303
Pickup is at Open House this Thursday!
SANDSPUR FARMS – “Beef is RESTOCKED! Some pork cuts still available too.
This beef was able to enjoy the sweetness of winter grazing
so the taste may be a little different, but in a good way. I hope
everyone enjoys their purchases from us and if there is ever
a problem, please be sure and let me know.
Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction! Thanks, Jen”
Your SUSTAINABLE Market
As Americans become more knowledgeable about the the health benefits of eating healthy, non processed food, there is still a lot of misunderstanding about beef. More and more people are understanding that conventional beef is not as healthy as organic, pastured or grass fed. With various healthy diet plans recommending different types of healthy beef it can become confusing!
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GRASS-FED AND ORGANIC BEEF?
There is a lot of overlap between organic and Grass Fed beef, because both practices represent a dedication to raising healthier, less chemically-contaminated cows. However, not every cow raised on the pasture is USDA Certified Organic, and not every organic cow is fed a 100% grass diet or allowed unlimited access to the range. If you have to choose between one or the other, it’s important to understand what each label means, and how they each impact the health of your family.
WHAT GRASS FED BEEF MEANS:
Grass fed beef simply means that the cattle were allowed to forage and graze for their own fresh food. They may be given close substitutes like alfalfa during the winter, but unlike grain-fed animals, the emphasis is still on providing the closest thing to a natural diet as possible. Grains are higher in calories, and encourage the cows to grow much faster and cheaper, but grass is much higher in key nutrients like Omega-3s and B vitamins, and result in steaks that are leaner, healthier, and much more flavorful. This is why grass-fed meats are strongly recommended by the Paleo Diet.
WHAT ORGANIC BEEF MEANS
The organic label doesn’t so much describe how the cattle was raised as list all the ways that they can’t be raised. The cows cannot be confined in a feed lot for any extended period of time, cannot be over-crowded or kept in unsanitary conditions, and cannot be directly or indirectly exposed to artificial pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, hormones, GMOs, or other synthetic contaminants.
THE OVERLAP-SOME OF THE BENEFITS WITHOUT THE LABEL
Certified organic beef can be raised on a diet of corn or grain, but they must have at least some access to a pasture, so at least some of their nutrition will probably come from grass. However, unless you talk to the farmer directly or do your own laboratory analysis, it’s impossible to say how much. USDA Certified Organic guarantees that the beef will be free from artificial contaminants, and suggests that it might be higher in nutrition as well.
Grass fed beef does have many of the benefits of organic beef, simply as side effects to raising their cattle on a pasture. Because the cows are in their natural habitat, with access to all of the open space you need to support a herd of cattle, their lives are more humane, less stressful, and much more sanitary, which means their immune systems are under less pressure, don’t require artificial assistance, and their meat is much less likely to be contaminated with diseases like E. Coli. If antibiotics are used on grass-fed cattle, it’s only in rare cases when the animals are actually sick, not constantly like feed-lots have to use them. Why pay for gallons of antibiotics if your animals are healthy and clean all on their own? Cows eat all kinds of plants on the pasture, including weeds, so it doesn’t make sense to spray their pastures full of herbicides. Pastures are essentially wild, with their own balanced ecosystem and plenty of help from cow manure, so pesticides and artificial fertilizers are really unnecessary. While grass-fed, non-organic beef may be exposed to more chemicals than organic, it’s certainly cleaner than conventional beef.
Footnotes
Market At Dothan is a small group of niche growers and producers promoting sustainable agriculture and supporting our local economy. Each grower/producer is dedicated to providing the freshest, highest quality products to their customers. Our growers use natural growing principles without synthetic chemicals. Local products available include: fruits, vegetables, herbs, eggs, beef, chicken, lamb, honey, baked goods, jams, jellies, goat cheese, frozen casseroles, pottery, nuts.
All growers /producers believe in providing locally grown foods and goods seasonally to promote a strong, local community and economy. Our goal is 100% Customer Satisfaction…comments, questions or concerns are welcome!
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!
United States Virgin Islands: Locally Grown Market Cancelled This week
Good Afternoon,
The VI Locally Grown Market will be closed this week because of a VI Farm to School meeting occurring at the same time. See you the following Wed!
Best,
Your VI Locally Grown Growers
Paris Arkansas Farmers Market: Market Support!
Hello market family!
Thank you all so much for making this online market adventure possible! We think that it’s gone pretty well for a new idea in town!
The plan at present is to keep it going year round…with the addition of more vendors on pickup days! We will have additional vendors, hopefully some food trucks, local craft beer (!!), and maybe even some music on tuesday evenings outside Sweet Pickins in Paris where we currently have our order pickups! You will still be able to log on and reserve your favorite market items for pickup on the same days….our thought is that will act as more of a “reservation” system for the high season! (yanno…be SURE you get some of that early season okra without having to be the first one at the market!!) We are REALLY excited to start an evening market—it’s something we’ve been trying to get going for a few years now!!! We hope you will join us and take advantage of the amazing local bounty right here in our backyard!
As our loyal supporters, we are hoping you will all spread the word about the always growing market, and tell your friends to check us out here at the online market www.parisarkansas.locallygrown.net and also our Facebook page for all the latest events and info about the market!! https://www.facebook.com/parisarkansasfarmersmkt/
Thank you all, happy ordering and GO LOCAL!!!
Much love and appreciation,
PAFM Family
Statesboro Market2Go: The market is open!
Thank you for shopping with us! We have a great variety of local vegetables…be sure to place your order this week!
Northeast Georgia Locally Grown: Market is Open for Orders!
Good Evening Locavores!
Georgia Locally Grown is open for orders!Paris Arkansas Farmers Market: Opening bell!!!
Hello Market Family!!
Hope you’re enjoying this fine wet friday! Free water for the farms is the best kind!!
Check out this week’s scrumptious offerings of locally grown, made, baked and produced items!!
Pasture Raised Pork
Grass Fed Beef
Fresh Baked Bagels
Artisan Cheese
Farm Fresh Eggs
Locally crafted crocheted items
Fresh Ripe Organic Strawberries
Homemade organic strawberry preserves
Fresh Herbs!
Green Onions and Garlic
Kale
Salad Greens
Spinach
Broccoli
Squash and Squash Blossoms!!!
Lots of amazing locally made Health and Beauty items!
Let’s show our local producers some love this week!!!
Love and veggies,
PAFM family
Central Arkansas : Opening Bell
Good rainy afternoon marketers,
It’s that time of the week.
We have a wonderful assortment for you this week!!!
Meats
Cheeses
Eggs
Breads & baked goods
Jams & jellies
Homemade bath & body
Handmade crafts
A great choice of veggies & fruits
Honey
Herbs & more
Happy marketing
CAM Market Mama
Augusta Locally Grown: Weblog Entry
SAT, APR 30 – BENDERDINKER!
Once again, Augusta Locally Grown has been selected as the beneficiary of this amazing, one-of-a-kind, food-music-paddle! This is year five!!! We’re expecting more 1000 people to be out on the river! Thank you if you’re one of them!!! A percentage of proceeds supports the educational programs of ALG. Our deep appreciation goes out to Kristina Williams for making it all happen.
TUE, MAY 3 – VEGGIE TRUCK FARMERS MARKET
Come pick up your farm-fresh goods at the only farmers market in Richmond County that DOUBLES EBT. Newcomers will be welcomed with a $5 token to spend at the market through our My Market program. Cooking demo with Angel Veggies, and mini burgers on the grill for sale. Come be a part of this transformational initiative that we call G.R.O.W. Harrisburg! The farmers market is located at 1850 Broad Street, across from the Kroc Center. The market is every Tuesday and runs through October. Market hours are 4:30pm-7pm.
THU, MAY 5 – FOOD OASIS MEETING!
Calling all local food activists! Come join our three-year campaign to create a more vibrant and inclusive local foods culture throughout the CSRA! To get an email invite, contact outreach@georgiaorganics.org.
SAT, MAY 7 – “FOOD AS ART” GALA AT THE DAVIDSON FINE ARTS SCHOOL REUNION.
ALG is honored to play a small part in helping with this very special locally-grown-themed event! Hugs to ALG board member Kisha Burke for her leadership on this, and to Helms College chef Erica Chaney for always seeing local food as art!
WED, JUNE 1 – SIBLEY SOILWORKS SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT BEGINS
Kudos to David Young of the Hobby Farmers of the CSRA for his leadership on this! More details soon!
SUN, JUNE 5 – FARM TOUR DAY AT CLYDES FRESH PRODUCE IN GROVETOWN
Come meet the people who grow your vegetables! Free entry includes a farm tour, 2pm-6pm. Buy produce to take home, and a picnic dinner to enjoy on the farm. Save the date!
TUE, JUNE 7 – FVRx KICK OFF COMMUNITY MEAL!!!
ALG is so lucky to again work with our amazing community partners for a second-year pilot of our Fruit & Vegetable Prescription program, otherwise known as “FVRx-Augusta.” This is one of our dozen G.R.O.W. Harrisburg initiatives! The program is hosted by Harrisburg Family Healthcare and enrolls 30 women from the neighborhood to participate. It is funded by Wholesome Wave Georgia and Good Neighbor Ministries; studied by Emory’s School of Public Health; Icebox Ministries provides cooking classes; MCG students provide market management and clinic support; Veggie Truck Market farmers provide nutrition education and sell their wonderful fruits and veggies through this program; Helms College students, the Augusta District Dietetic Association volunteers and the American Culinary Federation of Augusta help with cooking demos; St. Luke UMC provides transportation; the Junior League provides kids activities; Georgia Organics supports our outreach! Wow! Team awesome!!!
SAT, JUNE 18 – BLUEBERRY PICK YOUR OWN EVENT AT HERB ‘N BERRIES FARM IN MONTMORENCI, SC
Bring your friends and family to this beautiful blueberry farm for some early pickin! Starts as early as 7:30pm; closes at noon. Pay by the gallon for these gorgeous local berries; freeze enough for the year! 148 Keeper Lane, Montmorenci, SC.
SAT, JULY 16 – CHOCOLATE MAKING WORKSHOP WITH THE ANTEBELLUM CHOCOLATE COMPANY IN AIKEN, SC
Spend your Saturday evening making your own chocolate bars with your choice of ingredients – many of them local – with Antebellum Chocolates in Aiken. Learn the history and fundamentals of chocolate, make the bars, and feel the love. $25/person includes your take-home tray of bars. 5pm-6:30pm. Save the date; space is limited; tickets go on sale next week through this market. Visit antebellumchocolates.com for more information.
SAT-SUN, SEPT 24-25 — AUGUSTA GROWS LOCAL FARM TOUR!
So excited to announce these dates! Big love to Kimberly Kirstein who is heading up this remarkable effort. Visit the Facebook page “AGL Farm Tour” for updates and more.
FRI, OCT 7 – BYTE THE HARVEST, A FARM TO TABLE TECHNOLOGY EVENT
Join us as we partner with the Clubhou.se in downtown Augusta as we explore ways in which sustainability and technology intersect to improve our local food system overall. Save the date!!
CHEERS!
Kim
Lake Placid Online Farmer's Market: May Market Open!
Hello everyone,
Even though it’s still technically April, it’s time for the May Market ordering period!
We are excited to welcome Harmony Hills Farm back to the market. Based in Malone, they are offering whole chickens and eggs to Lake Placid customers. Here is more about them:
“We are committed to responsible, environmentally sound, sustainable farming. We use all natural methods to control pests, weeds, and erosion. Animals are raised in open pastures and on forested acreage, using feeding and grazing cycles that not only enhance the soil, air, and water quality, but also provides the animals the ability to engage in their natural behaviors. Committed to quality, taste, freshness, and safety of the products we offer. Pastures and animals are free from pesticides, herbicides, added growth hormones, steroids, animal-based bi-products, and antibiotic applications.”
You can read more about them on their website, http://www.harmonyhillsfarmstead.com.
Please also note that this is the last market Asgaard will participate in until the fall, so grab their meat and cheese offerings while they are available!
As always, if you have any questions, please email me at lakeplacid@locallygrown.net.
Look forward to seeing you!
Christie