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Dane County Farmers' Market eNewsletter |
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Saturday, October 3, 2009
6:00 am - 2:00 pm
On the Capitol Square |
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009
8:30 am - 2:00 pm
200 Block of Martin Luther King Blvd.
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 Mother Nature's bead work in
ornamental corn from Liz Vowles.
(Located on East Main St.) --Photo by Bill Lubing
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Join our list
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This Week ...
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Onions and tomatoes from Hummel's Farm.
(Located on South Carroll St.)
--Photo by Bill Lubing
Dear DCFM Enthusiast,
How often we've hear at market, "It was just picked this morning." It's usually when looking at an example of produce that is so incredibly fresh and vibrant you can almost feel the life force emanating from it.
Don't believe me? Take another look at those beautiful onions from Jon Hummel pictured above. You just know they are going to be fresh and juicy and sharply aromatic when you cut into them. The tomatoes, the same way. The peppers, right next door, crunchy and clean and sharp.
We have six more weeks of the outdoor DCFM. It's a great time of the year to take advantage of this wonderful source of the freshest food in the area grown by some of the most dedicated, hardworking souls you're likely to know. After all, few if ever is the time the grocer at the typical brick and mortar store can say with pride, "It was just picked this morning. I guarantee it. I picked it."
Bill Lubing
bill@dcfm.org
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Meet the Producer:
Brantmeier Family Farm
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Tom Brantmeier points out one of his fields. --Photo by Bill Lubing
If you've spent any time at all visiting the DCFM you've undoubtedly met, know, or have passed the Brantmeier Family Farm stall. It's located on North Pinckney St. at East Washington Ave. Tom is one of the few vendors that will carry catnip, nettles, spring garlic, and many of the more unusual types of produce at the market. His huge claim to fame in the summer and through much of the winter is his garlic. And we won't buy soap from anyone (or any place) else when he sells it at the winter market.
Tom was kind enough to invite us out to his farm for an afternoon potluck last Sunday and, while slightly hesitant, agreed to allow us to share some photos and video with you. With his wife Maria, who works as a hair stylist in Madison and Monroe, and son Joel, the Brantmeier farm is nestled among valleys and ridges in the beautiful undulating country near Monroe, WI.
The Fall colors are just starting to emerge at the farm. One of the first to lead the way is sumac.
Tom is known for his wonderful eggs. He sells out of them most times at the market and it's no wonder why. Tom's chickens have plenty of opportunity to scratch in the yard, finding bugs and other delectables that only a chicken could love.
The chickens keep Tom and his family entertained for hours. Until you've seen it, there's nothing quite like watching a chicken chase a bug.
Tom describes his farm as being "nature sensitive." His family feels a very close connection to nature and tries their best not to harm it. "The energy and spirit of nature is not only beautiful and inspiring," he says, "but it is also essential for our survival. We feel it is not only nice to take care of Her, but necessary."
One nature sensitive farming method on the Brantmeier farm is the way the soil is respected. Once the ground he gardens in is prepared for the season it is disturbed as little as possible.
Paths that run parallel to the rows allow access to the crops without excessive traffic on the growing area, which compacts the soil. Tom feels too much compaction is detrimental to the micro- and other organisms who live within it.
It was a beautiful afternoon. Tom and Maria are perfect hosts. We thank them both so much for not only a relaxing, fun afternoon at their farm but a highly educational one as well.
For More Information
Brantmeier Family Farm
608-328-1334
tombrantmeier@yahoo.com
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Video Extra:
A Visit to the Brantmeier Family Farm
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There are chickens, and ducks, and geese
at the Brantmeier Family Farm.
There are goats and dogs, and many, many
beautiful growing things as well.
Enjoy your video visit! |
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Recipes: Broccoli with Garlic and White Wine
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Broccoli with Garlic and White Wine. --Photo by Swede16tc
Quick Butternut Squash Soup
Serves 6
This is an easy and delicious recipe that uses much from the market.
Ingredients- 6 tablespoons sunflower oil (or extra virgin olive
oil)
- 4 garlic cloves,
thinly sliced
- 1 pound broccoli,
cut into spears, lengthwise
- 6 ounces dry white
wine
- 1 tablespoon red chili pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 lemon, zest of
Directions
- In a 12 to 14 inch saute pan, heat the olive oil and garlic until just
sizzling.
- Add the broccoli and cook, tossing regularly for 8-10 minutes, until
the stem is tender.
- Use the wine to slow the cooking down if the garlic begins to
brown.
- When the broccoli is tender, add the chili flakes and zest.
- Place on platter and enjoy!
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Friends of the DCFM
School on the Square for October 3
Kids Make Edible Jewelry
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 This week the Friends of the DCFM School on the Square presents "Kids Make Edible Jewelry." From 9:30 am to 11:00 am this free class uses small fresh vegetables from DCFM vendors to produce necklaces, crowns, bracelets, etc., to wear and eat.
This is a fun, creative way for kids to learn about foods while they munch their way around the market. It's one of the school's most popular activities and participants create an amazing variety of jewelry.
Sponsored by the Friends of the DCFM with help from the UW-Madison Dietetics and Nutrition Club, the School is held on the South Hamilton St. walkway to the Capitol.. Look for the white tent across from the Inn on the Park.
For more information contact Program Coordinator Danielle Wood, 608-469-2633, friends.danielle@gmail.com.
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At Market This Week |
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We strive to keep this list as accurate as possible. We probably missed an item or two that is at the market or listed an item as available when it is not. Please use this as a general guide to what's at the market this week. Take a look around and you'll find grapes, savoy cabbage, daikon, and numerous varieties of peppers this week. Depending upon who's visited by frost, there should still be time to pick up good supplies of basil before we have a frost. Middlebury Hills had some beautiful basil last week as did Renaissance Farm. Fall spinach, should be in good supple, as should eggplant, depending upon the frost. Numerous varieties of beets, cauliflower, and onions are in great supply. And apples? How many bushels do you want? Joe and Ruby Cabibbo from Cabibbo's Bakery won't be at market this week but plan to return
next week. That means no biscotti, 'Mpanata, Panettone, Ragusa style
Sicilian bread or Scaccia. If you haven't ordered your holiday bird or ham yet, it's a good time to check with your favorite vendor to reserve yours for the Thanksgiving holiday. Many farmers quickly exhaust their supply of seasonal birds, such as turkeys, on the pre-order. BreadsBiscotti Cheesecake Cinnamon rolls Cookies Doughnuts 'Mpanata Flat breads Muffins Panettone Pastries Ragusa Style Sicilian semolina bread Scaccia Sweet breads Tea breads Torts
Cheese
Cheese curds
Goat cheese
Sheep milk cheese
World-class aged cheeses
Decorations
Candles
Decorative gourds
House plants
Fresh Cut, Dried Flowers
Cut Flowers
Pussy Willows
Red Curly Willow
Red Dogwood
Willow Wreaths
Fresh Vegetables
Amaranth
Arugula
Beans (several varieties)
Beets (several varieties)
Bekana
bok choi
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Carrots
Celeriac
Chard
Chives
Cilantro
Collard greens
Corn
Cucumber
Dandelion
Dill
Edamame
Eggplant
Fennel
Garlic
Ground Cherries
Herbs
Hon Tsai Tai
Horseradish
Kale
Kohlrabi
Komatsuna
Lettuce (several varieties)
Mizuna
Mustard greens
Nettles
Onions (several varieties)
Parsley
Peppers (hot and sweet)
Potatoes
Peas (various varieties)
Rhubarb
Radishes
Savoy cabbage
Shallots
Summer squash
Salad mixes
Spinach
Sorrel
Sunchokes
Sweet Corn
Tomatillos
Tomatoes (several varieties)
Zucchini
Fruit
Apples
Apricots
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Cherries (sweet and tart)
Currants
Gooseberries
Jams, jellies, preserves
Mulberries
Pears
Plums
Raspberries, fresh
Raspberries, frozen
Strawberries, fresh
Strawberries, frozen
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Live Plants
Bedding plants
Nursery stock
Prairie Plants
Succulent dish gardens
Vegetable, herb, and flower transplants
Woodland plants
Meats (Grass and grain fed)
Angus beef
Beef
Bison
Brats and sausage
Chicken
Conventional cuts
Duck
Elk Emu
Ham
Highland beef
Lamb
Ostrich
Pork
Rabbit
Special cuts
Trout (smoked and fresh)
Venison
Specialty Items
Bloody Mary mix
Butternuts
Candles
Eggs
Flavored sea salt
Flour
Hickory nuts
Honey
Hot sauces
Infused olive oil
Morels
Mushrooms
Nasturtium Blossoms
Pasties (frozen)
Pesto
Popcorn
Salsa
Soup (canned)
Sunflower oil
Tomato sauces
Vinaigrettes
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Market Information |
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Saturday Outdoor Market Schedule (In Session Now)
Date: Every Saturday during the Summer and Fall
Hours: 6:00am to 2:00pm
Where: Downtown Madison on the Capitol Square
Wednesday Outdoor Market Schedule (In Session Now)
Date: Every Wednesday during the Summer and Fall
Hours: 8:30am to 2:00pm
Where: 200 Block of Martin Luther King Blvd.
Parking
Questions About the Market?
If you have any questions about the market or the vendors, please contact the market manager, Larry Johnson, at 608-455-1999 or email him at larryj@dcfm.org. The DCFM website provides much information as well.
Dane County Farmers' Market
Volunteer Opportunities
Please contact Ruth Miller at ferngulley@mhtc.net for information about volunteering at the market breakfasts (winter months only) or during the outdoor market at the information booth. It's fun, rewarding, and really appreciated by the market-going public.
Friends of the DCFM
For information on volunteering for any educational projects and programs on the Square or becoming a member of Friends of the Dane County Farmers' Market contact Danielle Wood at friends.Danielle@gmail.com.
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Looking Ahead ...
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Mike Lind of Driftless Organics spoke to hundreds of people
who stopped by the farm's booth at the REAP Food for
Thought Festival which was held last Saturday.
Driftless shared a booth with the Mermaid Café.
(Located on South Pinckney St.) --Photo by Bill LubingWe're crossing the threshold between summer and fall produce. This is an excellent time to think about what you want to put by for the winter months.
It's also not too early to start thinking about what you'll need for that DCFM inspired Thanksgiving dinner. What an excellent opportunity to show those visiting relatives what a meal made from "Just picked this morning" produce is all about.
Sincerely
Bill Lubing
DCFM
bill@dcfm.org
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