Dane County Farmers' Market

Dane County Farmers' Market eNewsletter 

 

 

April 28, 2012

6:00 am - 2:00 pm   

 

Downtown Madison Parking Map  

(Private ramps and street parking are also available.)
   

 

 Dane County Farmers' Market 

 

Adrian and Kadi Row from Shagbark Ridge Farm. --Photo by Bill Lubing

Adrian Barta and Kadi Row of Shagbark Ridge Farm.
(North Pinckney St.)
--Photo by Bill Lubing


contents 

 In This Issue

 

 


This Week

What to Expect This Week

 Recipes 

Locally Produced Popcorn from the DCFM  

At Market This Week 

Market Information  

  Looking Ahead ...   

Join Our Mailing List!


thisweek This Week ...
 

    

A sea of flowers and their admirers at Domann's Plants.
(North Pinckney St.) --Photo by Bill Lubing   

  

     

"Neither snow nor rain nor Crazy Legs Race ..."
Every year around this time Dane County Farmers' Market (DCFM) Manager Larry Johnson fields a runners pack of callers wanting to know if the market is affected by the Crazy Legs Classic. This springtime event begins at 10:00 am on the Capitol Square, OUTSIDE of the location of the DCFM. The market maintains normal operations before, during, and after the event. There are no fewer vendors, the hours of the market don't change, and the market proceeds unaffected by the Crazy Legs event.

Manager Reports a Good Market Opener
DCFM Market Manager Larry Johnson dropped us the following thoughts on this year's opening market:

The first Summer Saturday Market had a record number of vendors (138) for the Opening Day. The weather and the crowds were outstanding. Everyone had a great time renewing connections and finding delicious early vegetables and colorful plants.

Vendors had their usual "first market" challenges. One vendor forgot the cash box and another forgot a table - usual stuff. But one vendor forgot her shoes! She wore her high-top rubber boots to water plants in the hoop house before leaving the farm. Eager to get on the road, she drove away without changing into her walking shoes. It was a long hot day for her tired feet.

We can relate!


See you at market!


Bill Lubing

[email protected]  



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expectWhat to Expect This Week



Jennifer Gillette from Bird's Nest Nursery & Garden
brings plenty of herbs, house plants, bedding plants,
and more this time of the year.
(South Carroll at West Main) --Photo by Bill Lubing


The asparagus is coming on strong while the morels are still holding their own. There were several producers with rhubarb last week and a number with hot house tomatoes. Ramps should still be available this week as will be the spring garlic.

Petite cookies from Chris & Lori's Bakehouse.(N. Pinckney St.) --Photo by Bill Lubing
Chris and Lori's Bakehouse offers a great selection of scones, cookies, and other fresh baked goods. When we stopped to say hello last week, Chris let us know that they're offering a new line of petite cookies.

These sophisticated little gems include chai shortbread, snickerdoodle, chocolate chunk cardamom, and others. They're located on North Pinckney St.

Along with their good selection of dried beans, Flyte Family Farm is also offering bean flour. Carrie says it works great for making refried beans in a hurry. She explains that in recipes the bean flour is used as a supplement to wheat flour, adding body and texture to both savory and sweet baked goods.

Now is the time to start choosing those plants for your vegetable or flower garden. While there is still time to plant, if you're undecided there is an army of producers ready to answer your questions and help you decide. Remember, unlike many mass merchandising outlets, the sellers at the Dane County Farmers' Market are the growers. Who better to give advice on what they're selling?

    


recipeRecipes

Scrambled Eggs with Ramps,
Morels, and Asparagus 

Morels, asparagus, eggs, and ramps from the DCFM.

Morels, asparagus, eggs, and ramps from the DCFM.
--Photos by Bill Lubing

from Bon App�tit

Serves 2
    
This recipe is as delicious for lunch or supper as it is for breakfast. Morel mushrooms tend to trap grit, so swish them around in cool water, transfer them to fresh water for a 15-minute soak, and pat dry before using.

Note that except for the butter, all of the ingredients for this dish will be available at this week's market. Also, note that shiitake or oyster mushrooms can be substituted for the morels. Green garlic or green onions could work in place of the ramps.


Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced trimmed ramp bulbs and slender stems plus 1 cup thinly sliced green tops (from about 4 large ramps)
  • 4 medium asparagus spears, trimmed, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 ounce fresh morel mushrooms, thinly sliced lengthwise (about 1/2 cup)
  • 4 large eggs, beaten to blend

  

Directions

  1. Melt butter in medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add ramp bulbs and stems to skillet; saut� 3 minutes.
  2. Add green tops, asparagus, and mushrooms; saut� until ramps are soft and asparagus is crisp-tender, about 9 minutes. (We waited to add the morels the last five minutes of cooking.) 
  3. Add eggs to skillet; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir until eggs are very softly set, about 2 minutes.
  4. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide scrambled eggs between 2 plates and serve immediately.

 

 

Adapted from Epicurious.com

  

  

producer
Locally Produced Popcorn
From the DCFM 
Fun to pop, more fun to eat,
no matter how you crunch it!



Beautiful to look at. More fun to eat. This corn on the cob pop corn from Krinke's Market (South Pinckney St.) can be put into a paper bag and placed in the microwave. Pop on high for around two minutes. When the pop rate falls to less than one every two seconds, it's time to take it out.


Popcorn from Tietz Family Farms. --Photo by Bill Lubing 
 
 There's a lot of poppin' in these tubs of home grown corn from Tietz Family Farms (East Main St.)
 
Air pop the kernels or get a heavy three- or four-quart pot. Add just enough sunflower oil from the market to cover the bottom. Place two kernels of corn in the bottom.  Cover, heat over medium-high heat, and wait for them to pop. 
 
Then, cover the bottom of the pot with a single layer of pop corn. Cover. Pop until the frequency between pops drops to greater than two seconds. Remove from heat and pour into a serving bowl.

However you pop your corn, buy it from one of several DCFM producers to ensure that it is locally grown and of high quality.

atmarketthisweekAt Market This Week


Time to replenish the pantry! 

 


The sun on the wings of bees captured
in these jars of pure Wisconsin honey gathered
by Wisconsin Honey Farms (East Mifflin St.)
--Photo by Bill Lubing





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. Chances are that not all items mentioned or listed below will be at each market.  If you see an item at the market that is not listed here please email [email protected] so we may update the list. 

      

Bakery

Asiago black pepper bread,  

Biscotti  

Cashew finger baklava 

Cheese bread 

Cheesecake 

Chocolate walnut baklava

Cinnamon rolls

Cookies

Dinner rolls (plain, garlic cheddar cheese, or Jalape�o garlic cheddar cheese available)  

English toffee 

Flat breads  

Garlic cheddar cheese flat bread 

Jalape�o garlic cheddar cheese flat bread

Muffins

Panettone 

Pastries

Persian toffee

Persian rice cookies

 Pistachio baklava  

Ragusa Style Sicilian Semolina Bread

Scones

Spicy cheese bread 

Spinach 'Mpanata 

Sweet breads

Tea breads

Tomato Scaccia 

Torts

Tortillas 

Whole wheat sourdough


Cheese
Cheese curds
Goat cheese
Sheep milk cheese
Mixed milk cheeses
Cottage Cheese
World-class aged cheeses
 

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Fresh Vegetables

Asparagus
Beets
Carrots
Collard Greens
Garlic (green)
Herbs
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce
Onions (Green and overwintered)
Popcorn
Parsnips
Potatoes
Radishes
Ramps
Rhubarb
Shallots
Salad mixes
Tomatoes, canned
Tomatoes, fresh
Turnips


Fruit
Apples
Jams, jellies, preserves
Pears
Raspberries (frozen)
Raspberries (fresh)
Strawberries (frozen)
Tomatoes (fresh)
Tomatoes (canned)
Tomatoes (dried)

  


Meats (Grass and grain fed)
Angus beef
Beef
Brats and sausage
Chicken
Conventional cuts
Duck
Elk
Emu
Trout (fresh and smoked)
Ham
Highland beef
Lamb
Pork
Salmon
Special cuts
Turkey
Venison
Fresh and smoked trout
Smoked salmon 



Specialty Items   
Apple Cider
Bloody Mary mix  
Candles
Eggs
Flavored sea salt
Honey
Hot sauces
Infused olive oil
Maple syrup
Morels
Mushrooms
Pasties (frozen)
Pesto
Popcorn
Salsa
Soup (canned and frozen)
Stocks (Chicken and Beef)
Sunflower oil
Tomato sauces
Tortillas
Vinaigrettes 




 

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informationMarket Information

Dates, Times, Locations, and Contact Information
for The Dane County Farmers' Market





There is a lot of interest in the
grilled cheese sampling at Brunkow Cheese.
(West Main Street at Martin Luther King Blvd.)
--Photo by Bill Lubing

 

2012 Saturday Outdoor Market

Date: April 21 through November 10, 2012 
Hours: 6:00 am to 2:00 pm    
Where: Wisconsin State Capitol Square 
Parking: Nearby municipal and private ramps and area on-street parking

      

2012 Wednesday Outdoor Market

Date: April 25 through November 14, 2012 
Hours: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm    
Where: 200 Block of Martin Luther King Blvd., Madison
Parking: Nearby municipal ramps and area on-street 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 [email protected]. The  DCFM website provides much  information as well.

Dane County Farmers' Market
Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are needed to staff the Information Booth, located at the top of State Street. If you'd like to find out more about this fun way to get involved with the Dane County Farmers' Market, drop an email to
The shifts are short. The people are fun. And it's a great way to learn more about the Dane County Farmers' Market.

Please contact  Elizabeth Barley and Sean Michael Dargan at  [email protected] for information about volunteering at the market breakfasts (winter months only). It's fun, rewarding, and really appreciated by the market-going public. 

    

lookingaheadLooking Ahead ...
 

     Madison Magazine, May 2012 cover

 

The May issue of Madison Magazine
has plenty of great things to say
about the DCFM.

 

 

Telling the DCFM Story
This time of the year Market Manager Larry Johnson is busy fulfilling media requests about the DCFM. The interviews, photos, and information on vendors he supplies usually gain a mention, a few photos, or a short piece in a magazine, newspaper, or web site.

Rarely does a publication feature the market on its front cover. The May issue of Madison Magazine does just that. The article, "Square Roots" by Madison writer Sarah Karon traces the DCFM's early days, starting 40 years ago when "A handful of farmers assembled on the Capitol Square to sell their produce."

Dan Aultman of The Summer Kitchen. --Photo by Bill Lubing
Dan Aultman of The Summer Kitchen
(West Main St.) is one of a number
of DCFM producers featured in the article.
--Photo by Bill Lubing
She brings us up to the present where the market, "Attracts tens of thousands of visitors weekly, making it one of the country's top markets, a symbol of Madison. and an essential connector between the city and the farms that surround it."

The magazine was published before last week's market. Several vendors at the market mentioned to us how they noticed a significant uptick in sales, which they attributed to the article.

Positive mentions of the market, such as this Madison Magazine article, directly enhance the efforts of DCFM producers. So do mentions to friends, co-workers, and family.

In many ways those of us who subscribe to this eNewsletter are the "enlightened" who understand the appeal of quality products being sold by the producer. It's why the DCFM has grown to be one of the largest producer-only markets in the country.

It's fabulous when the media tells the story of the Dane County Farmers' Market. It's beyond fabulous when we take it upon ourselves to do the same.
 
Until Next Week!

 

 

Bill Lubing

DCFM 

[email protected] 

 

 

       

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