This Saturday State Street Maxwell Street Days will be in full swing. This annual event is confined to State Street and will have no affect on the Dane County Farmers' Market (DCFM).

The Isthmus Paddle & Portage takes place from 9:00 am until 12:00 Noon. Hundreds of participants paddle the Madison lakes and portage across the Madison isthmus from James Madison Park to Olin Park. During the hours of the race there will be no vehicle access to North and South Pinckney. If you have large orders to pick up via vehicle we recommend doing so by 8:30 or so or after 12:30 pm or so.

 Back on the Square

Just a reminder that the market is back on the Capitol Square this week after moving off the Square to accommodate last week's art fair. There will be a full complement of vendors selling during normal hours in their usual locations at this week's market.

 

If you need information on a vendor location or product availability, stop by the DCFM information booth, on North Carroll St. at the top of State St. 

 

See you at market.

 

 

 

Bill Lubing

What to Expect This Week

Cabbage from the DCFM. --Photo by Bill Lubing 

We can expect Pleasant Springs Orchard (East Main St.) to be bringing muskmelons, red and yellow watermelons, Lodi apples, and Pristine apples (a yellow eating apple). Sweet corn, currants, bell peppers, and cauliflower will be joined by kale, chard, broccoli, and several varieties of beets.

Look for blueberries, radishes, kohlrabi, and hot peppers along with fresh basil, cilantro, and other herbs.

The quantity and variety of hybrid and heirloom tomatoes continues to increase. For unfamiliar tomatoes, ask the seller about the tomato's characteristics. At the DCFM the one who sells it is the one who grew it!

Feeling like cooking up some excellent quality meat. You can find an excellent variety of locally raised meats sold by the farmer at the DCFM. Beef, bison, chicken, elk, emu, fresh and smoked trout, lamb, pork, smoked salmon, and venison can all be found at the market.

Formerly operating as In the Garden, we will now be operating as GardenIcon (located on West Mifflin St.). We will start our market season this Saturday featuring customer favorite products such as sweet grape tomatoes, slicing cucumbers, potatoes (red and yellow) and tender green beans. 

Thanks for letting us know, Ann and George! 

Cabbage and Tomato Chicken Soup --Photo by VickyJ

At the DCFM where you find honey you're likely
to find beeswax. These candles are at
Gentle Breese Honey. (South Carroll St.
at the West Washington Ave. Inlet)--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 bill@dcfm.org so we may update the list. 

      

 

 

Return to 'In This Issue' Contents 

 

 

A basket of fresh cucumbers ready
for a salad or for pickling.
--Photo by Bill Lubing


 

Fountain Prairie Inn & Farms
Gains Conservation Easement
We received a short email from Dorothy Priske at Fountain Prairie Inn & Farms informing us that the Natural Heritage Land Foundation has provided them with a conservation easement. This is a voluntary agreement between and landowner and an easement holder (such as a qualified non-profit conservation organization like the Natural Heritage Land Trust or a unit of government) to protect land by permanently restricting certain uses.

Wetlands at Fountain Prairie Farm. --Photo by Bill Lubing

The easement is typically used to keep farmland available for production or to protect a cherished piece of land from development. In the case of the Priske's both criteria apply.

"John and I have been working on this project for the past four years," writes Dorothy, "and we're thrilled that our beautiful farm will always be a farm.  We are so grateful for all of the help we've received from the Natural Heritage Land Trust, especially Caleb Pourchot."

Within the last couple of years the Priske's  installed a wind turbine, which is supplying power to run the farm. For the story on that process, check out this video.

 

Until next week.