|
|
|
|
| News from the Emporia Farmers Market |
March 2014
Volume 8, Number 2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Is anyone else having trouble believing we have reached the month of March already, or is my sense of time rushing along at warp speed a result of having three teenagers in the house?
In March, we look forward to two Indoor Winter Markets (and--fingers crossed--Mother Nature getting the message that we would be pleased to see some spring rains and warmer temperatures).
On Tuesday, March 4, I will be teaching a Farmers Market 101 class via Community Connections. If you have ever considered becoming a vendor at the market, this is your chance to get the inside scoop. We will cover the ins-and-outs of selling at the market, tips and tricks, as well as an overview of state requirements for selling produce and baked goods and rules specific to the Emporia Farmers Market. There are more details regarding the Farmers Market Series of classes at Community Connections below. Please check them out!
As well, our annual meeting is coming up on Saturday, March 15. If you have an interest in becoming further involved in the market, as a vendor, Friend, or volunteer, you are welcome to join us. RSVP due by March 12.
See you at the market!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 First and Third Saturdays
Indoor Winter Markets will take place at the Emporia Humanitarian Center, 215 W. 6th Ave., on the first and third Saturday of every month through April 2014. Market hours are 10am till noon. NEXT MARKET: The next Indoor Winter Market takes place on Saturday, March 1, and will feature live music by, Matt Kosinski. The Second Market in February will take place on Saturday, March 15. Lee C. Muller will provide the musical entertainment for the day. |
| March 15, 2014 Annual Meeting of the Emporia Farmers Market | |
The Annual Meeting of the Emporia Farmers Market will take place Saturday, March 15, starting at noon (after the Indoor Winter Market).
Past, current and future vendors, Friends, Farmhands and Supporters are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP by March 12 to market manager, Tracy Simmons, at [email protected] or 620-343-06555. A lunch of sandwiches and chips will be provided for those who attend (cost of lunch $3/person for those who are NOT currently enrolled as vendors or active Friends or volunteers of the market.)
EFM Board Elections: If you are interested in a position on the 2014-15 EFM Board, please contact Tracy Simmons or a current market board member. The Emporia Farmers Market, a project of The Learning Connection of the Flint Hills, is guided by a volunteer board of directors. This board is responsible for the overall policy and direction of the market, and delegates responsibility for day-to-day operations to the market manager and committees. Commitment for a 2-year board position includes monthly meetings (approximately 1 to 1.5 hours) and occasional help with fundraisers, kiosk management during markets, market educational activities and social events.
Please take a moment to thank our 2013-14 Directors:
President: Ruthann Resch
Vice President: Becky Smith
Secretary: Jessica Hopkins
Treasurer: Janet Brassart
Music Coordinator: Bill Ihling
Debra Blackwell
Harold Brenzikofer
Travis Carmichael
Colby Fuller
Ben Stallings
Ellen Hansen
Fannie Harrell
|
| Q&A with Nancy Crawford? | |
 Nancy Crawford began selling with the Emporia Farmers Market with her daughters in1998. The girls are grown up and gone now, but Nancy continues to be a market regular. Shoppers look forward to seeing her throughout our summer and winter markets.
Nancy recently took a moment to answer a few questions about her time as a vendor.
Q: How did you get started with EFM?
A: I have been baking with my girls since 1998. They wanted a summer job and I walked outside one really hot day and it hit me! People do not want to bake in the summer! It's too hot! I told the girls they could make and sell cookies! They started out only baking cookies. Later we added cinnamon rolls; I would make the dough before I went to work and they did the rest. Eventually, they learned to do it all. They would bake in the summer and in the fall and I would do the baking anytime they couldn't. I used to go to the market until they got out of school. Wednesday markets were at 4 then. This continued until they were in high school.
 Q: What do you consider your specialty?
A: We don't really have a best seller. Variety seems to be our draw!
Q: What advice would you share with someone who is considering becoming a vendor at the Emporia Farmers Market?
A: It takes time to build a customer base. New vendors should look for a niche that is not already being sold to have ultimate success and then be patient to grow.
And because a picture is worth a thousand words, we will leave you with a few photos of Nancy's product.
 
|
| Winter Market Vendors | |
Vendors re-enrolled, so far, for 2014 markets include:
Waite & Allenby Soap Company - David & Debra Arb
Year began selling with EFM: 2010
Products Offered: Natural artisan soaps and skin care products. Soaps are made the cold-processed way to retain the natural glycerin and emollients. A variety of herbs, botanicals, clays and essential oils as well as goat's milk, honey, oatmeal, seaweed, sea salt, henna, Dutch processed cocoa, ground coffee, pumpkin puree, coconut milk, jojoba oil, black pepper and more are used. Base oils include extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, sustainable palm oil and castor oil. (Formerly Sleepy Hollow Natural Skin Care.)
__________________
Baked Goods by Debra Blackwell
Products Offered: Baked Goods and Pet Treats.
__________________
Country Flower Shed - Harold & Naomi Brenzikofer
Began selling with EFM: ~ 1987
Products Offered: Winter Market high tunnel and greenhouse produce includes romaine lettuce, spinach, radishes and carrots. A variety of fresh produce available in the summer months, as well as farm eggs, jams and jellies.
__________________
Crawford Baking - Rod & Nancy Crawford
Year began selling with EFM: 2000
Products Offered: Cinnamon Rolls, Maple & Orange. Bread: White, Wheat, 100% Wheat, Sunflower Wheat & Walnut. Cinnamon Swirl, Bubble Bread, Cinnamon Bread, Pecan Rolls. Apple, Cherry, Pineapple Tea Rings. Cookies: Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Kisses, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, M&M Monster, Snicker Doodles, Raisin Chocolate Crinkles. Quick Breads: Banana & Walnut, Pumpkin, Zucchini, Blueberry, Poppyseed, Cherry Almond.
Cookies and Breads vary from market to market. Always trying new items.
__________________
Products Offered: Jams and jellies; orange marmalade, strawberry preserves. Pies; apple, strawberry, rhubarb, pecan. Perrenials; St. John's Wort, Anise, Penstemon, Daylilies, Iris.
__________________
The Orchard - Bob Karr
Year began selling with EFM: 1986
Products Offered: Honey, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Blackberries, Fruitwood (smokers), Raspberries, Plums, Peaches, Apples. IMP orchard practices, non-certified organic vegetables.
__________________
The Summer Kitchen: Hannah Miller
Year began selling with EFM: 2013
Products Offered: Yeast bread, angel food cake and other baked goods. Fresh farm eggs and homemade pasta.
__________________
Charlene Osman
Products Offered: Live plants (including starter vegetables for gardening), seeds, herbs and vegetables. Also wool roving and handmade fiber products.
__________________
How Sweet It Is - Linda Simmons
Year began selling with EFM: 2010
Products Offered: Gourmet Cookies, Cinnamon Rolls, Homemade Breads, Pies, Cakes.
__________________
Interdependent Web Urban Farm - Ben & Jessie Stallings
Year began selling with EFM: 2009
Products Offered: Salad green, cooking greens, vegetables an fruits, herbs, cut flowers, live plants, dried herbs, teas, shaved ice, jewelry, arts & crafts, baked goods - cookies & muffins.
We use no pesticides or chemical fertilizers; we also do no till and rarely use city water for irrigation, relying instead on ecological intercropping, integrated pest management, heavy mulch, and rainwater catchment. Most of our crafts feature recycled components and our baked goods use whole grains and unrefined sugars.
__________________
Stanton's Garden: Roy L. Stanton, Sr.
Products Offered: A wide variety of garden vegetables, live herbs and mums in season.
__________________
And meet our new vendors! (below)
|
| New Vendor at the Market in 2014 | |
Please join us in welcoming:
Oatie Beef
"From Our Farm to Your Plate
It's important to know what you're eating. And it's even more important to know what you aren't eating. We want you to know that all of our products are hormone free. We strive to make sure that you and your family can sleep easier knowing that our cattle are not given antibiotics or GMO feed."
Oatie Beef Website 
|
| New Vendor at the Market in 2014 | |
Please join us in welcoming:
Graze the Prairie
"Graze The Prairie's Goal is to work with nature to provide the best quality grass-fed beef to our customers. We do not use chemical fertilizer, our cattle are never given any growth hormones and given antibiotics for therapeutic reasons only. Animals that receive medication for any reason are removed and never sold through Graze The Prairie. Our cattle are never fed grain or concentrates. Our cattle are on pasture year around. Mineral Supplement, clean water, and high-quality stored forages for feeding during winter months, as well as cattle with the right genetics are all essential factors for high-quality grass-fed beef. Our cattle are moved into new paddocks daily in the growing season, and at least twice weekly in the dormant. This mimics the movement of the animals that historically lived on the prairie and is in concert with how the prairie evolved. This provides our cattle with the best life possible and helps preserve the remaining tallgrass prairie."
Graze the Prairie Website
|
| Thank you to our Market Farmhands & Musicians | |
February Farmhands: Janet Brassart, Bill Holtmeyer, Evie Simmons, Ruth Wise
Musicians: Bill Ihling, Lee Muller
Bill Ihling and Friends at the February 1 Indoor Winter Market. Bill was joined by Jane McCoy and Ben Stallings for his farewell performance at the market. |
| Farmers Market Series via Community Connections | |
Farmers Market 101: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Farmers Market Vending
Instructor: Tracy Simmons
Cost: $5
Schedule: Tuesday, March 4, 6:00-8:00 PM
If you've ever considered selling produce, baked goods, or homemade crafts at a farmers market, this is the place for you. Emporia Farmers Market manager, Tracy Simmons, will cover the ins and outs of selling at the market, state and local regulations, creating a niche, and tips and strategies for successful vending. As well, you will learn about the Emporia Farmers Market history, operations and guidelines for selling. If you already know your product, or you've just had an idea that selling at the market is something you might like to do, sign up for this presentation. Sponsored in part by the Emil Babinger Charitable Trust.
Seed Starting Basics
Instructor: John Crisp
Cost: $5
Schedule: Tuesday, March 11, 6:00-8:30pm
Don't get overwhelmed with all the technical stuff - you can do it! From direct seeding in the garden to starting seedlings for transplant, you will learn all you need to know to get started raising your own food. Students will work with seeds, potting soils, flats, cells, soil blocks, grow lights, timers, watering devices, and transplanters, learning all the aspects of growing through hands-on activity. John has been gardening for over 50 years and his experience can help you get through the learning curve, and on your way to success.
Eating in Season
Instructor: Tracey Graham
Cost: $5
Schedule: Saturday, March 15, 1:00-3:00 PM
We all know that locally-grown foods (from your garden, your friends' and neighbors' gardens, the Farmers Market, etc.) are the very best. Even in the depths of winter, there are many lovely foods available locally. Tips for creative ways of consuming high-quantity foods while they're at their peak is the focus of this class. Explore how to take advantage of the abundance that is available at different times of the year, and sample some recipes whipped up from what's available right now. Sponsored in part by the Emil Babinger Charitable Trust.
There will be a Pie Baking 101 class in April!
Enroll today! Visit http://flinthills.augusoft.net or call 620-341-1392.
|
| Contact Information | |
Market Manager
Tracy Simmons
620-343-6555
|
EFM Board Members |
President:Ruthann Resch
Vice President: Becky Smith
Secretary: Jessica Hopkins
Treasurer: Janet Brassart
Music Coordinator: Bill Ihling
Debra Blackwell
Harold Brenzikofer
Travis Carmichael
Colby Fuller
Ben Stallings
Ellen Hansen
Fannie Harrell |
|
|
|
Indoor Winter Markets brought to you by the
Emil Babinger
Charitable Trust
lead sponsor
|
|
Helpful Harvesters
Janet Brassart
Scott & Rhonda Gordon Lyon County Master Gardeners James & Theresa Muckenthaler
Don & Ruth Wise |
|
Market Sponsors
Winter Market & Vision Card Enhancement Sponsor:
The Emil Babinger Charitable Trust
Facilities Sponsors:
The City of Emporia
Lyon County K-State Research & Extension
Elbert Liquor Store
Mark II Lumber
Media Sponsors:
KVOE
The Emporia Gazette
The Flint Hills Shopper
Community Partner & Event Sponsors:
Country Mart North
Emporia Subways
Emporia Area Local Food Network
Murphy's Menu
Thurston's Plus
|
|
Friends of the Market
Tom & Rachel Andrews
James Bordonaro
Harold & Naomi Brenzikofer
Ele Browning
Jessica Bucholtz
Betty Campbell & Margaret
Davidson
Laura Clawson
Coffelt Sign Company
Judy Conway
Tyler Curtis
Carla R. Davis
S.C. Dixon
John Dougherty
Paul DuToit
Emporia Gardeners of America
Joe & Allison Foster
Colby Fuller
Jon Geitz
Becky Hadicke
Joyce Hanlin (Arizings)
Ellen Hansen
Fannie Harrell
Millard Harrell
Dr. Stephen Haught
Roger Heineken
Jessica Hopkins
June Hubert
Bill & Dianne Ihling
Janice Jaggard
Rachael LeClear
Logan Ave. 4-H Club
Max McCoy
Regina Murphy
Wanda Myers
Bobbi Mylnar
Dr. DenaSue Potestio
Ruthann Resch
Gretchen Russell
Carol Schoeck
Mark Schondelmaier
Mark Sherman
Dr. Michael Shonrock
Evie Simmons
Kaman Simmons
Maddie Simmons
Rand Simmons
Becky Smith
Karen Sommers
Ben & Jessie Stallings
Pam Thuma
Cheryl Unruh
Jesse & Beth Wilson
Ruth Wise
Casey & Erin Woods
Jennifer Youngblood
Barbara Younger
and Market Musicians
Sara Coltrane
Savanna Chestnut
Sue Claridge
Lance Fahy
Joe Foster
Dr. Brent Hrabik
Bill Ihling
Matt Kosinski
Eric Martin
Jane McCoy
Lee C. Muller
The Neighborly Brothers
Carlos Pringle
Ben Stallings
Fran Stallings
P.J. Stephenson
Anne Strobel
Charlie Wilks
Tony Zouplna
Anton Zouplna, Sr.
Anton Zouplna, III
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
