The Veggie Gazette
News from the Emporia Farmers Market

March 2015

Volume 9, Number 2

  

 

Where did the month of February go? I don't know about you, but I packed this one full. I just returned from the 2015 State Farmers' Market Conference in Manhattan and it was a great one. I have shared a bit about it on the market website, and I look forward to sharing more as I sort through my lists of inspiration and ideas. 

 

The month of February, though short, was a record breaker for the market. We owe so much to you, our loyal shoppers. I heard a description of our market this month that I really enjoyed (see below in the right-hand column, Bruce Balkenhol quote). I'm looking for more Star Market Shoppers to interview, by the way. So stop and see me at the welcome table at the entry of the Emporia Humanitarian Center on Saturday. Market opens at 10:00 am. Don't miss it!

 

I am so excited about the completion of our fifth season of Indoor Winter Markets (can you believe it's been that long?) and opening our weekly Saturday markets in May. Right now, I could use a warm, sun soaked pavement to stand on for a few hours!

 

All Friends of the Market (we'll take your money or your time) are invited to the Annual Meeting on the 21st. Details are below in this newsletter and here online. I need a head count for lunch, so RSVP by March 18th if you want to attend.

 

We have music by Lee Muller on Saturday. I'll bring the coffee! Plan to stay and visit a while (after you get your greens, of course).

 

See you at the market!

Tracy 

 

          

  

 

 
Thanks to the Emil Babinger Charitable Trust - Winter Market Sponsor 

 
Did you know?

Q: Why is there no apostrophe in Emporia Farmers Market?

A: You can't imagine how happy I am that you noticed! 

Often we see people write farmer's, which clearly won't work. If the apostrophe comes before the letter s, we are saying that the market belongs to a single farmer.

Using the apostrophe after the s would be more appropriate: farmers' market. This would suggest that the market belongs to more than one farmer.

When I started working for EFM, I actually had the same question. The answer I got from our previous market manager, Tracey Graham, was superb. In the case of our market here in Emporia, it was decided that farmers acts as an adjective. It describes the kind of market we are, but the market belongs to our community. 

That idea has helped guide my philosophy in managing the market from the beginning.

____________________________________________

We want you to know more about our market. Is there something you've been curious about? Send an email with your question to emporiaFM@gmail.com and we will share our answer in the next e-newsletter.
  
 February Market Schedule
Saturday, March 7 - 10am-Noon, EHC
Music provided by Lee C. Muller
 
Lee Muller
Saturday, March 21 - 10am-Noon, EHC
followed by the EFM Annual Meeting
(see below for details)


Tuesday, March 24, 6-8pm
Farmers Market 101 Course for potential vendors.

To enroll please visit http://flinthills.augusoft.net or call 620-341-1392.



 

Returning Vendor ~ 2015
Hand Painted Wool Roving

Jams and jellies, hand-knit and crochet items, herbs and vegetable plants as available, heirloom seeds.




New Vendor ~ 2015
Evie Simmons

Homemade pasta, individual serving sized pizza crusts and crochet critters


 

Returning Vendor ~ 2015
Jeanette Hurshman

Fruit pies, pecan pie, agave, day lilies, iris and other perennials.


  

New Vendor ~ 2015
Dustin Bosse

Handmade Jewelry.

 
  

Returning Vendor ~ 2015
Thrill's Kettle Corn

Fresh Cooked Kettle Corn! Comes in original, caramel and cinnamon flavors.

 
  

Registered Vendors ~ 2015

As of March 1, 2015, we have 20 vendors registered for our 2015 market season. You can learn more about 2015 Registered Vendors on our website. 
  


Farmers Market Series
Community Connections

 

 

Farmers Market 101: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Farmers Market Vending

Instructor: Tracy Simmons

Cost: $5

Schedule: Tuesday, March 24, 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.

 

 

If you have ideas for growing our Farmers Market Series of Classes, please contact Amy at FHTC or Tracy at EFM. We are looking for course offerings with a focus on both vendors and shoppers. How to grow it, make it, sell it, bake it!

 

Share ideas for classes you'd like to take and for any you would like to teach!

 

 

To enroll in any of Community Connections classes please visit http://flinthills.augusoft.net or call 620-341-1392.


 

 

Thank you to our Market Farmhands & Musicians
            
January & February Farmhands:
Mary McGaw, Ruthann Resch, Evie Simmons, Rand Simmons

Musicians: Jane McCoy and Sue Claridge




If you have interest in participating in the market as a volunteer or as a musician, please contact Tracy! emporiaFM@gmail.com
Thank you!
 

Contact Information
Market Manager
Tracy Simmons
620-343-6555
  
   Member of:      
 
 
 

                 

Market Shopper, Bruce Balkenhol says, 

 

"I love it! I've been to a lot of farmers markets and Emporia has one of the best. I love that the people are so competitive! You have to get here early for the greens."

 

 

Read what more Star Market Shoppers have to say about Emporia Farmers Market.

 

 

Every market shopper is a star. Do you want to share your Star Market Shopper status? Stop and visit with us at the market, or send us an image of you with your latest market shopping bag and tell us, what do you love about the Emporia Farmers Market! emporiaFM@gmail.com

 

 

               
     ESB Financial

lead sponsor - summer market season     

 

                 

The Emporia Farmers Market fulfills a central role in the community's grand equation, offering a place of fellowship throughout the year, moving produce, producer, and consumer closer to a kindred realm, bridging lives with local growth, local arts, local writers and musicians, creating rhythms of seasons and relationship so well maintained as to seem always new and continuing together.
 
~Wendy Crowley Devilbiss
    

 

Helpful Harvesters
               
Janet Brassart  

Scott & Rhonda Gordon

Ellen Hansen
  
Lyon County Master Gardeners
  
James & Theresa Muckenthaler
  

Don & Ruth Wise
  
  
2 for 1 - Kansas Vision Cardholders     

 

  EBT

EFM is matching dollars again for EBT customers! Remember that you can shop at the market with your Vision card. Visit with a kiosk volunteer for details.

 

Gift of:

The Emil Babinger Charitable Trust

 

  

 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

 

Community Connections

 

Dirty Kanza Promotions Team

 

  Emporia Subways

 

Emporia Area Local Food Network

 

Murphy's Menu

 

Thurston's Plus

BeefFest

PraireLand Partners

  
  Friends of the Market

               

James Bordonaro
Harold & Naomi Brenzikofer
Ele Browning
Betty Campbell & Margaret
   Davidson

Travis Carmichael
Laura Clawson
Coffelt Sign Company
Tyler Curtis
Carla R. Davis
John Dougherty
Paul DuToit
Emporia Gardeners of America

Colby Fuller

Jon Geitz

Rachel Haag

Becky Hadicke 

Joyce Hanlin (Arizings)

Fannie Harrell

Millard Harrell
Dr. Stephen Haught
Roger Heineken
Jessica Hopkins
June Hubert
Bill & Dianne Ihling
Janice Jaggard

Marcia Lawrence
Rachael LeClear
Logan Ave. 4-H Club
Max McCoy

Mary McGaw
Regina Murphy
Wanda Myers
Bobbi Mylnar
Ruthann Resch

Gretchen Russell

Jamie Roberts

Barb Say 

Carol Schoeck

 Mark Schondelmaier

Anna Sharenburg

Mark Sherman

Dr. Michael Shonrock

Evie Simmons

Kaman Simmons

Maddie Simmons

Rand Simmons

Becky Smith

Brandi Smith

Karen Sommers

Ben & Jessie Stallings

Pam Thuma

Cheryl Unruh

Jesse & Beth Wilson

Casey & Erin Woods

Jennifer Youngblood

Barbara Younger

 

 

 

and Market Musicians
Kenji Bolden
Kendra Briggs
Savanna Chestnut
Lance Fahy
Tracy Freeze
Bob Haselhun
Matthew Hope 

Dr. Brent Hrabik

Bill Ihling

Matt Kosinski
Eric Martin

Eric Murphy
Jane McCoy
Lee C. Muller
The Neighborly Brothers

Three Old Men: Ric Garcia, Nick Dikin & Sam Bland
Brandi Smith

Ben Stallings

Fran Stallings
P.J. Stephenson

Glen Woolard
Tony Zouplna
Anton Zouplna, Sr.
Anton Zouplna, III

Winter Market Tour
            

 

EFM Board Members

Janet Brassart - Treasurer
Harold Brenzikofer
Travis Carmichael
Jessica Hopkins - Secretary
Marcia Lawrence - Music Manager, 2015 
Ben Stallings
Ellen Hansen
Fannie Harrell
Wanda Myers
Ruthann Resch - President
Becky Smith - Vice President
Brandi Smith - Music Manager. 2014
  

Bottom of the Newsletter Bonus! Watch this spot throughout the season for bonus coupons and maybe some fun facts about the Emporia Farmers Market.



 
Emporia Farmers' Market