Augusta Locally Grown:  THE ON-LINE MARKET IS OPEN AT AUGUSTA LOCALLY GROWN!N

WIN A PADDLE BOARD WHILE SUPPORTING OUR BENDERDIGGER YOUTH GARDENING PROGRAM — Yep. That’s right. Only the Benderdinker combines paddlin’ on the water and putzin’ in the garden. Event sponsor “Escape Outdoors” has donated a brand new, beautiful paddle board for the raffle! Proceeds will provide a stipend for a college student intern to help with the BenderDigger Youth Gardening Program for 2015. Tickets are on sale starting today, including through ALG ON-LINE! 1/$10 OR 5/$40. The paddle board is set up on display at Escape Outdoors in Evans.

SAT, MAR 14 – BEEKEEPING 101 SEMINAR … The good folks of Clyde’s Fresh Produce will be hosting a free Beekeeping 101 Seminar for beginners at Grovetown Feed and Seed on Saturday, March 14, from 3pm-5pm. Local apiarist Dr. Steve Powell will instructor. Address is 5234 Wrightsboro Road, Grovetown, GA. For more information, contact Foster Olson at 706-951-4190.

TUE, MAR 17 – OPENING DAY AT THE VEGGIE TRUCK FARMERS MARKET … “Dark Leafy Green St. Patty’s Market Party” is what we’re calling our opening day festivities this season. And yes! We’ll be doubling SNAP/EBT again this year. This will be a “soft opening,” given that the rains have held back the farmers spring planting. Chef Charleen will be featured as our first cooking demo of the year! The market is in Harrisburg, across from the Kroc Center, every Tuesday, 4:30pm-7pm, through October.

WED, MAR 18 – THE GEORGIA DIETETICS CONFERENCE will be held in Augusta this year. ALG will provide an educational booth on local foods. We’ve already been blessed with a great volunteer corp for this event! Thank you!

SAT, MAR 21 – G.R.O.W. HARRISBURG PRESENTS: RE-VIBE – THE COFFEE HOUSE! New ALG board member and G.R.O.W. Harrisburg outreach coordinator Kisha Burke will transform the Local Foods Classroom in Harrisburg next weekend, old-school coffee house style. Come bring your talent, sip some tea or coffee, munch on treats made with local ingredients, and let the love shine through. Free. Festive. For everyone. 6pm-9pm. 1808 Broad Street, Augusta.

MARCH 23 – HERB TEACHING GARDEN AT HELMS COLLEGE … We’ll be helping the culinary arts students at Helms get a spring start on their herb garden again this year. Let us know if you can help! 8am-10am.

MARCH TBA – BEE THERE! … GROW Harrisburg partners with Denice Traina of the Harrisburg Honey Cooperative to host “Bee There,” a short-and-sweet free beehive installation workshop. The date is still unknown; apparently honey bees don’t use calendars;) Contact kim@augustalocallygrown.org to sign up!

THUR, APR 2 – OPENING DAY AT THE EVANS TOWNE FARMERS MARKET … We’re taking vendor, sponsor and volunteer application now!!! Also looking for musician and cooking demo volunteers. Visit our updated website at www.evanstownefarmersmarket.com. The market opens April 2. And good news: we’ll be doubling EBT too!!!!

TUE, APR 7 – SEEDLING DAY … Participants of our 100 Raised Beds in Harrisburg will be invited to chose from thousands of free fruit and vegetable seedlings (baby plants) that G.R.O.W. Harrisburg volunteers started at the GRU campus greenhouse this winter. If you’ve got any extra spring seedlings to share, or if you can come help people plant those seedlings, come join this fun effort. Distribution will be held at the Veggie Truck Farmers Market between 4p-7pm on Tuesday, April 7. It’s all headed up by Master Gardener Phil Williams.

SAT, APR 11 — SHEAR FUN AT KHAKALAKI FARM … This family-friendly event will include the full range of fiber fun, from sheep shearing to spinning and knitting demos. Kids activities, farm tour and a farm lunch will be included. Overnight camping at this beautiful site is also an option. Tickets are on sale now through this website! $20 for adults; $5 for kids. Space is limited.

SUN, APR 12 – THREE FARM TOUR AND PROGRESSIVE MEAL … Join us for an educational tour and a three-course farm meal … with a different course at each location. Starters at Spirit Creek Farms in Augusta; Stews at Noah’s Farm & Forest in Keysville; Sweets at JandL Farm & Stable in Hephzibah. Tickets are on sale now through our on-line market. To order by mail, email kim@augustalocallygrown.org. $20/person. Only 8 tickets left.

SAT, APR 25 – BENDERDINKER! Registration is OPEN! Visit www.benderdinker.com. The BenderDinker is our only big fundraiser each year for Augusta Locally Grown, and the presenting sponsor of the Evans Towne Farmers Market.

SAT-SUN, MAY 2-3 – ICEBOX MINISTRIES MAY DAY PLAY DAY … There are amazing things happening in local foods on Fenwick Street in Harrisburg. At the center of it are the good folks of Icebox Ministries and other partners of G.R.O.W. Harrisburg. Come join us in a two-day renovation of an old florist shop at Icebox Ministries’ new urban campus. We’ll use it as a teaching kitchen for the Fruit & Veggie Rx program this summer. Okay, so this might sound like more of a “work day” than a “play day” … but believe me … it’s all fun. Work starts at 9am each day and goes til we’re exhausted. Painting, flooring, general cleaning up. Email kim@augustalocallygrown.org to volunteer.

FRI & SAT, MAY 22-23 – SHADOW BBQ RETURNS! – This local competition bbq team will again compete in “BANJO-B-QUE,” a nationally-sanctioned event in Evans! Better yet, they feature local meats from local farmers while also promoting Augusta Locally Grown. ALG board president Amy Sutter and her hubby Patrick head it all up! Save this date, buy your tickets and GO SHADOW BBQ!!!

SUN, MAY 31 – FAMILY FARM DAY … Come meet your farmers at Clyde’s Fresh Produce in Grovetown. Show up anytime between 2pm-6pm to see all the goings on at this bio-diverse local farm. Seasonal samples and young farm animals make it all the more fun. Save the date.

MON, JUNE I – RAINWATER WORKSHOP FOR URBAN VEGGIE GARDENS … Join us for another “pop up” food-growing workshop. This one will be held at Bottle Tree Farm in Augusta. Instructors Candace & Nate Zukas will share the nitty gritty details of their own rain barrel system, which waters their beautiful urban farmette. 5:30pm-7pm. $5/person. This one will sell out fast!

TUE, JUNE 2 – FRUIT & VEGGIE RX — Augusta Locally Grown is truly honored to be a partner in the Fruit & Veggie Rx pilot project, a first-ever for the Southeast! The pilot will be hosted and coordinated by the Harrisburg Family Healthcare clinic, funded and designed by Wholesome Wave Georgia, educationally enhanced by Icebox Ministries, academically enhanced by Emory University, held together by Good Neighbor Ministries/St. Luke UMC, and made real by medical student volunteers from MCG. Augusta Locally Grown is the project’s cheerleader. June 2 is the project’s kick-off date! Your donations would be very much appreciated.

SUN, JUN 14 — BLUEBERRY PICK YOUR OWN DAY … Grateful to include the farmers at Herb & Berries Farm of Montmorenci, SC, (near Aiken) in our mix. We’ll join forces with them in June to host a pick-your-own morning. Attendance is free; self-picked blueberries cost a 2.50/lb. Come early; beat the heat. More details soon!

Cheers!
Kim

Palouse Grown Market:  Spring is near, and so is the opening of Palouse Grown Market!

It’s another sunny day here on the Palouse….in March. I know I’m feeling the impending Spring, the need to plant something in the ground, the desire to start planning camping trips, and the excitement of bringing Palouse Grown Market back to the community! I have been working with diverse members of the community to talk about partnerships, how to grow this market, and what is desired for this season. I still have more to do and more lovely people to speak with, but things are moving along wonderfully. What a great community we have. It’s apparent to me that the Palouse is excited and supportive of this local, online market, and I’m excited for it to support small farms and entrepreneurs, and for another outlet for fresh local foods and products!

Thank you for showing PGM some love and providing amazing food and products for this community.
The market is here, for YOU!

More finely-tuned details to follow….

Holly
Market Manager

Heirloom Living Market Lilburn:  Market is Open ...

The Market is now open for ordering…Happy Shopping!

Market Closes at 8:00pm Monday!
Pickup Day and Time: Thursday 4:30 – 6:30pm
Pickup Location: All Saints Lutheran Church
722 Rockbridge Road SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
Click Here for Map

Hop on over to the Market and place your order…

Thank you for your support!

See you at Market on Thursday!

“Like” us on facebook!

BUY LOCAL ~ Know your Farmer!

Heirloom Living Market Hamilton Mill:  Whoops! Here is the Correct Info!

Whoops! This is the email that I meant to send!

The Market is now open…Happy Shopping!

We take orders Friday 9:00am until Monday 8:00pm

Pickup Day and Time: Thursday 2:30 – 4:30pm
Pickup Location:
Hamilton Mill Community Clubhouse
1669 Hamilton Mill Parkway
Dacula, GA 30019
Click Here for Map

Thank you for your support!

See you at Market on Thursday!

“Like” us on facebook!

BUY LOCAL ~ Know your Farmer!

Heirloom Living Market Lawrenceville :  Market is Open...Come on in...

The Market is now Open…Happy Shopping!

Thank you for your cooperation in getting to Market early yesterday!

Joyful thoughts and bountiful blessings,

~Maryanne


“Like” us on facebook!

Take me to the Market.

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Suwanee Whole Life Co-op:  Market is OPEN for orders!

ORDERING:
The market is now open for ordering!
suwanee.locallygrown.net

If you do NOT receive a confirmation email immediately after you placed your order, then your items are still in your cart and your order is not complete. All orders must be placed by 5pm on Sunday.

PICK UP:
Pick up is on Tuesday at 4942 Austin Park Avenue, Buford 30518 from 1pm to 6:45 pm.

PAYMENT:
We take checks, cash, credit card and Dwolla

If you are planning to pay using Dwolla please make sure your deposit includes the 25 cents fee. For example, if your order total is $22.50 make your deposit for $22.75.

Please make sure you understand our pick up policy before you order.

Have a blessed weekend!
Nora

Joyful Noise Acres Farm:  The online market is open for ordering.

The March winds have been blowing in this morning and prayerfully blowing away anymore cold weather. Everyone is busy as usual getting great foods and products ready for you so take a few minutes and browse the market. You may find something new and exciting.

Simply OH! has a sugar scrub that is sure to please your winter skin. Now is the time to start exfoliating and moisturizing that beautiful skin that has been hiding under layers of clothes. It does not take long to love on ourselves a little and the results are so worth it! My toezies got a sugar scrub last night and I think it helped me sleep better. It was so relaxing.

As we approach Passover and Resurrection Day celebrations, make sure you order your hams and lamb. If you don’t see it on the market, ask for it. It can usually be found.

We did get a fresh order of cheese in this week so don’t forget to add a pound to your cart. This is the best price on organic cheese and I am so thankful to Meadow Valley Farm for providing it.

Our fermented beverages class will be help April 7th. Go to the event section to sign up. This will be another great opportunity to learn easy, economical ways to improve your health.

Blessings,
Mary Beth

CLG:  CLG Pickup TODAY 4-6pm. Bring glass jars, egg cartons please.

Good morning,
This is a pickup reminder for those of you who ordered this week. Thank you for your order! You can pick up your order from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. today at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 925 Mitchell Street in Conway.

If something comes up that you cannot personally pick up your order today, please contact someone to pick up for you.

Remember to bring your glass jars for recycling, egg cartons, and bags for ordered items. Reduce, reuse, recycle! See you this afternoon.

Come early for the best selection from the EXTRAS table!

Thank you,
Steve

How to contact us:

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. Instead…

Phone or text: Steve – 501-339-1039

Email: Steve – kirp1968@sbcglobal.net

Our Website: www.conway.locallygrown.net

On Twitter: @conwaygrown

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Conway-Locally-Grown/146991555352846

Aiken:  Market is open

The market is open from 12 noon on Friday until 8pm Monday.

We now have MiBek Farms as one of our vendors. They have some great natural beef products listed.

Thank you for keeping your shopping local and supporting local farmers.

Champaign, OH:  A Word From The Sugar Shack!

I love the Stadlers, and love their product. I love that they are the Sugar Shack. One of my favorite clubs to hang out in Los Angeles when I lived there was the….Sugar Shack. So, of course, I am all over the whole Sugar Shack fun!

Anyway…this season needs a word from Marc and Shary…

After the brutal weather we’ve had in February and late March, it’s hard to believe there is a downside to this wonderful weather we are experiencing. But for maple producers, there is.

The “normal” season for making maple syrup starts in mid-February and runs for four to six weeks. An ideal day for collecting sap is sunny in the 40s to 50s, with nights below freezing. The freeze-thaw process creates changes in pressure within the tree, causing sap to flow. Nothing flows before it warms up, and the small holes begin to heal themselves and close after four weeks. Once the trees begin to bud, the sap turns bitter, and all collection stops.

This year, we got our latest start ever. On Saturday, Marc finished tapping our trees, and we were ready to email everyone, letting you know that Maple March Madness had begun. With warm temps, we expected a banner collection of sap. But the trees reminded us that it takes them a day or so to really wake up from their winter rest. Our first collection was meager, and the sugar content was down as well. In a typical year, sap contains a 2.5% sugar content; this year it’s looking more like 2%. What that means is that it will take more than the usual 40 gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup.

The weather forecast initially did not call for another freeze until two weeks out. We were lucky to have a low in the mid- 20s last night, so we will be collecting again today or tomorrow. But if you look at the extended weather forecast, there are not many days which show the needed below freezing weather at night. So we are uncertain how much maple syrup we will be able to produce this year. We are a small producer, with only 100 taps. We bottle our syrup after each boil, and put it in clear bottles so you can see as well as taste the difference in the syrup as the season progresses. We hope to be sharing our syrup with you again this year, but we have temporarily taken our syrup off the market as we wait to see how much we can produce this year.

For anyone who thinks maple syrup is a get-rich quick scheme, you might not know that most maple trees aren’t tapped until they are 30 to 40 years old. Also, we invite you to listen to this humorous poetic performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqreE_O6mBU.

Thanks for your support.

Marc and Shary Stadler

Valley View Woodlands