ALFN Local Food Club:  Market Reminder

Good morning!

Don’t forget to place your orders on the market before noon. Have you noticed that honey is back on the market? You can stock up online.
Stay tuned for an exciting message regarding our new website this weekend!

Program & Market Manager
Claire Admire

Champaign, OH:  Last Call!

It’s that time, market customers!!

Almost time for the market to close for the week!!

I hope that you had a lovely Easter, and are having a fun spring break!! I’ve tried to leave you with not a lot of Weblogs to interrupt your fun…but, now, it’s time…

I’ll see you on the flip side!!

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

The Cumming Harvest - Closed:  This week on The Cumming Harvest

Miami County Locally Grown:  What is Certified Naturally Grown?

Short answer: Certified Naturally Grown was created by a group of farmers as the grassroots alternative to being Certified Organic, specifically for small, diversified family farms for whom the organic certification process is cost prohibitive.

CNG farms are organically operated with an emphasis on biological diversity and ecological balance – we must follow the National Organic Program, same as Certified Organic farmers – no synthetic chemicals, synthetic pesticides, or GMOs!

The CNG program is no less strict than the USDA’s Certified Organic program – both require farmers to follow the organic standards for three years prior to being admitted to either program – and without earning organic premiums.

However, CNG farmers go through an alternate certification process that focuses on small-scale operations and family farms, “not corporate conglomerates” and Big Ag.

CNG farms are inspected by other organic farmers, growers, and even customers, who appreciate the Certified Naturally Grown program being rooted in community with a focus on networking, transparency, and local accountability.

How much Certified Organic food sold in the US is produced overseas, where oversight and verification has proved to be lacking? All the more reason why it’s so important to support your neighborhood farmers, and really know who is growing your food!

CNG farms are ALL here in the US, with annual inspections and strict oversight from the program coordinators, who follow up on each participating farm to ensure anyone in the program is following the rules to a T.

One of the things my husband and I really appreciated when we compared becoming CNG instead of Certified Organic? CNG requires 50ft buffers around your property to keep your certified produce or livestock as far away as possible from your conventional neighbors, and their possible spray drift contaminating your livelihood.

The Certified Organic program only requires 25 ft… and as so many of us organic operators share borders with large-scale conventional farmers, CNG realizes farmers must be diligent in preserving as much space as possible, which is why we maintain a thick fencerow of trees and bushes. 50ft is even necessary insurance against a spray happy, irresponsible neighbor who seeks to eradicate dandelions from the face of the planet.

Out of our 21 acres, we’ve had to take almost 2 full acres out of production so our 50 ft buffers would compensate for the possible contamination we hope to never receive from our neighbors… when you make your living from your land, a 10% loss of available crop ground is massively impactful. We use those buffers for pollinators, wildlife habit and hay for our horses.

We love the inspection process – the questions engage the inspector and farmer to take a thorough look at all the good, as well as how to improve, in both the short and long term. The focus on the positive impact we must have on our immediate and extended environment is so refreshing!

Inspections are something we look forward to every year, knowing we’ll meet a new set of inspectors who’ll come with fresh eyes, understanding our hard work and sharing their own experiences and suggestions for our next year of this farming adventure!

CNG’s peer-reviewed inspections seek to drive producers to surpass the current expectations, for the sake of food safety and transparency, as the goal is to provide a healthy, happy, sustainable food system.

Spa City Local Farm Market Co-op:  The market is closed.

The Spa City Co-op market is now closed for ordering. Please plan to pick up your order this Friday between 3 and 4:30 pm.
Should you be unable to pick up, please arrange for a friend to do so for you.

Karen Holcomb
this week’s market manager
ksholcomb@gmail.com
501-760-3131

Miami County Locally Grown:  So Glad to be BACK!!

We’re refreshed from our break and energized to be back, bringing you new collaborations, more products, old favorites, and plenty local goodies!

Be sure to mark your calendars for our Spring Farmer’s Market at First Place on Tue April 24th, 4-7pm!!

Russellville Community Market:  Upcoming Events! - Market Closes at 10PM!

To ensure your order is placed, make sure you click the “Place My Order” button once you have completed your shopping. You will receive a confirmation email.

Pick up is Thursday at All Saints Episcopal Church on Phoenix from 4 – 6:30 p.m.

Russellville Community Market

FRESH.LOCAL.ONLINE.

Old99Farm Market:  Old 99 farm week of Apr 1 2018

I need to entice you people!! The greens are now at peak and will keep coming. Kale, chard and lettuce. We’re also offering potted lettuce that you can put in the window, harvest a few times and have a bouquet as well as tender salads. Some micro greens available.

And coming soon: radish, globe turnip, spinach, claytonia, lettuces: rouge d’hiver, Italian, buttercrunch.

The roasting chickens are on special this week, $9/kg which is $2 off. Kale is special large bunches.

I have just started an advanced Permaculture Design for Climate Resilience course, offered by Oregon State U, online. Am soliciting you to offer your site to do the design on; you get free design documented, on how to adapt your home, farm or getaway to withstand severe weather events and climate disruption.
Call me or email soon.

I’d like to briefly mention a collaborative project in town: the Community Permaculture Lab is a volunteer group led by three of us to redesign the backyard of an Ainslie woods resident. We’ve been learning as we go, making friends, having fun. Here’s a picture of us doing the first yard work this spring: laying out the raised beds, minipond, tree sites, water capture and storage. There will be work parties over the next couple months, you can come out too!
p=.

One of my "favourite climate news sites is FasterThanExpected where there is always a picture and a ‘snip’ from a major study or article, new every day. If you want more scope I recommend The Daily Climate for headlines and more worldwide coverage. For example, What does it take to electrify everything in your home? This California family just found out: “Unless you have gone through it, there is stuff you never would have foreseen.”

Healthy Eating
Ian and Cami

Citrus County Locally Grown:  Sad News

MARKET UPDATE

NEXT MARKET
Thursday

Market Closes Wednesday 8:00 AM

+++++++ SAD NEWS +++++++
Donna Poole of Rusty Drum Farm passed away this week. We extend our condolences to the family at this time of their sad loss.
++++++++++++++++++++

CCLG GIFT CERTIFICATES
Any value from $10 – $100
Share healthy produce and proteins with family and friends Click here for Certificate.

== THIS WEEK ==

3ROCK FARM
Aminos Pepitas (pumpkin seeds), EGGS. ,
Maple Nuts, Granola and Olive Trees!

ARBOR TRAILS
See our lettuce, Kale, Bok Choy Micro Greens.

BUSH BOYS BEEHIVES
We have a limited quantity of ORANGE BLOSSOM Honey. We took our hives South. Quantity is small so get it while it is here.
Wild Brazilian Pepper Honey is in good supply. Check out all our varieties

FLORIDA FRESH MEAT
Introducing Beef & Chicken Bone Broth in Pint and Quart sizes
Boneless Chicken Thighs in 2 & 3 Pack
Whole Chicken Breast W/Wings
BEEF: Steaks, Ribs, Hamburger, Steak Hot Dogs and Knockwurst.
Link to Beef.
PORK: Chops, Ribs and Sausages
Link to Pork.
CHICKEN: Whole Chicken, Breast Quarters and Wings.
Link to Chicken.

HIDDEN DREAMS FARM
Goat Milk, Yogurt and Cheeses (please order cheese by Monday night).

RED WAGON PRODUCE
Good variety of fresh Naturally Grown fruits and veggies.Many grown here in Marion County

RUSTY DRUM FARM
Try our Eggs, from our Small flock free ranging chickens.

SANDHILL FARMS
Link to COW A1 & A2 MILK. & YOGURT too.

SNOW’S COUNTRY MARKET
A Full selection of (CGV) produce.
Not all Fruits and Vegetable absorb Chemicals, Check out EWG Clean 15.

THIRD DAY CREATIONS -
Young Living Essential Oils are the industries purest oils.These oils are 100 Percent pure from seed to seal.

TINA’S GARDEN
Nourishing, all natural soap and organic oil blends make a great gift for yourself and others.
All of our homemade soaps and oil blends are made from pure essential oils.
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Enjoy browsing the products from the comfort of your own home.
Delivery to your home is available in most areas. Just $8.00
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THE MARKET IS OPEN

Click on the text below to go to the Market.
www.citruscounty.locallygrown.net/

Dawson Local Harvest:  REMINDER and RADISHES from DAWSON HARVEST!

Dawson Local Harvest for April 6th

REMINDER and RADISHES!

Beautiful D’Avignon RADISHES have just been added to The Market. For a tasty crunch to your salad or an interesting side dish sauteed’ in olive oil or butter with salt, pepper, and herbs. Explore your palette!

YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO ORDER! The Market closes Tonight at 9 pm.

Thanks, Alan, Market Manager