UDJ 7-25 Column
From CFI
Lots of Markets for the Picking
Many great local organizations are contributing to make the farmer’s market the place to be in Ukiah on Saturday morning. Tomorrow we have an amazing line-up of events. Details below.
But first, I want to remind everyone that you can also freshen up your meals and brighten your home with straight-from-the-farm local fruits, vegetables, flowers, seafood, cheese and more at the Ukiah Tuesday Farmer’s Market. The Tuesday market runs from 3-6PM every week.
Redwood Valley has its own great farmer’s market, which is Sunday from 9:30-AM to 1 PM. Here’s the scoop from manager Jen Lyon:
The R.V. Market is up and running with veteran and new produce vendors. Jesse Tanning, Inland Ranch Organics is back with fresh eggs and produce and a new kid on the block Caroline Radicci is bring lots of fresh greens and root crops. Linda Gates has returned with her famous green beans. Shamrock Artisan Goat cheeses is back with their delicious chevres and a new line of aged cheeses too. And yours truly, Jen Lyon of Salt Hollow Flower Farm is back with a beautiful selection of field grown cut flowers providing custom bouquets as well as bunches. The friends of MCFARM table is serving fresh free trade coffee. All of this good shopping is accompanied by terrific local music. The big news is that the R.V. Market is having a Farm Tour Fundraiser August 30 from 10-2. We will visit 3 farms: Inland Ranch Organics, Salt Hollow Flower Farm and Bob Gates Organics. The tour will end with Farmers Market refreshments and music provided by flute player George Husaruk and friends. For more info or to sign up for the Farm Tour call Jen at 485-5363.
At tomorrow’s Ukiah market: the season’s first corn! Look for it from both Sky Hoyt and returning vendor Tom Gervase of Red Tail Farm in Potter Valley. We will have so much it will be interesting to see how (or if) we manage to fit in all on School Street and under the pavilion. Come find out how we do it and enjoy:
• Chef Jim Stuart from the Mendocino Community College Culinary Arts program demonstrating how to improvise a great meal using what you find at the market. To enjoy the full experience meet Jim under the pavilion at 9:45 to shop the market before the demonstration. • That Other Quartet. A barbershop quartet serenades the market. All tips will be donated to the Ukiah School of Music, so tip them well. • The Community Care's Senior Information & Assistance Program offering free copies of the Mendocino County Senior & Disabled Resource Directory. Stop by their table to ask questions you may have about area programs to meet the needs of seniors. • The Ukiah Valley Medical Center and Cancer Resource Center of Mendocino County providing education regarding health resources and medical appointment preparation available to local cancer patients and their families. They will also share information regarding other health education opportunities (diabetes education, smoking cessation, and bariatrics support group--to name a few). • Children’s activities by Head Start. • The Discovery World Preschool teachers providing another great 10 AM story time session for children. This time the theme is pirates. • Leah Middleton from the Greater Ukiah Localization Project (GULP) demonstrating how to crochet your old disposable plastic bags into a new, reusable, washable bag. Bring some old bags with you to join in. • A water conservation information booth staffed by city and count water resource specialists. • Free seminars on planting and caring for running bamboo by Linda Cushman at 9:30 and 11 AM. • Three Sisters, an independent, local business visits the pavilion.
This week I don’t have space to say more about why farmer’s markets are so important to the health of your community, your local economy and you. However, if you belong to a group that would be interested in a presentation about the farmer’s market, please contact me at 462-7377 or cratty@comcast.net
Certified farmer’s markets are in Ukiah from 8:30 AM to noon Saturday and 3-6 PM Tuesday on School Street at Clay Street and in Alex Thomas Plaza and in Redwood Valley on Sunday from 9:30-1PM at 8920 East Road in Lion’s Park. To learn more about our Mendocino County Farmer’s Markets, go to http://mcfarm.org/.
