Everyone that knows me knows that I have to have some kind of project going on. This time, I have decided on something that I have wanted to do for a long time(I hear snickers from my college and high school friends right now) plus, it is going to be a hands-on a learning project for Little Buckaroo.
It all started about 10 years ago when I met Big Buckaroo. He was running marathons then and EXTREMELY health conscious. We always talked about growing our own food one day and having a little farmstead.
Problem # 1, we lived on a mountain state park and we were surrounded by woods. We did not think that state parks would be too keen on us cutting down trees (um, yes that is illegal) and clearing for a huge garden and area for animals. So, we just dreamed about our little homestead that we would have one day.
Problem #2, at the time I could not keep a houseplant alive, so thinking of growing a garden that actually produces food seemed like a joke. Big Buckaroo was sure he would starve.
Fast forward until now, we are now at a park where our house in on 8 acres with pasture area and a large garden area. I have worked and grown many wonderful things from pumpkins to squash to jalapenos over the past 3 1/2 years. Plus, we have run pastured poultry and pigs for meat and have laying hens.
So, here is the exciting news....... Little Buckaroo and I (with the go ahead from our small town mayor and city council) are starting a FARMER'S MARKET! It will be held behind the cute old Town Hall in our little city. Thankfully, we have a lot of highway traffic that will bring in many customers.
We are very excited. Little Buckaroo is already planning his garden spot, deciding what to plant that will sell best. He will have his own booth and learn not only the hard work of planting and cultivating, but commerce and face-to-face sales. Littlest Buckaroo will have a token garden spot but will probably just sell lemonade.
We are working on getting growers right now and I am going to the state farmer's market association conference in a couple of weeks.
Do you visit farmer's markets? If so, what do you like best? What do you not like?
The Park Wife
11 comments:
How exciting! I would LOVE to be able to do that, but I'll just have to content myself to read about your adventure! :) I love fresh eggs, tomatoes and green peppers. And sweet corn. I'd shop at the farmer's market more often if it wasn't so expensive. Ooooh! Herbs! Thankfully I have enough room to plant some of my own herbs, but I'd definitely buy them if I didn't. Basil, dill, thyme, oregano, rosemary.... Good luck!!!
Farmer's market, how awesome!
I like to buy what is in season obviously, and what is local. I also love fresh baked goods, and around here our Farmer's Markets sometimes include crafters as well, they become tiny tourist draws. Then you have your local crowd which comes each week, for produce, but you also have the ability to market it to the tourist bureau better that way cause even on weeks when crops may be slow there is still potential for something going on there.
This is really fun! I am excited for you!
How exciting!!! I wish I lived close enough to visit.
What do I like? ALL OF IT.
Blessings!
what a wonderful learning experience for Little Buckaroo! I love tomatoes, corn, and cucumbers...and we ALL know you've got the cucumber growing down pat :o) What I'm wondering is if family get a discount or what?! :o) hehe Can't wait to get back up there
Oh my gosh this is so fun and exciting!!!!
Since we have our own garden, I don't buy alot of veggies from the Farmers Market, but I love the flowers and hanging baskets that they carry. :)
Yes, we visit farmers markets regularly. We buy green bean, new potatos, tomatoes, and fruit. I think this is an excellant idea and hope it is a great success. And be committed to it for more than one year....each year will get better and better!!! Oh I am so excited for you.
That sounds like fun! We have several large farmer's markets around our area. Some items available are: in season vegetables and fruits; honey; baked goods - breads, cakes, fried pies, etc.; tropical plants - orchids, houseplants, etc.; a church makes BBQ sauce; pickles of all types; small woodwork items; handcrafted adirondack chairs; angus burgers are cooked to sell, plus frozen angus meats are available for sale. Some weeks they have different items for sale than what I have listed, but it is well attended and a lot of fun.
YOUR new idea might draw us to make a road trip. Save us some lemonade, too!!!
Betty & Ed
Excellent! Good to hear you takingthe plunge!
That sounds so fun and exciting! Sorry to say that I have never visited a farmer's market. Shhh.... don't tell anyone. I would love to, I just don't know where the closest one is to me. Actually, I live way out in the country and there is a little man that sells peanuts on the side of the road. His name is Jimmy. Mr. Jimmy sells the best boiled peanuts you have ever eaten and during the summer months does carry homegrown tomatoes, potatoes, onions, etc. Does that count? I buy his fresh fruits/vegs all the time. This is as close to "a real farmer's market" that I get. It is really great though.
Oooh...love a good Farmer's Market - or even just a local citizen sitting in pickup truck by the side of the road selling his whatever - peas, watermelon, peaches, etc.
The other things I like getting from Farmer's Markets are canned goods, fresh meats/poultry/eggs, and flowers.
That is fantastic! I love farmer's markets. We have farmers all around us so there is no lack of farmer's markets....I am so lucky!
The produce is a thousand times better that at the store!
This is one of the things I love about summer.
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