Farm To Family at the BG Farmers Market This Friday!

This Friday starting at 1:30 the BG Farmers Market has partnered with WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Farm to Family Project and WSU Extension to educate the public about healthy eating! 2.00 produce vouchers will be distributed to the local WIC clients to use at the BG Farmers Market, bags of produce will be handed out to selected families, and Sandy Brown from the local extension will be doing some raw veggie samples for you to try! Pick up a flyer from the Market Manager Booth to learn about seasonal eating and information about the Plant A Row For The Hungry campaign as well!

Holy Smokes BBQ will be there and longtime vendors Two Creeks Farms, Herrs Farms, Griffin Woodworks, Rosemattel's Farm, Iko Farms and more!

Remember, anything fresher is still growing!


The BG Farmers Market is located on HWY 503 and 199th Street at the Gardner Center Shopping Plaza.

Find out more about the BGFM at their website.

Salmon Creek Farmers' Market Opens Tomorrow!

It was a bit of a rocky road for the folks organizing this market, but they have persevered and the Salmon Creek Farmers' Market dream has become reality. Way to go!

GRAND OPENING

July 15th


Market open on Thursdays 
3:30 - 7:30 p.m.


Conveniently located at the west end of NE 139th Street. 
On the north side and west side of the Three Creeks Library and Salmon Creek Fred Meyer.


Salmon Creek Farmers' Market Web Site

Camas Farmers' Market Opening Day - TOMORROW!

The much anticipated Opening Day of Market is here! Come down tomorrow, Wednesday the 26th for an opening ceremony, fresh produce (yes we will have produce despite our wacky weather), beautiful flowers, veggie starts, herbs, foraged mushrooms, ice cream, lamb, hummus, jams, cheesecake, artisan breads, tamales, gyros, jumbo, coffee beans, farm fresh eggs, handcrafted cheese, yogurt and so much more!

The market opens at 3:00pm on NE 4th Avenue between NE Everett and NE Franklin in front of the Camas Public Library. The market will be closing at 7:30pm this year, giving you a little bit more time for after work shopping and enjoying dinner with the family.

Join us as we welcome back our returning vendors and build relationships with new farmers and producers!

Did you know when you use reusable shopping bags at Whole Foods you can donate your bag refund to the Market. Those 10 cent donations add up quickly to help grow your market.

Congratulations to Raya Klein, the winner of the market basket drawing at the Camas Health Fair.

Looking for a unique gift for your child's teachers? Gift them tokens to be used at the Market. Purchase the tokens at the information booth and support local farmers, producers and your local economy!

We are excited to welcome back returning vendors and to get to know our new vendors! The following farmers, producers and concessioners will be with us on opening day, with more to come as the season develops (Meadowglenn, Autumn Moon, Berry Fresh).

Alicia's Nursery - ornamentals, bedding plants, perennials
Boones Ferry Berry Farm - strawberries
Camas Roots - veggie starts grown by Skyridge Middle School students
Dan Dee Farm Naturals - radishes, premuium mixed salad greens, and "adventure" salad greens
Fifty Licks - ice cream
Grandma Candy's Jams - jams and jellies
Gumbo Goddess - jambalaya, gumbo, po' boys
Hill Tree Farm - flowers

Lacamas Lavender Farm - veggie and herb starts, lavender plants, farm fresh eggs, honey and lavender
Mac's Garden -
culinary herbs, mixed lettuce, various plants
Nature's Choice - mushrooms, jams, syrups and honey
Nutz-R-Us - cinnamon roasted almonds, pecans and walnuts
Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters - artisan roasted specialty coffee
beans
"Pop-a-Bak" Baklava - baklava, gyros
ProFarm Produce - asparagus and strawberries
Reister Farms - chicken eggs, hopefully duck eggs, variety of
fresh/frozen lamb cuts, artisan lamb sausages, special of the week: lamb burger $6.99/lb., save a dollar off normal price of $7.99/lb,
in honor of opening day.
Rosemattel's CSA - baby head lettuce, radishes and herbs
Russell's Breads - breads, cookies, pastries
Svitoch European Bakery - Russian style pastires and breads
Sweet Asylum Bakery - petite cheesecakes: New York, green tea
death by chocolate, strawberry rhubarb (seasonal special)
cheesecake shooters: bailey's Irish creme, tiramisu, butterscotch
The Garlic Lady - olives, pickled foods, sauces, all natural, locally made cocktail mixes
The Hummus Stop - hummus, tabouli, pita chips
Truly Scrumptious - mini pies, cupcakes, cookies, garden bread, cake bon-bons, gluten free brownies, southwest beer bread, gluten free snack mix and more. Free cookies for TS facebook fans!
Twin Brooks - herbs and veggie starts
Willapa Hills Farmstead Cheese - fresh sheep milk cheese, a variety of blue cheese, aged cow milk table cheese and yogurt
Xiong Farms - tulips, purple queens, sweet walliams, greens, and hopefully strawberries
Zabor Mexican Grill - homemade tamales, tacos, burritos and quesadillas

Please be courteous to our vendors as they set-up for the start of market at 3:00pm. For safety reasons it is best to stay on the sidewalks until opening.

La Center Farmers' Market Opening June 3rd

Just an FYI for you folks not up to date with the latest Clark County farmers' market news:


Hello Folks,

I wanted to let you know about a new opportunity for selling your products this market season. If I've sent you some info already, consider this a reminder. :)

The La Center Farmers Market will open June 3 and run through September 9, on Thursday evenings from 4-8pm. The market will be located on Aspen Street, between 4th and 5th Streets, in the heart of downtown La Center. We are planning a fun season with music, special
events and, of course, high quality vendors.

I would love to have you join us this season. To apply, please find the La Center Farmers Market at www.managemymarket.com.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email, or call me at 360-904-0115. Also, if you know of anyone else that might be interested in this info, please pass it on.

Thanks so much for your time, I hope to see you this season.

Sincerely,
Melissa Steckel
Market Master
La Center Farmers Market

Battle Ground Farmers Market Set to Open THIS WEEKEND!!

Announcing the sixth season opening of BG Farmers Market! - Date: April 24th 9-3
Location: Gardner Center Plaza on HWY 503 and 199th (AKA Eaton Rd) at the South entrance to Battle Ground Washington.
Sponsors: Battle Ground Farmers Market Association, Coldwell Banker Commercial, BG Curves, Dan's Tractor, Solar Espresso, WA State Farmers Market Association, Healthy Kids Legislation, Clark/Cowlitz Farm Bureau, Plant a Row for the Hungry, and more!

Contact: BGFM Market Manager Brenda Millar (360 576-9767 www.battlegroundfarmersmarket.org or email battlegroundfma at yahoo dot com

During our grand opening we will celebrating Earth Day, t-shirt and market buck giveaways and community based activities. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. Rojo the Llama will also be making a special appearance!

Your Battle Ground Farmers Market Wooden Tokens are redeemable only at this market thanks to the second year of the Wireless Technology Project Grant. Credit/Debit/EBT Cards are welcome as well as the up and coming WIC/Senior Produce Vouchers to be distributed at the beginning of summer. Please refer to our website for more information on vendor and product offerings!

Remember, anything fresher is still growing at the BGFM!

Press Release: BG Farmers Market's Sixth Season Opening!

Press Release:
Announcing the sixth season opening of BG Farmers Market!

Date: April 24th 9-3

Location: Gardner Center Plaza on HWY 503 and 199th (AKA Eaton Rd) at the South entrance to Battle Ground Washington.

Sponsors: Battle Ground Farmers Market Association, Coldwell Banker Commercial, BG Curves, Dan's Tractor, Solar Espresso, WA State Farmers Market Association, Healthy Kids Legislation, Clark/Cowlitz Farm Bureau, Plant a Row for the Hungry, and more!

Contact: BGFM Market Manager Brenda Millar (360) 576-9767 www.battlegroundfarmersmarket.org or email battlegroundfma (at) yahoo.com

During our grand opening we will celebrating Earth Day, t-shirt and market buck giveaways and community based activities. Rojo the Llama will also be making a special appearance!
Your Battle Ground Farmers Market Wooden Tokens are redeemable only at this market thanks to the second year of the Wireless Technology Project Grant. Credit/Debit/EBT Cards are welcome as well as the up and coming WIC/Senior Produce Vouchers to be distributed at the beginning of summer. Please refer to our website for more information on vendor and product offerings!

Remember, anything fresher is still growing at the BGFM!

Battle Ground Farmers Market Now Open On Fridays!

This just in from the hardest working CSA farmer/farmers' market owner west of the Mississippi, Brenda Miller-Stanton of Rosemattel's CSA Farm & the Battle Ground Farmers' Market.

Beginning this Friday July 31st, the Battle Ground Farmers Market Association (BGFMA) will be opening a second Battle Ground Farmers Market day and location for agriculture/value added/produce/plant vendors from Clark Cowlitz and Skamania Counties. This is an agriculture only market and will run through end of October every Friday. We have secured an awesome location for customers to see the market activities right away. With the sponsorship of the BGFMA, you will be able to offer your farm/value added products directly to the public! Whether you are a berry grower, a small gardener, or a CSA with extra produce, we welcome you as we support your efforts to feed the masses!

Space fee is 25.00 and membership fee is waived for this year if selling only at this location. Location is at the Gardener Center (Battle Ground Cinemas) at 503 and 199th st right before the main intersection to Battle Ground, Washington.

Too hot? We will have a misting system in place to cool you off during this pleasant evening market.

Please call us for details at (360)576-9767.

Friday Nights @ The Vancouver Farmers' Market

Starting today, the Vancouver Farmers' Market will be open on Friday evenings from 5pm-9pm. WOO-HOO!!

Read more about the market at their web site:

Vancouver Farmers' Market

Camas Farmer's Market - 6.24.2009

Here's the scoop on the Camas Farmer's Market for tomorrow:

The diversity of foods you will find at the market is amazing. What is on your grocery list? Onions, asparagus, potatoes, zucchini, carrots, beets, lettuce, honey, bacon, eggs, pork chops, lamb, cherries, strawberries, apples, dressings, seasonings, cheese, bread and maybe a treat of cookies, toffee or baklava? You can find all these items and more in downtown Camas on Wednesdays from 3pm-7pm! Shop at the market and you will vote with your dollars for sustainable agriculture, connect with your community and have all the ingredients for a fabulous farm fresh meal!

One more week until the 2nd annual Most Marvelous Mutt of Camas contest. Bring your dog down on July 1st to be registered at 3pm. The dog show will start at 4pm. Read more...

Also on July 1st, Bill Baines will be back with his mobile knife sharpening unit. Bring your knives, gardening tools, food processor blades, kitchen shears, and lawn mower blades (remove them from the mower!) to be sharpened onsite at very reasonable prices. You can find Bill at the corner of Fourth and Everett.

The market is every Wednesday from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, in front of the Camas Public Library, on Fourth Avenue between NE Everett and NE Franklin until September 30th.

Schedule and Products for June 24th

Kid's Activity - 3pm-7pm, Dot painting day
Chef Connection - at 4pm, Morgan McColum, chef at Twilight Pizza Bistro

WSU Master Gardeners - will be at the market information booth with plenty of literature and knowledge to answer your gardening and composting questions.

A quick run down of some of the farmers and vendors:

Berry Fresh - Sylvan berries
Boones Ferry Berry Farms - raspberries and Hood strawberries
Brun's Bakery - French white loaf, French rye baguette, apple cake, chocolate cookies, gluten free chocolate cookies, hot lips soda
Draper Girls' Country Farm - cherries, lamb, pork, dried apples, apples, pears, cider
Duyck's Peachy-Pig Farm - cherries, hazelnuts, walnuts, prunes, strawberries, honey
Flower Child Botanicals - potted perennials
The Garlic Lady - hand stuffed olives, pickled vegetables and garlic, drink mixes and gourmet natural cooking and beverage sauces
Gumbo Goddess - cajun cuisine with a southern twist - offering vegetarian and flourless options
Heather's Toffees - eight flavors of gourmet, hand-made toffee made with organic ingredients
Hill Tree Farms - flowers
Iko Farms - onions, asparagus, potatoes, beets, carrots, zucchini
Lacamas Lavender - lavender plants and items, eggs and honey
Mac's Garden - lettuce, Swiss chard, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, lemon balm, potted plants
Nature's Choice/Dee Creek Farm - cheese, mushrooms (fresh premium wild porcini & morels, organic shiitake & maitake), wild huckleberry jam & syrup, raw unfiltered honey, spring peas, pure mushroom seasonings,
pure, dried ground wild elderberry powder
Nutz-R-Us - candied nuts, caramel apples
Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters - artisan roasted specialty coffee beans
"Pop-a-Bak" - variety of fruit filled baklava and Greek gyros
Rosemattel's - lettuce, kale, plant starts
Russell's Breads - garlic parmesan, kalamata olive, challah, brioche, whole wheat pumpkin scones, cookies, pumpkin bread
Svitoch European Bakery - baked goods, bread, cookies, pastries
Sweet Al's Cookin - BBQ chicken, beans, salad
Twin Brooks Herb Farm - heirloom tomato plants, vegetable starts, herb plants, camas lilies
Xiong Farms - tulips, irises, wallflowers, and many more flowers
Zabor Mexican Grill - homemade tamales, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, taco salad, strawberry-ade.

We welcome your comments - please send an e-mail or leave a comment on our blog.

Please invite your friends to join the Market's mailing list. E-mails will be sent out by Tuesdays giving you notification of featured local musicians, the chef's connection, kid's activities and a quick run down of the products you will find for each market day.

The Camas Farmer's Market is an all volunteer, non-profit organization. Please help grow your market, to bring fresh local foods to our community, by volunteering. Whether you can spare just an hour or many more we would love to have you join our team. Sign up for our email list and be sure to check the Market Volunteer box on the registration page.

Sincerely,

The Camas Farmer's Market Board

Camas Farmer's Market - 6.10.2009

Here's the latest news from the Camas Farmer's Market. The market is open every Wednesday from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, in front of the Camas Public Library, on Fourth Avenue between NE Everett and NE Franklin until September 30th.

The market had another fabulous day last week, but boy was it hot. This week we should have perfect temperatures around 73 degrees, so come on down! We have a special event this week, a Cookbook and Gardening swap, read more...

We'll have lots of the sweetest strawberries you can find. Our cooking demo, starting at 4pm at NE Franklin and NE 4th will give you all sorts of ideas to use fresh, local, sweet strawberries. We may have cherries as early as next week.

This Wednesday we are excited to have goat cheese from Dee Creek Farm. You will be able sample the cheeses from Dee Creek and the jams from Nature's Choice (they can be found at the same booth at the Northwest corner of the market).

Don't forget to stop by the info booth to purchase your market tokens, with your credit and debit cards. Use them at the market (the vendors give change) or give them as gifts for Dads, Grads or Teachers.

A couple vendors are offering vegetarian dishes and gluten free cookies and cakes.

Schedule and Products for June 10th

Kid's Activity - 3pm-7pm, Book mark creations and book readings in conjunction with the Cookbook and Gardening Book Swap.
Chef Connection - at 4pm, Come find out what you can do with a flat of strawberries.
Music - from 5pm-7pm, Richie Bean www.myspace.com/RichieBeanSolo
WSU Master Gardeners - will be at the market information booth with plenty of literature and knowledge to answer your gardening and composting questions.


A quick run down of some of the farmers and vendors:
Boones Ferry Berry Farms - strawberries
Brun's Bakery - French white loaf, French rye baguette, apple cake, chocolate cookies, gluten free chocolate cookies, gluten free apple cake
Camas Roots - compost tea
Draper Girls' Country Farm - lamb, pork, dried apples, apples, pears
Half Moon Farm - honey, plants, eggs
Hill Tree Farms - flowers
Iko Farms - onions, asparagus, potatoes, beets
The Garlic Lady - hand stuffed olives, pickled vegetables and garlic, drink mixes and gourmet natural cooking and beverage sauces
Gumbo Goddess - cajun cuisine with a southern twist - offering vegetarian and flourless options
Nature's Choice/Dee Creek Farm - cheese, mushrooms (fresh premium wild porcini & morels, organic shiitake & maitake), wild huckleberry jam & syrup, raw unfiltered honey
Nutz-R-Us - candied nuts
Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters - artisan roasted specialty coffee beans
"Pop-a-Bak" - variety of fruit filled baklava and Greek gyros
Rosemattel's - lettuce, kale, plant starts
Russell's Breads - garlic parmesan, kalamata olive, challah, brioche, whole wheat pumpkin scones, cookies, pumpkin bread
Sweet Al's Cookin - BBQ chicken, beans, salad
Twin Brooks Herb Farm - heirloom tomato plants, vegetable starts, herb plants, camas lilies
Xiong Farms - tulips, irises, wallflowers, and many more flowers
Zabor Mexican Grill - homemade tamales, tacos, burritos, quesadillas


We welcome your comments - please send an e-mail to info at camasfarmersmarket dot org or leave a comment on our blog.

WSU 78th St. Master Plan - What's Happening at the Old Poor Farm

For those of you who have been following the somewhat limited and not overly public goings on at the former WSU Extension site on 78th Ave. here is a link that will get you up to speed on the county's proposed plan for the site.

WSU 78th Street Master Plan

This proposed plan has had and will have opportunities for public comment. If you want to give your input on what this site will be used for, please check the web site above for upcoming meetings. I imagine you could also contact Clark County sustainability coordinator, Pete Dubois, for more info.

Pete Dubois (360)397-6118 ext. 4961 or email him at pete.dubois at clark dot wa dot gov

Current proposed uses include:

* 6 acres hosting several hundred community garden plots and a community certified kitchen
* 15 acres of organic Community Supported Agriculture 'incubators', and a working farm
* 25+ acres of wetland conservation, watershed stewardship and forest conservation & habitat demonstrations, including research opportunities and demonstration agroforestry projects
* education opportunities for public schools and colleges in ecology, agriculture, and sustainable forestry as well as sustainable business management
* continuing education, research and demonstration of sustainable systems, including construction, farm scale land use practices, and 'cradle to cradle' food systems
* community open space and recreational opportunities, heritage education
* a clear vision that honors our past while embracing a future that gives our children a knowledge and vision of how to thrive

Sounds great? Right? I think so too. I hope things move along out there. I really like the idea of hundreds of additional community garden plots and a certified community kitchen. With the way the economy is moving, having a facility like this could go a long way towards helping the families of our community feed themselves.

There is one proposed use that isn't mentioned on the county's web site that I have some issues with....the establishment of another farmer's market. I'm not saying the idea doesn't have merit, but don't we have several farmer's markets in the county that already suffer from a severe lack of participating farmers? I'm not counting the large farms from out of state that set up shop at the Vancouver "Farmer's" Market. I'm talking about farmers who are living and working here in Clark County or at least in SW Washington. I also think the folks that operate the existing farmer's markets might have some valuable input on the concept of creating yet another competing market that could possibly be subsidized by county funding. I've always felt that farmer's markets best serve their community when they are located in areas that are well suited for pedestrian traffic and convenient to neighborhoods. I wonder how the idea of a market on the commercially oriented, heavily trafficked 78th Street, which would essentially require folks to drive there, fits in with a model of sustainability?

Another thing that troubles me is the shared use of the land by community gardeners and CSA Farmers. I would think there would need to be a rather strict set of guidelines in place to deal with disease control to prevent community gardeners from potentially transmitting pathogens to the CSA plots. Maybe I'm just thinking about this too hard though...

Despite my musings, this is shaping up to be one of the greatest projects Clark County has undertaken in recent memory in my humble opinion. I look forward to see how things develop out there.

If you're looking for an opportunity to check out the site first hand, don't forget about the FREE permaculture workshop & work party taking place at the 78th Street site on March 21st.

Rosemattel CSA Open House

Rosemattel's CSA Open House
Rosemattel's CSA producer - (Vancouver, Washington)

Rosemattel's CSA 2008 open house invites the public to see what our farm is all about. Mini tours, visit the hens, learn about what is growing and demonstrations while await you! Featuring local vendors and food samples to boot!

Start Date:
May 24, 2008

End Date:
May 25, 2008

Start Time:
10:00 AM

End Time:
4:00 PM

Organized by:
Rosemattel's CSA producer

Address:
10311 NE 72nd Ave
Vancouver, WA 98686

Phone:
360 576-9767

Farm-to-Table Workshop

SAVE THE DATE!

Farm-to-Table Workshop
Clark County

Connecting Local Producers with Local Buyers...because LOCAL business is BETTER business

April 21st, 2008, 1-4pm
4600 Se Columbia Way

Vancouver, WA

Water Resources Education Center
Vancouver, WA

Farmers, rancher and artisan producers:

Learn what buyers are looking for when selecting food for their business. Come, share your experiences selling locally, learn about new ideas and strategies for overcoming old problems, and mingle with other producers and local buyers.

Chefs, caterers, and grocery store representatives:

Producers need your advice and input when growing, raising and/or developing their products. Come, connect with local farmers and discover new products for your business.

To register or for more information, please contact Mark McIntyre at farmtotable2008 (at) gmail (dot) dom

A New Farmers Market in East Clark County

Conveniently serving our east county residents and providing a much needed east side outlet for our local farmers and producers, I am pleased to introduce the newly established Camas Farmers Market! Thanks Carren!

Announcing: The Inaugural Season for the Camas Farmers Market

Camas Farmers Market invites prospective vendors for a tour of the downtown on April 8th, 2008. Lunch will be provided at Around the Table. Come be our guest and see how Camas Farmers Market can be a part of your marketing plan in 2008. Please RSVP to Carren Senn Walker at 360.838.1032. We are seeking vendors who grow produce in a sustainable fashion, individuals who produce food products from the farm, and individuals who produce sustainable fish, meat, and cheese. We are also considering a few concessioners who support the goals of the market.

We are seeking farmers to join our market for the 2008 season. The market opens May 17th and runs through October 4th. Each Saturday the market will be open from 9am to 1pm. The market will feature music, chef demonstrations, and full marketing support. This market will be agriculturally based and designed to meet the needs of farmers. For years citizens of Camas have been asking for a local market. The vital and pleasant shopping district of downtown Camas provides perfect ambience for a thriving market.

Applications are available at camasfarmersmarket.org