Brewer Steve Bradt pours a beer in the Free State Brewing Company's Booth at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market. by llc

The addition of Free State beer at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market last week, raised the bar to a new level and turned the happening market spot into a bit of a “party in the parking lot” atmosphere. Local food was still the focus, as brewer, Steve Bradt paired his Oatmeal Stout with Mr. Bacon’s roasted garlic. Discussions for possible future beer and food pairings were pondered amongst the vendors and Back Door Bakery vowed to feature more Free State enhanced bake goods in their booth throughout the month of June.

Greens, radishes and herbs are just a few of the items that will be available this week at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market, located in the back parking lot of Cottin's Hardware & Rental. by llc

This year asparagus made but a fleeting appearance at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market , so in the spirit of pumping up the level of short seasoned specialty crops, Cottin’s is pleased to announce a one day guest appearance of Wohletz Farm Fresh strawberries! The Wohletz family will be on hand this Thursday, June 2 with a supply of handpicked local strawberries. If the strawberries do not pair well with any of Free State Brewing Company’s beers, they will certainly go perfectly with the Iwig Dairy ice cream located in the booth next door.

Wohletz Farm Fresh Strawberries will be available this Thursday, June 2, at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market. by llc

Iwig Dairy recently acquired a mobile plate freezer which allows them to take their incredibly delicious ice cream on the road to local venues. This Thursday, June 2, they will be stopping by Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, delivering a load of freshly made local ice cream for all the dairy lovers in the crowd. The Iwig family has been milking cows in Tecumseh, KS since 1910 and Laurel and Tim Iwig, current dairy owners, have been bottling their own cow’s milk since 2004. Iwig milk is completely hormone and drug free and Iwig cows are happy cows – so that makes their ice cream doubly delicious!

Iwig Dairy Ice Cream - Locally Made, Delicious and Available at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence. by llc

Vesecky Family Farms will also make their first appearance at Cottin’s market this Thursday. Vesecky, known by many for their you-pick strawberries, blue berries and sweet corn, will offer pastured raised chicken for your dining delight. Vesecky Family Farms will be a regular weekly vendor at the market through the end of the season. Vesecky raises Heritage and White-Broad Breasted chickens just south of Lawrence in Baldwin City. If you have never cooked a local, pasture raised chicken, pick up a Vesecky chicken or two and prepare yourself for a succulent culinary surprise.

The rest of the Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market vendors will be on hand with their usual array of delectable goodies, including some of the best produce in town. Radishes, green onions, broccoli, beets, turnips and garlic scapes will be available, along with the typical early summer fare of greens, greens and more greens – including bok choy, kale, chard, lettuces and maybe even some nettles. If you are not sure what to do with any of the items offered, just ask the farmer in the booth. Not only can they share with you many ideas on how to prepare their produce, they will often have printed recipes to send home with you.

Vinland Valley Nursery's booth at the entrance of Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS. by llc

Put some excitement in your week. Come to Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, this Thursday, June 2 for the beer, strawberries and ice cream. Stay and listen to the wonderful ramblings provided by Fresh Picked, this week’s local band. Then go home with some produce and prepare yourself a delectably delightful early summer fare with something local, something new, and maybe a little something tried and true.

Fresh Picked will be on hand with their special version of fiddling and pickin' music during Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market, this Thursday, June 2, 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm.