Strawberries are Out, Apricots are In!
Locally Grown Apricots Will Be Available From Stony Ridge Farm at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market this Thursday! by llc
Eating seasonally has its many benefits, as well as a few disadvantages. Nutritionally speaking, eating seasonally can provide us with the optimum balance of vitamins, minerals and proteins our bodies crave. Eating seasonally also provides us with a closer approximation of calories needed to support our daily activities. In the Midwest most of us can attest to being more active and spending more time outdoors in the spring, summer and fall months, than we do in the winter months. Food sources available to us in this region mimic our activity differences and provide us with the nutrients necessary to keep us healthy and well nourished.
Eating seasonally provides a pleasurable eating experience as we consume produce at its freshest and tastiest state. No amount of scientific intervention or state of the art transportation methods can equate the taste of that first bite of a freshly harvested tomato at its peak of seasonal growth. Spending the last days of winter pining for that first strawberry or stalk of asparagus can give us hope in an otherwise dismal environ.
Budget wise, eating seasonally makes sense too, as prices for fresh local produce are at a minimum in the height of the growing season, while prices of products shipped in from other parts of the world during the off season can be unnecessarily inflated to cover the cost of excessive fuel use and pent up consumer demand.
Eating seasonally makes sense, for your body, your taste buds and your budget. Eating seasonally can also create a bit of a melodramatic let down, as the last of the strawberries have been eaten and you realize it will be a whole year before you will once again taste that delicious, melt in your mouth flavor you waited so patiently throughout the winter for.
The good news is, what Mother Nature takes away with one hand, she returns with another. Last week was the official end to our local strawberry season. Before that we watched as the last of the asparagus was harvested and local foragers threw in the towel on hopes of finding morel mushrooms. The last of the spring spinach was harvested and weeks before that, farmers and gardeners alike tilled in the remains of their spring crops to plant the delicate start of their summer crops.
Wohletz Farm Sold the Last of Their Strawberries at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market Last Week by llc
Just as winter provides us a waning of food choices as the season draws to a close, spring finds us at a disadvantage as the weather warms up and cool season crops wither under the sun’s intensifying rays. So is the moment of our harvest, while summer crops of tomatoes, beets, cucumbers, cabbages and peppers begin to fruit, we are left with a plate of hardy greens and early season staples.
This week at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market patrons will be delighted to find the season’s first harvest of locally grown apricots and a flush showing of amazingly sweet onions. Early market goers will have a chance to partake in the season’s beginning harvest of sugar snap peas, baby carrots and summer chard. There will be bok choy, chard, arugula, other early summer greens and a few root vegetables. Prairie Found Farm will also have fresh lavender bouquets to tickle your nose buds to.
Radishes and Baby Carrots Available from Avery's Produce at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market by llc
Seasonal products include fresh spring chicken, heritage pork and grass fed beef. Although meats are traditionally available throughout the year, the old adage – you are what you eat – holds true and connoisseurs of local meats will happily note the difference in flavors (not to mention nutrient content) of a chicken who has had the privilege of dinning on early spring grasses or a cow that has moved from late harvested storage grasses to fresh pasture.
If fresh local produce is not enough to motivate you out and about, consider the fact that Tyler Gregory will be making his debut performance at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market this Thursday, May 24, 2012. Tyler is well known for his busker appearances in downtown Lawrence and his increasingly frequent performances at local night spots throughout town. Moreover, Tyler gained international recognition recently when a casual video of his interaction with an eight year old blind autistic child named Jacob hit the airwaves and made it onto the front page of the Huffington Post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKXkbs55KXUhttp://
Great music, local produce, Free State beer, Iwig Dairy Ice Cream and friendly chess competition with the Cordley Elementary School chess club coupled with beautiful late spring weather, makes Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market a pretty irresistible venue this Thursday and beyond!
Cordley Elementary School Chess Club Provides Friendly Competition at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market by llc
Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market is located in the back parking lot of Cottin’s Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS. The market is held outdoors every Thursday, May – October from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm.
American Craft Beer Week @ Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market
Oatmeal Stout Ice Cream Floats made with Free State beer and Iwig Dairy Ice Cream at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market by llc
It is American Craft Beer Week and what better place to celebrate local hand crafted beer than at a farmers market filled with fresh local produce, neighborhood friends and awesome local music? This Thursday, May 17, 2012, Free State Brewing Company will be serving up their tasty brews alongside Iwig Dairy – which could mean only one thing – Oatmeal Stout Ice Cream Floats!
Prairie Acre Band will play at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market May 17, 2012 by llc
If Oatmeal Stout floats are not enough to bring you out, throw in this year’s much anticipated and always entertaining performance by the Prairie Acre Band. Prairie Acre will be at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market Thursday, from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm, sharing their twangy old time blues with market patrons and vendors alike. Prairie Acre has been entertaining Lawrence area residents since 2002. With 4 CD’s and 86 collective years of music under their belts, Greg Yother (guitar), Noah Musser (banjo), Tricia Spencer (fiddle) and Virginia Musser (bass), are a “must see” musical act for young and old alike.
Public Chess tables compliments of Cordley Elemntary School parents @ Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market by llc
Mister Bacon BBQ will be on hand serving up his delicious pull pork, pig pie and more, while the Cordley Elementary School Chess club will set up in center stage to take on any challengers – young, old or indifferent – at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market public chess tables.
With twenty vendors, including several local farmers, bakers and various other producers Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market is sure to be a happening spot.
Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market in the back parking lot of Cottin's Hardware & Rental by llc
This week’s vendors include:
Cook's BBQ (not actually selling BBQ)
Everley Greenhouse
Frog Song Farm
Martin Farm
Prairie Found Farm
The Yeast We Can Do
Come join the fun at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market this Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm in the back parking lot of Cottin’s Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS.
Hilltop Farms at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market by llc
Chess Play Commences at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market
Cordley Elementary School Chess Club Host Friendly Game Competition at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market by llc
Thursday May 3, 2012 marked the beginning of the Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market outdoor season. As was expected, the market was filled with fresh vegetables, locally made breads and bake goods, fresh eggs, honey, grass fed beef, and pasture raised pork and chicken. Those familiar with Cottin’s Market were delighted to see Free State Brewing Company serving up their locally hand crafted beer and Mister Bacon BBQ offering pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches, as well as the ever popular, Pig Pie. It wasn’t even too much of a surprise to see Bill Crahan strumming his guitar alongside Scott Tichenor and his mandolin. What did come as a surprise to most market patrons were the three eight foot tables positioned down the center of the market filled with almost a dozen chess sets. Public chess sets and friendly chess competition are a new addition to the Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market this year. Made possible by generous donations of several Cordley Elementary School parents, the appearance of the chess sets bring with them a delightful and talented set of Cordley Elementary School students, who are well versed in the nuances of chess competition. Under the leadership of Phil Wedge, Cordley Elementary School students have been able to hone their chess playing skills through practice and competitive play over the past several years. This summer, those same students plan on polishing their acquired skill set with some informal and very friendly chess competition at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market.
Cordley Students Set Up Chess Sets in Anticipation of Some Competitive Play. by llc
The first week of public chess play went well, despite a few momentary and unexpected outbursts from the ever present Kansas wind. A few games were cut short as gusts overturned chess boards, spewing rooks and knights across the ground. Rest assured, pieces were repositioned and play was resumed and for future reference, the boards will be better weighted in the weeks to come. Not really knowing what to expect during the inaugural event, it was a delight to all involved when the first challenger to the Cordley team was wheeled into place. Several more challengers followed suit and soon everyone was playing away. Watching multi-generational play between students and market patrons was delightful, even for those unfamiliar with the finer points of the game. As the market season continues, Cordley students hope to entertain a steady stream of challengers and when challengers are lacking, the students will test their skills amongst each other. Maybe, if all goes well, the Cordley students will even have a chance to share their love of the game with a novice or two and expand the every growing popularity of this 1500 year old Indian war game.
Brad Hoopes takes a little break during Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market, July 2011. by llc
This week at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, along with Mister Bacon BBQ, Free State beer and fresh local produce, patrons can look forward to musical ramblings by pianist Brad Hoopes and several of his proteges. Brad will set up dueling keyboards beneath the market’s band tent and entertain patrons and chess players alike. Several of his students will tickle the ivories as they prepare for a public recital this weekend at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community.
Hilltop Farms Offers an Impressive Selection of Tasty Radishes at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market. by llc
Chess – Music – Beer – BBQ You can get these all at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, but more important is of course the local food vendors. With Jack Frost taking an early hiatus and April showers finally spreading into May, farmers are experiencing a better than usual spring growing season. Crops are coming in early and if luck holds out, it could be a tremendously bountiful summer season. For now, expect to see the usual early summer greens, such as kale, chard, spinach and arugula. Peas and beans are just beginning to pop and radishes and carrots are already being plucked from the ground. Right on time with the May growing season are the strawberry crops. Wohletz Farm along with several other vendors will be offering up a bountiful supply of freshly picked local strawberries. Rest assured that the bakers in the crowd – including Upward Spirals, Stony Ridge and The Yeast We Can Do – will all have an ample supply of short cakes to go along with the strawberries.
Wohletz Strawberries at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market by llc
So come join the fun at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, Thursdays from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm, in the back parking lot of Cottin’s Hardware & Rental in Lawrence, KS.
Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market in the back parking lot of Cottin's Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence by llc
Weekday Farmers Markets Begin!
Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market in the back parking lot of Cottin's Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence by llc
We all know that April showers bring May flowers, but this year’s April showers also mark the start of the weekday farmers market season in Lawrence, KS. On Tuesday, May 1, the downtown Lawrence Farmers Market will start its weekday market series in the parking lot at 1020 Vermont Street. The market runs from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Following Tuesday’s market, Thursday will bring Lawrence residents multiple shopping options with markets on both the east and west sides of town. On the west side of town, Lawrence Farmers Market will host a Thursday evening market at 4931 West 6th Street from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. On the east side, Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market will kick off their second full outdoor season in the back parking lot of Cottin’s Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence.
Fresh local produce from Avery's Produce at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market by llc
The downtown Lawrence Farmers Market and Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, though technically unrelated, share many of the same vendors, as well as many of the same values. Both markets host a majority of local producers who strive to provide market patrons with the freshest and healthiest produce possible. Likewise, a large majority of the local producers, some certified and others not, grow using sustainable organic practices. Trending upward in the market arena is the use of local and organic ingredients by value added producers, such as bakers and preserve makers. The purpose of most farmers markets across the country is to provide an increasing supply of local, sustainable produce to area residents, while providing farmers a viable outlet to market their wares. From produce to meats to bake goods to artisan craft items, the farmers market scene in Lawrence, KS offers a diverse selection of products that residents can be proud of.
Bill Crahan and Scott Tichenor Play On Despite the Rain at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market! by llc
This week at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, Bill Crahan and Scott Tichenor will return to kick off the season with their skillful musings on guitar and mandolin, respectively. Bill and Scott have been market favorites at Cottin’s for the past three years, holding the record for playing on the coldest market day, the hottest market day and the wettest market day. Last year, the 4:00 pm start of the first market of the season brought with it a torrential downpour that should have left vendors and patrons running for shelter. Yet vendors and market goers appeared undaunted as Bill and Scott played on through it all, often being drowned out, literally, by the clapping thunder and roaring rain. In the end, the sun came out and dried up all the rain, vendors uncovered their wares, patrons arrived in hordes and a great time was had by all. We can only hope that this year’s market season will start out a little less eventful, but rest assured, regardless of the weather, the band will play on.
Mister Bacon BBQ Serves Up Delicious Hot Food at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market by llc
For some, the much anticipated return of spring crops to the Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market is slightly overshadowed by the return of Mister Bacon BBQ and his delicious market entrees. Mister Bacon will be on hand at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market throughout the month of May, serving up pulled pork sandwiches, pig pie, chick pie and so much more. Free State Brewing Company will also return for the 2012 season, with a delightful selection of their well known and much coveted hand crafted local beers.
Free State Brewing Company Serves Up Hand Crafted Local Beer at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market by llc
New to Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market this year will be public chess tables. Thanks to the generosity of several Cordely Elementary School parents, chess sets will be set up on tables down the center of the market area. The Cordley Chess Club will be on hand to take on any challengers, or to play amongst themselves, as market patrons dictate. Anyone young or old is welcome to join in and if playing an elementary chess club member sounds a bit intimidating, feel free to bring a friend and sit down for your own amicable game.
Public Chess Tables and the Cordley Chess Club at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market - Thursdays, through October! by llc
This week's participating vendors at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market:
Avery's Produce
Mister Bacon BBQ
Central Garden
Cook's BBQ (not actually selling BBQ)
Fieldstone Orchard
Free State Brewing
Frog Song Farm
Hilltop Farm
New Boston Coop
Martin Farm
Prairie Found Farm
Spring Creek Farm
Stony Ridge Farms
Upward Spiral Bake Goods
Vinland Valley Nursery
Wakarusa Valley Farm
Wohletz Farm
The Yeast We Can Do
Liberty Memorial Central Middle School Students Sell Excess Garden Produce at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market by llc
Join the fun at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market Thursdays, from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm in the back parking lot of Cottin’s Hardware & Rental
The Last Days of Winter…
Cottin's Hardwre Farmers Market - Indoors! Lawrence's first year round farmers market! by llc
Thursday, April 25, 2012 is the last Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market – Indoors! The date also marks the completion of Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market’s first full season of markets. A feat never before accomplished by a local farmers market in the area. 52 markets in 52 weeks – in Kansas none-the-less!
MAD Farm lettuces brighten the market table in mid-Febraury! by llc
Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market is thankful for all of the fantastic farmers and producers that have graced the vendor spots throughout the past year. A diverse group of talented producers, young and old, who made it their mission to feed Lawrence and the surrounding communities on a weekly basis, offering fresh local produce and value added products crafted with care. What started out as a simple CSA pick up – designed to shield patrons from the cold has blossomed into a diverse and energetic neighborhood market place.
Stony Ridge Farms - Perfect Attendance @ Cottin's Hardware Farmers Markets! by llc
Stony Ridge Farms has had perfect attendance at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market – attending 52 markets in 52 weeks over the past year. Stony Ridge, located in McLouth, KS, is owned and operated by Debbie and Bernie Antes. Although the 2011 growing season was a bit lack luster for fruit producers such as Stony Ridge, Debbie and Bernie were able to keep their booth full for 52 weeks with the help of a brood of free range chickens, Debbie’s adept baking and canning skills, an early, middle and late season arugula crop and peaches and duck eggs from neighboring farms. Lately the Antes have added their own grass fed beef to their market table also.
Avery's Produce @ Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market - Indoors! by llc
Near perfect attendance was also accomplished by Avery Lominska, with the help of a few friends, family members and neighboring farms. Avery’s Produce table is perhaps the best stocked table in town. Seemingly undaunted by one of the hottest summers on record followed by one of the mildest winters to date, Avery has somehow succeeded in supplying Lawrence patrons with a diverse selection of organically grown “certification free” produce throughout the year.
Upward Spirals Bake Goods - Offering Tasty Treats and Good Vibrations at Lawrence Farmers Markets Year Round! by llc
To everyone’s delight, Upward Spirals Bake Goods, run by Nan Renbarger and her daughter, has also made a showing at the majority of Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Markets. Nan’s delectable mix of breads and tasty treats has made her a market favorite at both the Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market and the Downtown Farmers Market for many years. Boasting fresh baked breads, delicious pizza crusts, glory muffins, peace paws and an array of other specialty breads and bake goods, Nan’s little market table offers something to delight everyone in the family.
The Final Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market - Indoors! for the season will be held April 26, 2012 at Cottin's Hardwre & Rental by llc
Join Stony Ridge Farms, Avery’s Produce, Upward Spirals Bake Goods, Wakarusa Valley Farm and Iwig Dairy as they celebrate the close of the 2011/2012 market season this Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market – Indoors! Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market – Indoors! is located inside Cottin’s Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS.
Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market in the back parking lot of Cottin's Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence by llc
If you can’t make it this week, fear not, for the vendors shall return the following week, along with 13 of their closets friends, to usher in the start of the 2012 farmers’ market season at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market. Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market runs from May through October in the back parking lot of Cottin’s Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, Kansas. Outdoor market season hours are from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm every Thursday.
Help Central Garden Grow!
Paper pickets can be purchase for $5 each at Cottin's Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence. by llc
Central Garden is growing… but they need your help. Purchase a Paper Picket for $5 and help Liberty Memorial Middle School grow their garden through the summer months. Central Garden is a result of the voices in the community coming together for the benefit of students past, present and future. Located on the south side of Liberty Memorial Central Middle School the garden has grown from a small arts based flower and herb garden to a high functioning 4,200 sq ft garden plot servicing the school cafeteria during the fall and early spring and selling excess produce throughout the summer at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market. The garden is a welcoming space for all classes and is used as a learning tool for science, math, English, and liberal arts curriculums.
Central Garden flourishes during the summer of 2011, despite record high heat. by llc
Nutrition is an essential building block for student success. Healthy, active, and well-nourished children are more likely to attend school and are more prepared and motivated to learn. Although the primary responsibility of schools is to foster academic achievement, schools have an exceptional opportunity to guide children toward healthier lifestyles while cultivating academic excellence through the implementation and maintenance of a school garden.
Dynamic settings, such as school gardens, foster improved student health. Students who participate in school garden projects discover fresh food and make healthier food choices. They also become more physically active as a result of their participation. Research shows that students will eat the vegetables and fruits that they grow and will continue to eat more vegetables and fruits outside the confines of the garden, as a result of their experience.
Benefits of school gardens are not limited to food alone. Studies show that nutrition education and nutrition programs linked to school gardens improve overall academic achievement. As would be expected, students who study nutrition in the classroom while growing vegetables in outdoor gardens demonstrate an increased knowledge of nutrition and an elevated preference for vegetables. Additionally, educators find that integrating classroom education with experiential learning in school gardens creates the framework for interdisciplinary, collaborative, student-centered, and engaged learning. Several major studies have documented the educational effectiveness of using school gardens as an integrated context for learning. Data from these studies found that over 77 percent of students in environment-based education programs scored higher than their peers across all standardized tests and had higher grade point averages. Realizing the educational and health benefits of a school garden is not only an important step toward better student health, but also a viable link to improved overall education in both primary and secondary school systems.
There are three things you need to make anything grow – soil, sun and water. When it comes to school gardens, participation, organization and funding are equally as important. Central Garden is blessed with good soil in a sunny spot and easy access to an ample supply of water. From the beginning Central Garden has had exemplary participation and organization. Start up funding was relatively easy to come by, thanks to LiveWell Lawrence and multiple local businesses. It is now the hope of students and teachers alike, that the community will continue to cultivate Central Garden through participation and funding. Under the aegis of community support Liberty Memorial Central Middle School students can be free to blossom alongside the seeds that they sow.
Liberty Memorial Central Middle School students work diligently planting crops at Central Garden's first work day, March 31, 2012. by llc
Driving along Massachusetts Street past Liberty Memorial Central Middle School you cannot help but notice the genesis of the school garden. Every inch of the garden is a testimonial of community generosity. From soil and amendments to fencing and sculpture, the garden and its anatomy were made possible through altruistic donations of goods and services from a wide spectrum of likely and unlikely hands. Even more astounding than the outpouring and support the school received in the development of the garden is the knowledge that the fruits of everyone’s labors will find their way into the hearts and tummies of students and staff for many, many years to come.
Central Garden belongs not only to the students, but also to the community as a whole. As you walk by Central Garden, take a moment to step inside and marvel at its tenacious beauty as early summer crops begin to bud. Admire the fencing, the arbor, the sculpture, the picnic table, the mulch the compost and the seedlings - all donated by community members, volunteers and local businesses. Watch throughout the summer as the neat rows of straw and dirt become robust and fruitful tributes to the student's and the communities' labors of love.
Row cover protects Central Garden's spring crops from a bout of cold weather last week. by llc
Liberty Memorial Central Middle School students will be on hand Thursdays at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market to personally collect picket donations in support of the Central Garden summer program. Students meet twice a week during the school year and three times a week throughout the summer. The program is free and open to all LMCMS students. Younger and older students and community members are welcome to join in too. Students plant, grown, tend, harvest, eat and sell the produce from the garden all summer long at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market. Until the crops begin producing, Central Garden students will focus on growing their summer program $5 at a time between weeding, planting, composting and learning the ins and outs of what it takes to make a garden grow.
Join the LMCMS students, along with regular indoor market vendors – Stony Ridge Farm, Avery’s Produce, Upward Spirals Bake Goods, Wakarusa Valley Farm, and Iwig Dairy, Thursday, April 19 and April 26 , from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, , inside Cottin’s Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS.
Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market will be held indoors for two more weeks before moving into the back parking lot of Cottin's Hardware & Rental! by llc
Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market – Indoors! Great food, great people, great fun and now a great cause too!
Fresh Produce - Is It Open Pollinated, Hybrid, Organic or GMO?
Knowing where your food came from is important, knowing what type of seeds were used to grow your food is even better! by llc
The life cycle of a seed is relatively uneventful – a seed drops to the ground, the seed grows into a plant, the plant produces more seeds, these seeds are dropped to the ground and more plants grow. It seems simple enough, but add man to the mix and the whole process can become convoluted.
Since the advent of agriculture, humans have been naturally selecting seeds to sow based on positive plant attributes. Farmers and gardeners traditionally save seed from the tastiest varieties or the hardiest plants, rather than saving seeds from the less prolific or less pleasing plants in the garden. A large portion of plants grown for human consumption produce fruit through the process of pollinated. Science class taught us that pollination occurs when pollen from one plant is transferred to another plant. When this pollination occurs naturally, via bees, birds or wind, the plants and resulting seeds are considered to be open pollinated. The process was taken a step further when scientists, including Charles Darwin and Gregor Mendel, discovered they could hand pollinate two varieties of the same plant and produce a plant with positive characteristics from both varieties.
Birds, bees and wind are primarily respondsible for the procreation of open pollinated vegetation. by llc
Open pollinated seeds are by in large, organic, unaltered seeds. These are the seeds your grandmother and your great grandmother and her great-great grandmother planted. The seeds that have been passed down from generation to generation are referred to as heirloom seeds. All heirloom seeds are open pollinated, but not all open pollinated seeds are heirloom seeds.
Open Pollinated, Hybrid or GMO seeds... What's in your garden? by llc
Hybrid seed is produced when two plants of the same species are intentionally cross-pollinated, by humans, to create a new variety of the plant with specific attributes. Hybrids are the result of very attribute specific natural selection. Typically two strains of the same plant are grown for several generations to achieve a pure line. Then the two pure lines are crossed to produce a hybrid with positive characteristics from both lines. Hybrids have been around since the late 1800’s and were first introduced to the general public in the early 1930’s. The downside of this manual manipulation is: these off shoots of nature are only one generation strong. When seeds from hybrid plants are sown, the second generation plant often takes on negative characteristics from the parent plants over the positive characteristics the hybrids were originally selected for. This inability to proliferate has created a boon for seed companies, who can patent their hybrid creations and sell seeds year after year to the same farmer or gardener. Small scale farmers and gardeners traditionally purchase hybrid seeds with unique flavors that cannot be duplicated in open pollinated varieties. Commercial farmers typically choose hybrid seeds with increased yield or shorter growing times. Hybrid seeds are more expensive to purchase than traditional seeds and often require more water and fertilizer than non-Hybrid strains. For large scale farmers, these inputs can be offset by the increased production, for small scale farmers, the end sometimes cannot justify the means.
Organic seeds are seeds that have been grown exclusively without man made chemicals for a number of years. Hybrid seeds can be organic, if grown within the constraints of organic crop production. The organic certification process varies from state to state and country to country, but all in all, requires proof that the seeds are free of synthetic substances and genetically modified organisms (GMO’s). Most hybrid seeds are not organic, but absolutely no genetically modified seeds are organic.
In an effort to preserve non-GMO corn, Tom Hogemeyer, with the University of Nebraska, developed a corn hybrid with genes that block pollination from GMO corn varieties. by llc
Genetically modified seeds are seeds created through the process of genetic engineering. Plant geneticists isolate a specific gene within one organism that is responsible for a desired positive attribute and transfer this gene to another organism. Unlike conventional breeding of like plants used to form hybrids, genetic engineering allows the merging and breeding of unrelated organisms to occur. The list of genetically modified organisms is long and daunting. The list of genetically modified food products available to the consumer is somewhat shorter. In the United States, 70% of the corn crops, 90% of the canola (rapeseed) crops, 95% of the sugar beet crops, 74% of the cotton crops and virtually all of the commercial soybean crops are genetically modified. Coming soon to a grocer near you could also be GMO salmon, apples, potatoes and the ever so popular Enviropig… a pig genetically modified to produce less phosphorus in its manure.
GMO organisms are relatively new to the market and lack any substantial research on long term risks or benefits. When it comes to GMO’s in the United States, there is no one governing agency responsible for oversight of these man made mutations. The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for evaluating GM plants for environmental safety. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for determining if a GMO is safe to grow and the Food and Drug Administration would ideally determine if a GMO is safe to eat. Unfortunately, for the most part, the FDA has been unable to oversee the safety of edible GMO’s because the department historically deals only with processed foods. Without specific legislation, GMO’s such as corn, potatoes and soybeans are considered whole foods and therefore do not fall under FDA jurisdiction.
The Enviropig™ is a genetically modified line of Yorkshire pigs with the capability of digesting plant phosphorus more efficiently. by llc
Companies that create and market GMO’s can voluntarily participate in a consultation process with the FDA. Through this process the GMO manufacturer can receive a “generally regarded as safe” (GRAS) rating from the FDA. Since 1998 the FDA has awarded GRAS ratings to 95% of the GMO’s that have been presented to them. Without further government regulation, the proliferation of GM products or the halt of their production may come down to one simple process – consumer demand. Consumers can choose to purchase genetically modified products or they can choose not to, assuming they can tell the difference. Current efforts are being made in several states to require all food products containing GMO’s to be labeled as such. Even with such labeling, it may still be difficult to guarantee the absence of GMO’s in any given food item as the birds, bees, wind, soil and water continue to unwittingly disperse genetically modified genes onto Non-GMO food crops, plants and animals. Currently there are apps for cell phones that help users identify of the presence of GMO’s in many food staples. Products labeled Non-GMO or Certified Organic cannot wittingly contain genetically modified organisms, but in the United States conventional products containing corn, soybeans, canola, cottonseed, Hawaiian Papaya and “sugar” rather than “pure cane sugar” are typically sourced from GMO crops. A small amount of zucchini and yellow squash are products of genetic modification. Meat, poultry and dairy products made from grain fed livestock can also contain traces of GMO’s.
Hybrids typically cross two lines of the same plant, where as GMO's typically cross unrelated organisms. by llc
If you are concerned with the presence of GMO’s in your food, shopping at the local farmers market is by far the easiest and most rewarding way to assure foods being purchased are free from GMO’s and other undeclared additives. Small scale and organic farmers use high quality organic and heirloom seeds to guarantee robust and savory crops. Some hybrid seeds selected for flavor and unique varieties of more common crops are also planted to assure diversity between farms. When shopping your local farmers market, take a moment to ask the farmers about their growing practices and their seed choices. Ask producers where they source their ingredients and what types of sweeteners they use. An informed shopper is a wise shopper and one of the best places to become informed is at the farmers market.
Dan Phelps from MAD Farm grows organic, heirloom seed varieties along with some unique hybrids. by llc
Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market – Indoors! is held each Thursday through April from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Located inside Cottin’s Hardware and Rental at 1832 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, the market boasts fresh local produce, grass fed beef, free range chicken, duck and quail eggs, breads, jams, jellies, bake goods and more! Saturday, April 14, 2012 marks the opening day of the downtown Lawrence Farmers Market season. Gates open at 7:00 am in the parking lot at 818 New Hampshire Street. The opening day of the outdoor Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market will follow on Thursday, May 3, 2012 Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, located in the back parking lot of Cottin’s Hardware and Rental, offers live music, hot food, Free State Brewery beer and produce from seventeen market vendors, Thursdays, from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm, May through October.
Meanwhile, this Thursday, April 12, join Avery’s Produce, Stony Ridge Farms, Upward Spirals Bake Goods, Wakarusa Valley Farms and Iwig Dairy at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market – Indoors! From 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm for some of the freshest, tastiest, Non-GMO produce in town!
Grass Fed Beef – It’s What Could Be For Dinner….
Grass fed and finished cows – better for you, better for them and better for the environment. by llc
It is a little ironic that one of the biggest movements in the food industry today is simply a step back in time, with a bit of present day ingenuity. 100 % Grass Fed Beef is making a comeback on dinner tables across the country, as consumers search for healthier, more sustainable choices to replace an ever increasing line of dangerously unhealthy and sometimes deadly commercially produced meat products. It doesn’t take much to realize that grass fed beef is healthier for us, healthier for the cows, healthier for the environment and as an added bonus – tastes great. Through the use of intensive rotational grazing, a method of moving cows from pasture to pasture on a daily basis, cows are fed sweeter more nutritionally rich grasses, which in turn produce flavorful beef products, low in cholesterol inducing saturated fats and high in health promoting nutrients. Likewise, the cows rejuvenate and fertilize the grass lands, allowing for deeper root growth, better water retention, increased microbic activity and carbon sequestering soil production.
Cows have always been designed to eat grass. When they eat grains, such as corn and soy bean, their bodies cannot digest and store the nutrients, they get gas, the get fat (which meat producers call “marbling”) and they get very sick. Cows can only survive about six months on a corn based diet, which is just about longest amount of time they are housed and fed at feed lots.
Seventy five years ago cows spent 4 – 5 years grazing on a rancher’s land before being slaughtered. In the 1950’s the invention of fed lots decreased the average life of a cow from birth to slaughter to 2 -3 years. In the twenty first century, thanks to growth hormones, protein supplements (read unused cow parts) and GMO corn and soy bean products, it only takes 14 – 16 months for a cow to reach the ideal weight for slaughter.
These fast food beef machines, raised in less than ideal conditions, also produce a much less healthy end product than their grass munching, longer living counterparts. 100% grass fed beef, cows that are raised entirely on pasture and fed hay and other grasses through the winter months, produce meat that has less saturated fats, is higher in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and vitamin A and contains cancer fighting, heart healthy, immune boosting conjugated linoleic acid, among other things.
Happy cows are healthy cows at Stony Ridge Farms in McLouth, Kansas by llc
With intensive rotational grazing, it takes about an acre of land to finish two steers, which is about the same amount of land it takes to grow the grain used to finish those steers in the feedlot. Rotational grazing improves the health of the land, restores soil, increases water retention, reduces carbon output and fosters the propagation of a healthy prairie ecosystem. Feed lots contribute to industrial waste, producing tons of manure, emitting methane and carbon dioxide gases and using over 5,000 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef.
Realistically, America could convert half the 150 million acres currently used to produce corn and soybeans back into prairie and still produce about the same amount of meat. Growing cows on grass instead of in feed lots would reduce the use of fertilizers and eliminated the need for growth hormones, protein supplements and most antibiotics in meat production. Reducing overall grain production would also eliminate the need for federal farm subsidies.
Lawrence, Kansas is blessed with a plethora of 100% grass fed beef producers and unlike many larger cities or less fortunate smaller towns, Lawrence grocery stores stock local grass fed beef in their freezer sections. Many restaurants also serve grass fed beef regularly on their menus.
Stony Ridge Farms raises healthy happy cows. by llc
This week at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market – Indoors! You can purchase grass fed ground beef from Stony Ridge Farms. Stony Ridge Farms beef is 100% grass fed. The cows are raised locally without hormones or steroid enhancers. Sustainable rotational grazing methods are used to assure that not only are the cattle healthier, but the grasslands, soil and surrounding water stores are healthier too.
Stony Ridge Farms will offer one pound packages of 100% grass fed ground beef at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market - Indoors! by llc
Stony Ridge cows are happy cows and happy cows produce better tasting, healthier meat. Stony Ridge has been producing grass fed beef for many years, selling their meat by the quarter, half and whole. This Thursday will be their debut into small package retail sales. They will be offering one pound packages of grass fed ground beef along with their usual supply of farm fresh eggs, jams, jellies, local honey, breads, coffee cakes and gluten-free bake goods.
Avery's Produce still has a great slection of fresh, locally grown produce at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market - Indoors! by llc
Avery Lominska will be at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market - Indoors! this Thursday with his wide selection of Asian greens, winter storage crops, spinach, chard, kale, and more. Avery’s Produce will also have a nice selection of locally grown mushrooms from Wakarusa Valley Farms, as well as Wakarusa Salad Mix and goat cheese pate. Upward spirals will round out the selection with whole wheat pizza crusts, potato bread, delicious bread spirals, glory muffins and more. Iwig Dariy will return with free samples of their own grass fed beef products - hormone free local milk and ice cream!
Come join us at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market – Indoors! Thursday, March 29 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm inside Cottin’s Hardware & Rental at 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS.
Exactly What is “Braising Mix”?
Avery's Produce Offers an Asian Greens Braising Mix at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market - Indoors! by llc
The thing with shopping at a Farmers Market is that often the farmer’s tables are filled with items you will never find in a typical grocery store. This is a good thing and a bad thing for many reasons and depending on who you are, it can be an exciting thing or a scary thing. Let’s take braising greens as an example. In the spring and fall and throughout the winter months, almost every farmer’s market table has some sort of leafy green mix. Depending on what goes in the mix and who the farmers are, the name on the product can vary from braising mix to mixed greens to Asian greens to stir fry mix to a plethora of other descriptive nomenclatures. In the end, like a rose, by any name, the greens will still smell sweet, taste good and be good for you.
Traditional braising mixes consist of assorted greens including, but not limited to, kale, chard, bok choy, mustard greens, spinach, turnip greens, beet greens and pretty much any other dark green leafy vegetation found within the furrowed rows of a farmer’s field, including dandelion greens! Most braising greens are members of Brassica family; rich in vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C and soluble fiber, these leafy greens have been cultivated for their flavor and nutritional value for over 2000 years. Many varieties are also known to contain antioxidants and cancer fighting agents.
Greens found at the farmers market are much fresher than greens offered at the typical grocery store. This freshness maximizes the health benefits and annunciates the delectable flavors of the produce. The mixes also allow farmers to optimize crops by re-purposing green leaves of root vegetables and offering a marketable option for late or early growth of leafy green sowings. The actual content of the braising mixes vary from month to month and from farm to farm, but regardless of whose farm it came from, these mixes will most likely be prepped and ready to cook, making them a fast food option in the farm to table world. For those unfamiliar with less-than-mainstream offerings at the farmers market, braising mixes can be uniquely daunting. The large open baskets or puffy plastic bags used to display the leafy green mixtures lend themselves to confusion as one searches to identify the makeup and content of the mix. Luckily, braising greens are as versatile in preparation as they are in constitution. Mixed greens can be prepared in a variety of ways. Eating them raw is an option, but the thick stems, chewy leaves and slightly bitter flavors are best tamed with a little moist heat and subtle flavorings.
Kale is a main ingredient in most braising green mixes by llc
Braising is a method of cooking where the main ingredient is first seared in hot oil and then simmered in liquid. Braising mixes do not have to be braised, they can also be sautéed, stir-fried, blanched, steamed or mixed into stews and soups. They can be eaten alone, added to pasta dishes, quiches, rice dishes or burritos, and they can be served with most any other vegetable, especially potatoes. The simplest method of preparing greens is to sauté them in olive oil with a little garlic and serve them with a splash of vinegar. When cooking greens, they should be reduce to a little less than half their original size, but still maintain their essential shape. Although over cooked greens are still tasty, properly cooked greens will add more flavor and texture to the meal. Here is a quick and easy recipe to jumpstart your spring green consumption…
Quinoa and Braising Mix Pie in an Ancient Grains Sorghum Pie Crust by llc
Quinoa and Braising Mix Pie
¼ cup olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 pound greens, rinsed
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper
4 farm fresh eggs
¼ cup milk (dairy free options work fine)
1 pie crust, uncooked
Heat oil in skillet and sauté onion until translucent. Stir in rinsed braising mix and cook until mix is reduced to at least half its original size, but leaves still maintain their shape. Stir in cooked quinoa and heat through. Stir in nutmeg and pepper. Spread mix into prepared pie crust. In separate bowl, whisk eggs and milk together. Pour egg mixture over greens and quinoa. Bake at 350 degrees for thirty minutes, until eggs are set and crust is golden brown. Serve warm as a main dish or a side dish.
Avery's Produce @ Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market - Indoors! by llc
This week at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market – Indoors! you will find an Asian green braising mix at Avery’s Produce table. Avery and his father, Bob Lominska, have been growing vegetables in the Lawrence area for more than 20 years. Although they are not organically certified, the Lominska’s grow using organic methods and all of their produce is chemical and pesticide free. Avery’s early spring selections include an Asian greens mix, bok choy, chard, red Russian Kale, potatoes, turnips, garlic and more. He shares table space with Wakarusa Valley Farms, offering their local mushrooms, organic salad mix and goat cheese pate each week.
Stony Ridge Farms offers local honey and homemade jams at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market - Indoors! by llc
Stony Ridge Farms will also be at Cottin’s Hardware Farmer’s Market with a wide selection of homemade jams and jellies, local honey, coffee cakes, breads, gluten-free bake goods and farm fresh chicken, duck and quail eggs. Upward Spiral Bake Goods will display their savory white and whole wheat pizza crusts, fresh baked breads, muffins and other delightful treats. Iwig Dairy will also be on hand serving up free samples of their tasty hormone free dairy products!
Upward Spirals Bake Goods famous pizza crusts are available at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market - Indoors! by llc
Join us at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market – Indoors! this Thursday, March 22, 2012 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, inside Cottin’s Hardware and Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence.
Magical Mushrooms
Black Poplar Mushrooms from Wakarusa Valley Farms by llc
The nutritive qualities of mushrooms have long been overshadowed by magic and mysticism. From Aesop Fables and Alice in Wonderland to the Mario Brothers, mushrooms’ underling magic qualities are often the focus of lore and folk traditions, as well as more modern day media ventures. What is typically forgotten in these fairytale depictions is the delectable deliciousness and health providing benefits of these fleshy fungi. Historically, mushrooms have not only served as a food staple in many cuisines, but they have also been revered for medicinal, recreational and religious purposes by indigenous cultures throughout the world. Tassili cave drawings dating back to 3500 BC depict mushrooms in a spiritual sense and the “Iceman” (circa 3300 BC), who was discovered frozen in the Italian Alps, carried with him a string of dried mushrooms, most likely for medicinal and nutritive purposes. Of the over 14,000 varieties of mushrooms currently identified, 3,000 are edible, at least 700 have medicinal properties, less than 140 are at all poisonous and only a handful are considered deadly. A common ingredient of many Asian, African and European cuisines, mushrooms have somewhat recently begun making a widespread appearance at dinner tables across the United States. Part of their growing popularity can be attributed to renowned mycologist Paul Stamets. Stamets, a long time proponent of mushroom cultivation, not only for human consumption, but also for ecological purposes, has written many books on mushroom cultivation and use, including his 2005 manual for the mycological rescue of our planet - Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World.
Mushrooms are a lean protein, high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, vitamin D and potassium. Known for boosting the immune system, encouraging weight loose, lowering cholesterol and reducing risks of several types of cancer, mushrooms taste good and are good for you. Mushrooms are very versatile and can be added to almost any dish for flavor and texture. Here are several quick ways to prepare mushrooms:
Stir Fry – Add chopped mushrooms to any stir fry or sauté mushrooms with bok choy or other greens. Sprinkle with a mixture of soy sauce, olive oil and fresh grated ginger and serve over warm rice or quinoa.
Sauté – Over medium heat, sauté chopped mushrooms in butter or olive oil, along with some onion and garlic. Use as a topping for any meat dish or add lemon juice and fresh parsley and serve on grilled bread or crackers.
Soup – Add raw, dried or sautéed mushrooms to any soup recipe. For an easy mushroom soup, sauté 12 ounces of mushrooms with a thinly sliced onion in six tablespoons of butter for about ten minutes. Add four cups chicken or vegetable broth and two tablespoons parsley. Let simmer for one hour. Transfer liquid to blender and puree until smooth. Return to pan, add 2 ounces sherry, salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Pasta – Add mushrooms to any pasta or rice dish for added flavor and nutrition. Sauté mushrooms and garlic in butter or oil and toss with your favorite pasta for a simple and quick meal.
Salad – Add raw mushrooms to any salad. Toss whole or sliced mushrooms with fresh parsley, olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste, top with grated Parmesan cheese and serve cold for a refreshingly different side salad.
Sauce – Add mushrooms to sauces for chicken, veal, lamb, fish or pork.
Eggs – Add to scrambled eggs, fold into omelets or serve sautéed with poached eggs on toast.
With their versatile flavor and unique texture, mushrooms are a perfect addition to most any recipe, supplying nutrients, taste and health benefits along the way.
Fresh, locally grown mushrooms are available in Lawrence, KS through Wakarusa Valley Farm. Wakarusa Valley Farm is a family operated mushroom and vegetable farm located seven miles south of town. Mark Lumpe and friends have been growing organically certified produce for the Lawrence area since 1989. Specializing in gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, the Lumpe’s products can be tasted at several area restaurants, including Pachamama’s and 715. Wakarusa Valley mushrooms are also available for purchase at The Merc, the Saturday Downtown Farmers Market and most recently, at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market.
Wakarusa Valley Farm mushrooms are available at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market - Indoors! every Thursday, through April. by llc
Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market – Indoors! is held every Thursday, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm inside Cottin’s Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS. Join Stony Ridge Farm, Avery’s Produce, Wakarusa Valley Farms, and MAD Farm as they offer up their tasty selection of local foods and produce, including local honey, fresh eggs, locally grown root vegetables and greens, breads, bake goods, jams, jellies, and of course, Wakarusa Valley mushrooms! This Thursday, March 15, 2012 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm inside Cottin’s Hardware & Rental.
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