Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Good Eatin'... Good Advice

As Marshall Branstool of Branstool Orchards demonstrates: 

Never eat anything bigger than your head!

Whew, close call, Marshall!

Now, this is more like it. We've got apples from Branstool Orchards at Market Wednesday.

Variety Abounds! Bag your own. Mix or Match!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Helping a Family Farm

The Bird Family of Granville's Bird's Haven Farms is part of our family on Market Wednesday. The Birds have come up with a great idea to fund a much-needed deer fence for their farm - crowd funding!

The Bird Family has posted a crowd funding page on indiegogo.com:

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/save-the-local-veggies-bird-s-haven-farms-deer-fence-campaign

From the Birds:

So... What's Up?

Bird's Haven Farms has been a family farm committed to Licking County and the Greater Central Ohio local food community for over 17 years. We have been at  your dinner tables in some capacity since 1995.

After years of loosing 30+% of our annual crops to deer damage we can no longer make it financially viable to continue without a real, strong, 7', 3-D deer fence. Such loss of labor costs, seed, time, cultivation have begun to create a deficit in our business.  We had hoped to finance this project on our own but because of unforeseen circumstances in needed irrigation upgrades we cannot finance both.

We were working with USDA Natural Resource Conservation Services and their Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) for irrigation but because the 2012 Farm Bill was not passed programs are currently unfunded. Therefore, we will be working to finance both of these much needed upgrades by Spring planting.

While commodity crop insurance programs and many other Farm Bill programs will continue to be funded despite the failure of a Farm Bill passage one of the only parts of the Farm Bill that directly impacts small and diverser specialty crop farms such as us has gone unfunded... Therefore we are left with one option...

COMMUNITY!!!

And what a great community we are apart of!!

How Bad Can It Be?

Many of our customers have commented, "It is just deer?", "Can't you let hunters on the farm?" "I heard a great trick with human hair"

However, Licking County deer herd population is highest in the state and we live between almost 500 acres of non-farmed land... perfect for deer.

In just 2013, we lost:
- 18,000 strawberry plants
- 3 acres of sweet corn
- 15,000 squash plants
- 20,000 beets
- 1 acre of sugar snap peas
- and countless pumpkins, melons, flowers, and lettuce

We have worked to control the pest damage and population through less expensive means such as liquid fencing, netting, frost blankets, and noise irritants. However, all previous measures have been ineffective.

For Conservation:

Having this fence we would be able to cut our current planting by 40%. This would  allow for us to have fields in rest and better conservation practices.

Where Is The Money Going?

WE NEED TO RAISE $7,910.00

Where Is The Money Going?!

Our family is committed to supporting other local businesses in this venture and will be purchasing all our material from Eads Fence Company, Inc in Loveland, OH.

We are working to SAVE MONEY through our own labor costs. This saves $4,000 of labor expenses. Also, we will use existing tree lines and trees instead posts saving another $3,000!!

Current Estimate to Deer Fence 20-Acres:
▪ Deer Fence Standard - 7.5' X 330 X 13 Rolls  = $2,978.04
▪ 1 5/8" X 10 1/2 " Commerical Grade Post = $3,225.00
▪ DD BLK 8 ga Monofilament Fence Wire 3000 ft = $468.00
▪ DD Monofilament Sleeves 25 pk  = $13.90
▪ DD Monofilament Crimper Rental   = $15.00
▪ DD Hog Rings Heavy Duty 9/16in. 2500 pk = $225.00
▪ Stanly Hog Ringer = $233.40
▪ DD sod Staples Case = $208.30
▪ DD #50 White Flags - 50 pk = $62.91
▪ Sales Tax 6.5%  = $482..92

Other Ways You Can Help

We understand many won't be able to financially contribute. But that doesn't mean we don't appreciate your support.

Share the Story. Write about it on your social media websites.

Ask to share posters and postcards. We are happy to send you material.

Purchase produce and continue to support our family farm. 

If you have any questions or want to know more - stop by the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. @ N. State and E. Home through October 30th and check in with Bird's Haven Farms or contact Bird's Haven Farms @ farmfresh@birdshavenfarms.com

Visit Bird's Haven Farms online...

Click here to visit the website.

Click here to visit Bird's Haven Farms on facebook.

Click here to visit indiegogo.com

Photograph Thanks To Gary Chisolm at ChisolmStudios.com and Evelyn Frolking Author Of "Homegrown: Stories From The Farm"

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: October 9th Market Report

 

Northridge Organic Farm

The rain of this past weekend has given way to a series of beautiful, autumn days, and late season produce, including apples, is plentiful. Home-grown. Home-made. All Ohio. The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each Wednesday @ N. State and E. Home through October 30th. 

This week's vendor line-up: Branstool Orchards, Northridge Organic Farm, Pleiades Maple Products, Dan the Baker, Blue Jacket Dairy, Sweet Thing Gourmet, Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Salsas and Sauces, Sugar B Bakery, Malabar Peach and Apple Orchard, Dana Lee's, Hartzler Family Dairy, Honey Health Farms, Flying J Farm, Bird's Haven Farms, Fox Hollow Farm.

This week, we also welcome community partner, Westerville Police Division. Stop by to visit Crime Prevention Specialists Pierre La Rose and Preston Tartt.

Annabelle's Blooms will be out this week. We are waiting to hear from Bridgman Farm and Ohio Farm Direct.

Angela Bowman's Sugar B Bakery - market favorite - Spinach Loaf.

Apples from Branstool Orchards

 Muffins from Dan the Baker.

Raw chestnuts from Northridge Organic Farm.

 

Hot peppers from Flying J Farm

Fruit Salsas from Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Salsas and Sauces

Bell peppers from Northridge Organic

Bird's Haven Farms' tomatoes

Potatoes from Flying J Farm

Sweet Thing Gourmet jams 

Pumpkins from Bird's Haven Farms

Sweet potato varieties from Northridge Organic Farm

Organic sourdough bread from Dan the Baker

Garlic from Northridge Organic Farm

Savory breads from Dana Lee's

Shopping at Pleiades Maple Products

See you at the market!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Fox Hollow Farm's Farmer's Table

Update 10.6: We just found out that the October 12th Farmer's Table Evening is fully booked. Look for future announcements from Fox Hollow Farm for the next Farmer's Table.

Fox Hollow Farm, near Fredericktown, presents a Farmer's Table Evening.

The inaugural Farmer's Table will be Saturday, October 12, 2013. The evening begins on Fox Hollow Farm at 4 p.m. and includes a canopied dining experience featuring a three-course, family-style feast made with local, fresh ingredents as well as apple picking for fresh-pressed apple cider (that you can help make), after-dinner tea, candlelight, and a view of the autumn sunset.

What's for dinner? Seasonal Salad, Slow-roasted Pork, and a farm-fresh vegetable side-dish (to be determined based on the freshest, in-season available vegetables).

(If you do not eat pork, future Farmers' Table dinners will uniquely feature lamb, chicken, and beef. Dates will be announced.)

Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online via Fox Hollow Farm's Square Up store, or when you shop @ Fox Hollow Farm at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market or Mount Vernon Farmers' Market. Space is limited to accommodate 15 diners and "party-of" reservations are limited to four.

Fox Hollow Farm's 411: 20060 Gilmore Rd., Fredericktown, Ohio 43019; Phone: 740.694.8528; e-mail:  foxhollowfarmerstable@gmail.com

Purchase Tickets Online:

Fox Hollow Farm Square Up Store

Learn more about Fox Hollow Farm online:

Fox Hollow Farm on facebook

Fox Hollow Farm's website

FAQs:

If you have a food allergy, let Fox Hollow Farm know ahead of time. Contact Chelsea at the foxhollowfarmerstable@gmail.com

If it rains, bring a rain coat if you want to help harvest apples, otherwise, dinner is served undercover. And, the cider will be served mulled.

You'll receive a confirmation email with directions and details after you sign up, then final details about a week before dinner.

Tickets are non-refundable, but if you can't make it, you can transfer you ticket to another Fox Hollow Farmer's Table event.

You can also pick up a meat order at the Farmers' Table event - place an order in advance by phone or online.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: A Mane and Tail Welcome

Welcome All American Quarter Horse Congress

 @ the Ohio State Fairgrounds

October 4th through 27th

Attending Congress and looking for some Central Ohio Farm Fresh?

Click here for Columbus Underground's 2013 Farmers' Market Directory.

All American Quarter Horse Congress official site.

Discover Ohio All American Quarter Horse Congress Page

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: October 2nd Market Report

 

Peppers from Bird's Haven Farms

Welcome October! The 2013 Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market season has just five weeks left!

Home-grown. Home-made. All Ohio. Market Wednesday is open for business each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. @ N. State and E. Home Streets through October 30th.

This week's line up: Fox Hollow Farm, Branstool Orchards, Northridge Organic Farm, Pleiades Maple Products, Dan the Baker, Blue Jacket Dairy, Sweet Thing Gourmet, Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Salsas and Sauces, Sugar B Bakery, Annabelle's Blooms, Bridgman Farm, Hartzler Family Dairy, Honey Health Farms, Flying J Farm, Bird's Haven Farms..

Update 1: Dana Lee's Bakery is coming to market today. 

Update 2: Annabelle's Blooms will not be at market today - Anna had car trouble.

We are waiting to hear from Dana Lee's and Ohio Farm Direct.

Doran's Family Farm's season is now over. Thanks so much to Michele, Jim, Glen, Megan, and Renee for a great season. We'll see you in 2014.

Malabar Peach and Apple will be out this week. 

 

Apples from Branstool Orchards

Potatoes from Flying J Farm

 

Organic sourdough breads from Dan the Baker

 Hot peppers from Flying J Farm

Raw chestnuts from Pleiades Maple

 

Like little sculptures - gnarly, textured gourds from Bridgman Farm.

Peppers from Northridge Organic Farm

Kyla Touris' Signature jams at Sweet Thing Gourmet

Eggplant from Bridgman Farm

 

Sweet potatoes from Northridge Organic Farm

Tomatoes from Bird's Haven Farms

Fresh garlic from Northridge Organic Farm

 

Salsa from Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Salsas and Sauces

Fresh-baked Peasant Bread from Sugar B Bakery

 

Annabelle's Blooms 

Squash from Northridge Organic Farm

Pumpkins from Bird's Haven Farms

See you at the market!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: In the News

Hey, Market Wednesday and Bird's Haven Farms made the Metro Section in the Sunday Dispatch.

Photo by Fred Squillante of the Columbus Dispatch.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Thru October 30th

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is open for business each Wednesday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at N. State and E. Home through October 30th. 

What can you find on Market Wednesday in October?

▪ Pepper varieties that are hot or sweet, crisp, colorful, flavorful.
▪ Potatoes dug fresh from rich Licking County soil
▪ Eggplant varieties including the petite fairytale.
▪ Sweet potato varieties all gnarly and full of flavor, ready to roast
▪ Delicata, Spaghetti, Butternut, and Acorn Squash
▪ Pumpkins for recipes and for carving or decoration
▪ Ingredients like leeks, onions, and garlic
▪ The last of the season's tomatoes from cherry to heirloom to beefsteak
▪ Sweet melons
▪ Curly, versatile kale
▪ Crisp fresh-picked apple varieties
▪ Gourds and baby pumpkins for decorative autumn color and textures 
▪ Cuts of naturally-raised pork, chicken, beef, lamb
▪ Fresh eggs from naturally-raised chickens
▪ Artisan cheeses from cow's milk and goat's milk from cheddar to quark
▪ Fresh breads and sweet and savory baked goods
▪ Raw honey
▪ Maple syrup
▪ Salsa, sauces, marinades, rubs, and dressings
▪ Jams
▪ Milk, roll butter, packaged ice cream
▪ Beautiful cut flowers and bouquets

Who will you see on Market Wednesdays in October?

▪ Annabelle's Blooms (Clark County)
▪ Bird's Haven Farms (Licking County)
▪ Blue Jacket Dairy (Logan County)
▪ Branstool Orchards (Licking County)
▪ Bridgman Farm (Fayette County)
▪ Dan the Baker (Franklin County)
▪ Dana Lee's Bakery (Licking County)
▪ Doran's Family Farm (Licking County)
▪ Flying J Farm (Licking County)
▪ Fox Hollow Farm (Knox County)
▪ Hartzler Family Dairy (Wayne County)
▪ Honey Health Farms (Union County)
▪ Malabar Peach and Apple Orchard (Ashland County)
▪ Chuck Evan's Montezuma Brand Salsas and Sauces (Franklin County)
▪ Northridge Organic Farm (Licking County)
▪ Ohio Farm Direct (Knox County)
▪ Pleiades Maple Products (Morrow County)
▪ Sugar B Bakery (Delaware County)
▪ Sweet Thing Gourmet (Franklin County)

To learn more about our vendors, visit our directory - just click here.

Browse. Visit. Taste. Shop.      
      
See you at the market!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Shucks

The goldenrod is yellow, 

The corn is turning brown, 

The trees in apple orchards 

With fruit are bending down.
Helen Hunt Jackson

Sweet corn season is now over.  Farewell sweet corn, farewell, until next year....

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Hartzler Family Dairy Out N About

Wake the kids! Phone the neighbors! Call the cows home! Check out WSYX's Out N About Columbus this Sunday, September 29th, at 11:30 am. Hartzler Family Dairy & Ice Cream Shoppe (Wooster) will be featured along with other area attractions.


Photo courtesy of Hartzler Family Dairy.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: September 25th Market Report

Tart from Dan the Baker

It's a beautiful Market Wednesday in Uptown Westerville. A perfect day to shop farm fresh!

Home-grown. Home-made. All Ohio. Each Wednesday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. @ N. State and E. Home through October 30th.

Peach season is now in the rear-view mirror (ahhh, good times), and we have awesome cantaloupe, watermelon, and apples. Market vegetables include winter squash varieties - from butternut to spaghetti to pumpkins - eggplant, tomatoes, sweet corn, chestnuts, sweet potatoes, potatoes, sweet and hot peppers, onions, garlic, okra, fresh cut basil, and kale.

You'll also find some gnarly, colorful decorative squash and mini pumpkins as well as cut flowers from Annabelle's Blooms for your fall arrangements.

What can you find on Market Wednesday?

Proteins: Pork, beef, lamb, chicken and fresh eggs (Fox Hollow Farm) and grass-fed beef (Flying J Farm).

Market tip: Talk to the folks at Fox Hollow Farm about pre-ordering.

Dairy: Cheese varieties (Blue Jacket Dairy) and milk, roll butter, and ice cream (Hartzler Family Dairy).

Artisan Foods: Sourdough breads and pastries (Dan the Baker); Jams and biscotti (Sweet Thing Gourmet); Breads, bagels, and scones (Angela Bowman's Sugar B Bakery); Salsa, sauces, rubs, marinades, and tortilla chips (Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Salsas and Sauces); Sweet and savory baked goods (Dana Lee's Bakery); Raw honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, and propolis from Honey Health Farms; Maple syrup, maple-coated puffed spelt, maple sugar, and maple confections from Pleiades Maple Products.

Cut Flowers and Bouquets: Annabelle's Blooms

Fresh-picked: Branstool Orchards, Northridge Organics Farm, Malabar Peach and Apple Orchard, Bridgman Farm, Doran's Family Farm, Bird's Haven Farms, Flying J Farm.

As of this post, we are waiting to hear from Dana Lee's and Ohio Farm Direct.

This week's community partner is our favorite library - Westerville Public Library.

Have a great week!

 

Pleiades Maple's delicious Maple Barbeque Sayce.

 

Apples from Branstool Orchards.

 

Tomatoes and fresh cut basil from Bird's Haven Farms.

Delicious fresh-baked bread from Sugar B Bakery.

Seasonal favorite apple cider jelly from Sweet Thing Gourmet.

 

Fresh-dug potatoes from Flying J Farm.

 

Personal-size watermelons from Bird's Haven Farms.

Sweet corn from Doran's Family Farm.

 Fairytale eggplant from Bird's Haven Farms.

Sourdough bread from Dan the Baker.

Gourds from Bird's Haven Farms.

Tortilla chips from Chuck Evan's Montezuma Brand Salsas and Sauces.

Autumn produce from Bridgman Farm.

Sweet potatoes from Northridge Organic Farm.

 

Shopping at Hartzler Family Dairy.

See you at the market!