Volume 2

Volume 2
Market Fresh
July—August 2011
The Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market thanks its new friends
Welcome to the
Farmington Farmers
& Artisans Market
Saturdays through Nov. 19
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Grand River Avenue at
Grove Street
Calendar
July 15 - 17
Founders Festival
July 23
Little Sprouts Activity:
Parachute play in the park!
Cookin’ at the Market:
11 a.m. - Andiamo Restaurant
Fit Farmington:
9:30 a.m. - LOC Federal Credit
Union presents Financially Fit.
Music: Two Timers
July 30
Fit Farmington: 10:15 a.m. Zumba
Cookin’ at the Market:
11 a.m. - Romano’s
Macaroni Grill
Music: Mark Reintenga
August 6
Little Sprouts Activity:
Book giveaway to first 75 kids.
Cookin’ at the Market:
11 a.m. - El Nibble Nook
Fit Farmington:
9:30 a.m. - Princess Ballet
Music: Gia Warner
August 13
Corn Roast!!
Cookin’ at the Market:
11 a.m. - William-Sonoma
Friends Market Class:
10 a.m. - Harvesting Herbs
Music: Dan Goree
August 20
Little Sprouts Activity:
Let’s play! Games in the park.
Cookin’ at the Market:
11 a.m. - Docs Sports Retreat
Music: Shelia Landis
August 27
Cookin’ at the Market:
11 a.m. - Alfoccino Restaurant
Music: Two Timers
Peace, Love & Planet
Picks up garden plastics for
recycling every Saturday through
July 31
Thank you to the many market goers who have purchased market bags to promote the
Friends of the Market. We are overwhelmed and grateful to the community for
supporting future market events with what we thought would be a season’s supply of
market bags — the bags lasted nine weeks, we are sold out.
The Friends of the Market is a group of volunteers who are passionate about
Farmington’s increasingly popular Saturday attraction. They support the long-term
growth of the market by raising funds and helping to orchestrate family-friendly events
during market days. Be sure to look for upcoming events the Friends are promoting
including the Market’s annual corn roast, which is slated for August 13 … and our fall tradition, the Harvest
Moon Celebration, Sept. 22 - 24. Experience life in a small town on a Michigan fall day.
The initiative to incorporate health and fitness programs into every market Saturday via
educational classes and health assessments is still in full swing. A Mid American Fitness
sponsored Zumba Class is slated for 10:15 a.m., July 30 at the market. The lunchtime walks at
are also progressing; the group meets at the Sundquist Pavilion at noon during the week and at
10 a.m. on Saturdays. Beverly Schroll, a committed walker says, “These new walks give me
something different to do, I feel more energized afterwards and am ready to go.” Fit Farmington is proudly
sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, LOC Federal Credit Union and the Farmington Family
YMCA. Check the DDA website, www.DowntownFarmington.org or sign up on Facebook to keep up to
date on all the Fit Farmington happenings. As another aspect of “fit”, Fit Farmington will bring in LOC
Federal Credit Union to present Financially Fit on July 23 at 9:30 a.m.
New farmer honors aunt by selling produce at market
Margaret Sutton is a farmer.
Selling from red painted tables and
under the banner of “My Aunt
Dolly’s Garden,” she hopes to be a
full-season weekly regular at the
Farmington Farmers and Artisans
Market for many years to come.
When I was growing up we would eyes I knew instantly this was the
visit her at her farm and I always
place I want to be.”
looked forward to seeing what she
had growing beyond her white
picket fence … her garden was just
beautiful and always interesting.
She became my inspiration.”
Red hair and freckles, Margaret
has been farming on the same land
in Romeo for over 30 years. As
she puts it, “ next to being a mom,
farming is what I believe I was put
on this earth to do and I so love it.”
My Aunt Dolly’s Garden also sells
at the Armada and St. Clair
farmers markets. Farmington is a
bit off her compass, but she
doesn’t mind, “I visited
Farmington last year because I
heard people were genuinely
friendly and very supportive of the
market. When I saw for my own
How did Margaret come to be
known as Aunt Dolly? “My
favorite aunt is my Aunt Dolly.
Margaret Sutton
Walt’s welcome ... words from the market manager
Here’s a factoid you may not be aware of, but will be proud to share: Michigan
ranks second in the country — following only California — in agricultural diversity.
In short, Michiganders enjoy some 150 different fruits and vegetables and the good
news is the vegetable season is just beginning. That being said, the Farmington
Market has grown 50 percent from last season and continues to add farmers to our
already impressive lineup. We have the best farmers coming to Farmington and I’m
proud to announce that Aunt Dolly’s Garden owned by Margaret Sutton has just
joined us as a full season farmer.
Kind regards, Walt Gajewski, Market Manager, market@DowntownFarmington.org
Market Fresh
Page 2
The Garden Gate Farm focuses on natural organic farming
The Garden Gate Farm is one of the Market’s most popular
vendors. Market goers can find the family-operated farm
booth every Saturday behind a crowd of shoppers.
Neil and Jean Smith, along with their five children, are a
wonderful family from Snover, Michigan (in the thumb
area) who are Whistler Old Order Mennonites. They
believe in and practice natural organic farming. Their
mission is to provide wholesome food that is both
nutritious and flavorful. Whenever possible, Garden Gate
Farm practices sustainable farming using heirloom varieties
of fruits and vegetables. Seeds used at the farm are never
genetically modified. They use raised beds, companion
planting, and all natural organic field sprays and fertilizers.
Be sure to check out their website at thegardengatefarm.com for more information including recipes, how to
order online, and a complete listing of their products. Stop by their booth, introduce yourself, and take home
some of their delicious produce or organically raised meats.
Vendor Profile: Milford Spice Company
Though Milford Spice Company, operated by
Milford resident and inspired cook Laura
Stearnes, has only been operating for a year and
a half, it gets rave reviews and was recently
swamped with orders from the popular
“Groupon” website.
Owner: Laura Stearnes
Website: www.milfordspice.com
Years in Business: One
Kickin Chicken” as well as interesting salts,
“We’ve experienced a big surge in business due pickling spices, holiday mulling spices, pizza
to the Groupon order,” said Stearnes.
seasonings and exotic spices like “African Bird
Pepper” and “Peri Peri.” They also try to bring
The company, whose tagline is “All Natural.
spices and blends that compliment the
All Yum,” promotes unique, all natural,
particular produce available at the market.
preservative-free spice blends, made in small
batches from spices gleaned from all over the
“This is our first year at the Farmington
world. With interesting locally themed names
Farmers and Artisans Market and it’s quickly
like “ Brighton Burger Blast,” and “Pontiac
becoming our favorite,” says Stearnes, a former
Trail Pig Powder,” the spice company is a
cooking teacher with a background in sales.
popular addition to this summer’s market,
“It’s well organized with diverse vendors and a
offering spice rubs such as “Keego Harbor
Seasonal fruits & vegetables: Summer
Welcome
New Vendors
My Aunt Dolly’s Garden
Farm-grown fruits and vegetables
Dave’s Birdhouses and Feeders
Golden Garden
Cast iron garden ware
Marys Makeables
Original and custom mosaic designs
Upper Crust Candle Company
100 percent soy, nontoxic and
eco-friendly
great atmosphere. We love being a part of it.”
Fans of Milford Spice continue to generate
buzz for Stearne’s Company on Facebook, as
well as on the company’s easy to navigate
website, Milfordspice.com.
“Made great fish tacos tonight, Marinated fish,
a Mexican cream sauce and fresh salsa! All
with MSC spices,” gushes one Facebook fan
entry.
The company with the little green tins has come
a long way in a short time, capping off their
first year in business by hosting a Recipe
Championship Cook-off to benefit Gleaners
Food bank, a project they are proud to sponsor
every year.
Fifth annual Corn Roast slated for August 13
Fruits and vegetables harvested at their peak, give
optimum flavor for all your favorite dishes.
VEGETABLES
FRUITS
Green Beans
Peas
Cauliflower
Arugula
Potatoes
Beets
Radishes
Zucchini
Yellow Squash
Onions
Garlic
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Peppers
Eggplants
Corn
Berries
Cantaloupe
Honeydew
Watermelon
Apricots
Cherries
Nectarines
Peaches
Farmington’s annual Corn Roast kicks off the community’s Harvest Moon
season with help from the market vendors and Farmington Elks.
Market Fresh Tip Corner
Note: Due to farming variables,
“in-season” does not guarantee
availability at our Market.
Michigan State University Extension of Oakland County offers a Plant and
Pest Hotline from April through Sept. Call for advice on your yard and
garden questions: trees, insects, lawns, flowers, fruit, pests, shrubs,
vegetables and houseplants:
248-858-0902
www.msue.msu.edu/oakland
E-mail: msue.oakland@county.msu.edu