Newsletter #22, August 21, 2020

August 21, 2020

Sat 8am-1pm / Tues 2pm-6pm suspended
3233 Alpine St, Dexter, MI 48130
(Vol. 1 Issue 21)

What is Permaculture?

   Permaculture may be a term you are starting to hear discussed by your farmers, friends and environmentalists, but what does it mean? We can begin by defining it in terms of its differences from horticulture; that being the cultivation of plants (usually vegetables) for the benefit of humans (usually commercially.) This would be what you think of as "traditional farming" and has been a vital part of feeding humans for decades. Permaculture is different in that its primary goal is to imitate nature, to serve humanity in a way that does not harm, or preferably benefits, the environment.
   In previous issues' vendor profiles, we have discussed many aspects of permaculture: NOKA Homestead's no-till method, where they disturb the soil as little as possible; Jacob's Fresh Farm's methods of feeding garden waste to farm animals and then using the animals' manure for fertilizer, as well as their beehives that ensure good pollination of their crops. We have also talked some about "cover crops" which are grown solely to benefit the soil.
   Another method that may be new to you is "pasture rotation." This is a method that our friends at Wild Dandelion Acres use. An example of this method would be tilling a pasture and planting a grass crop (ie barley). When it is mature, the farmer could put their pigs in the pasture to eat and root around, attracting insects, making a perfect place for chickens! They go in next, and when they're done, then the soil is ready to grow the most prolific produce with far less effort on the part of the humans.
   We encourage you to learn more about permaculture, and to discuss it with us and your friends and family. These methods are fascinating and diverse and there is always new innovation to be had. Experimenting with some of them might be a great homeschool project too!

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Farmers markets are an essential part of the food industry and as such, we need to follow protocols similar to grocery stores:

Please only send one person from your household to shop,
wear a mask
wash your hands at our provided hand washing station (we also have hand sanitizer in the dispensers throughout the market).
please do not linger.

We will be allowing 20 customers into the market at a time, so please come with a patient mind, in case there will be a wait.
We also ask that you shop quickly to make space for the next customer.
The market is fenced and the traffic flow will be one-way running North to South. Please enter at the gate closest to the library and exit toward Main st.
Please only touch what you will buy. Vendors are more than happy to help you choose.

Paper Cup Coffee Co - Isaac brings the freshest, fire-roasted coffee by the cup, whole bean and ground; plus hand-dipped chocolate cake donuts and date balls. Follow his Facebook here. *see below for vendor profile*

Wild Dandelion Acres - Eli and Amanda sell pasture raised organic fed chicken, turkey, and pork as well as eggs. Their farm has vegetable seedlings for starting as well. They believe in feeding their local customers farm fresh food with no additives or GMOs. Follow their Facebook! Sign up for their newsletter here.

My Serenity, Creations by Rachel - lovely bath, body and home goods, soy candles, natural deodorants and bath bars. *See vendor profile below!*

Two Dogs Farms - perennials, annuals, veggie starts, berries, fruit, veggies, maple syrup and jellies and jams from Ray Sowers. And coming soon: Scottish Highlander grass fed Beef!!

Hoppy Soaps - Stephanie fills the market with the fresh smells of bar soaps, bath bombs, shower fizzies, deodorant, lip balm, body butter, and herbal sachets. Some of these products are even made from her home-brewed beer! Follow her on Facebook here.

NOKA Homestead - Noelle has a breath taking array of produce. From radishes to greens to potatoes, all grown with respect and care for the earth and its creatures! They have a variety of CSA boxes this year, please visit their site to sign up for their wait-list. Follow their Facebook here. Sign up for their newsletter here to hear how they can bring you fresh produce this year regardless of market open date.

Owl Hollow Bakery - Anne will have delicious pies, breads, baked goods, granola, Amaizin' popcorn, free range eggs, maple syrup, and pure Greek olive oil.

Jacob's Fresh Farm Shares - chicken and duck eggs, as well as a wide variety of veggies and fruit grown with natural methods from heritage and non-GMO seed. They have several different types of CSAs depending on your family's needs, including boxes that have bakery and coffee items included. Visit his site and get signed up today!

Hives on the Hill Apiary - Jacob also runs a great honey business. Find honey in all sizes of jars, plus he will remove your swarms!

MaryAnn Simpkins - one of our founding members brings produce, baked goods, sewn and crocheted housewares, nuts, soaps, eggs, honey, too much to name! Please keep an eye here for her earliest harvests, there will be lettuce soon!

Jeff Peters - Jeff is a market staple in his 11th year at the DFM. He brings breathtaking cut flowers like Cosmos, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Cockscomb, and a rainbow of lilies. He will also have leeks, storage onions, kohlrabi and tomatillos.

Judy Welsh - charming hand cut cards, framed beach glass, driftwood art and notebooks.

Sweet and Salty Cookie Co - Jeff is back with the best cookies! Chocolate chip, double dip chocolate chip, M&M, peanut butter, snicker doodle chip, butterscotch, Special Dark, Reese's, sea salt caramel, dark chocolate pecan, maple oatmeal raisin, pecan raisin, milk chocolate raisin, molasses, caramel apple crisp, gluten-friendly chocolate chip and gluten-friendly dark chocolate pecan.

BB's Beauty Essentials - Brittney puts a new twist on bath products. She makes body sprays and rooms sprays, plus shaving cream, sugar scrubs and foot scrubs.

Ski's Sausage Co - this is Dan's first year, but he's a local from Pinckney! He offers a large variety of sausages; traditional Polish kielbasa and cheddar, jalapeno cheddar and traditional bratwurst.

Ruhlig's Produce - Janelle and Matthew come from the long time Dexter farming family, Ruhlig. After a few years off, they will be returning in July, to bring corn, beans, greens, squash, tomatoes, peppers and more!

Beakes Boys Woodwork - custom tables, lazy susans, wood epoxy clocks, live edge epoxy river tables, wood planter garden boxes, cutting boards, wood garden accessories.

Petz Glitz - Diane Fead shows your dog who the goodest boi really is. Pendants and charms for your furry best friend's collar and hand made dog themed greeting cards.

New Vendors Added Every Week!

Vendor Profile: Paper Cup Coffee Company

Isaac really knows the culture of coffee. Not only can he make a great cup of Joe from his fire roasted coffee, he loves to engage in philosophical conversation on any topic, a beloved pass time of coffee houses since their inception.
He sources his coffee through a non-profit organization called the Radical Coffee Project. Their primary mission is to create micro-financing for the family farms growing in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, a volcanic area that produces high quality coffee beans. Isaac, inspired by campfire coffee, then carefully roasts them in small batches by hand on an open wood fire where they are infused by Black Walnut, Cherry, and Hickory smoke. The result is smooth, complex and never bitter.
Alongside his acclaimed coffee, he developed "super food" date balls. It is a perfect snack to give you energy and aligns with his natural food health ideals. Finally, after some prodding from customers, he introduced mouth-watering chocolate glazed cake donuts, really completing his micro-cafe. Plus, fans can grab a cool T-shirt or ceramic mug and show off his hand-drawn logo.
Isaac's first day is this Saturday, August 22! You will find him in the last stall on the right, just before you exit, so you can enjoy that hot coffee safely.
Check out his website or Facebook to make a purchase and find the answer to the question: "why did you name it Paper Cup Coffee Company?"

Upcoming Events

At this time, the DFM has canceled all music and activities. We are following Governor Whitmer's Reopening Plan. We are in Phase 4 which allows crafters to return and our coffee vendor to sell hot coffee by the cup. Still, after purchase, please proceed to a place away from the market. Please be patient and know that we are working hard to provide free entertainment and educational events to Dexter as soon as is possible. Events will resume when all threat of community spread has been addressed.

Roast Chicken

This is the simplest roast chicken recipe that allows all of flavor that a pasture raised chicken has to offer.

prep: 10 mins | cook: 1 hr | Servings: 6

Ingredient

1 (4 pound) whole chicken
1 lemon, halved
1 tablespoon kosher salt

Directions

Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

Place chicken into a roasting pan and insert lemon halves into the cavity; spread kosher salt over outside of chicken.

Roast in the preheated oven until skin is browned and crisp, the juices run clear, and an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh, not touching bone, reads 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), about 1 hour. Let chicken rest for 15 minutes before carving.