Newsletter #24, September 4, 2020

September 4, 2020

Sat 8am-1pm / Tues 2pm-6pm suspended
3233 Alpine St, Dexter, MI 48130
(Vol. 1 Issue 24)

Pickling Your Farmers Market Haul

   This is the time of year when our gardens, baskets, fridges and shelves are groaning with nature's bounty. How will we get it stored before it belongs in the compost pile? Freezing, canning, dehydrating, yes, but don't forget pickling! Immersing virtually any fruit or veggie (or even eggs!) in vinegar or through fermentation makes a delicious reminder of summer and welcome tanginess in the dark and bland winter months.
   An increasingly popular way of pickling; fermenting, has seen a recent surge. Fermentation pickling is responsible for many favorites like kimchi, sauerkraut and sour cucumber pickles. In addition to their stellar taste is the probiotic qualities. The desired fermentation is caused by Lactobacillus bacteria, which is shown to improve gut health and thereby the immune system. Lactobacillus thrive when the produce is left in a completely anaerobic environment, submerged in salt water at room temperature for an extended time, usually about 4-5 weeks.
   The internet has innumerable recipes and sources for technique, as well as a favorite book, "The Joy of Pickling." One can easily start to learn how to make fantastic pickles! From refrigerator pickles to canning and fermenting, there is something for every skill level and taste. Check out the bottom of this newsletter for a beautiful and informative YouTube video from a lovely content creator in China, Liziqi. She has a beautiful and soothing style of showing traditional Chinese cooking.

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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.

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! *see vendor profile below!*

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!

My Serenity, Creations by Rachel - lovely bath, body and home goods, soy candles, natural deodorants and bath bars.

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!!

Paper Cup Coffee Co - Isaac brings the freshest, fire-roasted coffee by the cup, whole bean and ground; donuts, muffins and date balls. Follow his Facebook here.

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.

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: Jacob's Fresh Farm and Hives on the Hill Apiary

Jacob D'Lamater and Anna Wiley operate an all natural farm located near the corner of M52 and Waterloo roads, north of Chelsea. Starting in 2013, Jacob had an eye opening experience with a friend while they gardened: He began to spray for weeds, when the friend wheeled around on him and shouted, "you’re going to spray poison on the ground we will eat from?!" He had grown up gardening and had never thought twice about using chemicals, but right then and there, everything clicked. The rest of that summer involved pulling a lot of weeds and cemented his dedication to permaculture style farming.

After giving away free bags of surplus produce to friends and family for three years, Jacob made the leap and started marketing his passion and selling to the public. They now grow in two greenhouses and on just over an acre at home, plus this year, they have leased land down the road to compensate for their exponential growth! Hives on the Hill Apiary was a natural next step and provides honey, wax, candles, cutouts, nuc and queen production, and general bee support!

Jacob's Fresh Farm is a strictly chemical free farm, growing produce from non GMO and heirloom seed. They are working hard to develop a seed saving system of their own and use as many of their own seeds as possible, but when they have to outsource their seeds they purchase from other local heirloom farmers like Ann Arbor Seed Company or larger national suppliers like Baker Creek Seed Company. The majority of their plants come from heirloom seed stocks. Along with, Hives on the Hill Apiary which produces over 150 gallons annually, Jacob's Fresh Farm continually raises the bar on produce in the Chelsea!

"Our mission through the glory of mother nature, sweat and tears is to provide you the freshest product available."

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.