Cleveland Farmers Market

Saturday, June 25 market

2011-06-24T11:29:00.001-07:00

The Cleveland Farmers Market will be open tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. behind the Cleveland post office. We are a rain or shine market so please stop by even if the weather doesn't look perfect. The market also accepts WIC vouchers and SNAP EBT. There will be yellow squash cookies at the Friends tent.

From Ryan, the market manager extraordinaire: The Cleveland Farmer’s Market is writing a cookbook! Be a part of it by submitting a recipe using at least one ingredient that can be found at the market. (hint, we sell eggs, honey, herbs, jams, jellies, and lots of fresh vegetables.} Submit a recipe and you will be entered in a drawing for a tee shirt with the new market logo.

There are two ways to submit your recipe. You can email it to Cameron McMillen at edyecameron@cableone.net(which gives you two chances for the drawing) or submit it in writing at the friends tent at the market (which gives you one chance for the drawing.)

The deadline for submitting your recipe is Saturday July 16, 2011 but don’t wait – we can only use 150 recipes. Each recipe will be published with the name of the person who submitted it.

We could use some volunteers on Saturdays and Wednesdays to keep track of how many customers come to the market. These statistics are vital for grant-writing, improving the market, publicizing, and recruiting new vendors. If you've got a free Saturday morning or a free Wednesday afternoon, then you're hired! Call or email me or Ryan.

Wednesday, June 22 Market

2011-06-22T05:43:00.001-07:00

Don't forget that the Cleveland Farmers Market will be open from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today in the parking lot of Mississippi Grounds (across from the courthouse). Come and get your mid-week produce plus one of the fabulous iced drinks at Mississippi Grounds to beat the heat.

Cleveland Farmers Market Cookbook

2011-06-22T05:42:00.000-07:00

The Cleveland Farmer’s Market is writing a cookbook! Be a part of it by submitting a recipe using at least one ingredient that can be found at the market. (hint, we sell eggs, honey, herbs, jams, jellies, and lots of fresh vegetables.} Submit a recipe and you will be entered in a drawing for a tee shirt with the new market logo.

The deadline for submitting your recipe is Saturday July 16, 2011 but don’t wait – we can only use 150 recipes. Each recipe will be published with the name of the person who submitted it.

Wednesday, June 15 Market

2011-06-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that the Cleveland Farmers Market will be open from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15 in the parking lot of Mississippi Grounds (across from the courthouse). Come and get your mid-week produce plus one of fabulous iced drinks at Mississippi Grounds to beat the heat.

Saturday, May 28

2011-05-27T11:05:00.001-07:00

The Cleveland Farmers Market will be OPEN at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 28 behind the Cleveland post office. Off The Vine, aka Nancy and Mickey Sellers, will be back with their jams, jellies, sauces, and salsas plus other vendors with fresh, local produce. Come by and stock up for your Memorial Day cookouts!

Remember: Saturday is Market Day!

June 4 Event

2011-05-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

May 21

2011-05-19T11:37:00.001-07:00

The Cleveland Farmers Market will be OPEN on Saturday, May 21 at 8 a.m. behind the Cleveland post office.

Exciting event coming soon on Saturday, June 4! The Cleveland Farmers Market, Walk It Out Cleveland, Saturdays in the Park, Excel by 5 will all converge at the usual market site for an extravaganza celebrating community, health and wellness, and children. It will be a fun-filled day from about 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. right here in Cleveland. Be sure to mark your calendars! Click herefor more information.

Remember: Saturday is Market Day!

May 14

2011-05-12T07:46:00.000-07:00

The Cleveland Farmers Market will be OPEN on Saturday, May 14 at 8 a.m. behind the Cleveland post office. Come by and pick up spring mix and head lettuce, cilantro, basil, eggs, baby carrots, snap peas, green onions, and more.

Volunteering at the market's Friends tent is super easy. Ways to sign up: clevelandfarmersmarket@gmail.com or through Facebook at Friends of the Cleveland Farmers Market and Cleveland, MS Farmers Market. We have lots of market Saturdays in June, July, August, and September so we need volunteers to help out. Market mornings are a great way to socialize, shop for fresh produce, and support local farmers. Thanks!

May 7

2011-05-06T13:47:00.001-07:00

The market will be OPEN starting at 8:00 a.m. behind the Cleveland Post Office. The market will have green, leafy produce (lettuces, spinach, cilantro, oregano, and basil) as well as spring snap peas, carrots, green onions, and more.

The Cleveland Farmers Market now accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT cards. This is another step towards the market's goal of providing greater access to fresh, local produce.

Don't forget that you can also purchase Cleveland Farmers Market gift certificates ($2, $5, and $10) which are perfect for Delta State graduates. For a great Mother's Day gift, get your mom a new Cleveland Farmers Market reusable canvas bag so she can shop in style.

Saturday is Market Day! See you at the market!

April 30

2011-04-28T08:19:00.001-07:00

The Cleveland Farmers Market will be OPEN on Saturday, April 30 behind the Cleveland post office starting at 8 a.m. Last week we had romaine lettuce, spinach, spring mix, herbs, Beaver Dam Farms tomatoes, eggs (duck, chicken, and goose), seedlings and transplants for your gardens, and salsa. Be sure to stop by this week to see what's new.

The students of Cleveland's Future Farmers of America will hold a seedlings and transplants sale tomorrow Friday, April 29 at the Cleveland Career Development and Technology Center (the Vo-Tech) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will have tomato, cucumber, melon, okra, and pepper seedlings for $2.00 for a four-pack. The students will also be selling flowers. Contact Mr. Kenneth Georgia at 662-312-2891 for more information.

Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook. We have two pages -- Friends of the Cleveland Farmers Market, a group page, and Cleveland, MS Farmers Market, a fan page. Both have information about the market. Once somebody much Facebook-savvier than me gets on it, we'll consolidate and have one page.

Remember: Saturday is Market Day!

Saturday, April 23

2011-04-22T11:19:00.000-07:00

The market will be OPEN from 8-10 a.m. behind the Cleveland post office tomorrow Saturday, April 23. We'll have lots of delicious produce and products for your Easter/Passover/Spring meals.

Saturday, April 16 Market

2011-04-18T07:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everybody who visited the market during a chilly Crosstie festival! Also, big thank you to Mississippi Grounds for hosting us in their parking lot. We had a great variety of products for such an early market: lettuce, spinach, herbs of all sorts, seedlings and transplants, flowers, blue agave cactus (a first!), ripe red tomatoes, salsa, duck eggs, chicken eggs, goose eggs, and a sign-up for fresh chickens. We're already off to a fantastic start.

Victor, Ben, and Eric at the Friends tent

Patrice Chandler from Ruleville

Dustin from Beaver Dam Farms in Indianola

Future Farmers of America students from Cleveland Career Development & Technology Center

Dorothy Grady-Scarborough from Shelby

Jesse, Robyn, and Ryan from Cleveland

Market in the News

2011-04-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow's the opening day! Check out this article from the Bolivar Commercial. Thanks, Aimee!

Cleveland Farmers Market Opens on Saturday, April 16!

2011-04-13T20:02:00.000-07:00

That's right, folks! The market will open this Saturday at the Crosstie Arts and Jazz Festival! This is the earliest the market has ever opened. Be sure to stop by the Mississippi Grounds parking lot and visit the Friends of the Cleveland Farmers Market tent. We'll have some fresh leafy spring produce, new tote bags, and more information (vendor applications and Friends/volunteer forms) about getting involved.

Be sure to stay in touch with the latest market happenings by joining our email list (email clevelandfarmersmarket@gmail.com) and find us on Facebook (Friends of the Cleveland Farmers Market).

See you at the market tent next to Mississippi Grounds at Crosstie!

Youth Greens Sale on Monday, December 13

2010-12-10T13:54:00.000-08:00

The youth of Friends of the Environment and Cleveland Vo-Tech/Future Farmers of America will team up on Monday, December 13 to sell delicious mustard and turnip greens in front of the Cleveland Career Development and Technology Center from 10-11:30 a.m.

Come out and support the next generation of farmers!

Done for 2010!

2010-11-30T08:18:00.000-08:00

The Cleveland Farmers Market is officially finished for the 2010 season. What a season it has been! The season extended from May to the day before Thanksgiving -- longer than any other year.

Here's a picture from the November 28, 2010 Cleveland Current of Tonya Gort and Mr. Smitty setting up the last market.

Special Wednesday Farmers Market!

2010-11-22T09:17:00.000-08:00

The Cleveland Farmers Market will be open this Wednesday, November 24 from noon to 4 p.m. behind the Cleveland post office. This is going to be the last market until spring so come out and get your greens, sweet potatoes, and Sweet Heat products.

Fall 2010 Food Demonstration

2010-11-22T06:58:00.001-08:00

Folks of all ages enjoyed the food demonstration.

Dr. Cam McMillen shares her love of food and cooking.

She's a food scientist so she fielded questions from the participants.

Eleanor Green shows how easy it is to make healthy, delicious food.

Sweet potato biscuits

Sweet potato frittata

Yum! Everybody digs into the feast.

On the menu:

turkey, sauteed greens with garlic,

sweet potato sausage balls, sweet potato and carrot risotto,

sweet potato feta frittata, sweet potato biscuits,

harvest sweet potato muffins,

vegetables with spicy honey-peanut sauce,

roasted sweet potato, apple, and spinach salad,

and sweet potato brownies.

Check out this plate!

Food and fellowship

Giving thanks:

Thanks, Cam and Elle, for all of the hard work to make this event happen.

Thanks, DSU, for partnering with the market.

Thanks, USDA-Farmers Market Promotion Program grant, for providing the funds for this and other events.

Thanks, Bolivar Commerical, The Cleveland Current, and WABG, for promoting the event.

Thanks, community participants, for sharing a Sunday afternoon with the market.

Recipes

Your Award-Winning Farmers Market!

2010-11-19T12:33:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday, November 12, growers, volunteers, and community supporters accepted a Home Town Champion Award at Delta State's Seventh Annual Community Recognition Luncheon. This award would not have been possible without six years of generous support from local, regional, state, and federal partnerships. It was truly an honor to accept the award on behalf of the Cleveland Farmers Market.

Here's the DSU press release about the event.

Fall 2010 Food Demonstration

2010-11-15T12:52:00.001-08:00

On Sunday, November 21, 2010 from 3-5 p.m. at Delta State University’s Ada Swindle Mitchell Memorial Kitchen in Ewing Hall, the Cleveland Farmers Market will present a food preparation demonstration featuring innovative, healthy recipes for fresh, local produce and products such as honey and sweet potatoes. The demonstration is free. Space is limited so please RSVP to clevelandfarmersmarket@gmail.com or 662-719-9595 by Friday, November 19, 2010.

The demonstration is part of a 2009 United States Department of Agriculture Farmers Market Promotion Program (USDA FMPP) grant. FMPP was created through an amendment of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to help improve and expand domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agri-tourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer marketing opportunities. Since its inception, FMPP has awarded nearly $14.5 million to increase direct marketing income and consumer access to local farm products.

Now in its sixth year, the Cleveland Farmers Market provides opportunities for local farmers and producers to sell directly to consumers and build community by having a weekly gathering space. Drawing from small and medium-sized farms and home gardens in the core eleven Mississippi Delta counties, the market strives to provide consumers with an fresh, affordable alternative to conventional marketplaces. The market operates every Saturday from May through October from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Farmers and vendors sell locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables as well as eggs, honey, baked goods, jams and jellies, pickled vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, and other unique Mississippi Delta items.

For more information about the Cleveland Farmers Market, please contact Michelle Johansen at clevelandfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

Cleveland Farmers Market Open Through October!

2010-10-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

The Cleveland Farmers Market will be open for business on October 23 and October 30. Come and get the last of the summer produce (squash, okra, etc.) and an abundance of fall produce (greens and sweet potatoes).

Also, the market will be among the honorees at Delta State University's Community Recognition Luncheon on November 16. It will be recognized for the "outstanding job in educating our public with the need for home-grown products and for providing a special day and place each week for residents of our area to purchase these home-grown delicacies." Yay!

Canning

2010-09-02T06:51:00.001-07:00

Here's a recent post from NPR about canning. Yes, you could do it at home, but... the Cleveland Farmers Market has many vendors with canned goods that save you the time. Be sure to check out the market when it opens back up on Saturday, September 11.

New Orleans Urban Farm

2010-08-29T06:13:00.000-07:00

This is an inspiring article about life in post-Katrina life in New Orleans from Time.

Honey-Apple Cake with Honey Caramel from today's market

2010-08-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

Here's the recipe for today's Friends Tent snack from Southern Living.

Local Media Supports Cleveland Farmers Market

2010-08-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

We've had two nice pieces of publicity from our local newspapers, The Bolivar Commercial and The Cleveland Current. Just as you support your local farmers market, be sure to support your local papers.

First, the BC put Brett Reed and a certain cute, three foot tall market regular on the front page in July. Here's the picture. Don't mind the other paparazzi in the shot. :)

Then, the Current featured Blue Lake Honey Farm, one of the original vendors at the Cleveland Farmers Market six years ago, just yesterday. Mr. Holland and his family are still going strong at the market, and we appreciate their hard work. Here's the article in two parts.

News from Nancy Seller at Off the Vine

2010-08-13T13:02:00.001-07:00

Nancy will be selling at tomorrow's market:

- pickled figs
- pickled okra
- fig preserves
- strawberry-fig preserves
- pear preserves
- pear relish

Message from Jesse Strassburg the Basil Boy/ Pesto Man

2010-08-12T12:49:00.001-07:00

Reserve your fresh pesto now! The last batch of home-grown basil is being picked and made into pesto for sale FRESH at the next couple of markets only. You can advance order and reserve for pick up at the market by emailing Jesse Strassburg at jbstrassburg@yahoo.com

8oz single servings are $6 each ... while 2 or more are $5 each.

How about pesto through the winter with a freezer bag of 6 frozen 8oz servings for $25! Just take one serving out of the freezer at a time and thaw and it's ready for your favorite dish or enjoy it just as it is.

Mid-July Farmers Market Update

2010-07-15T08:02:00.001-07:00

Hi everybody!

Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes! Come and get them before the season's over. We'll have loads of other produce this weekend to enjoy. Plus zucchini bread, coffee, and water at the Friends Tent.

Don't forget about the Habitat for Humanity bake sale on July 31! It's a great community cause to support.

Also, I need a Friends Tent volunteer for this Saturday as well as on July 31. It's just a few hours of volunteering that provides a tremendous benefit for the market. Since we are an all-volunteer group, we really do depend on folks to come out on Saturday. You don't have to do it by yourself -- recruit a friend, a neighbor, or family member to come with you. Thanks.

If anybody is interested in Delta-grown edamame (edible Japanese soybeans - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edamame), Jimmy Sandifer from Yazoo County is the man to contact. Hopefully he'll send some to our market soon. His contact information is 662-836-7782.

See you at the market!

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

2010-07-01T13:41:00.000-07:00

The Cleveland Farmers Market will be closed for the 4th of July weekend. Be sure to visit us on Saturday, July 10! Everybody have a safe weekend.

Tomorrow's Market + Updates from Michelle

2010-06-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful month we've had so far -- more vendors, more produce variety, and more customers than any other season in our history!

Our last June market is tomorrow. We'll have tomatoes (green and red!), watermelons, honey, blackberries, peaches, apples, eggs, yellow squash, eggplant, peppers, corn, zucchini, jams and jellies, and much, much more. Tomorrow is also the 3rd Annual Doggie Days of Summer bake sale to benefit the Bolivar County Humane Society and the animal shelter.

There will be a Cleveland Farmers Market meeting and potluck supper on Thursday, July 1 at 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP.

Don't forget that the market will be closed on July 3. We'll open back up again for July 10 and every Saturday after that in July and August. Please email Michelle a Saturday in July and August when you can volunteer.

Be on the lookout for our new promotional posters featuring local peaches and local honey!

See you tomorrow at the market!

Grand Opening Celebration: Saturday, June 19

2010-06-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

Join us tomorrow morning, Saturday, June 19, from 8 to 10 a.m. in our location behind the Cleveland Post Office for our 2010 grand opening celebration! Our vendors will have vegetables, fruit, tomatoes, eggs, jams, jellies, honey, and so much more. We'll also have live music and plenty of good times. Don't miss it!

Beautiful new Cleveland Farmers Market posters

2010-06-18T11:16:00.001-07:00

Check out our new posters (click to enlarge):

Help us promote the market: If you know of a great place to hang a poster, or if you would like a poster for your workplace, church, or clubhouse, please let us know!

Dear NPR...

2010-05-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

This is the silliest story I have heard in a long time on National Public Radio. It's called "Taking Tasty Tomatoes Back To Their Tasty Roots." Scientists are working on making store-bought tomatoes taste better.

People, if you want tasty tomatoes that don't taste watery, mealy, or just plain old terrible, you have a couple of options, especially during the summer: grow your own; buy from your local farmers market; or make friends with folks with tomatoes.

Tomatoes grown for higher yields rather than for seasonal sensibility and taste will always be inferior.

Summer Reading List

2010-05-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

Here's a NYT article called "The Food Movement, Rising" that reviews a slew of new food books.
1. Everything I Want to Do is Illegal: War Stories from the Local Food Front by Joel Salatin. You might remember Joel as the Polyface Farm farmer in The Omnivore's Dilemma.
2. All You Can Eat: How Hungry is America? by Joel Berg.
3. Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer.
4. Terra Madre: Forging a New Global Network of Sustainable Food Communities by Carlo Petrini.
5. The Taste for Civilization: Food, Politics, and Civil Society by Janet A. Flammang.

Recipe for Saturday, May 22

2010-05-24T05:17:00.000-07:00

The tasty snack from Saturday was Lemon-Rosemary Crumb Cake that I made into mini cupcakes. The recipe is here, from Cooking Light.

I used rosemary from our garden and local eggs. If you're looking for local eggs, contact Nancy Sellers at sellersgang@cableone.net and Patrice Chandler at tornadophobic@yahoo.com.

Meat

2010-05-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

Meatless Mondays, a revived campaign to reduce meat consumption in the United States, has generated a lot of attention from farmers, concerned citizens, and industry groups.

Here's a new Washington Post article about the movement, its supporters, and its critics.

Plus, there's a new study out that says that processed meats (hotdogs, bacon, etc.) are worse for people's health than unprocessed meat.

Does anybody have a meat-free day in their week, Monday or otherwise? Will you be cutting out hotdogs on the Fourth of July or BLTs this summer?

"Education by the Plateful"

2010-05-19T06:56:00.000-07:00

Dr. Luther Brown, director of Delta State University's Delta Center for Culture and Learning, sent me this Washington Post article about a college course in Maryland that reconnects students to food.

The Further Adventures of the Community Garden

2010-05-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

Ryan and Jesse have been hard at work preparing the Cleveland Farmers Market Community Garden. Nothing will stop them!

Look for more information this week about how to get involved (and dirty!) with the garden.

Recipe for Saturday, May 15

2010-05-15T15:07:00.001-07:00

This recipe is from The Joy of Cooking, with a few ingredient modifications, but the same exact directions.

Carrot Muffins

1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)

3 cups grated raw carrot (about 3-4 peeled carrots)

1 large apple, peeled and grated

1 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour

1 cup unbleached, white whole wheat flour

1 cup granulated white sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 cup coconut (sweetened or unsweetened) (optional)

3 large, local eggs

3/4 cup canola oil (you can also substitute an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in center of oven. Place paper liners in 18 standard-sized muffin cups. Grease the top of the muffin pan so that any spillover will not stick to the pan.

Toast the pecans or walnuts until lightly browned. Let cool and then chop coarsely.

Peel and grate the carrots and apple. Set aside.

In a large bowl whisk together flours, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in nuts and coconut. Set aside.

In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. Fold the wet ingredients, along with the grated carrot and apple, into the flour mixture, stirring just until moistened. Do not ever mix because the muffins will be tough. Evenly divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. After about 10 minutes remove the muffins from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.

DSU gardens?

2010-05-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

A Delta State professor asked me today, "Does DSU have any gardening spots on campus?" and mentioned this interesting article about corporate/company gardens.

Delta State used to have a garden in 2006 but the field was lost due to RV tailgating expansion for athletic weekends.

I think that a Delta State garden would work perfectly with the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Healthy Campus/Healthy Community Initiative.

What do you think?

Letter to the Editor

2010-05-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

Kay Campbell, a local Cleveland Farmers Market vendor and partner, wrote a letter to the editor in Sunday's Bolivar Commercial. Thanks, Kay, for spelling out the easy and sensible reasons why folks should shop at the market!

Don't forget that the market is opening this Saturday (May 15)!

Important Forms for Market Vendors

2010-05-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here's the 2010 WIC-Farmers Market Nutrition Program application.
Here's the 2010 Cleveland Farmers Market Vendor Agreement.

Here's the registration form for a FREE Food Safety Training workshop on May 19 in Hattiesburg. This would be important for vendors interested in selling raw and processed goods at the market. The deadline for the registration is May 13.

Once our market rules are reviewed and approved, I'll link them on this post.

Thanks, Cleveland Current!

2010-05-06T09:06:00.001-07:00

There was a nice article by Keith Wood in the May 2, 2010 edition of the Cleveland Current. We appreciate all of our community support!

CSA - Church Supported Agriculture

2010-04-12T17:55:00.000-07:00

Check out this article in the Delta Democrat Times about the church garden in Metcalfe, MS! The Delta Health Alliance's church garden initiative is run by the CFM's own Ryan Betz!

http://ddtonline.com/articles/2010/04/12/news/news3.txt

Supporting the Future Farmers of America (in Cleveland!)

2010-04-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, April 10, the Cleveland Career Development and Technology Center will host this year's Future Farmers of America Annual Spring Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to noon. The sale will be at the CCDTC, a valuable partner with the Cleveland Farmers Market. The students will sell tomato, yellow squash, zucchini, okra, cucumber, and cantaloupe plants. The proceeds from the sale will help students participate in local, state, and national FFA activities. For more information, contact Kenny Georgia at 662-312-2891 or kenneth.georgia@gmail.com.

2010 CFM/Community Garden's First Baby Step

2010-03-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jesse Strassburg, Ryan Betz, Bill Powell, and Mickey Sellers for getting this awesome project started!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-11T05:22:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Although it's bitterly cold outside and there's a dusting of snow and ice on the ground, things at the ClevelandFarmers Market are just starting to heat up.

First, the 2009 Cleveland Farmers Market experienced another year of tremendous growth in numbers of new and returning vendors, weekly customers, volunteers and community sponsors, additional services and activities provided during the market, and market weeks. Some of the highlights of the market season included:
- the continued support of the City of Cleveland, which allows the CFM to operate at its current location
- the sponsorship of the market by Bolivar Medical Center with a financial contribution as well as providing personnel like a dietician and accompanying free health information in support of healthy eating and lifestyle choices
- the partnering of the CFM with local non-profit organizations to raise money and awareness for other community issues
- weekly master gardener advice from the Mississippi Master Gardener program
- the first ever CFM-hosted three-course cooking demonstration
- recognition by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce of the Cleveland Farmers Market as acertified farmers market

Of course, the big news from last year is that the CFM is an awardee of a United States Department of AgricultureFarmers Market Promotion Program grant! Miranda Walker, an AmeriCorps*VISTA member from Delta State University's Institute for Community Based Research, wrote the grant, which will allow the CFM to continue to expand its goals of increasing access to the market, enhancing consumer education, and providing Cleveland with a weekly community gathering place.

The actual implementation of the grant is a series of collaborations between Delta State University, including Deborah Moore (Director of DSU's Center for Community and Economic Development) and Robin Boyles (Director of Institutional Grants at DSU), a corps of volunteers who have each taken a leading role in the individual components, and members of the community who are volunteering their time and expertise.

All of that said, WE NEED MORE HELP! There's a role that every person can play to grow the market. We need local businesses. We need churches. We need civic groups. We need professional and social groups. We need every person interested in expanding the Cleveland Farmers Market to really get involved this year.

If you're interested in our upcoming promotion and advertising blitz, contact Ryan Betz (rbetz@deltahealthalliance.org) and Carley Jefcoat (carley_jefcoat@yahoo.com).

If you're interested in educational instruction and workshops, contact Dr. Cameron McMillen (edyecameron@cableone.net) and Eleanor Green (ecmgreen@gmail.com).

If you're interested in youth entrepreneurship with a community garden, contact Mechelle Wallace (sippi2teach@yahoo.com) or Kenny Georgia (kenneth.georgia@gmail.com).

If you're interested in working with the CFM infrastructure like tents and signage, contact J.R. Love (jrlove51@yahoo.com) and Eric Atchison (eatchison@deltastate.edu).

If you're interested in community sponsorship and its benefits, becoming a vendor, and volunteering at Saturday markets, or just have an awesome idea, contact me at this email or 662-719-9595.

More news and information coming up soon!

Thanks for supporting the Cleveland Farmers Market!

The Fall Market Season - It's On!

2009-09-11T04:26:00.000-07:00

The farmers have responded that they're ready to begin the fall market season.

WE'LL BE OPEN ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 FROM 8 TO 10 AM BEHIND THE CLEVELAND POST OFFICE.

Come on out and support your local farmers!

Fall Market Update

2009-08-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

Once again the summer season has flown by. There's been a bit of confusion about the "end" of the market. Here's the scoop: The summer season is done. It was fantastic but it's over now. The fall season is creeping up on us. That means greens, pumpkins, fall and winter squashes, eggs, and more are coming but we've got to give them time to grow. So, the Cleveland Farmers Market will not be open over Labor Day weekend (Sept. 5) and the opening date for the fall market will be determined by what's available to sell whenever it's ready. Therefore, the next potential market is Saturday, September 12. We'll get the news around the internet and newspapers if we'll have markets in September.

Meet our dietician!

2009-08-11T05:22:00.000-07:00

Mae Gasmido, a dietician from Bolivar Medical Center, was at the August 8 market, answering questions and handing out information about healthy eating habits.

We've had a great August so far. The crowds have been good. The abundance of purple hull peas, butterbeans, okra, watermelons, and cantaloupes has been even better!

Farming in the News

2009-08-04T03:40:00.000-07:00

The New York Times has an article about the rise of backyard poultry across America. Of course, you don't need to get your own chickens to have farm fresh eggs. Just come to the market every Saturday!

July Market Summary

2009-07-31T05:30:00.000-07:00

A friendly crowd of regular customers gathers at the Friends Tent.

In July, the Cleveland Farmers Market had a phenomenal month. The July 18 and July 25 markets each had 200 people attend! Every tent and table in the shed was set up to accommodate all of the vendors that came. In the history of the Cleveland Farmers Market, we've never had such amazing turnouts by customers and vendors.

Check out the sign in the top right corner of the picture on top. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture has raised our status to a "certified" Mississippi farmers market. This significant acknowledgment is thanks to the tireless work of farmers, customers, and volunteers. Well done to all!

Mr. Smitty chats with a customer.

The Cleveland Farmers Market is a proud partner with the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Every July, participants in the WIC program receive coupons to spend at the Cleveland Farmers Market. This year, the market has three new vendors that signed up for the program, bringing the total number of vendors up to 8. By working with the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, the CFM continues its mission of providing fresh produce to all segments of the Delta community.

Welcome to the Murphys! They're new vendors from Boyle.

Not only did the CFM get more customers and vendors but it also got generous support from Bolivar Medical Center. Bolivar Medical Center is committed to the care and improvement of its patients' lives. It's a natural fit that a medical facility would promote eating more fresh fruits and vegetables as part of its preventative health measures. Thank you, Bolivar Medical Center!

Cam McMillen, one of the founders of the CFM, and Molly Shaman from the Master Gardener program chat at the Friends Tent. Cam brought her delicious chocolate chip zucchini muffins that day.

In August, we're planning lots of special events: a cooking demonstration (August 22), a benefit art sale (August 29), another bake sale (TBA), a special "Dog Days of Summer" events for our four-legged friends (TBA), and more. Be on the lookout for updates of these events.

We can always use more volunteers for the Friends Tent. It's a fun way to spend a Saturday morning!

The early bird crowd!

Remember that we are a RAIN OR SHINE market so don't hesitate to visit the market even if it's raining!

Music at the Market

2009-07-28T05:24:00.000-07:00

All musicians are welcome to come to the market and play. It would be awesome to have more people share their talents.

July 18 Market Re-Cap

2009-07-20T12:58:00.000-07:00

Another great weekend for the Cleveland Farmers Market. We almost reached 200 people! The okra went fast on Saturday. I guess the early bird gets the okra.

Exciting news for the market - It's been certified by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture. This certification puts the CFM into a different category of farmers market and recognizes the hard work of all of the farmers and volunteers.

We're going to have a very busy August with cooking demonstrations, another charity bake sale, an art sale, and more. We have friends scheduled for the tent for Aug. 1 and Aug. 8. If you've got the time, we would love to fill in the last three weekends in August. Contact me.

See you this Saturday!

One-hour, full-body massage winner is...

2009-07-03T04:41:00.000-07:00

The winner is Karen Bell! Karen has been a true Friend of the Cleveland Farmers Market for a long time. She's volunteered for the Friends in the past and has been a regular at the market. Congratulations, Karen!

Thanks to everybody who bought tickets for this first raffle.

June 27 Market Re-Cap

2009-06-30T07:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Kay Campbell and Jabo Bouler, new vendors this week!

Mr. Jabo's farm is in Boyle, and he's got 7 acres of peas and 3 acres of butter beans!

Some of our regular Saturday morning shoppers.

We had over 125 customers this past Saturday. Another fine Mississippi Saturday to pick up fresh produce. The market was so busy that three of our vendors actually sold out of all of their produce.

Welcome to the Clark Family, new vendors this weekend.

Mr. Clark, also known as The Chicken Man, is from Merigold and raises quail and chickens.

Produce available on Saturday: Butter beans, shelled and unshelled purple hull peas, mint, green peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, green tomatoes, honey, cucumbers, okra, snap beans, cabbage, sweet corn, yellow squash, pickled chicken and pickled quail eggs, peaches, plums, apples, jalapeno mustard, hot sauce, jams and jellies, and fresh eggs.

Molly Shaman and Mary Anna Davis from the Master Gardener program.

Don't forget that the market WILL NOT OPEN on Saturday, July 4. We'll be back on Saturday, July 11 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Visit our farmers while the market is on hiatus for the July 4 holiday.

Produce:

Jabo Bouler, Boyle, MS: 662-721-7939

Mack and Ollie Hoop, Cleveland, MS: 662-402-5150

Mickey and Nancy Sellers, Cleveland, MS: 662-843-7731

Curtis “Mr. Smitty” Smith, Mound Bayou, MS: 662-741-2500

Cornelius Toole, Mound Bayou, MS: 662-402-0568

The Apple Farm, Cleveland, MS: 662-846-1962

Eggs:

Patrice Chandler, Ruleville, MS: 662-515-2285

Eugene Clark, Merigold, MS: 662-719-8074 (Quail and Chicken)

Mickey and Nancy Sellers, Cleveland, MS: 662-843-7731

Honey:

Blue Lake Honey, Drew, MS: 662-745-6525

Thank your bees

2009-06-26T09:40:00.001-07:00

This week is National Pollinator Week. It is thanks to pollinators, particularly bees, that we can have our farmers market.

Here's a link to the story by National Public Radio.

June 27 Market

2009-06-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

Are you stressed out about the rising costs of food at the grocery store? The Cleveland Farmers Market is the place for you!

Be sure to stop by the market this Saturday for the freshest produce and food in the Delta at prices that can't be beat. Plus, you know that the money you spend stays in the community you love.

Still stressed? From this Saturday to Wednesday, July 1, the market will hold a raffle for a 1 hour, full body massage gift certificate from Rehabilitation Services of Cleveland. Tickets are $1 each. A massage is a great gift for you or a loved one. Put yourself in the best hands in town!

All raffle money goes to the Friends of the Cleveland Farmers Market to pay for our tents, tables, and brand-spankin' new shed.

Can you feel the tension slipping away? Good! We'll see you at the market.

200!

2009-06-22T12:15:00.001-07:00

That's right. Over two hundred folks were at the market last Saturday. There were even people from as far away at St. Louis, Missouri who were at the Cleveland Farmers Market. This was our most attended market EVER!

Lisa Ference, a local artist and student at Delta State, brought her work to the market to help raise money for the Friends of the Cleveland Farmers Market. For the next few weeks, her prints, photographs, drawings, and paintings will be at the Friends Tent. They can be yours for a donation to the Friends of the CFM. Thanks, Lisa, for your help! More art to benefit the market will be coming in a few weeks.

Items available at the market were: blackberries, red tomatoes, herbs, lettuce, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, honey, eggs, jams and jellies, a jalapeno mustard, hot sauce, sweet potatoes, new potatoes, sweet corn, plums, peaches, apples, collards, cabbage, peppers, okra, onions, garlic, and green tomatoes.

Farmers present/represented: Mr. Smitty, the Hoops, the Sellers gang, Patrice "The Egg Lady" Chandler, the Apple Farm, Blue Lake Honey, and Little Green Acres.

OPENING DAY!

2009-06-14T07:25:00.001-07:00

"You can count on Cleveland!" That ought to be the slogan of the Cleveland Farmers Market. Cleveland and the surrounding communities once again showed up in droves to Saturday's opening market.

Despite the torrential summer rain. Despite the cracks of lightning. Despite the wind gusts.

Ryan and Chris, from Amalgamation, played for the entire market. Be sure to check them out this Tuesday, June 16 at the Bean Counter at 6 p.m.!

The Habitat for Humanity bake sale raised over $500 for their ongoing efforts to provide quality, affordable housing in Bolivar County.

The farmers came with just-off-the-vine blackberries, early tomatoes, new potatoes, baby yellow squash, striped zucchini, crisp cucumbers, jams and jellies of every variety, a new jalapeno mustard from Nancy Sellers, plants for gardens, sweet peaches, juicy plums, golden honey, farm fresh eggs, and more.

Customers, some as early at 7 a.m. (ahem, we open at 8), brought with their appetites, their good natures as they helped keep the market from flying away, and their good humor.

Lisa Ferrence will be back next week with her art. Art and heavy downpours don't mix! Donations for her art will go to Friends of the Cleveland Farmers Market.

Special thanks go out to:

Eleanor as Saturday's superb market manager
Asia, Hilary, and Nina at the Friends tent
J.R. Love and his studly crew of shed builders - Tyler Pearson, Rob Thornton, and Craig Warren
John Green, Miranda Walker, and Antwone Wallace for their shed-building assistance and labor
Molly Shaman from the Master Gardener program

Be sure to join our Facebook group "Friends of the Cleveland Farmers Market" and follow us on Twitter.

"Rethinking Potato Salad"

2009-06-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

Mack and Ollie Hoop (662-402-5150) have got LOADS of potatoes. Here's an National Public Radio segment on potato salad.

Don't forget to get your potatoes on Saturday at the opening of the Cleveland Farmers Market!

Special Events Set for Opening Day on June 13

2009-06-04T04:58:00.000-07:00

As part of its mission to build community, the June 13 market will include music, art, and education. Ryan Betz and Chris Hartfield, two members of Amalgamation, Cleveland’s only local jazz fusion band, will provide live music during the market. Lisa Ferrence, an art student at Delta State University, will have farmers market-themed artwork available for sale at the Friends of the Farmers Market tent with all proceeds going to the market. Also, Molly Shaman, from the Master Gardener Program at the Mississippi State University Extension Service, will have a tent at the market, ready to answer questions and handout useful information about gardening.

Finally, the Cleveland Farmers Market is hosting a bake sale for the Bolivar County chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat constructs and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner-partner families. Bolivar County’s chapter is now working on its eighteenth house. All proceeds from the bake sale will go to the Bolivar County Habitat for Humanity.

Organic farming and farmers markets in the news

2009-06-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

The New York Times has an article about the struggles of small farmers in organic dairy farming. Also, the NTY reports that many college students are looking for internships in organic or sustainable agriculture.

The Knoxville (TN) News Sentinel has an article about farmers, sustainable practices, and organic certification.

National Public Radio has radio story about farmers in India moving towards organic farming. Also, last week NPR started featuring local recipes from regional farmers markets.

Gardening Tips

2009-05-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

Here's a great guide from master gardeners and the Mississippi State Extension Office. Thanks to Ryan for passing this along.

Plant Sale a Success!

2009-05-06T04:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the generous support of the Cleveland Farmers Market supporters, the Future Farmers of America chapter in Cleveland raised $200 at Saturday's plant sale. Mr. Kenneth Georgia and two of his students, Jamal Giles and Howard Winford, worked the crowd and sold tomato, zucchini, eggplant, and squash plants grown in the Cleveland Career Development and Technology Center's greenhouse. The money raised will go towards FFA dues, travel money to FFA competitions, and FFA supplies. The FFA has just broken ground for a garden at the school and will be using the remaining plants (more tomatoes, zucchinis, eggplants, squash, peppers, greens, and melons) for the garden. The goal is to have students selling plants and produce at the Cleveland Farmers Market through the summer.

A big thanks also goes out to the other growers. Mr. Mack Hoop, a regular grower for the market, also donated dozens of his own tomato plants for the FFA sale and brought his delicious new potatoes to sell at the market. Nancy and Mickey Sellers sent a batch of sweet muscadine jelly and fresh eggs. Since the market thrives on the diversity of products available, these growers enabled customers to come and buy plants for their gardens and produce for their tables.

If you missed the sale, check out Monday's Bolivar Commercial for a great front-page picture of Mr. Georgia and Jamal chatting with a customer.

REMINDERS

The next general meeting for the market is Saturday, May 30 at 9 AM at Delta State's Center for Community and Economic Development.
The Cleveland Farmers Market officially opens on Saturday, June 13 at 8 AM.
Nancy (sellersgang@cableone.net) and Patrice (tornadophobic@yahoo.com) have fresh eggs for sale.
Mr. Mack Hoop (846-9050) has new potatoes for sale.

April 25 Meeting Highlights

2009-04-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

Board Officers' Updates:

J.R., as treasurer, is spearheading the community sponsorship drive. The idea is to have local businesses, organizations, and individuals sponsor the market, particularly to provide funds for upgraded tents. He's got the letters drafted and ready to go out.

Managers' Updates:

Miranda has completed the USDA Farmers' Market Promotion grant and will have it postmarked today. She did an amazing job with the eight page narrative, highlighting our past successes and positioning the market for the future. The market will partner with Delta State University in order to receive grant funds, once the grant is approved by the USDA. Just another way that the market is reaching out to the greater community.
Ryan has talked with Strings Design about an advertising campaign for this season. He'll be meeting with Strings about posters, brochures, and newspaper ads.
Michelle sent out the press release for the special event on May 2. The event is a plant sale for the Future Farmers of America chapter in Cleveland. Students, under the guidance of Kenny Georgia, will sell seedlings from 9 AM to 11 AM at the usual Cleveland Farmers' Market spot behind the post office. All funds will go to the FFA. Other vendors will be out with any early produce and products they might have.

Other business:

Starting date will be Saturday, June 13, 2009. Get ready!
New market applications are available for new and returning growers.

Upcoming Events:

May 2 - Cleveland Farmers Market Event: Plant Sale for Future Farmers of America
May 2&3 - MEGA workshops in Shelby and Mound Bayou
May 7 - "Selling at a Farmers' Market" workshop in Jackson
May 30 - Next general meeting
June 4 - Cleveland Farmers Market presentation at the Cleveland Exchange Club
June 13 -OPENING!

Welcome to the 2009 Season!

2009-04-05T05:21:00.000-07:00

The farmers and friends of the Cleveland Farmers Market met on Saturday, April 4 at 9 AM at Delta State's Center for Community and Economic Development.

Upcoming Events:

- April 25 - General Cleveland Farmers Market Meeting (9 AM @ CCED)

- May 2 - Special Community Event hosted by CFM: The Cleveland Farmers Market will host a spring sale of seedlings, grown by the Future Farmers of America program at Cleveland's Career Development and Technology Center. Kenny Georgia and his students are raising plants to sell to benefit this important program. More information to come as details are finalized but be sure to come out and support young people engaged in agriculture and sustainable food networks. Farmers signed up with the CFM will also be on hand to sell their produce and products as well.

- May 2 and 3 - MEGA and Growing Power workshops in Mound Bayou and Shelby.

The first part of the meeting consisted of introductions and re-introductions, a brief recap of the 2008 season, and an explanation of the Delta Area Farmers Market (a network of individual markets communicating with each other) and the pro bono work of Harvard Law students last week.

The second part of the meeting was all business. Here are the highlights:

- Elections: Your new board consists of Nancy Sellers (president), Ryan Betz (secretary), J.R. Love (treasurer), and Eric Atchison, Michelle Johansen, and Miranda Walker (co-market managers). The board meets once a month, usually ahead of the monthly general farmers market meeting. The co-market managers will rotate Saturday duties and share responsibility for outreach and education of the community, communication and work with farmers, and managing volunteers and special events. Currently the CFM has $2,185 in its bank account.

- Opening and closing the season: There was discussion about selecting an opening date for the market. All agreed that June will be the month but there wasn't agreement on which Saturday. Last year, the market officially opened on June 14. We will revisit this issue in the next few weeks as farmers work on getting crops into the ground.

- Guidelines and procedures: No revisions were suggested for the packet of guidelines and information given to growers so we will just update the packets with new dates and reprint them. These will be available to farmers when they apply to the market.

- Tents: After some discussion about the sorry state of last year's green tents, J.R. Love came up with an idea. The CFM will buy at least ten tents, the E-Z pop-up kind which retail at Wal-Mart for $97 dollars, and seek corporate or civic sponsorship. For example, a locally owned business, church, school, or organization could pay for a tent and earn a prominently displayed sign that says that they sponsored a market tent and are a proud supporter of local growers. Already Kossman and Powell, LLC has agreed to sponsor a tent! That's one down and nine to go.

- Advertising: The group agreed to work with Strings Design again and continue to use the awesome logo they designed last year.

- Fundraising: The bags and shirts were a hit last year and the group agreed to continue to sell bags and shirts. Also, the group expressed interest in getting long-sleeved shirts. Cam McMillen suggested some sort of incentive/reward system for customers who brought their CFM bag to the market instead of using plastic bags.

- Grants: Miranda and Mechelle Wallace are working on a USDA market promotion and outreach grant that awards between $2,500 and $100,000 to markets. Some ideas that came up are a wireless EBT machine, tents with the CFM logo screened on, a portable shed, greater advertising budget for outreach, and more infrastructure for the market. Stay tuned for more details. Thanks, Miranda and Mechelle, for spearheading this!

- Farmer and Friends Recruitment: We need more of everybody! Cam mentioned that the farmers market needs to emphasize the ease with which farmers can participate and make sure that all feel welcome.

- Forms: No major revisions were suggested for the application form so new ones will be printed with a new date and made available to farmers.

Announcements: Nancy Sellers (sellersgang@cableone.net) and Patrice Chandler (tornadophobic@yahoo.com) are now selling eggs for $2.00 a dozen.

News

2008-09-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends, Farmers, and CFM Supporters,

Tomorrow's Cleveland Farmers Market (Sept. 13) will be the last regular market of the 2008 season. Due to a variety of circumstances, the decision was made this morning, with lots of deliberation and weighing of pros and cons, to discontinue the market. The ultimate reason for the market's close is that we do not have a critical mass vendors who can provide fresh produce at this time.

Also, tomorrow's scheduled cooking demonstration will not occur, due to weather and supply issues.

More information will come in the next weeks.

Thank you for all of your support.

Sept. 6 Cooking Demonstration is POSTPONED

2008-09-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

With Hurricane Gustav bringing wacky weather to the Delta this week, the scheduled cooking demonstration by Chef Adam Talley will be postponed. A likely rescheduled date is Saturday, September 13, but again we'll have to check on the weather. I'll keep y'all updated.

The market will be open on September 6th as planned but without Chef Talley.

End of Summer

2008-09-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

It seems like every summer brings more squash, zucchini, eggplant, okra, and tomatoes than most people can handle. Folks are selling it, giving it away, and making all kinds of interesting foods. Then you blink, and it's the end of August. Where's all our produce?

We have entered the awkward stage, sort of like adolescence, that is the transition between summer and fall. Summer plants just can't keep producing forever. Fall crops aren't quite ready yet. It'll happen soon and then we'll be up to our ears in collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, pumpkins, winter squash, sweet potatoes, and pecans. Just gotta be patient.

Here's the market recap:

Karen Bell was our solo volunteer for the Friends Tent. The month of September is a barren volunteer wasteland. We need some folks to step up. I made an "Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Apple Honey Cake" for snacking, using Blue Lake's honey.
Farmers represented/present: the Sellers Gang, Blue Lake Honey Farm, and Mr. Smitty
Total customers: 69
Products sold: watermelons, honey (with and without comb), okra, shelled purple hull peas, eggplant, jams, jellies, preserves, hot sauce, pickles, pears, corn, banana peppers, and eggs.

Recipes for August 9 and August 23

2008-08-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

Sweet Potato Bread

Recipe by Eleanor Green

Have all ingredients at room temperature

1-1/2 cups all purpose flour

1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/3 cup milk

1-1/2 tsp. vanilla

6 tbsp. butter

1-1/3 cups sugar (or 1 cup sugar and 1/3 cup brown sugar)

2 large eggs

1 cup sweet potato puree (3 medium sized sweet potatoes, baked at 350 degrees for 1 hour)

In a medium bowl, whisk together first 8 ingredients. Set aside. In another bowl combine milk and vanilla. In a large bowl beat butter until creamy. Gradually add sugar and beat on high speed for 3-4 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add sweet potato and beat on low just until blended. Add flour in 3 parts, alternating with the milk mixture in 2 parts. Bake at 350 degrees in a loaf pan for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Green Tomato Cake

Recipe found on the internet

2-1/4 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil or melted shortening

3 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

3 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 cup pecans or walnuts (optional)

1 cup raisins

2-1/2 cups diced green tomatoes

coconut (optional)

Preheat over to 350 degrees. In mixing bowl, beat sugar, vegetable oil or shortening, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg; slowly beat into egg mixture. Blend well. Stir in pecans, raisins, and tomatoes.

Pour into greased 9x13-inch pan. Top with coconut if desired. Bake for one hour, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Bye, Ryan!

2008-08-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

With the heat and humidity and constant rain (ummm, thanks, Fay?), it was a slow week at the market on August 23. Of course, to put this in perspective, a slow Saturday this season would have been a banner Saturday last year. We did have a steady trickle of folks coming for fresh fruits and veggies. Can't complain whenever we hit over 75 people in two hours.

Maybe people were feeling bummed that it was Ryan Betz's last market. That's right, Ryan is outta here, heading to Hattiesburg before pursuing graduate school. This year's market would not have been nearly as successful without his dedication and energy. Those fantastic t-shirts, bags, and stickers? Ryan found Strings Design and worked with them on the design and then got the order placed for the first printing. WIC participants able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables for their families? That was Ryan spearheading focus groups and outreach. The reason why I know each week how successful the market has been? Yup, that's Ryan, too. There's even more that he has done in his own quiet, low-key, diligent way. We'll miss him sorely but will work hard to keep his can-do spirit alive at the market.

Anyhoo, here's the recap:

Rie Somlai and Alan Barton (both repeat volunteers) took care of the Friends Tent. There was an unusual but delicious Green Tomato Cake at the tent. The recipe was passed along by a market patron. Great way to use green tomatoes without frying them.
Farmers present/ represented: the Sellers Gang, Mr. Smitty, the Egg Lady (Patrice Chandler), and Blue Lake Honey Farm
Customers counted: 84
Products sold: Pears, honey, okra, squash, green tomatoes, red tomatoes, jams, jellies, preserves, pickles, relishes, salsa, hot sauces, watermelons, cucumbers, eggs, and shelled purple hull peas.

Rain or Shine

2008-08-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

So, the much needed rain has come. And come. And come some more. Despite the rain and breezy conditions, the market continued on. The bake sale for Serenity Animal Rescue and Adoption went better than expected considering the weather. Serenity took in over $400 in donations and sales of shirts and food! That's not including a $200 written a few weeks ago by a very generous animal lover who wasn't going to be able to come to the bake sale. Thanks to everybody in the community who donated food and/or came out the market and the bake sale.

Here's the market recap for August 16:

Justina Garcia and Mechelle Wallace braved the rain and wind to hand out coffee and water to folks as well as sell shirts and bags and give out stickers and info.
Farmers present/ represented: Mr. Toole, Basil Boy Jesse, the Sellers Gang, Blue Lake Honey Farm, the Gregorys, and Mr. Smitty
Customers counted: 83 (down only by about 25%!)
Approximate total farmer revenue: $400
Products sold: yellow squash, okra, tomatoes, jams, jellies, preserves, relishes, cucumbers, eggplant, honey, basil plants, pesto, watermelons, purple hull peas, banana peppers, hot sauce, pre-sliced yellow squash, pickles, eggs, cantaloupes, corn, zucchini, tomato sauce, and salsa
Just for show and conversation: Mechelle's "funky pumpkin"

We also had the monthly meeting. On the agenda were tent issues, money update, upcoming events, farmer updates, progress report on the statistics, welcoming new folks to the market, saying good-bye to Ryan, and a petition to the city for a storage shed.

Tent issues: The free green tents are having some issues. As in the tarps don't want to stretch over all four corners. We made a decision to push through and do our best (with minimal grumbling, if possible) and come up with a solution in the winter.
Money update: The newly opened bank account has almost $2100 in it, thanks to grants and shirt and bags sales. The money will be budgeted for next year's market or for supplies for the remainder of this season.
The bake sale was a huge success. Our next events are a cooking demonstration on September 6, a breast cancer awareness event in October, and harvest dinner in November.
Farmer Updates: Farmers are planting fall crops of greens, pumpkins, and other produce. Also, pecans should be plentiful this fall.
Statistics: I'll get a fancy chart in here soon, but the market is operating at all time high numbers for customers, farmers, friends, and revenue. Well done!
Welcome to Miranda Walker, a new VISTA/Americorps member. She'll be taking Ryan Betz's spot as a worker for the market.
Petition: A petition will be going around for the next few markets to petition the city of Cleveland to allow the market to have an on-site but portable storage shed to store tents, tables, signs, and other supplies.

2008-08-09T12:49:00.000-07:00

What's black and white and red all over? The Cleveland Farmers Market, silly! We've got pearly white eggplants and juicy red tomatoes. And, thanks to the continuing support of customers and friends, the market and the farmers are operating in the black. (I know, I'm stretching it.) Anyhoo. Two busy weeks for the market.

Don't forget that next week's market on August 16 will have a bake sale tent to benefit Serenity Animal Sanctuary. While you're picking up your wholesome fruits and veggies, why don't you buy some sugary goodness from the bake sale and help out some needy doggies and kitties?

Here's the recap for August 2:

Patrice Chandler and Eric Atchison held down the Friends Tent. Thanks, y'all, for coming in on such short notice!
Nancy Sellers made a deeee-licious watermelon salsa for everybody to snack on. It was so popular, in fact, that she sold five jars of it at the August 9 market.
Farmers present/represented: The Apple Farm, Mr. Smitty, Mr. Toole, the Sellers Gang, and the Gregorys. The Gregorys were new to the market, and they brought two hundred pounds of gorgeous tomatoes!
Customers counted: 122
Approximate total farmer revenue: $680
Products sold: Green and red tomatoes, shelled and unshelled butterbeans, shelled and unshelled purple hull peas, okra, corn, sweet potatoes, basil, rosemary, white eggplant, purple eggplant, peaches, sliced and whole yellow squash, figs, banana peppers, hot peppers, jams, jellies, preserves, pickled fruits and vegetables, cucumbers, apples, watermelons, cantaloupes, zucchini, bell peppers, and hot sauces.
Just for show and conversation: Nancy and Mickey's crazy three foot long green beans!

Here's the recap for August 9:

The Green clan (John, Eleanor, and Edye) greeted customers with big smiles and Eleanor's yummy sweet potato bread. There were t-shirts and bags for sale as well as brand new Cleveland Farmers Market stickers, perfect for your car's bumper, for free.
Farmers present/represented: Mr. Toole, Mr. Smitty, Patrice "the Egg Lady" Chandler, the Gregorys, the Sellers Gang, the Apple Farm and new farmers Bonnie and Jene Hutchins from Mound Bayou. The Hutchins heard about the market from Mr. Toole. Great word-of-mouth is bringing more farmers to the market!
Customers counted: 118
Approximate total farmer revenue: $500
Products sold: Watermelons, cantaloupes, shelled and unshelled butterbeans, shelled and unshelled purple hull peas, apples, peaches, banana peppers, figs, sliced yellow squash, okra, zucchini, Bantam hens' eggs, jams, jellies, preserves, watermelon salsa, tomato juice, green tomatoes, red tomatoes, hot peppers, hot sauce, eggplants, corn, cucumbers, and pickled fruits and vegetables.
Just for show and conversation: Nancy and Mickey's two pumpkins!

Recipe for August 2

2008-08-05T11:43:00.001-07:00

Watermelon Salsa
Recipe by Nancy Sellers

4 cups diced local watermelon
1 cup diced local cantaloupe
1/2 c. chopped local bell pepper
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
1 tablespoon chopped jalapeno
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Mix all of the ingredients well and serve cold with tortilla chips.

Nancy Sellers will be selling watermelon salsa at the August 9 Farmers Market.

August 2008 "Delta Flavor"

2008-08-02T11:08:00.000-07:00

Recap of July 2008 Markets:
The month started off slow with many folks out of town or laying low for the Fourth of July weekend, but the market steadily improved on July 12 and July 19. On the 26th, typically a slow weekend since people are out of money at the end of the month, we got a pleasant and much-needed morning rain. I'm not one to curse the rain, even on a market day, since the Delta has been bone-dry all summer. But...the rain might have scared customers away. Remember, we are a rain or shine farmers market! On a side note, the tents held up great in the rain and provided a concrete reason for why we have tents this year.

The Cleveland Farmers Market has never been more bountiful. We've now got bumper crops of tomatoes, watermelons, yellow squash, zucchini, okra, butter beans, purple hull peas, cantaloupes, and eggplant. For busy people, the market has bags of shelled peas and beans as well as pre-sliced yellow squash, ready-made pesto, and a variety of jams, jellies, preserves, and pickled goods. In July, I had two new farmers come to the market with their produce. Since there are no vendor fees and no weekly commitment, the Cleveland Farmers Market is the ideal spot to bring extra produce even for just a few market days a season.

We were in the press twice in July. First, the Delta Democrat Times has a front-page article about the market. Then, the Cleveland News Leader very generously included me in their special section about women leaders in Bolivar and Sunflower Counties. For awhile, a lot of people recognized me as "the Farmers Market Lady."

Thanks to the talented geniuses at Strings Design, we have snazzy t-shirts and tote bags for sale. The response has been terrific. The shirts come in green and natural with the farmers market logo on the front and an awesome design on the back. Very eye-catching. The bags are helpful to have, especially for regular market customers, since the bags help reduce the number of plastic bags used on each market day. That said, if anybody has an abundance of plastic bags that need to be used then please drop them off at the Friends Tent for the farmers.

Not only is the Cleveland Farmers Market known around the Delta, but we're also getting the word out in cyberspace. Check out our page at Local Harvest.

August 2008 Market News:

Market Days: August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Monthly Meeting: August 16 at 10 a.m. (after the Market) behind the Cleveland Post Office
Special Event: On August 16, the Cleveland Farmers Market will host a benefit tent for the Serenity Animal Rescue. The tent, staffed by volunteers from Serenity and the Bolivar County Humane Society, will have a bake sale with all proceeds going to further Serenity's mission of providing essential medical services, spaying and neutering, food, shelter, and a high quality of life for the dogs and cats in Serenity's care. Y'all, the McCools have over 50 dogs at their place that need food and care! If you're interested in donating a baked good or something for the bake sale, contact me.

August Friends Tent Schedule:

August 2 -- Patrice Chandler and Eric Atchison
August 9 -- John and Eleanor Weaver
August 16 -- Mechelle Wallace and OPEN
August 23 -- Alan Barton and OPEN
August 30 -- Karen Bell and OPEN

Recipe for July 26

2008-07-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

Fresh Fig Up-Side Down Cake

Recipe by Emeril Lagasse

1-1/2 pounds fresh local figs, stemmed and quartered

1 cup granulated sugar

6 ounces butter, softened, in all

1 cup light brown sugar

2 large local eggs

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Pinch salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a mixing bowl, toss figs with sugar. In a hot cast iron skillet, melt 3 ounces of butter. Saute the figs for 2 minutes. Remove from heat but keep figs in skillet.

For the batter: In a mixing bowl, cream the remaining 3 ounces of butter and brown sugar. Stir in the eggs 1 at a time. Sift the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Combine vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture and milk to the egg mixture. Mix well. Pour the cake batter evenly over the figs. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and pulls away slightly from the edges of the skillet.

Cool for about 30 minutes, then invert over a large platter.

Bam!

Got squash?

2008-07-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

Ryan found this piece on National Public Radio about the joy of bountiful summer squash.

There's a defense of squash and some delicious recipes like:

How to make squash ribbons

Warm squash salad with mint

Whole wheat zucchini pancakes & Fettuccine with squash ribbons

2008-07-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

Another fantastic week for the Cleveland Farmers Market. Not only did we have new produce (grapes in the Delta!), new farmers (welcome, Nancy Nassar), and new customers but we had tasty samples of cantaloupe and watermelon for vendors, volunteers, and customers alike. It was the best and certainly freshest breakfast I've had in a long time. The picture is of repeat customer Barbara Levingston and farmer Mack Hoop.

Don't forget that you can support the Cleveland Farmers Market by buying our unique shirts and bags. The bags are $13. Shirts are $12 (kids), $13 (adult M, L, XL), $15 (XXL), and $16 (XXXL). All proceeds go directly to the market.

Here's the recap:

Louis and Rie Somlai and Karen Bell were at the Friends Tent this week, handing out snackies, selling shirts and bags, tallying customers, and greeting customers. Thanks, y'all!
Farmers present/represented: The Apple Farm, Patrice Chandler, Mr. Smitty, Mr. Toole, the Sellers Gang, the Basil Boy and his buddies, the Hoops, and new farmer Nancy Nassar from Merigold.
Customers counted: 136 (Yee haw!)
Approximate total farmer revenue: $710
Products sold: Jellies, preserves, relishes, peaches, yellow squash, bell peppers, okra, butter beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, hot peppers, eggplant, honey, basil plants, pesto, plum glaze, eggs, banana peppers, pink eye purple hull peas (shelled and unshelled), zucchini, sweet pickles, pickled peaches, hot sauce, sweet potatoes, watermelons, canteloupes, and grapes.

Recipe for July 19

2008-07-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Chip-Zucchini Bread
Recipe by Paula Deen

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 eggs
2 cups white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups grated local zucchini
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon orange zest

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Grease (2) 9 by 5-inch loaf pans.

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, spices, and baking soda.

In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and fluffy. Add sugar, and continue beating until well blended. Stir in poil, vanilla, zucchini, pecans, chocolate chips, and orange zest. Stir in sifted ingredients. Pour into prepared loaf pans.

Bake for 50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove loaves from pans and cool. Chill before slicing.

July's Looking Good

2008-07-17T12:30:00.000-07:00

We're back! The slump of June 28 and July 5 is over. The market was bustling again as farmers brought their A-game produce to the Cleveland Farmers Market.

Here's the recap:

Alan Barton and Karen Fosheim (woo-hoo, Go Delta State!) were the Friends
There was coffee and a cucumber-feta salsa for folks to nibble on. Some people *ahem Ryan* went back for seconds and thirds. The recipe is posted already.
Farmers present/represented: Jesse Strassburg, the Apple Farm, Mr. Toole, Mr. Smitty, the Sellers Gang, Blue Lake Honey Farm, and the Hoops.
Customers counted: 106
Approximate total revenue: $600
Products sold: Honey, speckled butter beans, yellow squash, okra, bell peppers, tomatoes, jams, jellies, preserves, apples, peaches, eggplant, shelled purple hull peas, hot sauce, banana peppers, pesto, beets, basil plants, picked peaches, sweet pickles, green beans, and cucumbers.

Y'all, don't believe the rumors that the Cleveland Farmers Market has "got nothing." Take a look at the products sold list. There's a wide variety of produce available each week.

And, we got our first WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers. We are proud to be a part of a national program that provides families with affordable, fresh produce while helping farmers reach out to new consumers.

After the market, we had a brief meeting -- it was getting HOT. At the meeting, we discussed the need for vendors to be set up by 7:45 a.m. and that we have entered the consequence phase. The market's guidelines were given again to each vendor in print and reiterated verbally at the meeting so everybody was clear on the expectations. On a lighter note, we discussed the new t-shirts and tote bags that will be available for sale at the Saturday, July 19th market. Both the bags and shirts cost $13 each with a combo deal of $25 if you buy both. Check out the designs on the left. The shirts come in green and natural. The money from the sales will go directly to the Friends Tent and Cleveland Farmers Market for supplies and infrastructure like our awesome new entrance sign.

See you Saturday!

More Good Press

2008-07-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

Check out the front page article

from The Delta Democrat Times.

Even Greenville is talking about the Cleveland Farmers Market!

Recipe for July 12

2008-07-15T13:05:00.000-07:00

Cucumber-Feta Salsa
Recipe found in Cooking Light Magazine

1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1-1/2 cups cubed seeded peeled cucumber
1 cup finely chopped red onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill (optional)

Combine feta cheese, lemon juice, and pepper, partially mash with a fork. Stir in cucumber, onion, mint, and dill. Serve with pita or tortilla chips.

Recipe for July 5

2008-07-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars

Made By Sarah Leonard and found in Rachael Ray's magazine

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup local honey

2 cups granola, such as Back to Nature brand

1 cup rice cereal, such as Rice Krispies

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup thin pretzel sticks

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar with the honey and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. remove the saucepan from the heat.

Add the granola, rice cereal, raisins, and pretzels to the saucepan and fold the ingredients to evenly coat with the sauce. Transfer the granola mixture to a 9-by-13-inch ungreased baking pan and press firmly to evenly fill. Gently press the chocolate chips onto the top of the granola. Let the granola mixture set in the refrigerator until firm, about 15 minutes, then cut into 2-1/4-by-3-inch bars. Yum-o!

Recipe for June 28

2008-07-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

Yellow Squash Cookies

Baked by Asia Bonacci

1-1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 cup margarine or butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup shredded yellow squash

3 cups quick cooking oats

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

1 cup raisins (optional)

Blend flours, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon together; set aside. Beat butter or margarine with brown sugar and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating completely after each one. Add vanilla and beat until smooth. Add flour mixture, one-third at a time, beating on low speed until combined. Stir in squash. Add oats, beating on low speed until combined. Stir in nuts and raisins, if desired. Drop by teaspoonful onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-10 minutes.

What's Fresh for Saturday, July 5

2008-07-04T05:41:00.000-07:00

What's fresh?

Happy Fourth of July weekend

from the Farmers and Friends of the Cleveland Farmers Market!

We appreciate your support!

"Those who labour in the earth are the chosen people of God, if ever he had a chosen people, whose breasts he has made his peculiar deposit for substantial and genuine virtue. It is the focus in which he keeps alive that sacred fire, which otherwise might escape from the face of the earth."

Thomas Jefferson, c. 1781

- Yellow squash, sweet corn, crisp cucumbers, and perfect-for-frying okra from Mr. Smitty of Mound Bayou

- Baby squash and cool cucumbers, limited edition blackberry jelly, tomato jelly, and pickled peaches, and the usual delicious assortment of jams, jellies, preserves, and hot sauces from Mickey and Nancy Sellers of Cleveland

- Juicy peaches and (possibly, if we're really lucky) blackberries from The Apple Farm of Cleveland

- Tender yellow squash and fresh cucumbers from Owen and Dorothy Scarbrough of Shelby

- Basil transplants and yummy, ready-made basil pesto from Jesse Strassburg of Cleveland

- Ready-for-dippin' cucumbers and throw-me-in-a-casserole yellow squash from Mack and Ollie Hoop of Cleveland

- Delicious farm-fresh eggs and sweet plum jelly from Patrice Chandler of Ruleville

- Assorted greenhouse vegetables and herbs from Cornelius Toole of Mound Bayou

This list is accurate as of Friday, July 4 but is subject to change without notice.

Quantities of all items may be limited. Please come at 8 a.m. for the best selection.

July 2008 "Delta Flavor"

2008-07-01T14:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Delta Flavor, the unofficial e-newsletter of the Cleveland Farmers Market. Delta Flavor is the term we like to use for the taste of the freshest local produce that can be found in the Mississippi Delta.

Recap of June 2008 Markets:
The Cleveland Farmers Market opened on June 14, 2008 to record crowds and sales. In the first two markets, farmers made over $1,400 and customers purchased a tremendous variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, value-added products, honey, and eggs. There was a bit of a slump on June 28 with many vendors out of town or coping with the hot dry weather.

It seemed that you couldn't open the local newspapers in June without reading a positive article about the Cleveland Farmers Market. Many thanks go out to the Cleveland News Leader's Sarah Coleman and Kristy Kitchings and the Bolivar Commercial's Candrese Jones for their outstanding support. Of course, Strings Design created an eye-catching logo and advertising campaign which also greatly contributed to the early success.

And, the Cleveland Farmers Market received a generous grant from Heifer International to sustain our ongoing mission of growing the market and the community.

July 2008 Market News:

Market Days: July 5, July 12, July 19, and July 26
Monthly Meeting: July 12 at 10 a.m. (after the Market) behind the Cleveland Post Office
In July, 1,300 WIC participants will receive $18,200 in vouchers to spend at the Cleveland Farmers Market. The Cleveland Farmers Market is a proud participant of the Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
Check out the Friends Tent later this month for t-shirts and tote bags and stickers. The shirts and bags will be for sale with all proceeds benefitting the Friends Tent.

Friends Tent Schedule:

July 5 -- Sarah Leonard and Jerry Kandies
July 12 -- Emily and Jay Weaver (tentative)
July 19 -- Rie Somlai and OPEN
July 26 -- OPEN

Keep it coming!

2008-06-26T14:58:00.000-07:00

It was another great Saturday on June 21. The word has gotten out about the Cleveland Farmers Market! The Cleveland News Leader's June 22 edition had a front page article and a business section article and an editorial promoting the market. With such tremendous support from the community and the media, we can expect more and more success. One caveat: Do what ever rain dance you can. It's dry, and our farmers need the rain.

Here are the stats for June 21:

Justina (twice in a row! that's a Friend!) and Eric were the volunteers at the Friends Tent
Farmers present/represented: Strassburg, Friends of the Environment, Floyd, Sellers, Chandler, Smitty, Toole, Scarbrough, The Apple Farm, and Blue Lake Honey Farm
Customers counted: 154 (-2 from June 14)
Approximate revenue total: $750
Products sold: Yellow squash, patty pan squash, cucumbers, green tomatoes, red tomatoes, tomato plants, potted day lilies, basil, okra, sweet potatoes, honey, beets, hot peppers, eggplants, eggs, jams, jellies, preserves, hot sauces, corn, peaches, and apples

Friends Tent Update:
June 28 -- Asia Bonacci and Jesse Strassburg
July 5 -- Sarah Leonard and Jerry Kandies
July 12 -- Emily and Jay Weaver (tentative)
July 19 -- OPEN
July 26 -- OPEN
August 2 -- OPEN
August 9 -- Eleanor and John Green (tentative)
August 16 -- OPEN
August 23 -- OPEN
August 30 -- OPEN
Email or call me if you're interested in volunteering for the Friends Tent. Look at Eric and Justina's happy faces. That could be you!

Recipes from June 14 and June 21

2008-06-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

Peach Cobbler

Courtesy of Nancy Sellers

1 stick of butter or margarine

1 cup self-rising flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup milk

2-3 cups fresh peach slices

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Melt one stick of butter in an 8 inch by 8 inch pan. In a separate bowl, mix flour, sugar, and milk. Pour into pan with butter. Pour peaches on top. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Pound Cake with Lemon-Basil Glaze

Found by Michelle Johansen in Cooking Light Magazine

Lemon-Basil Glaze:

1/4 cup half-and-half

3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Dash of salt

Combine half-and-half and basil in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave at HIGH for 45 seconds. Let stand 5 minutes. Strain mixture through a sieve over a bowl; discard basil. Combine half-and-half, powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons juice, and dash of salt; stir with a whisk until smooth. Drizzle half of glaze over cake; let stand 5 minutes or until set. Repeat with remaining glaze.

What's Fresh for Saturday, June 21

2008-06-20T07:49:00.000-07:00

What's fresh?

- Farm-fresh eggs and plum jelly from Patrice Chandler of Ruleville*

- Local clover and soybean honey from Blue Lake Honey in Drew

- Gorgeous, blooming potted day lilies from Laura Floyd of Cleveland*

- Just-picked yellow squash, beans, cucumbers, beets, sweet corn, and banana peppers from Mack and Ollie Hoop of Cleveland

- Ready-to-plant tomato plants and ready-to-eat-right-now yellow squash and cucumbers from Owen and Dorothy Scarbrough of Shelby

- Juicy peaches and plums and yellow squash from The Apple Farm of Cleveland

- An encore of dewberry jelly (went fast last week!) and assorted jams, jellies, preserves, and hot sauces from Mickey and Nancy Sellers of Cleveland

- Cool, crisp cucumbers and yellow squash from Mr. Smitty of Mound Bayou

- Fragrant basil transplants and fresh-cut basil from Jesse Strassburg of Cleveland

- The first purple hull peas from Mr. Cornelius Toole of Mound Bayou

- Sweet yellow onions from Mechelle Wallace and the youth of Friends of the Environment from Alligator*

* First time vendor at the Cleveland Farmers Market!

This list is accurate as of Friday, June 20 but is subject to change without notice.

Quantities of all items may be limited. Come early at 8 a.m. for the best selection.

2008-06-18T11:53:00.000-07:00

Success!!!!

2008-06-15T16:25:00.001-07:00

Before I get to the nitty-gritty details, many thanks need to go out. First, the market would have been little more than a dream without the hard work of the past four years of people who are too numerous to mention without me embarrassingly leaving out somebody crucial. They planted the seeds of this year's early success. Second, thank you to the farmers and friends who came to the planning meetings and brought to the first market their delicious goods, good will, enthusiasm, and a desire to make the market THE place to be on Saturday morning. Third, Jesse, Ryan, and Nancy and Mickey Sellers are the backbone of the market. There aren't enough pina coladas in the world to express my appreciation for their persistence and commitment to the market.

We got a tremendous boost from our current media campaign. Strings Design created a superb logo and ad for us. You may have seen the posters around the Delta, thanks to our friends and farmers. Candrese Jones of the Bolivar Commercial put us on the front page of Thursday's paper, which was a key factor in drawing in the crowds. Also, the Cleveland News Leader ran four weeks of our ads, including a free color one today, and Sarah Coleman wrote an article for this week as well.

So, here's the summary of what happened:

Sarah and Justina were our volunteers at the Friends Tent, dishing out Nancy's peach cobbler and chatting with the customers.
Farmers present/represented: The Hoops, the Sellers Gang, Jesse "Basil Boy" Strassburg, Blue Lake Honey Farm, Mr. Smitty, Mr. Toole, The Apple Farm, and Mr. Scarbrough.
Customers counted: 156, not including kids in strollers
Approximate total revenue generated: $675
Customers arrived before 8 a.m.!
The band, Nature Boy Adventure, played acoustic guitar from 9-10 a.m.
Two new farmers signed up, and a new friend was recruited.
Products sold: Japanese eggplant, hot peppers, green tomatoes, tomatoes, peaches, yellow squash, collard greens, tomato plants, basil plants, rosemary, sage, spicy lettuce, bell peppers, okra, butter beans, green beans, jams, jellies, preserves, hot sauce, cucumbers, and honey.

We need a volunteer for the Friends Tent for this Saturday, June 21. Eric Atchison, a seasoned pro at the market, has volunteered but he needs a buddy. He won't bite, I promise. We have Asia and Jesse scheduled for June 28. The market will be open on July 5, and we need another friend on that day to pair up with Jerry Kandies. Contact me if you can help out.

It's a long season, but we all have a reason to proud of this tremendous start to the Cleveland Farmers Market. Let's keep the momentum going by talking up the market and encouraging more community involvement.

What's Fresh for Saturday, June 14

2008-06-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

What's Fresh?

- Summer peaches from The Apple Farm of Cleveland

- Fresh collard greens and squash from Mr. Curtis "Smitty" Smith of Mound Bayou

- Just-off-the-vine beans, hot peppers, squash, and green tomatoes from Ollie and Mack Hoop of Cleveland

- For your sweet taste buds, plum, dewberry, and peach jellies, strawberry-fig, raspberry-fig, fig, and pear preserves, and, for the savory taste buds, tomato and pear relishes, hot sauce, dill pickles, and muscadine glaze from Nancy and Mickey Sellers of Cleveland

- Baby basil seedlings, spicy lettuce, and rosemary from Mr. Jesse Strassburg of Cleveland

- Greenhouse tomatoes, bell peppers, and squash from Mr. Cornelius Toole of Mound Bayou

This list is accurate as of Friday, June 13 but is subject to change without notice.

Meeting Highlights

2008-05-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

One question: Mother Nature, what's going on? After the storms and tornado that blew through Bolivar County last night, it's a wonder everybody made it to the meeting. As far as I know, folks are doing fine, but the fruits and veggies... That's another matter.

Nice turnout of new faces and old.
Friends Update:

Issues from the last meeting: A port-a-potty was discussed at the last meeting. Jesse, Ryan, and I decided against it since it could become a headache to maintain it just for a few hours of use each week.
Ryan and Jesse came up with a new layout for the CFM, maximizing visibility, space, and convenience. The market will still be behind the post office but more directly. I'll get the map up as soon I can.
Treasurer's Report: Jesse laid out where the majority of the money left in the CFM coffers is heading. Advertising is the top priority for the CFM in the month of May. We have got to get folks to the market, beyond using word-of-mouth. Josh and Laura at Strings have been working on a two-prong plan of attack. First, we get great posters all around the Delta. Then, we put ads in the newspapers. Finally, we get some A-frame signs for market days, pointing people in the right direction. Jesse also brought ten tents for vendors to use, adding to the uniformity of the market. We discussed the on-site storage shed as a priority but not an immediate necessity. Plus, we still need to fill out our public works permission form.
Volunteer Opportunities: We're going to have to revamp the volunteer calendar significantly due to a later opening (see below at Farmers Update).

Farmers Update

Basically, the weather, particularly the rain, is wreaking havoc with the growing season. A poll of the farmers present showed that there would be very little available to sell at a May 17 opening or even a May 24 or May 31 opening. So, here's the plan. We'll have a trial run-through soft opening on Saturday, June 7 to see where we're at. Then on June 14, the new advertised opening date, we'll have the official opening. That might seem a little confusing, but the farmers need more time to get the plants in the ground and the plants need more time to produce. You can't fight with Mother Nature. The June 7 opening will be to work out the kinks in the system.

Paperwork

Vendor Applications: If you need one, call me at 662-719-9595.
We went through a draft of the CFM policies. Of course, there are more details available on paper but here are some important policies to know:

Vendors and Friends must have their respective tents up on market day by 7:45 a.m. We want to be open for business at 8 a.m. on the dot.
Vendors must sell items grown or produced by the vendors. Added-value products must contain at least one item grown by the vendor or purchased from a local farmer.
Eggs can be sold this year, but there are conditions. One, the eggs must be in a properly labeled carton. Two, the eggs must be kept in a cooler at 45 degrees or lower. Three, eggs must be reasonably clean and free of cracks and defects.
Baked goods, per authority of the health department, must be produced in a health department approved facility, and the vendor must provide the CFM with a food permit before selling.
Jams, jellies, sauces, relishes, pickles, and pickled vegetables may be home-produced, but home producers must follow labeling and safety guidelines as laid out in the policies packet.
There will be enforcement of all policies and rules this year. Three strikes, and you're out! The first offense with be treated with a written warning. The second offense warrants a monetary fine. The consequence of the third offense will be expulsion from the CFM. As Jesse noted, farmers and Friends will be held to the same standards. For example, if a farmer or Friend rolls into the market and sets up a tent at 8:15 a.m., then the penalty is the same.

Election of Farmer President: Congratulations to Coach Mickey and Nancy Sellers on winning the presidential election in a unanimous decision. Okay, we all voted for them after they had to leave a little early...and they don't know they won yet. But, I'm sure they'll be thrilled and will serve to the best of their abilities. Two for the price of one!

Here's the brand spankin' new calendar of events:
June 7 -- soft opening
June 14 -- Grand Opening
June 28 -- Special Event Day
More details to come.

Reminder: Meeting on Saturday

2008-05-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder about the meeting this Saturday, May at 9 a.m. at DSU's Center for Community and Economic Development. This is the last big meeting before our Saturday, May 17 opening, so it's especially crucial for all farmers, home gardeners, and potential vendors to attend.

On the agenda:

Friends Update
Farmers Update
Getting Ready to Open
Marketing the Market
Volunteer Opportunities
Election of Farmer President

See you on Saturday!

Farming as a labor of love

2008-04-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

Great essay in Newsweek by Lisa Kerschner, a farmer in Pennsylvania, about why she chooses to be a farmer despite tough odds.

Here she describes the community and the market:

"It is a great pleasure, after a long growing season, to meet with my customers week after week. When there is time at the market, I share snippets of news, gossip, recipe ideas, etc. Some of these folks have become my harvest-time friends, not nameless and faceless customers, and I wouldn't miss that for the world. Saying hello week after week to the hundreds or thousands of people who will be eating the food I grew is just about priceless."

That's what I'm talkin' about!

Volunteer Opportunities

2008-04-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

What are some of the responsibilities of a Saturday morning volunteer?

Be on market site from 7:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. (2.5 hours)
Set up (by 8 a.m.) and take down (at 10 a.m.) the Friends of the Farmers Market tent, table, and signs
Complete farmer survey (who is there and what did they bring)
Complete consumer headcount (how many people came and when)
Answer consumers' questions to the best of your ability
Distribute coffee and iced tea (provided by CFM)
Pass out CFM literature
Answer questions and distribute applications to potential vendors

Can I bring a friend?

Of course. The Cleveland Farmers Market depends on the community, which includes your family, friends, coworkers, church members, and neighbors. The more, the merrier. Please just remember that by signing up as a volunteer, we are counting on you to fulfill the responsibilities of the Friends of the Farmers Market table.

Is it fun?

Loads and loads of fun! Just check out Sarah's blog post from last year. What could be better than hanging out on a summer Saturday morning with the good folks of the Delta? Plus, you get first dibs on all of the fresh produce!

What Saturdays are available?

June 7, 14, 21, and 28
July 5, 12, 19, and 26
August 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
September 6, 13, 20, and 27
October 4, 11, 18, and 25
November 1, 8, 15, and 22

How do I sign up?

At the bottom of this post, leave a comment with your name, phone number, email address, and the date you want to volunteer. If you leave a comment, then other folks can see which dates have already been taken and sign up accordingly.

The voters have spoken

2008-04-11T05:30:00.000-07:00

And the winner of our inaugural CFM poll is (drum roll, please) tomatoes! It was tight, though, and the berries and other fruits came close. Don't worry. Jesse, Ryan, and I are not superdelegates, so the voting stands. I've spoken with several potential sources of traditionally grown tomatoes and hydroponically grown tomatoes about making sure we have a steady supply of fresh, Mississippi Delta grown tomatoes all summer long. Fresh fruit and more berries will be on their way once I can get the farmers to commit to selling at the CFM. If anybody knows of good sources of fruit and berries, please leave the information in the comment section below, and I'll follow up on your tips. We'll still have herbs at the CFM to go with the lovely tomatoes.

Jesse, Ryan, and I are meeting on Monday to hash out some ideas and decide what needs to get done before the next Cleveland Farmers Market meeting for farmers and friends. Please leave a comment on this post if you have a topic that you want us to discuss, research, or consider on Monday.

Just a reminder, the next meeting is Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 9 a.m. at DSU's Center for Community and Economic Development.

Meeting Highlights

2008-04-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
Will Rogers

Amen to that. Not only is the CFM on the right track this year, building on all of the hard work and lessons learned of the past three seasons, but it's moving forward and getting things done. Here are some of the meeting's highlights:

Great turnout with a mix of farmers and friends. Nice to see everybody, old and new folks, on a Saturday morning.
Congratulations to Ryan Betz, Jesse Strassburg, and me, on being elected secretary, treasurer, and market manager, respectively. We're holding an election for president at the next meeting. Ideally, the president should be a farmer so that there's farmer input on the executive board and in decision making. The farmers present at the meeting didn't want to commit just yet so we'll do it May 3.
Friends' and farmers' update:

A planning committee of friends and farmers formed to plan a big opening day event. So far, Eleanor Green, Cam McMillen, and Jerry Kandies have joined in. More volunteers are needed to make opening day a success. Making the CFM a fun Saturday morning community destination is a big goal this year.
The week of rain hasn't been conducive for farmers to get stuff into the ground, prompting some concern and discussion of what would be available in May. Our guest, Purvie Green, suggested a "soft opening" in May and then a big community celebration day in June.
There were also exchanges about what farmers are growing and what consumers want. We've got to bridge the gap between the friends and farmers otherwise nobody wins. This month, I'm working on securing reliable sources of tomatoes and blueberries and more fruit. Also, I'm working on making sure that farmers can sell eggs this year.
Baked goods came up since the Mockingbird Bakery in Greenwood has an interest in selling at the market. We also discussed that we wanted local home bakers to participate so long as they complied with market, local, and state food safety protocol.

Purvie Green, Mississippi's state coordinator for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, briefed us on the program. It was helpful to have his input about marketing the market, working with WIC participants, getting more farmers involved, and best practices during the meeting since he works with markets all over the state.
Thanks to the Dreyfus Foundation and Heifer International, the CFM has about $4,000 to spend on the market. Luckily, Ryan knows a new graphic design group, Strings, which is willing to do design work pro bono. Ideas that kicked around were posters, brochures, shirts, bags, signs, and magnets. We also talked about purchasing tables and tents and dry erase boards for farmers so the market would uniform.

The next meeting will be Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 9 a.m. at DSU's Center for Community and Economic Development. Hope to see you there!

Welcome!

2008-04-03T19:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Cleveland Farmers Market.

Cleveland, Mississippi, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta.

Now in its fourth season, the Cleveland Farmers Market will open for business on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 8 a.m. and run every Saturday through the summer and fall until November 22. That's a lot of great locally grown produce and goods available for the good citizens of the Delta to get their hands on.

There is an organizational meeting on Saturday, April 5 at 9 a.m. at DSU's Center for Community and Economic Development. On the agenda: farmers update, friends update, Purvie Green speaking about the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, election of officers, and budget news. All farmers, friends of the farmers market, and the public are encouraged to attend. Highlights of the meeting will be posted just in case you can't make it.

There will be another organizational meeting on Saturday, May 3 (location and time TBA), which will cover the last details before the market opens on May 17th. Check this blog in the coming weeks for more details.