Each week we plan to feature one of the Heights Farm Market vendors - allowing you, our customers insight into who they are, what they do and identifying why they are such an asset to our local Heights Farm Market.
This week we are showcasing Prescott's Farm / Petal Song Apiaries / Twisted Chicken!
Owners: Leslie Schenkel / Linda Prescott
Local Items: Honey, Vegetables, Herbs
Vendor Information: Linda Prescott started beekeeping in 2005 and works with husband Pat on a 34 acre farm raising sustainable vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers. They are in the process of restoring three barns that were originally built in the 1930's.
Fresh honey is a special find at farm markets. So, stop by the Heights Farm Market to meet Leslie and Linda. They are looking forward to meeting you!
Email: twstdchicken@hughes.net
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
White Chimney Farm
Each week we plan to feature one of the Heights Farm Market vendors - allowing you, our customers insight into who they are, what they do and identifying why they are such an asset to our local Heights Farm Market.
This week we are showcasing White Chimney Farm!
Owner: Larry Shawback
Local Items: General Produce
Vendor Story: White Chimney Farm - located in Washburn, Illinois - provides all naturally grown (from certified organic seed) produce of the old Heirloom varieties. In Larry's efforts to accomplish this, he uses the SPIN method of farming. SPIN stands for Small Plot Intensive Relay. By using this method, there is a freshly harvested supply of produce for each market week - also keeping an active crop rotation for best soil health.
"I am proud of these all natural growing methods," states Larry, "while not yet certified as organic as mentioned above, my seeds are certified organic."
Ground care is managed only by rototilling and hand hoeing. No weed inhibitors or pesticides in any form are ever used. Fertilization - only all natural and organic composting materials are used. Natural soil amendments - kelp meal and a fish based liquid round things out. As for water? Whenever possible, captured rain water is used. When not available, ground water from a cistern or well water is used.
This week we are showcasing White Chimney Farm!
Owner: Larry Shawback
Local Items: General Produce
Vendor Story: White Chimney Farm - located in Washburn, Illinois - provides all naturally grown (from certified organic seed) produce of the old Heirloom varieties. In Larry's efforts to accomplish this, he uses the SPIN method of farming. SPIN stands for Small Plot Intensive Relay. By using this method, there is a freshly harvested supply of produce for each market week - also keeping an active crop rotation for best soil health.
"I am proud of these all natural growing methods," states Larry, "while not yet certified as organic as mentioned above, my seeds are certified organic."
Ground care is managed only by rototilling and hand hoeing. No weed inhibitors or pesticides in any form are ever used. Fertilization - only all natural and organic composting materials are used. Natural soil amendments - kelp meal and a fish based liquid round things out. As for water? Whenever possible, captured rain water is used. When not available, ground water from a cistern or well water is used.
This is Larry's fifth year of market gardening. The first four years were part-time, but as of July 1st, 2011, he is a full-time gardener. And Larry - from all of us at the Heights Farm Market - we are so glad you are! White Chimney Farm is a wonderful addition to the Heights Farm Market and the local community.
Advance Order Information:
White Chimney Farm
817 Linn
Washburn, IL 61570
Email: tud@mchsi.com
Phone: (309) 6578531
Visit White Chimney Farm's Website.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Crow Creek Farms
Each week we plan to feature one of the Heights Farm Market vendors - allowing you, our customers insight into who they are, what they do and identifying why they are such an asset to the local Heights Farm Market.
This week we are showcasing Crow Creek Farms!
Owner: Kathy Corso
Local Items: Handmade Pasta, Ravioli, Pesto, Salsa and Fresh Herbs and Produce
Chi mangia bene, vive bene - Who eats well, lives well - is the motto of Kathy Corso's farm which started in 2006 as a family enterprise in an effort to grow local herbs and produce in a healthy sustainable way. Kathy says that neither she nor her two adult daughters, Angela and Kristina, had any real agricultural training (except for a backyard garden). The whole idea came about in the spring of 2005 after the girls returned from an Italian Farming Adventure. In the fall of 2004 Angela and Kristina spent time on five organic farms in Northern Italy. They were part of the program World Wide Opportunities in Organic Farms (WWOOF).
That was the inspiration for the family's efforts, and they started with too large a field out in Washburn near the Crow Creek, thus the name, and had no machinery so everything was and still is very hands on. After a few challenging years, they moved to an urban garden site. They saw that value added products were often appreciated by their busy customers. Handmade pastas, basil pesto and fresh salsas were and are best sellers. Kathy sated, "It has always been challenging to find the right venues and we soon realized that good marketing was essential."
While WWOOFING, her daughters became good friends with a family in Tuscany who have run an organic olive oil farm “Podere Vallari” for 30 years. "In early June we (our whole family) had the opportunity to visit this farm seven years later. The beauty of the region and the fabulous quality of “Podere Vallari” is again inspiring and helps us all recommit to the “local foods” and sustainable farming movement. I think the appreciation for fresh, wholesome food has evolved for our family the way it has for many of us. I know that I cook some new recipe including some new veggie or grain on a regular basis." Kathy says that most Italians buy fresh each day. "Even larger grocery stores have the hugest fresh produce sections!" The last 4 days of their recent tour were in Rome where the Campo di Fiori (a flower and vegetable market) is open everyday but Sunday.
The Heights Farm Market is open every Wednesday from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm through September 14th. Be sure to stop by, visit with Kathy, buy her specialty pastas and enjoy a wonderful evening out in Heritage Square on Prospect Rd - Peoria Heights, Illinois!
Click Here to Order through the Good Earth Food Alliance.
Visit Crow Creek Organics' Website.
Follow on Twitter.
Friend on Facebook.
This week we are showcasing Crow Creek Farms!
Owner: Kathy Corso
Local Items: Handmade Pasta, Ravioli, Pesto, Salsa and Fresh Herbs and Produce
Chi mangia bene, vive bene - Who eats well, lives well - is the motto of Kathy Corso's farm which started in 2006 as a family enterprise in an effort to grow local herbs and produce in a healthy sustainable way. Kathy says that neither she nor her two adult daughters, Angela and Kristina, had any real agricultural training (except for a backyard garden). The whole idea came about in the spring of 2005 after the girls returned from an Italian Farming Adventure. In the fall of 2004 Angela and Kristina spent time on five organic farms in Northern Italy. They were part of the program World Wide Opportunities in Organic Farms (WWOOF).
That was the inspiration for the family's efforts, and they started with too large a field out in Washburn near the Crow Creek, thus the name, and had no machinery so everything was and still is very hands on. After a few challenging years, they moved to an urban garden site. They saw that value added products were often appreciated by their busy customers. Handmade pastas, basil pesto and fresh salsas were and are best sellers. Kathy sated, "It has always been challenging to find the right venues and we soon realized that good marketing was essential."
While WWOOFING, her daughters became good friends with a family in Tuscany who have run an organic olive oil farm “Podere Vallari” for 30 years. "In early June we (our whole family) had the opportunity to visit this farm seven years later. The beauty of the region and the fabulous quality of “Podere Vallari” is again inspiring and helps us all recommit to the “local foods” and sustainable farming movement. I think the appreciation for fresh, wholesome food has evolved for our family the way it has for many of us. I know that I cook some new recipe including some new veggie or grain on a regular basis." Kathy says that most Italians buy fresh each day. "Even larger grocery stores have the hugest fresh produce sections!" The last 4 days of their recent tour were in Rome where the Campo di Fiori (a flower and vegetable market) is open everyday but Sunday.
The Heights Farm Market is open every Wednesday from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm through September 14th. Be sure to stop by, visit with Kathy, buy her specialty pastas and enjoy a wonderful evening out in Heritage Square on Prospect Rd - Peoria Heights, Illinois!
Click Here to Order through the Good Earth Food Alliance.
Visit Crow Creek Organics' Website.
Follow on Twitter.
Friend on Facebook.
Sweet Corn!!
As the farmers know all too well - the weather plays a major and essential part in the growing season - speeding up or delaying crops. Well...wait no longer...SWEET CORN from Jenkins' Farms is in. It is ready and will be freshly picked for Wednesday's market, which is tomorrow - the 13th!!
If you haven't had the pleasure of eating Jenkins' sweet corn. You don't know what you are missing. Many farmers in Illinois say that have good sweet corn, but it is really your taste buds that make the final decision. I love it. It's the best sweet corn I've had since growing up in Oregon. The grocery stores can't compete. You decide for yourself....
How do you like your sweet corn?
Grilled?
Steamed?
Fire Roasted?
Boiled?
Drenched in butter?
Off the cob?
On the cob?
Stop by the market tomorrow - pick up your local sweet corn, fresh flowers and produce, handmade ravioli, meat or chicken from Ioerger Farms and some locally made spicy habanero caramels for the sweet end to a locally grown and made meal.
Spread the word - see you tomorrow!
If you haven't had the pleasure of eating Jenkins' sweet corn. You don't know what you are missing. Many farmers in Illinois say that have good sweet corn, but it is really your taste buds that make the final decision. I love it. It's the best sweet corn I've had since growing up in Oregon. The grocery stores can't compete. You decide for yourself....
How do you like your sweet corn?
Grilled?
Steamed?
Fire Roasted?
Boiled?
Drenched in butter?
Off the cob?
On the cob?
Stop by the market tomorrow - pick up your local sweet corn, fresh flowers and produce, handmade ravioli, meat or chicken from Ioerger Farms and some locally made spicy habanero caramels for the sweet end to a locally grown and made meal.
Spread the word - see you tomorrow!
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