Jenkins Country Comforts & Farm Market

Only three more weeks to go - including today!

Over the past weeks we have been featuring 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 Jenkins Country Comforts & Farm Market!

Owners: Dave and Pat Jenkins

Local Items: Sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, strawberries, red raspberries, blackberries, vegetables, greens, artisan breads, cookies and pies!

Vendor Information: Welcome to Jenkins family farm! My husband Dave and I - with help from our oldest son Matthew, farm 1000 acres of mostly corn and soybeans. My husband is a third generation farmer. We live on - what at one time - was his grandparents farm. About ten years ago I decided we needed to add more to our farm - to have contact with the local people in the community who consumed our products, so I decided to start an on-property farm market.

We had an old barn that was built in 1921 (with timber from the farm it sits on) that was not really being used. Fast forward ten years. We now farm 1000 acres of corn and soybeans, nine acres of sweet corn, two acres of pumpkins and another three acres of raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green beans and other assorted vegetables. We sell at three farmers markets in the Peoria, Illinois area. We also have an on-farm market and bakery which is open seasonally.

"Most farmers are not as lucky as I have been. The farm markets allow us to talk directly to people about our food and how its grown. American farmers want our food to be the safest in the world, because what YOU eat is also what WE eat."

Stop by the Heights Farm Market on Wednesdays from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm - now through mid-September - to meet Pat and pick-up some of her wonderful produce, sweet corn if it's still available (the best in Illinois) and fresh baked pies!

Do you take Advance Orders: Yes - with a minimum 24 hour notice.
Phone in Advance Order: (309) 822-8645
Email Advance Order: jenkinscountry@yahoo.com

On-Farm Market Location: 1861 State Rt 26, Metamora, Illinois 61548

*Note: On-farm market is open seasonally. Please call for hours of operation.

DMG's Beehaven 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 DMG's Beehaven Farm!

Owners: Dan and Miseon Grillot

Local Items: Honey, Tomatoes, Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Garlic, Eggplant, Okra, Summer Squash, Vegetables, Fruit and Fresh Cut Flowers.

Vendor Information: Dan and Miseon started their farm 16 years ago when Dan retired from the United States Air Force. They pride themselves on being good stewards of the land - growing a wide variety of flowers, vegetables, fruit and nuts without the use of chemicals.

Dan is also a beekeeper. New for 2011, he has a small quantity of high quality honey available at the market. (Note: I purchased their honey and it is buttery, smooth delicious goodness in a jar!)

Stop by the Heights Farm Market on Wednesdays from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm - now through mid-September - to meet Dan and Miseon. They are looking forward to meeting you!

Farm Location: Canton, Illinois.

Market Favorites...

What is your favorite harvest during the market season?

Fresh Berries?
Melons?
Flowers?
Vine Ripened Tomatoes?
Fresh Cut Herbs?

Share your faves in the comment section and if you want to, we'd love for you to share how you prepare them too!

See you next Wednesday!!