Good News!

We have some favorites already responding for our winter market.  We are happy to welcome back the always delicious Danish Pastry House, Jones Farm, Fior D'Italia, Bagel Alley, Liberty Fish, Sweet Lydias. and Gay Grace Teas.  We are also planning on having a special 'event' each week - from free informative lectures to cooking demonstrations. 

Vendor Applications Are Now Being Accepted

I've finally gotten my application ready for the 2011/2012 season.  If you are a vendor interested in our market, or you know of someone that would be interested, the link is on the right side of the page.  Our Opening Day will be November 5, 2011.  I can't wait!!

Now is the time to join a CSA

If you like this blogsite, then chances are, you would probably be interested in a CSA.  If you're not familiar with CSAs, then the following description taken from Jones Farm's (Chelmsford, MA) website is a great explanation:

CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a mutually beneficial collaboration between local farmers and their customers to support local agriculture and the availability of fresh, sustainably grown produce. The CSA concept is becoming increasingly popular as consumers look for ways to eat healthier and reduce their carbon footprint on the earth - in other words, eliminate the cost to transport vegetables and fruit to our local community for consumption. With many farms in jeopardy, CSA also provides an easy way to help farmers remain in business. Customers pay in advance of the growing season for fresh produce (at a rate below farm stand prices) and reap the benefits throughout the growing season. It's good for the consumer, the farmer, and the earth.
 

Check out the Jones Farm CSA website:

Jones Farm CSA

If you're not in the Chelmsford area, then check out the following link to find a CSA near you:

2011 NOFA/Mass CSA Listing

Free Seminars - Raising Chickens In Your Backyard

Chelmsford Agway will be offering two free seminars on how to get started raising chickens in your backyard.  All the basics will be covered including how to choose chicks, sheltering, egg laying and feeding.  Please RSVP to 978-256-9991 or email lisab@centralmassagway.com so we can plan our spacing requirements.

Wednesday - March 30th - 4:00 to 6:00pm  - Peg Corbett of the Lancaster 4H Program will be conducting the seminar

                                                              or

Saturday - April 9th - 10:00 to 12:00 - Terry Golson author of Tillie Lays an Egg and The Farmstead Egg Cookbook and host of the website HenCam.com will be conducting the seminar

Both seminars will be at Chelmsford Agway - 24 Maple Road - Chelmsford, MA








                          

Interesting Site On Going "Greener"

Here is a new organization (totally free) that is promoting going "greener" - check out their website.
http://www.ibelievein3halves.com/index.php

Good Reasons to Shop at Farmers Markets

Nice article on why it makes sense to shop at farmers markets.

http://www.lawncareservice.net/blog/2011/10-advantages-to-going-to-a-farmers-market/

Photos from Feb 5 Farmers Market

Our season has come to an end.  I would like to thank everyone that made it out to the market to shop.  Not only did you get some fresh and delicious food - you have helped farms and small businesses more than you can imagine. I would also like to thank all the fantastic vendors that have been at our market - what a fantastic mix of wonderful personalities and genuinely nice people - I will miss you all - until November!