'Occupy local': Farmers Markets and CSA's!

No matter your political stance, we can all rally around a  heap of ripe cantaloupe and fresh-picked veggies as we 'occupy local' and support our local farmers market.

According to our own Susan McCoy, trendspotter and garden expert, "Farmers markets are our new backyard veggie gardens and are becoming our local grocery store. 'Occupy local ' means chickens in your own backyard, buying produce at the local food shed and CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture) and gardening with a purpose."

Although it's technically still winter, some winter farmers markets are open and provide year-round fresh produce and local specialties. Check 'em out!

The USDA is actively engaged in developing partnerships with farmers markets via their initiative: Know your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative. In 2011, they've counted over 7,100 operating farmers markets in the nation and over 170 food hubs. And Local Harvest has a great list of organic food grown closest to you. Their tag line: Real food. Real farmers. Real Community seems to say it all.

Tell us what market you prefer, fabulous finds, and whether you'll be joining a CSA this year.

And "occupy local" to support your local farmers and CSA's for better tasting, healthier, fresher food with a nod to a more sustainable future and a "happier" Mother Earth.

~Lynne

GMG 
photo credit: Garden Media Group
Kennett Square Farmers Market

Farm in Your Yard

Always wanted a backyard veggie garden but don't know a petunia from a parsnip. Then here's a plan for you. The owners of Happy Cat Farm, Tim Mountz (terrain's nursery manager and tomato expert) and his wife Amy Bloom, have started a new venture with a twist: They come to your home and help you design, build and maintain your own veggie garden. Their approach is really cool. They meet with you to talk about what food you really like and would love to grow. Then they build a sustainable edible landscape for you, which they maintain weekly -- meaning they water, weed and harvest. When they're finished, they leave a box of produce from your own farm. If you want ot help, that's great. But you can do as much or as little as you want. (And you may want to protect your hard work so be sure to get some of the Liquid Fence Dual Action Rabbit Repellent we talked about earlier.) Tim or Amy are in Kennett Square and can be reached at Happy Cat Organics or call 610-217-7723. Or you meet Tim at terrain. To find a local harvest near you click CSA . Now if I only had sun! Suzi