Building a Future by Saving the Past

“I need a barn”. A simple statement, sure. Doesn’t every young boy need a place to store his ever-growing collection of old farm equipment? Perhaps not so often today, but Jack Deford of Casstown relishes his old-fashioned leanings. “I’ve taken over 20,000 photographs of farms, barns, and equipment in the area, and every time I see one falling down I want to save it.”

Jack is one of the newer vendors on Miami County Locally Grown, the Virtual Farmer’s Market based in Troy. A focus of the market is to foster collaboration, whether with customers and local businesses or simply among vendors themselves, believing cooperation will improve as well as stimulate the local economy and community. Whether sharing expertise, recipes, or sourdough, vendors are constantly finding ways to work together.

So when Jack mentioned his need, fellow vendors Lee Ruff and Matt Buehler were on hand to step in and offer their help.

Lee is a full-time farmer on his End of the Road Farm in Fletcher. When he heard fellow vendor Jack wanted to build a barn, Lee suggested he simply find an old one in need of a home, take it down piece by piece, and rebuild it on the family homestead. It takes a certain confidence and craziness to make that sound doable, yet Lee speaks from experience. His biannual winter project the past ten years has been doing just that – taking down a local piece of agricultural antiquity and bringing it home, to be rebuilt in it’s entirety, or just used for pieces and parts to repair his existing structures.

The required tools? A hammer, a 3 ft pry bar, an 8 pound sledge, a 5/8th steel rod, an occasional come-a-long, and a 16 ft trailer.

How’s this for determination? In two days and 16 work hours, he took down and loaded a 21’x17’ pig house with attached corn crib, that became his “new” tractor garage. With plenty to occupy his days and nights, including his young family, 21 acre farm, crops as diverse as spelt, sorghum, and produce, not to mention their dairy cow, pigs, and chickens, Lee only has a small window of time to devote to his infrastructure projects – especially when pulling nails can become a three week job.

A 40’x60’ barn, 20’ tall, is the largest structure Lee has so far taken down himself.

When questioned about his tools and their role, Lee explains, “You can’t just whack on it with a hammer – you’ll wreck it! This job requires finesse. It has to come apart in good enough shape to go back together. Every board you break is one you can’t reuse as you should.” So precision and patience are as important as prowess and power.

Enter Matt Buehler, the younger half of Phil Buehler and Matt Buehler Farms. With his dad, Phil, they supply the Virtual Market with their ever-popular, delicious pork. And Matt just happened to be the right guy at the right time. As a roofing contractor, he comes into contact with many area farmers. Matt put Lee and Jack in touch with a man who ended up having not one, but three barns he was going to burn, making room for a more open structure that’d be conducive to his modern farm equipment.

But thankfully not before others could use the materials! Inside the barns Jack discovered old wagon sides he could use to finish rebuilding the wagon he was restoring. And he found himself in a classic case of “Be careful what you wish for”… it was so short a time frame in which the farmer needed the buildings taken down before his new structure was ready to go up. Although Jack wasn’t ready to immediately pour footers and take one of these structures home, he did look forward to learning what works for Lee, who is currently bringing the first of the three barns home as quickly as possible. Lee assured Jack there were more buildings than he could ever want just waiting for him when the time was right in the future.

When asked why he does this brutal hard work, Lee replied, “Because I picture the men who built those barns with their wooden ladders and axes, saws and hammers, taking a drink from their stoneware jugs… it’s a terrible shame to let such hard work go to rot, or to waste. You can see in the beams the pride those men would’ve felt standing in the finished barn. They’re works of art, pieces of our history, and I’d save every one if I could.”

The chickens who lived there, the pigs who were fed out there, the horses with their harness all shined up on the wall, the cows who were milked there… each of these old barns are full of stories, and when they’re saved by appreciative folks like Lee and Jack, they’ll continue to share both their worth and stories for generations to come.

What a Night!

Thanks to all the vendors, customers, friends and new acquaintances who came our to our Winter Farmer’s Market tonight!

Local Paintings, A Silent Auction, AND a Farmer's Market?!

But this night is so much more than “just” a farmer’s market… with a fundraising drive for the First Place Food Pantry, customers may choose to make a donation for items which the Pantry is most in need of – and vendors can match those donations!

The First Place Food Pantry is the main Pantry in Troy, and when they open MWF, they provide for 40 families per day. Each family is only allowed to visit the Pantry once a month! Servicing up to 500 families each month, just in Troy? The need is great – and we can help!

PLUS a silent auction?! Yes! Over 20 beautiful paintings on 16”x20” canvas from both local artists and art instructors will be available throughout the market for silent bidding – all winners will be contacted at the end of the night!

These paintings represent the Virtual Market’s FIRST fundraiser of 2018! What better way to find a unique gift AND support our 100% local market?!

Did I mention massage oil and chocolates for Valentine’s Day?! Artisan vendors will offer a variety of hand-crafted soaps, pottery, wool and fiber crafts, shopping bags and kitchen items, custom-roasted coffee and herbal teas.

Grab a free cup of herbal tea or coffee (while supplies last!) and sit a while with a jumbo muffin, brownie, or slice of pie!

With the perfect opportunity for vendors and MCLG customers to meet, this night also allows NEW customers to check out the Virtual Market pick-up, and see firsthand just how quick and convenient shopping with MCLG can be!!

We hope you join us Tuesday at First Place anytime between 4 and 7pm :-)

Welcome to our Newest Vendor!!!

Lucy and Bill Chapman have been enthusiastic supporters of the Virtual Market since it opened in 2016, and now Lucy joins the market as our newest vendor, with the 100% wool dryer balls she designs and felts!

Coming from an artistic family of painters, potters, and tailors, Lucy was no stranger to creativity. After taking up knitting in college, she attempted her first felted project in 2002 when her oldest daughter was just a baby – and as she talked about that first pair of slippers, she laughed at how badly they turned out!

But she fell in love with taking everything she had hand-knitted, from socks and hats to rugs and bags, and carefully felting them with special barbed needles until the stitches completely disappeared, creating a product she could sell with a genuine life-time guarantee – remarkable to be that sure of your product!

Lucy says as soon as she attempted those early projects, she instantly “caught the bug”, as she practiced and grew to appreciate the balance of science and art, being exact yet creative. She relishes how the wool fiber was so totally unpredictable, it changed during the process until the resulting item looked entirely different than when it started. Not only might the texture change, but even the way the colors in the wool blend together, as was evident in the sturdy, colorful rug she showed me in her bright, cheery kitchen. And the size! Although many of her bags are a finished 8”x10”, they start out three times that size when she originally knits the piece… that is A LOT of fiber, especially when you realize it’s 100% wool!

What set her apart is her commitment to sourcing her wool locally. And her oft-used source for natural, lovely fiber? None other than our very own Dennis and Keba Hitzeman, who own and operate Innisfree on the Stillwater Farm in Pleasant Hill! Familiar faces on the Virtual Market with Dennis’ custom-roasted coffees and the pottery Keba throws, Innisfree is also home to several Shetland sheep who often supply both Keba and Lucy with the beautiful roving they transform into so many different creations!

Dryer balls are used to reduce the static caused by overdrying – and with a few drops of essential oils added, they also eliminate the want of a dryer sheet. But they’re even more multipurpose than that, as was proved by Grace, the 12 year old, four-legged Welcoming Committee who greeted me with one of Lucy’s felted balls in her mouth! I was ready to declare the thing indestructable as Grace went to town with her chew toy.

The plain wool balls are functional and pretty enough, but don’t hold a candle to the ones which Lucy painstakingly adds images – the sheep, goats and pigs would make the most darling mobile for a newborn, or toys for a young child, especially because they’re completely natural and non-toxic. And don’t get me started on the ladybugs and frogs she fashions, as I had to see them in person to appreciate how darling they really are!

When I had pulled up to the Chapman home, my immediate thought, as I battled an extreme case of Stone Porch Envy, was whoever lived in such a gorgeous example of workmanship should be creative – and I was not disappointed!

Closing time!

Only 3 more hours to order! Plenty of time before the game :-)

We close tonight at 8pm!

Ready for LUNCH?!

And which inspired chef is offering their first serving of lunch on this monumental occasion? None other than our very own TIN ROOF MOBILE FOOD!!

With their Rockin’ Ribeye sandwich, the Alabama Slammer, Pulled Pork and more, what better way to start off this exciting new venture (and don’t forget their Chocolate Chocolate Brownies)!

But hurry… because they only have a limited number of lunches!! When they’re gone, they’re gone!!

Check out LUNCH’s beautiful website and facebook page for more information, because they not only now offer quick and delicious local lunch options Downtown, but also a gorgeous space for parties, events, bridal showers, and more!

www.lunchintroy.com

www.facebook.com/lunchintroy

“We are a satellite kitchen and pop-up lunch spot serving lunch Monday – Friday from 11am – 2pm or until we sell out.  We pride ourselves in having quick, tasty and local food prepared by local restaurants, food trucks and chefs.  Eat in or take your lunch to go . . . whatever suits your fancy” :-)

Separation of the Virtual Market and Miami County Local Food Council

Dear Miami County Locally Grown customers, friends, and local food supporters:

The Miami County Local Food Council and Miami County Locally Grown Virtual Farmer’s Market would like to thank you whole heartedly for your support of our local food projects within Miami County during 2017!

The Miami County Local Food Council began over 5 years ago with a group of like minded individuals concerned about local food issues in Miami County. Out of the many opportunities available, the council chose to develop an innovative virtual farmers market that would allow farmers and vendors another avenue of income, while also providing customers convenient access to truly local food. Miami County Locally Grown began in August 2016 as a collaborative effort between the Miami County Local Food Council and OSU Extension through a grant from the USDA. The grant funding expired in August of 2017 and Miami County Locally Grown was then overseen by Miami County Local Food Council.

To better serve the local food community, and to grow both organizations (Miami County Local Food Council and Miami County Locally Grown), it has been agreed to operate as separate entities, who will still work in collaboration with each other in the interest of local food, but under separate management.

Miami County Locally Grown continues to provide an easy way for consumers and producers to buy and sell goods, supporting the local economy and encouraging healthy eating habits while building positive community relationships. Jennifer Ruff will continue to serve as Market Manager for Miami County Locally Grown.

Miami County Local Food Council is currently planning the 5th annual Locavore Dinner and the 2nd Local Food Summit. Miami County Local Food Council is working to establish food policy at the local, state and national level and become involved in public education on the value of local foods within the county, state and country.

If you are interested in becoming involved in either of these endeavors, please contact Miami County Locally Grown or Miami County Local Food Council at their respective emails below.

Sincerely,

Miami County Local Food Council

www.miamicountylocalfoodcouncil@gmail.com

Miami County Locally Grown

miamicountylocallygrown@gmail.com

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And thanks to Rural Life Today and www.mymiamicounty.com for running the Vendor Feature on King’s Poultry Farm!

We’re open til 8pm tonight for orders!

Our Latest Featured Vendor?

When my family first discovered the tender, flavorful chicken that had come from King’s Poultry Farm in Bradford, I had no idea at the time just how unique was the product we were savoring.

The King Family, with parents William and Marilyn as well as the two youngest sons, Levi (30) and Reuben (26), raise chickens year-round, along with pastured turkeys for Thanksgiving, strictly feeding Non-GMO grain. Interesting enough – but more importantly, they also own and operate King and Sons Poultry Service Inc, one of only TWO federally inspected custom chicken processors in the state of Ohio!

Not only do they raise the birds on their farm which they sell in a wide variety of cuts, but they also process the birds themselves and create the recipes for their seasoned brats and sausages… an unparalleled local story of one family’s hard work, perseverance, and determination in a difficult but oh so important industry.

What better way to control the quality of your product than to manage its care all the way from the raising to the final frozen package. I was blown aware by the shear uniqueness of their operation – only one other family in Ohio can say they raise and process their own flock in their own federally inspected plant. In addition, they process 1,900 other poultry flocks each year, from local farmers to folks in Indiana, North Carolina, West Virginia and Pennsylvania… a total of over 150,000 chickens and 12,000 turkeys in 2017! To think they operate in our own backyard is astounding!!

How did they get their start? Parents William and Marilyn King had been raising and butchering their own chickens since 1983. By 1994, they were looking for a business the family could operate together that would keep their five young sons occupied and fulfilled, so established King’s Poultry Farm. From the original modest 20×30’ building to a more than 7000 sq ft facility where today, ten chickens are processed in one minute, the King’s business has continued to grow and thrive – even amidst such horrific losses as the barn fire in 2015 when they lost 4000 birds in a 10,000sq ft barn. Did I mention perseverance?

Very in tune with customer demands, they made the switch to exclusively feeding Non-GMO grain in 2015. When a customer suggested a brat made with apple, the resulting Chicken Apple Bratwurst quickly became a favorite that you simply must experience. And an additional niche is their plant becoming Certified Organic in 2001, enabling farmers who raise organic poultry to have their birds processed according to the National Organic Program.

Many of the small family producers in our area soon become well acquainted with both the state and federal requirements they must adhere to when they raise, package, market, and sell food in Ohio. Simply wading through the regulations can be daunting when you’re starting or scaling up. Learning more, however, about the intricacies of the King’s operation gave me both a deeper respect for them personally and a greater appreciation for their business sense and products. A 13 month wait to have a new label approved? Perfect knowledge (earned by research and experience) of what it takes to legally make a claim such as Non-GMO? The list goes on and on, as my appreciation of what it takes to run the King’s operation grows dramatically. :-)

It has been a pleasure to meet this family, and I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned. When I initially visited William, Levi and Reuben at their plant, I was surprised by the scale and efficiency of their operation, as I toured with the most gracious hosts to be found. Savvy businessmen, and one of the most popular vendors on the Virtual Market, Miami County Locally Grown, Levi in particular has continued to answer my questions logically and thoughtfully – readily sharing exact numbers off the cuff, and strategizing with an analytical mind for the greater good of both his own business and the Virtual Market as a whole.

Levi, lovely wife Jacqueline and adorable 5 month old Matthew (their youngest of four children), surprised customers who came to pick up their Virtual Market products on Tuesday with samples of Tomato Basil Chicken Patties, and Sweet Italian Chicken Sausages. The tempting aroma and savory samples were delicious crowd pleasers – and the good news for customers is the King family will be back with their popular products (and samples!) for the Winter Farmer’s Market on Tue Feb 13th!!

Even more exciting news to share – the King’s intention to host a Tour of their processing plant this Spring!

The idea of a successful, family-owned and operated local business may seem idealistic and charming, but in the case of King’s Poultry Farm, that idea is both very real and utterly inspiring.

Check out this week's new sales!

ON SALE this week…

Crusty Sourdough Baguettes from 6635 StudeBaker, that pair beautifully with A Taste of Italy bread dipping mix from McGuffey Herb and Spice Co (also on sale!)

And Michael’s Pastured Poultry lowered the price on his Whole Broiler Chickens that come cut-up for your convenience!