A New Winner, and a Big New Supporter

First, CONGRATULATIONS to Sandy Ehrlich, the winner of October’s Refer-a-Friend drawing! Keep those referrals coming, and we’ll draw again in November… just in time for Christmas shopping!!

Martha Pierce of Huber Heights was searching for a source of raw, local honey when she heard of the Virtual Market – and instantly fell in love with its convenience. “I’m not comfortable on computers, and I had no trouble at all. It’s so easy!”

Going home with the intention of finding a local supplier, I’m so grateful Martha encouraged him to check whether he could source the pumpkins through the Virtual Market, as she had just read all about Jack DeFord of JM Gardens in our most recent Vendor Feature, and wanted to support “that nice boy” :-)

And you know what? A simple inquiry to the Market Manager, and we seamlessly coordinated the delivery of every pumpkin JM Gardens had left on the Casstown family farm!

As President of the Trotwood Chamber of Commerce, among many other involvements, Jim is a huge supporter of local networking and supporting area businesses. “You’re building a community around a unique start-up business that fills such a necessary niche. I’m glad we were able to support each other, and hope to do so again in the future.”

Now what if more businesses Looked to Local for business luncheons? Appetizers at a meeting? Decorations for the seasons? Maybe you turn to local businesses when you think about it – but do those businesses use local ingredients and local supplies? And when I say local, I mean foods that were actually grown here in our region!! Not simply prepared here, or processed here!!

The networking potential is enormous -

What an impact we could make with our food dollars to truly support OUR producers and help build businesses the community can be proud of. And honest-to-goodness Homegrown products. We have the opportunity to breathe new meaning into the concept of LOCAL – just ask Martha, Jim, and all the kids who enjoyed a wonderful program last night :-)

Cutest Kids Craft with Mini Pumpkins!

And what do you know? They used a miniature pumpkin for each child, from toddlers to teens, to make a darling cat, just in time for Halloween!

And of course we have mini pumpkins available for you on the Virtual Market, courtesty of JM Gardens!

What better way to celebrate the holiday? Order by Sunday night, and pick up your pumpkins at 5pm Tue, to make an easy, family-friendly craft with your kids, grandchildren, or friends!

Our Featured Vendor Tonight?

Jack DeFord, with his JM Gardens, the newest vendor to join Miami County Locally Grown!! When I met him for the site visit of his family farm, my husband will understand – I was smitten. I stepped from the car, acknowledging the farm’s loveliness and charm, as Jack proclaimed “This is my favorite place in the world!” And I smiled, hoping my children will say the same as they give a stranger the grand tour of my own farm when they’re 26 years old.

His enthusiasm is infectious – like when he came to customer pick-up, and found out my volunteer was none other than Kevin Davidson, the producer of Jack’s beloved lettuce and romaine. His colorful exclamations made everyone laugh, as he stuck out his hand to shake Kevin’s, praising his products and asking questions.

It’s rare to meet a young man who talks so enthusiastically about the hand-hewn beams and workmanship of their old barn. As Jack said, it is just sad to see so many barns falling down and in various states of disrepair. He has a driving desire to save a remnant of a different farming era by taking down a dilapidated barn piece by piece and bringing it back to be rebuilt on the family land. Many people talk, but when Jack spoke of this dream, you genuinely had to believe he possessed the drive to see it through.

Jack is in love with all things farming, so much so he’s taken over 20,000 photographs of farm equipment and machinery at work. He acknowledged that his possible projects are endless, and even now he’s currently out of space, as his garage is taken up with the corn wagon he’s rebuilding, and his parents barn is full of, among other things, three antique tractors and a John Deere two-row planter – his very first purchase when he graduated from Wright State!

It was refreshing to hear his pride when showing off the trailer his Grandpa had built, and talking about all the work his parents put into making the farm both functional and comfortable since they purchased it in the ‘80s. The respect certainly went both ways, and was wonderful to see both how appreciative he was of everything his parents provided, and how supportive his Mom and Dad are of his varied endeavors and interests.

The assortment of Indian corn, gourds and pumpkins Jack, as JM Gardens, currently offers on the Virtual Market are beautiful – not only aesthetically but because they represent the importance of supporting local, and all the work your neighbors have put into building a beautiful future by remembering the hardworking past.

Don't let the nice weather fool you!

Let us help you out with an easy meal and a warm drink!

We are OPEN with new products, sales, and the return of Greenlee Farm!!

Plus… cherry belle and French breakfast radishes from Simple Living Farm, and popcorn from End of the Road Farm!

Who will win $10 to shop the market?

All you have to do is tell your friends and family about the Virtual Market – and when they come to pick-up their order, have them drop your name so we know YOU referred them to us!

Then your name is entered in our monthly drawing for a $10 Virtual Market Gift Certificate!

Good for any purchase and any combination of products – no expiration date! How easy is that?

We'll help you take the chill off!

And that means we’re ready for soups, chowders, stews, and chili!

With your meats, potatoes, and herbs, plus the salads, breads, and desserts to go with, the possibilities are endless and delicious – We’ll warm you up next week when the cool temps arrive!

And there’s nothing like a hot cup of tea from McGuffey Herb and Spice Co, or a Pumpkin Latte from Rosebud’s Ranch and Garden!

We are OPEN for orders!!

Make sure to check out the pork offerings from Phil and Matt Buehler Farms this week – they’ll be gone on Vacation the following week, so this is your chance to stock up on pork chops, tenderloin, bacon, lard for biscuits and pie crust, a ham hock… I am HUNGRY!

And new on the market this week…

Pears from Jeanne’s Kitchen!!

Spinach from Simple Living Farm LLC!!

Organic Baguettes with spelt and toasted corn flour!

Only a few more hours to order!

Now while the outdoor farmer’s market season is coming to an end, turn to our Year-Round, 100% Local Market!!

Hope to see you at pick-up Tuesday :-)

We are OPEN for orders, with new products and specials!!

Gorgeous Indian Corn and Miniature gourds from our newest vendor, JM Gardens of Casstown!

Havaharti Cheese – and if it’s from Covington Cheese Company, you know it’s artisan, raw milk handmade art!

Yummy organic baked goods you samples tonight at pick-up, from 6635 StudeBaker – Speculaas Cookies and Mrs. Harland’s Bread (with homemade potato yeast from D and D’s Potatoes!!)

Plus a new Caramel Apple Jam, and a Special this week on Apple Pie from Jeanne’s Kitchen!