The Market is Open!!

We are thrilled to be able to offer you these sturdy and beautiful bags, created by such talented and experienced crafters. And we are even more excited that the Divas are donating almost 40% of the profits from each bag to the market… Wow!! Thank you, Julie and Pam!!

If you’ve never visited their booth at the Piqua Farmer’s Market, especially now with that market’s new and perfect location in front of the library, I encourage you to check them out. Everything from fresh produce to flowers, herbs and herbal products, knitted and hand-crafted items… everything they create is not only well made, but stunning. And they’re a hoot even if you just chat and pick their brains!

Among our other new offerings you’ll find squash, lettuce, peppers, more desserts, new breads… Have fun shopping with us, and thank you for your support!!

Market Will Close in Just a Few Hours!!!

Remember! In order for us to prepare your items for a fast and convenient pick-up on Tuesday evening, all orders must be in by 8pm TONIGHT when the market will close for the week!

Over 200 local products to choose from… good luck, and THANK YOU!!

Meat will return to the market soon!!

In answer to numerous inquiries, Tin Roof will be at the Miami County Fair this week and therefore unable to participate in our virtual market, which is why his beef is currently unavailable to you through Miami County Locally Grown!

But soon he will be back, and we’re working on securing the funds for a commercial fridge and freezer, which will enable us to greatly expand our product offerings with refrigerated and frozen goods such as beef, pork, poultry, milk, eggs, cheese, additional produce and desserts!

Thank you for your continued support!!

We are Open for Orders! And Introducting...

Working as an education specialist at a local 1880’s Living History Farm, Deb extensively researches 19th century baking methods, recipes, and tools. Anyone can look at the gorgeous pictures of her products on our website or take a single bit and appreciate her talent. But once I learned this dedicated artist uses a 19th century recipe to make her own hops and potato yeast, and grinds organic einkorn, winter wheat and rye berries for her flours, how could I not be captivated?

When I stepped into her home, built in 1839, to learn about her techniques and watch her create historic products, I was instantly amazed at the organization of her kitchen, which she assured me took years to perfect. I’d never seen a more efficient workplace… her ingredients, recipes, notes, and supplies were all within reach, ensuring that in the 15 minutes I watched each step of her bread baking process, not a single unnecessary step was taken. Incredible!

She had such a system that when I arrived, I was able to see everything… the making of her yeast, dough that was in the midst of its 16-hour long rise, the kneading, stretching and counter-slamming of her doughs, shaping them… I learned more in 15 minutes than I would’ve thought possible.

It is obvious she’s a teacher, has worked tirelessly to perfect her craft, and is more conscientious about her process and products than I realized possible. Never drying her hands with a towel, “as you don’t want the worry of hair or bacteria”, she only uses paper towels that then go on the compost pile. All her equipment is air dried, and stored on wire shelving… plenty of circulation! So much thought behind every step of her routine… I have a completely new appreciation for what it takes to make her scrumptious baked goods. “That’s it in a nutshell… and then the dishes,” she laughingly admitted.

“Oh, would you like to see the breads baking in the Dutch ovens? Just a peek… every time you open the oven you lose 70 degrees! And that, Jennifer,” she said with a smile, “is a loaf of bread.” Could it be that simple? Of course not! Oh, what goes into her loaves of bread!

The End of our Opening Week is Near!!

Just a friendly reminder… the virtual market will close tonight promptly at 8pm!

Weblog Entry

I can’t say enough about this woman, her beautiful family, and the amazing products she has been crafting for six years.

Katie is equally concerned about what she feeds her young children as what she puts on their bodies… what better way to control those potentially harmful body products than by making your own?! For the rest of us, we’re lucky to benefit from her expertise and craftsmanship! Her Baby Bottom Soap is the best soap I’ve ever used on my own children who have very sensitive skin. After trying it, I’ve honestly never bought anything else for them.

Having had the privilege to learn the soap-making process in her home, it speaks volumes about her experience and dedication that despite my utter lack of knowledge and all our children running amok, that batch of soap turned out beautifully, second only to what she creates alone without such awkward assistance :-)

The virtual market was still in the works this past Spring when I questioned whether she’d be interested in participating with her full line of soap, laundry, and body care products. Her answer? She’d have to wait until later in the growing season for her calendula plants to bloom, as she needed to make an infusion for her soaps. That dedication to creating a local, unique product is why supporting truly “local” matters for you. The thoughtfulness and concern she puts into her products is not only apparent but admirable, and I’m grateful to know her, her husband and her two feisty, adorable girls.

I admire and appreciate these vendors, and want you to know, love and support them as I do!

Opening Night! And Introducting...

I can’t say enough about this woman, her beautiful family, and the amazing products she has been crafting for six years.

Katie is equally concerned about what she feeds her young children as what she puts on their bodies… what better way to control those potentially harmful body products than by making your own?! For the rest of us, we’re lucky to benefit from her expertise and craftsmanship! Her Baby Bottom Soap is the best soap I’ve ever used on my own children who have very sensitive skin. After trying it, I’ve honestly never bought anything else for them.

Having had the privilege to learn the soap-making process in her home, it speaks volumes about her experience and dedication that despite my utter lack of knowledge and all our children running amok, that batch of soap turned out beautifully, second only to what she creates alone without such awkward assistance :-)

The virtual market was still in the works this past Spring when I questioned whether she’d be interested in participating with her full line of soap, laundry, and body care products. Her answer? She’d have to wait until later in the growing season for her calendula plants to bloom, as she needed to make an infusion for her soaps. That dedication to creating a local, unique product is why supporting truly “local” matters for you. The thoughtfulness and concern she puts into her products is not only apparent but admirable, and I’m grateful to know her, her husband and her two feisty, adorable girls.

I admire and appreciate these vendors, and want you to know, love and support them as I do!

How Do You Define Local?

The federal guidelines may allow “local” products to come from 500 miles away, but we want to establish an entire market full of food and home products that can be produced by your neighbors within 30 miles. It’s possible, without shipping in “local” goods from Buffalo NY, Des Moines IA, or Augusta GA.

With your support, think of the vibrant community homestead we could potentially create for working families, small businesses, and producers searching for their niche… where you spend your money matters, and in building this market, we want you to look no further than your own community.

This market is not about retail, but instead about relationships. Thru your purchasing power, vendors will see your support and be able to expand their product lines to fully meet all your needs.

That’s my hope and goal for Miami County Locally Grown – to give a true, sincere meaning to the necessary and beautiful idea of “local”.

www.miamicounty.locallygrown.net

Market will Open for Orders August 2nd!!

I hope you’re as excited as I am to watch the products being posted until opening day August 2nd when we can finally place our orders!

My husband and I have been vendors at the virtual farmer’s market in Urbana for 4 years now, and the support we’ve received from those market managers, both as a vendor and customer, has been unparalleled. They care about and really know each participant, creating a vibrant little family who supports each other unconditionally.

We will have our own kinks to work out especially now in the beginning, but I am grateful for the advice and example of those Urbana folks, and am thrilled to bring the virtual market concept to Miami County where I hope and believe it will flourish and grow.

Thank you also to our county health department for their willingness to work with us on this very new and unique market concept!

Coming Soon...

We plan to have the market open for orders by the end of July, but if you are an interested customer, DON’T WAIT!

Please create a free account by going to the “Your Account” page, check out our “Frequently Asked Questions”, or email Jennifer, the market manager, at miamicountylocallygrown@gmail.com with any additional questions.

When you create an account, you’ll receive our weekly inventory updates and weblogs with information on new producers and new offerings!

Also, take a look at our current vendor profiles and pictures on “Our Growers” page. You may see some favorite familiar faces or maybe someone new!