Sierra Vista Farmers Markets Update for 6-13-19

A Tribute to Irwin Kilanski – The Lettuce Man
by Diane Jones

Irwin was a steady fixture at the Sierra Vista Farmers Market from practically its very beginning. When I took over as the market manager in 2010, Irwin had already been bringing his fresh lettuces and greens for several years. He became a local expert at growing produce in the Cochise county climate.

He was also one of my favorite people. Irwin really enjoyed being at the market, talking to customers and other vendors, and making many friendships along the way. He strongly believed in the importance of farmers markets. With his lifetime of experience with markets and growing, I could count on him for level headed advice.

Irwin was always a big help with market set up and special events. When other growers were encountering challenges, Irwin was quick to help with advice and invitations for them to come see his growing operation. In recent years when his lungs began to fail him, his daughter Donna stepped in to help. Although she took over Irwin’s job in the market booth, he still enjoyed making an appearance at the market whenever he was able.

Customers, vendors, and friends will remember his youthful energy, interest in others, generosity, dependability, sense of humor, old-school work ethic, and his trademark saying, “You bet!” We’ll miss Irwin and all that he contributed to our community and market.

Summer Market Fun for the Kids
Kick off the summer with some farmer’s market fun for the kids.  This week there will be special crafts with the Sierra Vista Library. The U of A Extension will also be on hand with their own fun activities for children. If you stop by the Farmers Market information booth, you’ll be able to pick up some free cotton candy for kids K-12.

Thunder Mountain Alpaca will be bringing a mama Alpaca and her six week old baby. You’ll find them in the shade at the East end of the market. Lisa will also demonstrate her drum carder which makes the Alpaca fiber. If you and your kiddos are into gardening, Lisa will have some Alpaca manure for you to purchase (call ahead 249-0362 for $ 1 discount) and take home to improve your soil. Alpaca manure is some of the best manure you can use on your garden.

We will also have Julie with her Angora Rabbits and their luxuriously soft fur will be at the market for you to pet.

Food Demo at 12 noon near the info booth with the AZ Health Zone “Vegetable Quesadillas” are on the menu.

We Had a Winner!
Congratulations to Melissa Harbeck for winning  our “Like and Comment Contest”. Melissa won last week’s $200 Farmers Market prize. Be sure to follow our newsletter or Facebook page so you can enter to win next month’s contest.

Vendors Spotlight

Arevalos Farms
This week Aaron Cardona with Arevalos Farm has the first of their zucchini,  yellow and red sweet onions, along with its freshly cured garlic crop.  They are always well stocked with curly kale, arugula, carrots, and beets.  Of course there’s the limited stock of their genetic bean creation, Frijol Mechudo. Be sure to stop by Aaron’s booth and check out all his great produce. While you are there, ask him about his work with Frijol Mechudo. 

Maggie’s Dog Treats & Accessories
READY TO PARTY!!!  Stop by Maggie’s Dog Treats and see our newest… Pup Cakes.  Featuring CARROT Pup Cakes. $2. each or 3 / $5.  Good for all occasions.  Yum……

Celestial Breads
This week be sure to stop by and pick up one of Celeste’s newest culinary creations – almond and brown sugar loaves with dark red cherries. You might also like their mouth watering calzones with pita crust made with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and basil and then dusted with cornmeal. When you bite into the calzone you’ll find chef Scotty’s red marinara sauce and generous amonts of chicken, ground beef mini meatballs, or all beef pepperoni. Their calzone also come as vegetarian with fresh veggies like tomato, onion, garlic, jalapeno, bell pepper, and more.  If you like vegan then Celestial Breads increasingly popular vegan black bean brownies made with black beans, maple syrup, coconut sugar, oat and almond flour and veggie oil…. yum yum!

San Ysidro Farms
This week Nathan Watkins will have some fantastic Lamb Chops and other meats for you to purchase – all grown naturally in McNeal, Arizona.

Emu Enterprises – Father’s Day Special
With Father’s Day in just a couple days, help Dad show his outstanding barbecue skills not only in cooking, but in providing a very nutritious and healthy burger with 95% fat free ground yak.  Grass feed top of the line alfalfa from birth, with pastures void of any weeds or other unwanted vegetation to provide nothing but the best quality of beef for an unbeatable natural taste and flavor.  Definitely a burger to “yak” about and give Dad a high five for being an outstanding chef.  Take advantage of the 20% savings of 5 pounds ground yak for the price of 4 pounds; which means one pound free.  Now that is something to talk and yak about.

Special Announcements and Events

SNAP – Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program
The Sierra Vista Farmers Market now accepts SNAP and Double Up benefits. Just visit our information booth near the center of the market to swipe your cards. Remember you can use them for all produce, dairy products, meats, spices, baked goods, and frozen ready-to eat meals (such as lasagna), plants that produce edibles like tomato plants and herbs. Double Up is only redeemable for Arizona grown fruits and vegetables, though.

Ride Vista Transit to the Market for FREE
Did you know that you can ride Vista Transit from their Coronado/Wilcox station to the farmers market for free each Thursday? That’s right, it’s free. If the traffic is a bit much for you at the market each week you can park your car at the Coronado/Wilcox station and Vista Transit will deliver you safe and sound to the market. With pick up and drop off every half hour, you can do your shopping and get a ride back to your car without any inconvenience. Pick up at the station is on the hour and half hour. At the market pick up is at 15 and 45 after.  Give it a try and be sure to thank your driver and the City of Sierra Vista for their great service.

Musical Entertainment This Week:

Music this week will be provided by Rick Rice

We hope to see you all at the Market this week!

This Week’s Weather Forecast

This Week’s Vendors
(Vendors are Alphabetized – attendance at Thursdays market subject to change without notice)

– – Vendor Grown – – Agricultural and Produce Vendors with the – – Vendor Grown – – seal are known to grow at least 85% of the products they sell.
– – Vendor Brokered – – Agricultural and Produce Vendors with the – – Vendor Brokered – – seal do not grow a majority of the produce they sell and are known to purchase  a majority of their products from third parties.

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This section is under construction – thank you for your patience.

Ancestral Herbals
Ancestral Herbals has a new lotion refill station.  Now you can bring your previously purchased plastic bottles and refill for $1.30 per oz or bring your own clean bottles as well. This week Julee will have pH balanced shampoo bars as well as conditioner bars with green ingredients that are nourishing – and that means no waste and no pollution!

Arevalos Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
Aaron Cardona with Arevalos Farms has a wide variety of seasonal vegetables. 

Backyard Gardening & Growing – – Vendor Grown – –
Winnie & William Struse bring their seasonal fruits and vegetables to the market each week all year long. In the winder you’ll find a variety of greens, root vegetables and flowers. In the summer you’ll find a wide variety of delicious fruits and vegetables. 

Bisbee Balms
Frena with Bisbee Balm will have her all natural lemongrass essential oil insect repellent which she has been selling for five years to protect humans and animals from those nasty seasonal insect bites.

Big Skye Bakers
Will NOT be here this week.

Big Woody’s

Café Cultiva
This week Jesse and Jessica will have fresh brewed coffee by the cup. They will also have fresh roasted whole beans from Guatemala, Colombia, Costa Rica, and India. If you need your beans ground they’ll be happy to do so while you wait. If you have a sweet tooth ask them about their been to bar chocolate.

Celestial Breads
Celeste with Celestial breads make fresh calzones and Stromboli every week. Try their chicken calzone with Chef Scotty’s garlic sauce or beef calzone with his famous marinara sauce; both have two cheeses added (mozzarella and cheddar).

Cochise Shrine Club – Onion Fundraiser – – Vendor Brokered – –
For the month of May, the Cochise Shrine Club will be selling freshly harvested Vidalia onions for their annual fundraiser. They are selling 5 pound bags of onions for $6.00. And in case you are wondering, Vidalia onions are named historically after the town of Vidalia in Georgia. These onions are unusually sweet in comparison with other onions due to the low sulfur content in the ground where they are grown.  Yellow Grannex onions are a hybrid of the Vidalia onion and can be grown successfully in Cochise County as a short day onion. Yellow Grannex onions will be available at the Sierra Vista Farmers Markets from our regular vendors starting in June or July.

Desert Oasis Soap
Astoria Riverwalk is the name of one of Greg’s anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial soaps made with star anise essential oil (licorice scent). Greg says it’s very good for your skin. My favorites for this week are “All Dressed Up”- a juniper, bayberry, and lavender scented soap and “Sun Lily”, which smells like lily of the valley, but also has pineapple and sandelwood in it. You’ll find all these soaps and many more at Desert Oasis Soap’s booth.

Designs by Copper Canyon
Nancy with Copper Canyon has a great selection of hand made bags, pillows, skirts and tops as well as a wide assortment of hand made home décor items to brighten your home.

Dolce Amore
Teresa with Dolce Amore hopes to be back this week with her gluten free cookies, vegan cakes, Italian cakes, puff pastries, and regular cakes and cookies..

Echoing Hope Ranch – – Vendor Grown – –
Echoing Hope Ranch will be bring a variety of produce and greens grown down on the beautiful San Pedro River. If you want to help support a great cause, stop by Echoing Hope’s booth and ask them about how they are changing the lives of children and adults with autism. While you are there pick up one of the their t-shirts and help them get the word out about their mighty efforts to fight autism.

Emu Enterprise – – Vendor Grown – –

Fizzy Wonders
Have you heard of a lotion bar or moisture bar before? Come and take a look at Vanessa and Miguel’s booth at Fizzy Wonders. The lotion bar consists of all natural mango butter, coco butter, jojoba butter , and beeswax. You can choose from lavender, almond, or honey oat scented bars that can be used straight on your skin. 

Ginny’s Eclectic Kitchen
Ginny will make for you rustic lemon macarone cookies and come try mini chocolate cherry bundt cakes.

Golden Rule Dairy – – Vendor Grown – –
Remember to pick up your raw milk and cream at Golden Rule Dairy. For those of you who like granola the Stride family makes their own healthy granola.They also offer kefir grains. Oh, and not to leave out Fido, the Stride’s also have a variety of deer antlers which make great dog chews. Must be an acquired taste…

Gracewater Farm
Trudy brings seedlings and other plants each week. You’ll find her in Ginny’s booth at Eclectic Kitchen.

Greenstone Pottery & Crafts
Charlatta and Eric are full-blooded Navajo and proud of their heritage.  Their pride and skill bring you genuine hand made Navajo artisan works that you will not find anywhere else at the market. Winnie was intrigued by their cedar berry necklaces which are made from the seeds found in juniper berries. Those seeds are also used in dream catchers and their pottery. Stop by and ask them to tell you about their fine works of art.  —- This week Greenstone will have Christmas Ornaments and native jewelry. 

Hilltop Hydroponics – – Vendor Grown – –
For some of the most beautiful lettuce and greens around be sure to stop by Tom Hanson’s booth.  This week Tom will have basil plants.Tom has living lettuce and spring mix available as well as kale. If you ask, Tom will tell you about how he grows his greens hydroponically. 

Hone Ranger
Scott the Hone Ranger will sharpen just about anything you bring to the market.

Incredible Snacks
Each week David brings an incredible assortment of dried fruit and nuts.

 Just-A-Pinch – – Vendor Grown – –
Michael Burgess with Just-A-Pinch will have his culinary herbs. Treat yourself this week to fresh dill, cilantro, mint, and basil. Buy it by the ounce freshly cut at the market or take home a healthy plant. Come by and see what Egyptian Walking onions are and how to use them.

K-1 Kreations
K-1 owner Kris is one of our regular vendors. Her product line includes aprons, coaster, pot holders, dish rags, table runners, and  tote bags made out of unique fabric patterns. She loves special orders and will customize anything, even cloth pin bags or a grocery bag holder, just ask her.

Krazy Koytote Kettle Corn & Smoothies

La Pina Raw Juice
If you haven’t been to the market recently, come on by and try Alexa’s incredible raw juices. With only the best ingredients Alexa uses a vertical “slow” juicer which helps keep all of the goodness (enzymes, phytonutrients) alive in her raw juices.  The result is the best tasting raw juice available. Did I say it tastes delicious? My favorite is the Apple – Ginger – Turmeric – Lemon blend. It’s refreshing with a nice tangy bite at the end.

Alexa also has Kangen Water, a filtered/ionized water produced by Enagic – a Japan-based company who has been a leading manufacturer of alkaline ionizers/water filtration for over 40 years. Alexa is happy to give you samples of her juice and water. So make sure you stop by and give it a try.

Lazy KJ Ranch
Stuart with the Lazy KJ Ranch which specializes in “Farm to Table” all natural grass-fed pork.  Stop by their booth and try their outstanding smoked pork ribs, BBQ pork sandwich, white truffle fries with parmesan~romano, double stacked nachos, burritos, and air fried quesadillas. All prepared fresh table side. This week Stuart is offering ribs by the bone along with amazing BBQ pork any way you like it.

Lasagna and More
 Gone fishing! Scotty will be back in a couple of weeks.

Lettuce Man – – Vendor Grown – –
It doesn’t get much fresher than the Lettuce Man’s greens picked by his daughter Donna just before or the day of Thursday’s market. This week she’ll have Swiss chard, salad mix, spinach, green and red leaf lettuce, as well as Bok Choi and Romaine. Be sure to pick some up for your next fresh salad or smoothie.

Maggie’s Dog Treats & Accessories
Zia specializes in all natural treats for your pets that do not contain any chemicals or artificial flavors. Treat your pets right and stop by Zia’s booth. This week, Zia is featuring all natural Soap for bathing your dog. Suds up beautifully, will not dry the skin or coat, and good for sensitive skin. 

McDonald Farm
Baked good such as lemon bars, caramel nut bars, cinnamon rolls, scones, and the ever-favorite hand pies in cherry, apple, or peach. Donna also brings chicken and duck eggs, as well as freshly shelled pecans.

Mustang Mountain Eggs

Mistik Valley Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
 Mistik Valley Farms, a group of young growers, who offer home-grown produce such as salad mix, lettuce mix, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and other greens. They harvest the day before market and hand-wash all their greens. Their farm is outside of Bisbee. 

Papa Mike‘s Jerky 
Papa Mike and his much loved beef jerky will be at the market this week. Papa Mike has a flavor for everybody so come and find your favorite. His best selling jerky is mesquite flavored and the chili lemon.

Pappardelles Pasta – – Vendor Brokered – –
Erin will NOT be at the market this week. 

Queen Ceviche
This week Feliz has more of her spicy red salsa (with oregano) as well as red chipotle salsa. The chipotle has a slight smoky flavor after your first bite. Don’t forget to try her guacamole or of course her royally delicious ceviche- all are available with a bag of fresh tortilla chips. Feliz will quench your thirst this week with her ice cold hibiscus lemonade. If spicing up your life is more your speed then try Feliz’s salsa or guacamole.

Ruth’s Garden – – Vendor Grown – –
This week Ruth will be bringing onions, garlic carrots, kale, cabbage, broccoli and many varieties of succulents. Many new herbs in small pots, tomato plants, geraniums and bedding plants. Ruth’s Garden also carries organic fertilizers to feed those heavy feeders (plants).

San Pedro River Valley Salsa
Gary with San Pedro River Valley Salsa will be at the market with their great variety of delicious salsa.

San Ysidro Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
If you are looking for quality grass fed beef or lamb for your next meal or special occasion, Nathan Watkins of San Ysidro Farms will be at the market this week. Nathan has a 100% grass fed beef and lamb. Their heritage cross pigs provide their fine pork If that’s not on your menu tonight then you might try their alfalfa fed and non-GMO grain supplemented pork from their heritage cross pigs.  Make sure to ask him about their other fine meat products as well. 

SAS-Z Nuts – – Vendor Grown – –
If you’d like to spice up your pistachios a bit, Steve has garlic onion, green chili garlic, chili lime and hot chili in addition to premium salted pistachios.

Sky Island/47 Ranch – – Vendor Grown – –
Ranch owner Dennis Moroney tells us that he will bring their grass fed beef and lamb as well as wild Salmon from Alaska. He and his wife Deb make their own peanut butter from certified organic peanuts. Also, they bring all natural churro sheep wool in a variety of colors (no dye added at all).

Simmons Honey Ranchito 
The Simmons Honey Ranchito returns this week with restocked cherry butter, pickled okra, pickled asparagus, and marinated mushrooms. and strawberry jam.  There local mequite honey is now in season and its the largest crop of the year, its light amber color is beautiful reminder of the wild desert mesquite from which it originates.

Fun Honey Fact: Did you know: Honey is a natural sweetener (sweeter than table sugar) mostly composed of fructose and glucose and about 18% water (the lesser water content the better the quality of the honey). It is rich in antioxidants, fat free, and cholesterol free. Honey is an excellent energy food, so make sure you stash a few honey stix in your hiking backpack, it might just give you that extra edge to make it there and back.

Sivonn’s Garden  – – Vendor Grown – –
Fresh backyard garden produce by Sivonn. Seasonal greens, mushrooms, and other produce.

Super Natural Organics – – Vendor Brokered – –
Jack will NOT be at the market this week.

Sweet Arizona
Roger and Debra will be bringing a large selection of homemade toffee, brittle and fudge. All their products are always naturally gluten, soy and preservative free. They also have dairy free, vegan and nut free options available. Ask them about their market special – Buy 4, get 1 free.

Tawin’s Gardens and Crafts 
Tawin’s Garden not only brings potted plants and succulents, but she is a whiz with her crochet needle, come check out her cute little cacti and Yodas. They make great souvenirs or gifts for the grandchildren.

Thunder Mountain Alpaca Ranch

Toy’s Eggrolls