Sierra Vista Farmers Market Vendor Update for 6-24-2021 – –

A Day in the Life Of – The Sierra Vista Farmers’ Market

A Day in the Life Of – The Sierra Vista Farmers’ Market

By Uncle Ralph (Wildermuth) 23 June 2021

Tomorrow the Farmers’ Market opens at 10AM and closes at 2PM.

There are so many things we take for granted nowadays. Take personal hygiene for instance. How people in the past, before all the modern hygienic products on the market, dealt with dirt, sweat, and other bodily odors? You might wonder if they even took baths.

The origins of soap are sketchy, but researchers found a 4500-year-old cuneiform tablet in a Sumerian city in southern Iraq, perhaps in Girsu, where the oldest written tablet detailing the manufacture of soap originates. This is probably not the beginnings of soap, as most scholars suspect that since the ingredients are common enough that someone long ago probably created the reaction accidentally. It is a chemical reaction between alkalis and fats called saponification.

Alkalis are commonly found in the ashes of burned hardwood and many researchers believe that early humans probably used wet ash to clean their greasy butchering tools. This combination of ash and animal fat combined to create a simple, impure soap. Since there is no mention of soap prior to the tablet’s discovery, most scholars believe soap as a product was probably discovered around the same time to its first mention in the tablets 4,500 years ago.

The first known recipe for soap calls for approximately one quart of oil and six quarts of potash (potassium leeched from hardwood ash). For hundreds of years after its invention there’s no evidence anyone used soap to clean their bodies. Instead, it was used on items like dishes or clothing that had obvious grease stains.

From around 100 BC to 400 AD, soap was hugely popular in the Roman Empire. As the ashes of ruins to Pompei were removed after the devastation from the volcano, an entire soap factory was discovered in the rubble.

As the Roman Empire rose and fell so did bathing all over Europe. Bathing died out when the Roman Empire fell in 467 AD. As the lack of cleanliness and poor living conditions spread throughout Europe so did many plagues of the Middle Ages.
It was not until the seventh century, that soap did make a comeback as soap makers appeared in Spain and Italy. The French even made a soap based on olive oil.
Society was much more advanced in Europe as compared with the emerging America. As immigrants started moving west across the wide deserted expanse of the country, the lack of clean water left no choice but to avoid showering and bathing regularly.

Superstition also played into their thinking as the people of the American West were afraid that taking too many baths was actually unhealthy and would lead them to getting ill. The idea was that if you were “too clean”, then your pores would be “too open” and basically be a breeding grounds for bacteria and diseases.

The lifestyle of the West also contributed greatly to the lack of bathing. Men spent most of their time outdoors in the dusty climate and would often go days without a bath. When they did get a chance to wash in a body of water, it was rudimentary at best.

The washing arrangements to the average cowboy on a cattle drive consisted of the cocinero or “coci” (the cook) heating water over a camp fire at the chuckwagon, then pour it into a communal wash basin. The cowboys would use the same water and towel to wash their hands and  faces before a meal. As for a good dunk, they waited until they came across a river or rode into town and bought a soak in a hot bath.

Western women on the other hand set the bar when it came to hygiene even if it was just washing their hands and face. The funny part of all this is that these same people were living during a time when everyone was becoming more and more bodily aware. Things such as bad breath and body odor were becoming important enough topics to even warrant advertising space in newspapers. But it wasn’t until the beginning of the 19^th century that soap making became one of the fastest-growing industries.

Pioneers were making homemade soap by saving ashes from their cooking fires for months. Then when they had enough fat leftover from butchering hogs and game, they would make soap. Lye was made from the ashes and rainwater. The difficult part was determining the correct strength for the lye. If an egg or small potato floated about halfway beneath the surface and the bottom, the lye was just right. If it stayed at the top the lye was too strong and if it sank like a rock then the lye was not strong enough.

Today, soaps are common place and bathing is much easier. There are soaps for personal, commercial, and industrial use. There are handmade/homemade, and factory-made soaps for all uses such as for washing clothes, dishes, and cars, there is soap used for your pet, soap for your carpet, and soap for your child… but for many types of cleaning, soaps are a lesser used product these days, as alternatives to soap are the main choice.
Of course, if you are still that person looking for a personal relationship with your soap, you need to try a soap made with you in mind. It just so happens we have a favorite soap maker right here with us at the Farmers’ Market. Three in fact.
Today I want to talk about how a Lemon Meringue Pie started a soap business. Mothers are great for so many things, but cooking is where the path leads to the heart.

The Desert Oasis Soap Company started when Greg and his family moved to the Tucson area Sonoran Desert in 2000 from the cooler and moister Oregon climate. In Oregon, Greg was doing farmers’ markets selling gourmet dog treats, but dog owners in Arizona were not of the same mind as they were in Oregon and he knew he had to try something different. In the meantime, Greg’s mother-in-law and father-in-law came to visit. Greg was excited and thought this is great, having a deep attachment to her lemon meringue pie. Unfortunately, the climate in Arizona is also not the same as in Oregon, as we all know about the desert. Here the climate has a way of drying out your skin in a hurry.  Well, as so often happens, his mother-in-law’s skin was getting so dry that she was hovering on the edge of going back to Oregon early. As the realization sunk in that the pies were going back to Oregon as well, Greg decided he had to try and nip this problem in the bud.

His past had centered around gourmet dog treats and now, thanks to a tip from his father-in-law, all thoughts shifted to making soap and lotions to address his mother-in-law’s dilemma. After doing all the research and trial runs with no success, he shifted gears again and started thinking “out of the box” as they say. He developed his own recipe, made the soap, his mother-in-law liked it and so she extended her stay.

Tim the Soapmaker, Greg’s partner makes all the soaps and Greg makes the rest of the product line which includes lotions, lip balm, and bug spray. He also still makes dog treats for his other St. Phillips farmers market in Tucson.

The soaps are olive oil based and made with the hot process method. The main advantage of the hot process is that the saponification happens during the cooking process and the soaps can be used right away. The cold method needs to sit while the saponification process completes, sometimes as long as six weeks.

Greg is open to custom soap making and has made soaps for hotels and resorts. If you have a custom soap idea, just let Greg know and they can try it out. They also have a website and will ship via priority mail to anywhere domestically. Stop by his booth for your favorite flavor. To find the soaps that may not be available at the Market, visit their website at Desertoasissoaps.com.

As always, many of the market vendors accept WIC Farmers Markets & Senior Farmers Markets Vouchers in exchange for fresh fruits and vegetables. SNAP vouchers can be also used at some of the vendors booths. You can use your EBT card at the info booth for SNAP vouchers and Double UP tokens (unlimited amount right now).

We are looking forward to seeing you all at this coming week’s Market. For more information on all our vendors and the products they will be bringing, please see this week’s Farmers’ Market newsletter at www.sierravistafarmersmarkets.com.  Also, check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sierravistafarmersmarket/

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southeastern Arizona (NAMI SEAZ) will be at the market on Thursday, July 24, with information about the free mental health services they provide in our community. They will also have info about their upcoming Sky Island Tour Bicycle Ride on October 2. This fun event offers rides choices of 5, 20, 30, 44, and 62 miles, and benefits NAMI SEAZ. Visit skyislandtour.com for more info.

Vendor Updates
Please see the vendor listings below with updated vendor information and the products they will be bringing.  Please keep in mind the social distancing while you shop at the market.

Market Hours: Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm at Veteran’s Memorial Park.

SNAP and Double UP food bucks available at the info booth.

NOTE: Pick up free Herald Review newspaper at the info booth.

Music Entertainment: Rick Hernandez

BASA is a volunteer board non-profit with a mission: “to promote local, sustainable food production, marketing and education in southern Arizona.

Webpage: http://basamesquite.org/
Webblog: http://bajaaz.blogspot.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/125627894978189
Email: brownchristie1@gmail.com

Updated Vendor Listing & Contact Information

– – 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.

Produce & Plant Vendors

Allred Family Fungi – – Vendor Grown –
Oyster mushrooms and other varieties.

Backyard Gardening & Growing  – – Vendor Grown –
Onions are available. Red, white, and yellow. Cucumbers (Armenian, suyo, and lemon), beets, and turnips. Apricots and Okra.
Fresh Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables
Herb and flower plants.

Beatty’s Orchard – – Vendor Grown –
Edith will NOT be at the market
For more information please visit one of their links: Website
520-378-2728 or 520-678-9443

Echoing Hope Ranch – – Vendor Grown –
Variety of greens and herbs from their green house.
Kale, radishes, lettuce and more.

Horton’s Farm  – – Vendor Grown –

Mark and Jessica are back!
Garlic, onions, lettuce mix, radish, zucchini, tatsoi, red Russian kale, and beets.
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Just A Pinch – – Vendor Grown –
They still have fresh-cut herbs available, but due to the pandemic still in effect, they will be limiting what they bring to farmer-selected,
pre-portioned herbs and custom orders made through phone (520-234-3254), email (justapinchllc@yahoo.com),
or in person at the market the week before!  This week’s selection of fresh harvested herbs are Strawberry Mint,
Chocolate Mint, and Italian Oregano for $1.00 per bundle!

The Lettuce Man’s Daughter – – Vendor Grown –
Donna will NOT be at the market this week.
Salad mix, red and green leaf lettuce, spinach, kale, and young bok choi

SAS-Z Nuts – – Vendor Grown –
Locally Grown Pistachios
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Sivonn’s Garden – – Vendor Grown –
Fresh Seasonal Garden Produce such as mushrooms, salad mix, collards.

Tawin’s Gardens and Crafts – – Vendor Grown –

Seasonal Garden Plants

Triple J & R – – Vendor Grown –

“We are a family providing homegrown microgreens and sprouts. We carry a varied selection of microgreens and sprouts grown hydroponically on food safe screens using only pH balanced water and food grade nutrients for microgreen growth. If you don’t see one you like just let us know and we will grow it for you. Email us at triplej&r@arizonaremountstation.net or give us a call at (520) 266-2479. Our Website is arizonaremountstation.net.”

Meat, Milk, & Honey Vendors

Emu Enterprise – – Vendor Grown –

Roger will NOT be at the market.
For more information please contact Roger at: 520-585-6148 or email:
circlet@juno.com for orders

Golden Rule Dairy – – Vendor Grown – –
NEW: Raw butter and Ghee..
Fresh Raw Milk, Cream, and Dairy Products and their yummy granola.
Golden Rule Dairy Special eggs will be available in July and August.
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
Instagram-  golden_rule_dairy
goldenruledairy@gmail.com
www.goldenruledairy.com
520-210-2857

L&B Farm

Frozen chicken and lamb, fresh eggs

Papa Mike‘s Jerky 
Locally Made Jerky
For more information please visit one of their links: Website Facebook

San Ysidro Farm – – Vendor Grown – -,
Jackie will NOT be at the market (every first Thursday) with beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey and frozen pasties.
email jackie.syf@gmail.com
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Sky Island/47 Ranch – – Vendor Grown – –

THIS WEEK: We are back, and fully stocked with our beef! We are still out of lamb for the moment, but we will have mutton available in a few weeks.

We are taking orders for quarter, half or whole beef, and for whole mutton. Reserve yours before they are gone!!!

– Locally Raised Range fed Criollo Beef, and Navajo Churro Lamb.
All natural, no hormones, no antibiotics, and no grain feeding.
– Wild caught sockeye salmon from Naknek Fisheries, Bristol Bay, Alaska.
– Apple or Mesquite smoked bacon from Willcox Packing House (uncured bacon, nitrite, and nitrate free), pork chorizo, and pork sausage.
– Homemade Cowboy Style Peanut butter (made with slightly-roasted organic peanuts, no salt or sugar added).

YouTube Channel (Ranching in the Right Hemisphere): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrfx3NWeUSGZ7KOnV8XL4tQ

For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook and YouTube
520-507-5203
crossu@vtc.net

Simmons Honey Ranchito 

Our many varieties of local honey will be available in one pound jars up to one gallon jugs.
520-364-2745, no text, no call id
520-368-2039 text welcome
simmonshoney1@powerc.net

Baked Goods & Snack Vendors

Designs by Copper Canyon
New: Gluten-free breads.
Delicious truffles and sweet & savory breads.
Home decor items.
coppercanyonind@gmail.com

Ginny’s Eclectic Kitchen
Chocolate molasses cookies, cheesy sourdough, frozen soups.

Celestial Breads
Fresh Baked Goods and Prepared Foods
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

5 Nut Granola by Better Than Provisions
Better Than Provisions 5 Nut Granola is a nutrient dense, grain-free, sugar-free granola made with a premium 5 nut blend (macadamia, almond, pecan, walnut, and hazelnut) plus organic pumpkin seeds, coconut flakes, and spices. It suits a variety of dietary preferences including keto, paleo, vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, dairy-free, and diabetic. Available in 3 flavors.
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, facebook

Farmer’s Daughter
Cassandra will NOT be at the market during the hot season, but
for orders call 623-523-7367.
Gluten free baked goods

Incredible Snacks
An Incredible Variety of Snacks
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Katerina’s-It’s Original Greek
Kathy & Jim will be back in October.
Fresh Made Greek Baked Goods and Prepared Food
New: Artisan Greek breads.

McDonald Farm
Baked goods such as cinnamon rolls, pies, and nut bars. Fresh eggs, pecans, beans (black, pinto, 9-bean mix), chicken and duck eggs.
SAS-Z-Nuts pistachios
Leave a message for Dona 520-220-3000

Steph’s Sweets Bakery
Stephanie will NOT be at the market (every 1st Thursday)
Granola, cookies, muffins (all vegan)
Desert Bloom Photography &  Ray’s Leatherworks 520-368-2454

Sweet Arizona
Locally made Toffee, Brittle, & Fudge
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
www.sweetarizona.org
520-312-5351

Sweets By Shelly
Cake pops in a wide variety of flavors, almost too pretty to eat, but oh so yummy.
Toffee and pretzels.
308-708-1680 for special or custom orders.
Shelly will NOT be at the market for the hot summer months.

Wild Arizona Gardens
Mushrooms (pink, Italian, and pearl oyster), key lime pie, selection of artisan breads, salsa, hummus, tabouli, naan, pesto, honey oat bread, jalapeno cheddar bread, olive oil and rosemary bread, foccacia, and bird seed wreaths

Personal Health & Household Vendors

Ancestral Herbals
Hand made soap, lotion, balm, muscle rub, etc.
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Desert Oasis Soap
Home made Soaps
For more information please visit one of their links:Website, Facebook
desertoasissoap@outlook.com
520-822-5330
desertoasissoaps.com

Nature’s Premium Skin Care
Aloe Vera miracle cream

Prepared Foods & Beverage Vendors

Big Woody’s
Hot Dogs, Mac & Cheese, BBQ, and Pulled Pork
For more information & their menu please visit one of their links: Facebook

Bombshell Sweets
Variety of cotton candy

Café Cultiva
Fresh Coffee and Hot Beverages
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
774-316-2328

Cliff’s Salsa
Cliff will NOT be at the market this week.
Pickles, and jalapenos and salsa

Esperanza
Pre-order tamales by calling 520-954-7782
New: Pasties
Fresh made Tortillas, Tamales, Baked Goods
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
Esperanza will ship orders.

Crazy Coyote Concessions
Kettle Corn and Smoothies
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook
734-430-1996

Mi Burrito
Burritos from the grill with fresh salsa for lunch.

Lazy KJ Ranch
Locally Grown Organic Pork for lunch specials.
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Lasagna and More
Scotty will Not be at the market this week.
Complete line of Take-n-Bakes, sauces, Chef Burritos, SW Spice Blend
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Mulcogi

Spices and herb mixes.

Queen Ceviche

Feliz will NOT be at the market this week.
Fresh Made Salsa, Ceviche, Hand Sanitizer, and  hibiscus syrup.
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook
520-904-4715

Pet Food & Product Vendors

Maggie’s Dog Treats & Accessories
All Natural Pet Snacks and Treats
For more information please visit one of their links:
480-488-1053
ziabischoff@gmail.com

Services

Hone Ranger
Scott has temporarily lost the ability to sharpen on site, but is still sharpening remotely. Come by the market or call 366-1815.

Lindsay
Handmade fitted masks.
520-546-1058
meyerwill@cox.net

In Stitches
Variety of face masks

 
Artisan Vendors (are back)

Greenstone Pottery & Crafts
Hand Made Pottery, Jewelry, & Crafts
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook
520-537-4859
courage.4life4u@gmail.com
530-539-4859
greenstone.collection@gmail.com

Thunder Mountain Alpaca Ranch
Alpaca boutique of Unique Hand Made Gifts
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
520-249-0362

Bernie & Bill Medley
Paintings, Custom Frames and Woodwork
Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.
For more information please visit one of their links:

Promise Farm LLC & Ash’s Amber
Baltic Amber jewelry
Chicken eggs and small plants.

Migrant Shelter Workshop Carpentry
Furniture from their introductory carpentry school and bird feeders

Sue’s Closet
Sue will be at the market on the first Thursday.
Tie-dye and painted clothing (hats, silk scarves, shawls, blouses)

Rita Obenauf’s Windchimes
Every 1st Thursday
Up-cycle bottle wind chimes
909-957-0368
Insta-gram Lifeabove100

Inner G Cells
Handmade orgonite item (includes jewelry)

Quails Qrafts
Tie-dye clothing (onesies, t-shirts, masks, scrunchies, pants)

Artisan Vendors (soon to return)

Jim Williams Woodworks

Checkerboards and many new lazy Susans,  one of a kind, all sizes of cutting boards, pens, pencils, fountain pens!  Key rings, toaster tongs, oven rack pulls.  By a special request, I have started making urns and jewelry boxes.

520-393-6608
weloveaz2@gmail.com

Blue Oak Builders and Sierra Vista Gems
New batch of bolt action pens made with Mexican blue oak. Cheri has made more of her color changing beads and hand painted front license plates.
520-508-1958

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