Sierra Vista Farmers Market Vendor Update for 3-3-2022 – –

Welcome to the Sierra Vista Farmers Market Update for March 3, 2022

Reminder: Market will be closed on March 24, 2022

Interest In Victory Gardens Is on The Rise Again

By Uncle Ralph (Ralph Wildermuth) 2 March 2022

The Farmers’ Market will be open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Remember the old saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get… gardening?” Well, maybe it is not so old after all, since Teresa Carstensen, a researcher and writer for the Ohio History Connection Library said it to start one of her articles in April of 2020. But the theme is as old as history itself.

Farming has always been a way to fight hunger when the supply of food was hard to come by. In a time of crisis food has a tendency to be moved to wherever it is needed the most. That puts a strain on the everyday-shopper out looking to put food on their own tables.

Today, people are also becoming more health conscious and looking for ways to eat more healthy and fresh foods. Because of these trends, an old gardening program has become popular again. Spawned by the epidemic, an arguably crisis situation, “War Gardens” are again on the rise.

In 1917, War gardens, later called Victory gardens, after the allies’ victory at war’s end, were organized into a commission by a group of American politicians, intellectuals, conservationists, and social welfare activists in reaction to World War I’s detrimental effect on the food supply chain. Trade relations with nations that had previously imported food from their current enemies faced severe shortages. In addition, what resources they did have were being funneled into soldiers’ rations.

By 1918, Americans maintained an estimated 5.2 million “war gardens” and many civilians participated in daily gardening, drying, and canning lessons to further stretch the food supply. As the program’s success became more well known, foreign nations such as New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Africa requested the Commission’s assistance with starting similar programs.

By the time the Second World War came around, people were primed and ready to pick up the gardening habit again. However, the military draft and the internment of Japanese Americans had drastically reduced the robust levels of agricultural production into ribbons.

At least this time around they began on a promising note as titled “Victory Gardens.” At the peak of production, there were more than 20 million such gardens in the United States growing 40% of all vegetables grown in the USA. Gardens popped up everywhere, abandoned lots, schoolyards, lawns, and even on rooftops.

The most abundant crops were beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, peas, tomatoes, turnips, squash, and Swiss chard. Many chosen for their ease in storing or preserving.

Are victory gardens a thing of the past? Of course not. Today’s victory gardens are based on our desire to provide food for our loved ones. Growing our own food helps us to become self-sufficient. It also helps lower our grocery bill so that we can use our money on other resources.

Over the past couple of years, we are seeing the need for victory gardens again. Food pantry lines are getting longer, and supermarkets have been depleted of many essentials. Today, we see the legacy of the victory garden in the homesteader, who wants to become more self-sufficient, and in the neighborhood community gardens, where people gather to grow healthy food to fill the gaps left by depleted food supply chains. Modern technology and experience make home gardening easier than it used to be.

The Victory Garden movement began its revival in March, 2020, when fears about the COVID-19 pandemic led to hoarding and food shortages. Echoing the fears from WWII, seed supplies in stores quickly sold out.
There are differences, however, between the current Victory Garden movement and the ones during the two world wars. The earlier movements were top-down government led. This time around, it is bottom up as everyday-people spontaneously took it upon themselves to start gardens and help others to do so. Another difference is that the government warned people to start a garden only if they had enough room in their yard. The modern movement encourages people to look for ways to utilize the space they have. People are being encouraged to grow vegetables in containers, on vertical structures, or on windowsills. Grow what you can even if you can’t grow all the produce you need, remember every little bit helps. Having a close or direct connection to food sources and information is a driving factor for establishing Victory Gardens.

While empty shelves and the supply shortages we may experience today do not compare to wartime and our goals these days today aren’t quite as ambitious, but “Victory Gardens” have become popular again.

These gardens provide:

It provides a morale boost, lots of healthy outdoor time and exercise. It also provides a little satisfaction that comes with being even a little self-sufficient and it’s very rewarding to be able to say, “I grew that!”

Growing your own food also has an environmental impact because you’re using less chemicals and cutting down on those “food miles”, eating food that doesn’t have to travel across the country.

Think of your garden as your very own seasonal supermarket. You will be providing your family with the freshest and most nutritious food, picked at its peak. Way better than store-bought and less trips to the store!

Studies have shown that spending time in nature can have physical, mental, and emotional health benefits, including lower blood pressure, reduced stress, and improved mood.

Back in the day, Victory gardens focused on the easy to grow, in season, as well as root crops and hardier crops that could be stored during the winter. Today’s concept is based on whatever you want to grow. The benefits are in the doing and what you don’t have to do to get fresh wholesome food on your table. Grow your choice vegetables by season or start them indoors just in time for the planting season.

There are so many varieties and different types of vegetables available today, that the selection process can be overwhelming. If you’re new to gardening, start with the crops you like to eat and those that grow well in Arizona. Easy starter crops include bush beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, summer squash, and lettuce. These crops mature quickly and suffer from few pests and diseases.

Think about your usual grocery list for your household. What vegetables are on that list? This might help you determine which crops you should have in the garden. If a crop seems to be too much trouble or takes up too much space, consider eliminating it from the list. Don’t overplan for the amount of space you have. Keep your garden focused on efficiency: maximum output for minimum input. Maybe you should start modestly and then expand gradually as you judge the amount of time you can spend gardening so as not to make it a chore. Just enough work to enjoy your garden and the feelings of accomplishment it gives you.

The biggest mistake you can make is planting beyond your abilities. This will lead to frustration, particularly when the crop ripens and needs to be harvested and preserved right away, think beans, for instance.

Tie your victory garden in with the Farmers’ Market here in Sierra Vista and spread your relationship with other likeminded neighbors. It will offer you the opportunity to share ideas and establish many more friendships, both with vendors and neighbors.
Also, Ruth and Ray will be back tomorrow tomato and bedding plants, as well as fig trees, shrubs, and house plants to get your spring gardening going.

On another note, have you ever wondered if you could grow fruit trees in Arizona, and were told, No! Well, let it be known that fruit trees can be grown in Arizona, and in many varieties. We’ll look into that the next time we meet. We’ll even talk about bare root versus potted.

Take care and see you next time!

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 also be 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/

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.

Market will be closed on March 24, 2022

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

Music Entertainment: Pat Panther

Onion sets are in at the info booth. Plant now and harvest in May!

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/
Weblog: 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.

Awareness Ranch–Vendor Grown
Bali will be back during the winter season.
Local produce (mint, basil, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, bok choy) from Tucson area

Backyard Gardening & Growing  – – Vendor Grown –
Struses will back March 3!
Kale, collards, spinach, and turnips, and plants.

Beatty’s Orchard – – Vendor Grown –

Edith will be back next season.
520-378-2728 or 520-678-9443

Cazador Ranch

Donna Henricks aka Lettuce Man’s Daughter

Donna will NOT be at the market.
Lettuce mix, chard, kale, parsley

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

Estrada Citrus

Oranges and grapefruit from Mesa, Arizona.

Horton’s Farm  – – Vendor Grown –

Mark and Jessica will be back soon.
Cucumbers, Garlic, onions, Eggplant, chilies, patty pan squash, 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 –
Michael will be back in the spring of 2022.
(520-234-3254), email (justapinchllc@yahoo.com)

Nat Hutchins Farm

Local and Asian plant. Seasonal produce. Meyer lemons.

Ruth’s Garden

Ray and Ruth will return to the market on March 3, 2022, with tomato plants,
veggies, bedding plants, a variety of house plants,
shrubs, trees, and fig trees.

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, Egg & Honey Vendors

Golden Rule Dairy – – Vendor Grown – –
NEW: Raw butter and Ghee.
Golden Rule Dairy Special: Their very own chicken eggs!
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
Burt and Lisa will be back soon.

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

Rocky Creek Ranch

Duck, chicken, and quail eggs

San Ysidro Farm – – Vendor Grown – -,
Jackie will be at the market (every first Thursday only) 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 – –

– 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

Whitecane Sockeye Salmon

Alaskan caught sockeye salmon, king salmon, halibut, ling cod, shrimp, snowcrab, Bairdi crab, Dungenese crab

Baked Goods & Snack Vendors

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

Ginny’s Eclectic Kitchen
Crumb coffee cake, oatmeal sandwich cookies, sourdough, and another fun bread.
Instagram is @ginnyseclectickitchen

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

Katerina’s-It’s Original Greek
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

Mystic Eatz
Baked goods such as quick breads, cinnamon roll muffins, and seasonal pies.

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
Shelly will NOT be at the market.
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.

Wild Arizona Gardens
The bread selection will include na’an, green chili and cheddar bread, 5 seed bread, honey oat bread and rye bread. Also on the menu will be apple pie and strawberry rhubarb crisp. If you would like to have some held for you, please text 520-508-2494.

Personal Health & Household Vendors

Ancestral Herbals (Arizona Soap Company)

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

Chloe’s Creations
Handmade soap.

Nature’s Premium Skin Care
Aloe Vera miracle cream

Prepared Foods & Beverage Vendors

Ascendare-Bean to Bar Chocolate
Kendra will be at the market on the 1st and 4th Thursday.
Handcrafted chocolate

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 and new hot cocoa mix and hot cocoa by the cup.

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

Crazy Coyote Concessions

Kettle Corn and Smoothies
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook
520-904-2327
kettlekornaz@gmail.com

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
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
Fresh Made Salsa, Ceviche, Hand Sanitizer, and hibiscus syrup.
For more information, please visit one of their links: Facebook
520-904-4715

Sippin
Annalysa will be back in the spring.
Specialty soda drinks

Specialty Coffee of Colombia- Vendor Brokered

-Fresh Specialty Coffee from Colombian Farms

-SCA Rating of 85 and 83, rich and smooth

-For more information, please email manager.virtualworks@gmail.com

Zumi Juice
Come quench your thirst with a delicious, fresh, raw, cold juice made to order at our bright orange tent.  All of our juices are made from fruit to cup with no additives, just pure goodness.  Fresh Limeade is always served.

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

Knife sharpening at the market.

Lindsay

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

 
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

Bannuar Trading & Sporting Goods

Handcrafted jewelry and cut antlers for dog chews, Meyer lemons

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:

Doug Merrill

Handmade wooden boxes, tables, coat racks, benches, and wind chimes.

The Humble Daisy

– Local greeting cards made using Arizona photography, local art, and origami.
– Come get your greeting cards here. Personalization available.

Sierra Vista Gems
Gary and Gerry will be back in the spring.
New batch of blue oak and mesquite pens.
Cheri’s front license plates.

Artisan Vendors (once a month)

Chalia’s Craft (will be back in the spring)

•Crochet earrings

•Crochet & Macramé Plant Hangers

•Crochet bags and baskets

•Wall Decor

•Pillow Shams (seasonal item)

•Throw Blankets (seasonal item)

Shop: chaliascraft.Etsy.com

Instagram: @chalias_craft

Jim Williams
Wood works such as Lazy Susans, checker boards, and unique writing utensils

Rita Obenauf’s Windchimes
Every 1st Thursday when the weather cools again.
Up-cycle bottle wind chimes
909-957-0368
Insta-gram Lifeabove100

New artisans:

Buena High School artisans
Leta’s Gallery
Crafts by Kate
Allie’s Attic
Victoria’s Blankets
Rincon Valley Artisans
Jeffrey Block Jewelry
R & W Gifts
Blue Bear Trading

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