Sierra Vista Farmers Markets Update for 09-05-19

The Golden Rule Dairy – –
Sometime about the 18^th century, cattle stock from the Norman mainland were brought over to the British Channel Island of Jersey. For the next two hundred years the cattle were isolated from outside genetic influence and a peculiar breed of cattle was developed. Taking its name from the Channel Island of Jersey the Jersey cow was born. To maintain the purity of the breed, in 1789 a law was passed which prohibited the import of any foreign cattle into the Island of Jersey. By 1866 the states of Jersey had taken a census of their Jersey cattle and found that their islands supported 12,307 head of cattle.

The law may have seemed a bit drastic to outsiders but cattlemen and women of Jersey understood they had something special in their Jersey cows. Jersey milk cows have a wider range of climate adaptability than many other breeds of milk cows which originated in temperate climates. They are also highly productive cows that regularly give up to 10 times their body weight in milk per lactation cycle. Top it all off their milk is naturally high in butter fat at 4.84% and contains nearly 4% protein which gives Jersey milk its typical yellowish tinge. These unique characteristics made the Jersey cows highly sought after in many corners of the world including right here in Cochise County. I’ll tell you about how Jersey cows came to southern Arizona in just a minute but first let me tell you little bit about the health benefits of cows milk.

Health Benefits of Milk
Most of us have probably heard that milk is a great source of calcium which is beneficial to our bones. Did you know, that just one cup of whole milk contains 28% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of calcium? A cup of whole milk also contains nearly a quarter of our Vitamin D needs, 25% of our RDA of Riboflavin, 18% of B12, 10% of Potassium, 22% Phosphorus, 13% of our daily Selenium needs. Whole milk is also rich in proteins and (hundreds) of fatty acids.

For some reason in many adult’s minds, drinking milk is often associated with foods that cause weight gain. Interestingly, recent studies as published in the US National Library of Medicine suggest evidence to the contrary. A 2006-2007 study (PMID: 28856083) of 145 Latino children found that consumption of whole milk actually reduced childhood obesity in the study group. Also challenging conventional wisdom was a study of 18,438 middle aged women published in 2016 (PMID: 26912496). The study found that those who regularly consumed whole milk or equivalents had – lower – incidence of obesity. It was important to note that in both studies the weight moderating effects of milk was not found in the “low fat” products but rather those with higher milk fat content.

It seems, at least tentatively, that the complex interaction of proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals in whole milk provide the nutritional balance that may indeed encourage a natural weight moderating effect in our bodies. Ironic, isn’t it, that messing with milk’s natural balance of fatty acids and proteins may be causing imbalances that lead to the weight gain, the very opposite effect of what was intended? While the studies are not conclusive, they add to the growing body of evidence that suggest eating foods that are as natural and unprocessed as possible is the smart choice to promote our and our family’s health.

I should also note here that all cow milk is not equal. It is proven that milk cows raised in a natural environment where they can graze and move about in healthy manner produce milk that is richer in protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals than milk cows confined to a miserable existence in a milk factory. 

For those of you who don’t know, at the Sierra Vista Farmers Market you can buy fresh whole milk from real Jersey milk cows owned by Jared and Joyce Strite of the Golden Rule Dairy. The Strites are committed to provide southern Arizona with naturally healthy milk and raw cream.  Originally from Pennsylvania, the Strite’s dairy roots go back to their Holstein cows and the green pastures of the eastern US. After moving west the Strites chose Jersey dairy cows because of their smaller size, docile nature, adaptability to a hotter more arid desert environment, and of course their exceptionally rich milk. If you ever get a chance to drive north on highway 191 as you are coming out of Elfrida AZ, keep an eye out for Golden Rules’ tan Jersey cows grazing peacefully on the East side of the highway. I think you see, that the Strite’s “Golden Rule” applies not just to how they treat their customers but their cows as well.

$100 Like and Comment – Facebook Contest
Artisan Thursday also means we’ll be having our monthly $100 Farmers Market Tokens giveaway. Our unique wooden tokens can be spent at any of the fine vendors of the Sierra Vista Farmers Markets. So if you are looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, buy some healthy fruits, or vegetables, or just purchase a unique piece of art for your home, be sure to enter this week’s contest for your chance to win. Entry is free and easy. Just visit our Sierra Vista Farmers Market Facebook page – like the contest page and tell us one thing like about the Sierra Vista Farmers Market.

Then on Thursday at noon at the market we will randomly draw a name from those of you who entered the contest. Remember, you have to claim your prize in person at the market the day of the drawing or you prize will be forfeited and rolled into next week’s contest.

Artisan Thursday
It is the first market Thursday of this month again this week and that means we’ll be inviting additional artisans to our Thursday market. This week you’ll find all sorts of hand-made and crafted works of art. From paintings, fresh and paper flowers, star photography, leather work, and cutting boards, to unique handbags and tote bags, wood workings, and furniture for your home.

Artisans to be here this week include Jim Williams wood works, Sierra Scenes, Wood Kreations by Karen, Sari with painted rocks, Ray’s Leatherworks, Rich Wekerle with palett furniture and bird houses, Experience Ancient Sea Salts, Eileen with her special leatherwork, and of course Copper Canyon Designs, K-1 Kreations, and Greenstone Jewelry and Pottery. New this week please welcomeHidden Skies Photography, Megpie (hair accessories),Pamela with ceramics, Friendly Flowers, and Nga with paperflower arrangements.

Baja Arizona Sustainable Agriculture (BASA) Mesquite Milling in October
(Courtesy of Christie Brown)

Mesquite Beans are a Super Food!
Mesquite beans are a legume that is gluten free with nearly 40% protein. They also contain calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and amino acid lysine. Two tablespoons of mesquite flour has 30 calories, 6 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram protein, and with a low glycemic index of 25- the flour is easy on your blood sugar levels.

BASA Annual Mesquite Milling Open to the Public
If you are looking to harvest the nutritious Mesquite pods to make your own highly nutritious flour, Baja Arizona Sustainable Agriculture ( BASA) has an upcoming mesquite milling at the Sierra Vista Farmers Market on October 17.

Right now is the harvest season for mesquite bean pods from the high to low desert! They are ready to harvest when they are dry, rattle and pull easily off the trees. Pods can be harvested through October. Warning – don’t pick pods off the ground or they will likely have black mold on them. Be sure to sample the pods before you pick to ensure sweet flavor and no bitter taste.

Before you bring them to BASA’s annual milling, place them in a shallow tray and lay in the sun to finish drying. After drying your pods, be sure to place them in an oven at 200 degrees for an hour to kill the bruchi dbeetles found in many pods. A solar oven will also work for drying the pods.

In preparation for BASA’s October milling make sure you store them in a clean and dry food safe bucket or container after you have dried them. Pods will be inspected before milling to be sure they are free of dirt, stems, stones and mold. Please clean your pods before you bring them to the milling.

BASA Promotes Sustainable Agriculture
BASA operates a hammer mill to process the pods into Mesquite flour and sells the Eat Mesquite and More Cookbook from Desert Harvesters(Tucson, AZ) and offers many recipes at the local farmer’s markets. Cookies, Pancakes, breads, waffle and much more can be made using the Mesquite Flour along with other flours. Sugar can be reduced or removed from many recipes because of the natural sweet flavor from the pods.

Baja Arizona Sustainable Agriculture, BASA volunteer training is scheduled for Sept 21, 2019, the Sierra Vista Farmer’s Market Milling is scheduled for Thursday October 17^th and the Bisbee Farmer’s Market Milling is scheduled for Saturday October 19^th. High humidity or rain interferes with the milling dates and they will be rescheduled if inclement weather occurs on these days. Our Facebook page, search BASA or webpage, http://basamesquite.org/ or weblog: http://bajaaz.blogspot.com/ can offer contact information, harvesting guides and schedule changes. BASA always welcomes new board members, helpers and education at our monthly Farmer’s market visits.

Vendors Spotlight

Horton Farms 
This week  Horton Farms will be bringing Peppers squash, tomatoes, eggplant, turnips, and carrots.

Just a Pinch
Michael tells us that “For these hot summer days, mint is especially refreshing when added to all sorts of drinks, from tea to lemonade.  And Just-A-Pinch has 11 different kinds of mint for such use.  For a light mint with a citrusy fruity flavor, there is grapefruit mint, a hybrid from apple mint, another variety in the collection of Just-A-Pinch.  Fuzzy, deep green to purple-green leaves, and light purple flowers, grapefruit mint is grown best in afternoon shade and well-draining potting soil.”

• Peppermint
• Spearmint
• chocolate mint
• sweet mint
• apple mint
• orange mint
• grapefruit mint
• ginger mint
• Kentucky Colonel mint
• Mojito mint
• candy mint

Peppermint: Fun Facts from Michael Burgess
A hybrid plant of the mint family, the strong-flavored peppermint herb is most popular in desserts & drinks, though it can also be found on main courses & side dishes in Mediterranean & Middle Eastern cuisines.  An important ingredient in peppermint, menthol, makes an important medicinal additive in sore throats, digestion aides, and even some burns!  Other uses for peppermint include deterrence of mosquitoes, mice, & rats!

Hilltop Hydroponics
Tom Hanson will return this week with his living lettuce, curly endive, large & small tomatoes, spring salad mix, arugula, and sunflower microgreens. Come by and see for yourself some of the most beautiful lettuce and greens at the market.

Special Announcements and Events This Week

Thunder Mountain Alpaca Ranch
Lisa with TMAR will be back this week with their alpacas. She will be bringing her 10 week old alpaca Apollo and his momma. Big Hunk the llama and Baaarney the Navajo Churro sheep will be making appearances as well.

For those who would like to pick up some “garden gold” Lisa will have a few bags of her alpaca manure for sale. Lisa will also be offering sign ups for classes she will be hosting at their ranch this fall. Classes include the finer arts of spinning, felting, dryer balls, yarn bowls, etc.  Be sure to stop by the East end of the market under the tree to talk to Lisa and check out her menagerie.

Master Gardeners and the Seed Library
Be sure to stop by the Master Gardeners next to TMAR for all sorts of great gardening information and advice. If you are looking to share or find new and interesting seeds for your garden make time to visit the Seed Library this week at the market, the master gardeners and the seed library will be hosting a booth together.

Sierra Vista Garden Club Semi-Annual Plant Sale
Mark your calendars for the Sierra Vista Garden Club semi annual plant sale scheduled for September 12 on the West End of the market.

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 Weeks 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.

Arevalos Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
Aaron Cardona with Arevalos Farms has a wide variety of seasonal vegetables such as kale, carrots, onions, beets, and canned vegetables.

Backyard Gardening & Growing – – Vendor Grown – –
Zane and Noah Struse will bring onions, eggplant, cucumbers, okra, peppers, yellow and white peaches. Garlic grown by the Garden of Eat’in.

Beatty’s Orchard – – Vendor Grown – –
Edith will NOT be at the market this week.

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. She’ll also have organic salves for summer issues, insect bites, and stings. All Frena’s products are “kid-safe and friendly”.

Big Skye Baker
Bodie will NOT be at the market this week.

Big Woody’s

Hot lunch at the market with Sonoran hotdogs, pulled pork, or nachos.

Café Cultiva
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 makes 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).

Desert Oasis Soap
Greg brings a wide variety of soaps to the market every week. Ask him for his favorite scent.

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 will not be at the market this week.

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 – –
Roger Taber provides us with yak meat every week. Try something new for dinner. Also, Roger has several emu products available.

Four King’s Kitchen
April brings 3 flavors of April’s Granola to the market each week. Their granola is grain-free, sugar-free, and low-carb. It suits a variety of eating styles: Keto, paleo, vegan, diabetic, low-carb, anti-inflammatory and more. Stop by the purple tent and try a free sample.

Ginny’s Eclectic Kitchen
Ginny makes fresh sourdough bread for you every week. But it is not only her baking that makes this sourdough so delicious. She has to “feed” her sourdough leavening starter every day to keep it “alive” and healthy. Ginny only uses unbleached, unbromated, unenriched wheat flour, so come and sample her bread or some of her scrumptious sweet treats.

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.

Gray’s Garden of Eat’N – – Vendor Grown – –
Clinton will Not be at the market this week.

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. 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.

Horton Farms –– – Vendor Grown – –
Welcome to one of our nest produce grower. Mark and Jessica with Horton Farmers brings fresh tomatoes, squash, zucchini, beans, and carrots.

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 mint, and basil. Buy it by the ounce freshly cut at the market or take home a healthy plant. Still available are his Egyptian walking onions.

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 Koyote 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
Scotty will NOT be at the market this week.

Lettuce Man – – Vendor Grown – –

Donna will NOT be at the market.

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.

McDonald Farm
Scrumptious baked goods are brought to you by Donna. Try lemon bars, cinnamon rolls, scones, hand pies, and the ever favorite seven nut caramel bar. She also brings chicken and duck eggs.

Mustang Mountain Eggs

Mistik Valley Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
Mistik Valley Farms will NOT be at the market this week.

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
Erin has dozens of artisan pastas made with organic wheat. She also has gluten-free and vegan pasta as well.

Peace, Love, & Smoked Cheese

Mickey 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 beautiful tomatoes and squash as well as many varieties of succulents. Many new herbs in small pots, tomato plants, geraniums and betting plants. Ruth’s Garden also carries organic fertilizers to feed those heavy feeders (plants).

San Pedro River Valley Salsa

San Ysidro Farms – – Vendor Grown – –

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
Their local mesquite 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 and other produce.

Super Natural Organics – – Vendor Brokered – –

Sweet Arizona
Roger and Debra will bring fudge, brittle, and toffee.

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

Lisa will bring baby and mama alpaca as well as her spinning wheel.

Tortilla Arevaloes aka Esperanza

Hot lunch at the market or take home her much-sought after tortillas, also available gluten free.

Toy’s Eggrolls

Tigerlily Boba Tea

White Cane Salmon
Not here this week.