Okra, Yardlong Beans, and Tropical Pumpkins (10/06/2017)

~~Hey, we keep waiting for weather cool enough to plant lettuce and spinach seed (and we’ve tried and failed already)–but it only gets hotter and wetter!! The good news is that we’re starting to get a little bit of baby greens leaves–probably not enough to fool with yet, but it’s encouraging.  Lack of sun for days at a time really slows down the process–especially for tomato production…the plants are big enough if the sun decides to grace us with it’s presence for awhile *:) happy  We did plant some nice cucumber and squash seedlings in the ground and the radish seedlings are looking good.
~~This week we’ll have more okra, a few yardlong beans, maybe a few sweet potatoes and the last of the tropical pumpkins (many are stored in the cooler with numerous spots on them from the wet weather so that they are not sellable). We’re still getting some passion fruit, persimmons and starfruit too.  Our crew is planting strawberry plants right now–the cloudy, wet weather is good for something!! Last week we started selling powdered Moringa–so nutritious sprinkled on your food–also a nice organic tea blend with Moringa, mint and other wonderful smelling herbs…And of course the latest version of Karen’s wonderful Seasonal Pesto, with moringa leaves. By the way, mark your calendars for Saturday, October the 28th for the 33rd Annual Munn Park Garden Extravaganza.  Not only will there be many wonderful things to buy in the Park, but the market is always full of good things from our vendors.  Karen Elizabeth will be helping me at the Ecofarm booth and offering tasting samples (Bill will be in the N.C. Mountains that weekend).
~~Raw Water Buffalo Milk & other ‘Pet Consumption’ *;) winking products (ask us if you don’t know what this means):  When milk is plentiful we’ll have good farmers cheeses, Kefir, buttermilk (best for cooking; the fluffiest pancakes ever!), unsalted creamy white butter, Whey  http://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2014/05/36-ways-to-use-whey-and-5-ways-to-make-it/

and of course Raw Milk, which is regularly priced at $9/half gal. or $17/gal. However, we have been eating/drinking all of this ourselves and other than the Raw Milk can only make it for you if you order ahead of time(Please give us a week – ecofarmfl@yahoo.com).

~~For our complete availability list (except for last minute items) check the bottom of this email.
~~Thanks for your support!!  See you at the Market Saturday *:) happy
Check this out from the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curbmarket Newsletter:Text to Win!

Keep up with Market news via text message!

  • Just to make it fun, we are running a weekly contest. Text Keyword CURB to 51660 to join our text program and enter to win $10 worth of Market Bucks, which can be spent with any Market vendor. Winners will be notified via text each Saturday.
  • What happens if you don’t win the week you joined? No worries! You can try again week after week. Just text CURB to 51660 each week (Sunday–Friday), and you’ll be entered for that week’s drawing!
 
~~We are always happy to take your used, clean plastic grocery bags (no garbage please) and green pint baskets that strawberries come in…Please remember to bring them to us this week…Thanks!
~~ Italian ischia sourdough starter http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinkadvice/10638629/Pizza-recipes-how-to-make-artisan-pizza-in-your-own-home.html

and Pizza dough, ready to use right away–active and ready to use (please pre-order this a week before so it can be activated) $9. Also, let me know ahead of time and we can have a Kombucha ‘mother’  available for making your own brew (also $9).


 
~~Raw Water Buffalo Milk sales: We normally sell milk in plastic half gallon containers @$9 and a convenient quart size plastic container for $5. If you would prefer quart or half gallon wide mouth glass containers there will be a $1& $2 deposit to cover the cost of the jars and you will need to let us know ahead of time by email. Kefir only comes in quart sized jars ($8 or $7 with a wide-mouth quart jar to trade). Butter comes in 8 oz. plastic containers for $8. Remember, this is for ‘Pet Consumption Only’ by Florida law. Your ‘Pet’ will be eating like royalty 🙂


~~We grow everything organically; all ‘chemicals’ are OMRI approved for Organic growers and our fertilizers consist of composted manures (buffalo and more) and fish emulsion. We are not Certified Organic as the cost and ongoing paperwork is prohibitive for ‘real’ farmers–and there are too many variances allowed for Corporate Organic farms.

 
Ecofarm is currently able to participate in only one market with super fresh, organically grown produce (not Certified) and other farm products for your convenience:


* Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curbmarket Saturdays 8AM-2PM all year except August. We are located on Kentucky Avenue in front of Crispers restaurant. Check out the market website at www.ldda.org/home/farmerscurbmarket.aspx

 and sign-up for the market e-newsletter. Dogs, children and fun galore!

* Temple Terrace Farmers Market – Saturdays 9AM-1:00PM Summer Hours 9AM-Noon – A true Farmers Market – For more information check it out at:http://www.ttfarmersmarket.com/

or https://www.facebook.com/ttfarmersmarket 


Note: We have been providing some of our produce to this market and will continue to increase our support whenever possible. 


~~The Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curbmarket is now taking your EBT/SNAP cards; and you can double your dollars by purchasing Florida grown produce & honey!! There are about 25 of us selling honey, cane syrup, cottage industry foods, produce, breads, seeds, edible plants and more that qualifies for SNAP; and about six of us that can double your money with our produce, thanks to the Fresh from Florida program. The Market booth is set up at the south end of the market and they can explain the process and you can purchase tokens. Vendors participating in the program will have a sign in front of their booths. In addition, you can ride the bus free in Polk County to come to our market and participate in this program. Please pass the word!


Following are some of the products we may be bringing to the market this week:

 
Super-Nutra Loaf – Fresh weekly; full of seeds & nuts. New supply this week!
Pesto! Various Seasonal ingredients – great for seafood, pasta, potatoes and more! New supply this week!
Florida Red-Bay leaves – use like other dried bay leaves in soups, beans, etc. 
Tropical Pumpkins –  have small to large sizes available for a short time
Fresh Rosemary – We may bring a couple of small bags
Sweet potatoes – this small crop is about gone for a month or so
Israeli basil – very heat & rain tolerant; tastes and smells wonderful!
Lemongrass culms/leaves – may be available some weeks
Powdered Moringa – just a teaspoon in your breakfast or other meals does wonders
Okra – Good supply, but it goes fast
Ice Cream Bananas – this week
Starfruit – should have some this Saturday
Persimmons – Astringent (must be very ripe) & non-astringent (can eat hard, like an apple)
Homemade jams made with very little sugar (organic) –  strawberry, strawberry/basil, peach 

Pure Cane syrup – Yes!  Give our own local, sustainable sweetness a try; not just for pancakes.
Luffa seed packets – not currently available
Luffa sponges – Check out the real thing–and no, they don’t come from the ocean!
Java Planet Coffees (whole bean, Organic, Fair Trade, Shade Grown & Bird Friendly!) Good Selection of single, blends, dark & medium roasts


Thanks for supporting local farmers, artists, musicians and craftspeople!


Debbie, Jon & Billy plus C.J. & Hayley–the kiddies that inspire us
Ecofarmers do it in the dirt!