Vermillion Area Farmers Market

New Year’s Resolutions and the VAFM

puttle — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:31:39 +0000

So, I finally decided to resolve to lose weight. The decision even to make a resolution took a while. Yes, I went through the same process last year and almost every year prior, but that was irrelevant. Back to the point. Having made the decision, I walked into the January winter market armed with a bag, a debit card, and resolve. I left with amazing dark chocolate raspberry truffles (dark chocolate is good for you and raspberries are fruit), a box of cake bites (one was carrot cake – that’s a vegetable), and two bags full of lamb.

At first this may seem that I made better use of the bag and debit card than the resolve, but here is my argument – for better or worse, it’s what I’m sticking with. I found that I am miserable if I try to adhere to a rigid diet of deprivation. I actually cheat more. So, if I don’t deprive myself, then I won’t be tempted to cheat. Honestly, my daughter and I share a cake bite in the evening. It’s fun for us and satisfies my sweet tooth. The truffles are just for me. I have one after lunch, and maybe as a snack. (OK, my argument is suffering with the truffles, but they are really, really good and can only last for so long, then they are done.) The lamb chops made a fabulous dinner – pan seared and roasted, served with rice mixed with spinach and goat cheese. The crux of my argument is that I decided to enjoy what I eat, but only eat so much. My goal is to eat good food, that tastes really good, to enjoy it, but not overdo it. The weight will be what it will be, but I did start working out again.

This is how I can diet. We have amazing ingredients around here and I want to enjoy them. Like Michael Pollan says, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Across a day, that’s my goal and it can be a really enjoyable one, too!

December Market

puttle — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:58:03 +0000

Wow! What an exciting market! We had Frosty cloggers who danced, sang, and had a snowball fight. Santa showed up. We had vendors all around and down the center of the Extension Building. It was hopping!

A big thanks to everyone who helped out, to all our vendors and to all our customers.
See you in January.

December Winter Market

puttle — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:48:03 +0000

I am getting more and more emails every day from vendors who plan to be at the December 17 Winter Market! This is your big chance to get those one-of-a-kind, gifts straight from Southeastern South Dakota, gifts that you can’t find anywhere else. What do you buy the person who has everything – something they can’t get elsewhere!

Reddog Brand Biscuits will be there with pet foods.
Hanisch Farms will come with pasture-raised meats – think Christmas dinner!
Rukus Ridge will have Hand made wood puzzles and kitchen items, Hand made Sterling Silver & Bead jewelry, Hand made Gourd Art & Birdhouses. They will also have popcorn that they grew right here on their farm.
We have several bakers – amazing breads from one, pies, cakes, pastries, cookies from another.
Jams and jellies to go along with those breads and pastries
Dakota Earth will bring samples of pasta with one or two of their recipes. They will also bring their signature flavors, along with Toasted Garlic Herb, Meditterranean Olive, and Monnezagglia [it has to be seen to be appreciated]. They’ll also have teas, breakfast blends, and perhaps some cookies.
Arlyce Douglas will return with crafts, baby blankets, towels, ornaments, and more.
There will be teas – and samples – dried herbs, salsas, jellies, and other preserved foods
For stocking stuffers, buy some VAFM gift certificates (or donate them to the food pantry)

Winter markets are the third Saturday of each month – from 10-1 at the Clay County Extension Building, 515 High St.

November Market Goods

puttle — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:36:52 +0000

I left the market today a little lighter from having sold several bags of dried herbs as well as all my onions and lettuce. To counter that lighter load, I finished a large chunk of my Christmas shopping – VAFM shirts for family, wooden toys for kids, hand-made kitchen utensils, local popcorn, knitted towels. My breakfasts and snacks are covered for the upcoming week – scones every morning, choice of warm chocolate bread or chocolate chip cookies every afternoon (sounds awesome with hot chocolate). I have pumpkins for Thanksgiving pies, herbs for the turkey, squash for a side dish, fresh bread.

Can’t wait until the December market to finish Christmas shopping and to load up on treats for the trip to visit family and foods for Christmas dinner. See you there!

New vendors at Nov Winter Market

puttle — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 06:10:54 +0000

I have received calls all evening from new vendors coming to tomorrow’s winter market! Fresh produce. At least 2 bread bakers. A new pastry vendor. Baby clothes and blankets. Homemade pasta. Knife sharpening. More! 10-1 at the Clay County Extension Building.

Night Tree

puttle — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 04:05:17 +0000

I am spending the weekend drying fruit for the winter market next Saturday (Nov. 19). We are planning a kids’ table where they can create decorations for a night tree. Night trees are trees that you decorate with edible garland and ornaments to feed birds and other animals. They often come out to eat at night, hence the name. Kids can run out in the morning to see what was eaten overnight. Every night tree is unique – decorated as high as the children are tall!

We will have information on making your own “ornaments” if you want to continue decorating your night tree through the winter.

Local Foods Conference

puttle — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:52:59 +0000

I’m gearing up for a talk at the first SD Local Foods Conference in Huron this Friday. Two SD farmers markets were singled out to discuss their success stories. Thanks to everyone who supports the VAFM, contributing to our success. You can still register late for the conference, if interested. The brochure can be accessed at http://www.sdda.sd.gov/Department/PDF/Local%20Foods%20Conference%20Brochure.pdf.

Vote for your farmers market

puttle — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:40:07 +0000

We are asking for your support. The Yankton Press and Dakotan, Broadcaster, Press and Dakotan are holding a photo contest to showcase what you love most about our community. The Vermillion Area Farmers Market is asking for your vote on photo number 16 of our market. Simply log on to play2win.upickem.net, register, click VOTE and vote for number 16. You can vote once per day.

Send this to your friends and family encouraging them to vote for your farmers market.

Last day to vote is 11/14/11!!

Thank you!

Tri-State Fruit & Vegetable Symposium.

puttle — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 02:46:05 +0000

Tri-State Fruit & Vegetable Symposium.
Friday, December 2, 2011 from 12:00-5:15 p.m. Featuring speakers and exhibitors covering specialty crop production and marketing topics. Location:
Stoney Creek Inn, 300 3rd St., Sioux City, IA.
Sponsored by South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa Cooperative Extension Services. TriState Fruit & Veg Symposium Postcard email

South Dakota Local Foods Conference!!

puttle — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 02:44:51 +0000

The first South Dakota Local Foods Conference and GAPs Training in Huron, SD. Ken Meter of the Crossroads Resource Center will be the keynote speaker on Nov. 11. Michelle Schermann from the University of Minnesota will be conducting the GAPs Training on Nov. 12.

See the attached postcard for more informationSave the Date Postcard. Registration information will follow next week. Please pass this information on to anyone who may be interested.

These two days are being planned by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, SDSU Extension, USDA Rural Development, Dakota Rural Action and Buy Fresh Buy Local South Dakota.