July was overwhelmingly busy...two...yes two new festivals in Herkimer County! Each one did very well for the 1st one, which is always the hardest. Convincing people from politicians, to business owners to all those that live around here....it is possible to invest in ourselves, make a difference, show pride in ourselves, we have so much to offer....we have plenty to be proud of, and many people will work tooth and nail, to improve and offer potential growth....yes it can be done, hard work and dedication, not accepting "no", plowing past the naysayers for sure, but the end result is worth it, worth the future we can have, and leave a legacy beyond compare....
So Congrats to the Little Falls Cheese Festival and Herkimer Diamond and Gem Festival!
Prepping and baking for two weekends, is incredibly time consuming, (through in some travel time for work) and no errors are acceptable, for it will throw the whole process kilter! But like others, you learn to do what has to be done, not just so I have a successful weekend, but that it always assists the whole festival to be successful. But, always worth it....whether its a older gentlemen, that was ecstatic over a brownie with walnuts, because they are a rarity these days or the young lady that returned to my tent to say "I was hesitant to pay that price for a cookie, but that Ginger Snap was worth more, because not only was it so flavorful, it was like having my Grandmother here....I have not had one hers cookies since she passed, no one makes them like hers, until now (I had more then one customer tell me something similar about the ginger snaps)...this statement and reaction, is why I love what I do, this alone would make that festival over the top successful for me, (don't get me wrong, I grateful for the money, it puts food on my table, literally. This income pays for our food for the year...yup whole other blog) Slow and simple, dealing with one person at a time...taking the time to connect and create, no matter how brief of a moment, a bond that completely centers all the wrongs in life.....
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Then it was time to change hats....market manager, local food supporter, making contact with the people that nourish us, with their hard work and dedication....farmers.....this year I aim to "hang" with each vendor, listen to them...learn of their goals, struggles, listen to thoughts on the market, any changes that might help, I hope to help them better reach their goals, encourage them when they need it, give some direction...etc. Sounds good right, all about the farmer Woohoo, aren't I just something...but you would be wrong! I get much more of this part of my "work", but it is difficult to explain, there are no words, it's a feeling, that just is, and should be felt by everyone....like a soul sustaining substance....I am working on a story for each vendor, for they are each so unique...as will my reward be...
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I really do have great vendors at Herkimer Farmers Market..... been through some over the last few years, and that's ok too. I get it, after all I work both sides, I vend and manage. I do admit I run a "tight ship" as they say, but after all each vendors actions affect the entire group, not just themselves.
Every week, (this year I am not a vendor) either myself or my better half, get the honor of chatting, help set up, and observe this group....they all work so well together...help each with the tents, off loading, checking on each other, talking "shop" and swapping stories of the week passed....I watched one week, a vendor had trouble with a tent, the next week another vendor brought an extra tent for them to use...no questions asked, just offered...the slow and simple life...
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Lambs Ear Acres joined us this year, first year to marketing. The hardest part of this story, was getting together....weather, schedules, our jobs.....yes farmers often have off farm jobs...not out of greed for money, but out of necessity. Now that is dedication to you, so that you can have the best, freshest and local food. I won't go on about the impact your $ has, that's for another blog, but think about this...your $, when spent at a farm market, creates a circle...the farmer gives their heart and soul to provide good nourishment to you, your $ provides nourishment to the farmers heart and soul....what a bond to have!!!
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So let me introduce you to those that are head of operations at Lambs Ear Acres....Fly and Laddie
All kidding aside, farm dogs are more then working, herding, whatever dogs etc.. but like all loving pets, they provide that silent support and love, for all the tough days that are truly inherent with farming.
Emily and Sarah, run this farm. Each owning to their specialties, smoothly yet with the occasional bumping of minds. Emily has an off farm job, and is continuing her education as recently she has started her post graduate program . Sarah, works two off farm jobs. Sarah has been farming all her life, shows a wonderful knowledge of farm animal care and manages the minor issues that arise, it would seem daily, at the farm. When I talked with her, I could just hear her life connection with being a farmer. We chatted briefly and off to tend the sheep she was.
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Emily and my new found friend, took me on a tour. First up, the geese, who were not shy at all about letting their presence known!!
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They have quite the living quarters for sure!! Plenty of play room, and endless supply of foraging abound. Emily points out a few, and tells me all their traits, personally I couldn't tell one from another, but that bond is a privilege to the farmer, and a special one at that.
Hey, then these came-a-running!! Gave me the ole sniff-a-roo, posed for the camera and moved on! Gotta love it!
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As we move out to the chicken coop, which was something that I could tell, Emily was very proud to talk about. She talked about why they had what animals where, their plans for the future of the farm, some other interest she has...barn quilts. You have seen one of her paintings here already...yes! on the road side stand. I have always found these to be beautiful. I can remember seeing many of these, in my...uh younger years...you know when a Sunday drive was the next best thing to sliced bread...ok moving on beyond showing my age...
The coop....Emily's design of the living quarters for the laying chicken... a barn quilt again she had created....a Chick and Hen pattern!!
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Beauty! As a quilter, I love all of these patterns! But what a chicken Condo!!
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You can see the stairs to the right, Emily proudly shows the sliding doors , stalls for the nesting! The water tanks are on a timer, which supplies the chicks with water as needed! Working off jobs, farmers find the best ways to make the work load easiest, but always what is best for the animals. This condo (my name for it!!), can be easily relocated (along with the electric fence) providing the chicks with great forage. These chicks have great room and board!
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Emily, once again shows her passion and knowledge, describes each breed, what each are know for, right down to the personality of each. I share that I wanted to be a chicken farmer....you know like Auntie Em from the Wizard of Oz, but as have it, I am more like the Wicked Witch ;)
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On the way to produce heaven, Caramel (Sarah's horse) poses beautifully, not camera shy at all, look at that pose, I swear I saw eyelashes batting!!
Emily and I chat on the way, she shares more thoughts and goals her and Sarah have for the farm. I have heard this from a great many farmers I have become friends with along the way (this friendship I have with all of them, is the greatest benefit of all!). As Emily shares, I hear the conviction, the passion and the longing, that tells me, as I have heard this in others, they will accomplish all. Not over night, most likely not easily but will accomplish all the same.
Reaching the produce section, the excitement that Emily voice, is electrifying!
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I tell myself, don't go over board on the flower photos! (a personal favorite of mine, edible flowers! Do yourself a favor buy some up, use in a salad! The color palette alone with ease the icks of the day away!!)
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The bounce and lift in Emily was catching, so pleased to show, talk about, answer my questions.... her knowledge is impressive...I admit, I threw in some test questions.....impressive indeed...we go through the herb section, some I have not heard of, or knew little about, Emily to the rescue! There was one herb, that had such a great connection for Emily, grown for just that, a connection for her, to her past, to someone important to her.... goose bump worth, the bond of someone that has long passed the physical realm, but had that influence in your life, so strong, heartfelt, comforting...which makes that person live on forever...
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There it is.....the love, the passion, the desire, the dedication, the very heart and soul of what drives farmers.... and we the markets, the managers, the customers are honored with that every week, every item brought froth, a morsel of flavor, all this nourishment we are privileged to experience weekly, for mere pennies......you will never find this anywhere else....we have a great many like Emily and Sarah...but each farmer is truly unique....
Get out weekly, talk with, learn to discover these words I have put here for yourself, it will become addictive...make your ripple effect, nourish yourself, bond with these beautiful farmers, support them, encourage them...
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Thank them...
