Re: A good list or naughty list for mpls/st. paul farmers markets?

[Guest guest]

I would love to get a list like that. I also wonder how the Hmong growers are

doing with that.

Back in 1985 I took some macrobiotic cooking classes. Our teacher always told us

when we went to the farmers' markets to get organic first. If you can't get

organic, then buy the vegetables from the Hmong. They grow things the old

fashioned way and know how to do it. But almost 30 years have passed and the

next generation is taking over. I wonder if they are still using old fashioned

ways.

Also now, some folks are growing organic+ without becoming certified because

it's too expensive. A new consideration.

Can you direct us to your blog?

Thanks.

> So, I'm going back there next weekend, or the next after that, and I'm going

to get a list going of the farmers who are doing it right and those who are

slacking and I'll put it up on my bloginsky for anyone interested...unless

anyone knows of a list, up to date and already in existence.

>

> If so, please share the link!

>

> Oh and to clarify, I'm talking about the veggies for eating. The plants seem

to be organic for planting.

>

> Cheers and happy father's day to all!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This is a great idea!

On Sun, Jun 17, 2012 at 7:28 PM, ryan2645 <ryan2645@...> wrote:

> **

>

>

> I stopped in at the st. paul farmer's market today to pick up some

> heirlooms for our garden and some veggies for a green juice. I was slightly

> pressed for time so I wasn't able to audit every stand there, but the ones

> I went to, they all used chemical granular fertilizers, though I had to

> press for that info since when I asked if they used any chemicals they

> quickly said " Nope, no pesticides no sprays! " as if that was the only

> chemical possibly involved in improper farming.

>

> So, I'm going back there next weekend, or the next after that, and I'm

> going to get a list going of the farmers who are doing it right and those

> who are slacking and I'll put it up on my bloginsky for anyone

> interested...unless anyone knows of a list, up to date and already in

> existence.

>

> If so, please share the link!

>

> Oh and to clarify, I'm talking about the veggies for eating. The plants

> seem to be organic for planting.

>

> Cheers and happy father's day to all!

>

>

>

>

>

--

* J. Elias*

The Professor Coach

http://pronunciationcoach.com/

http://pronunciationcoach.wordpress.com/

[Guest guest]

Hey,

I am not doing any farmers markets this year but here are a few things to look

for since the amount of " farmers " not growing their own and selling at markets

is growing each year.

1) Certified Organic may be good but it really is not designed for the small

consumer, more for grocery/rest. customers. Go to the organic website at USDA

and read up on what they can use and still be considered organic. It may scare

you.

2) Certified Naturally Grown is a grass roots organization that actually has one

farmer inspecting the other. It has at minimum the same standards as organic

but is more strict in milk and meat. There are a handful of farms in MN that

are part of this group. There were more last year.

http://www.naturallygrown.org/farms/list/227/MN

3) Try to look for the MN Grown people. Most of them do actually grow their own

products. This has nothing to do with how things were grown but that the farmer

may actually grow their own food.

4) When talking to these farmers, keep in mind that they are getting asked the

same set of questions the majority of the time by people who actually don't know

anything about growing or raising plants/livestock.

When I did markets I would be asked for example how my hens were raised. The

answer they are looking for is they run around the farm and play in the dirt

chasing bugs and laying eggs. Seldom did I have people ask further than

that--what do they eat, how are they cared for in winter, what breed/breeds,

where do you get your stock, do you feed GMO's/soy? When asked those questions

it is an entirely different conversation with someone who has done their

homework.

I also had pictures in a 3 ring folder that showed all parts of the farm--the

garden and how it was set up including a map of it, all the poultry from

incubators/brooders to outside pens and the free ranging ladies, babies from

birthing to ready to butcher, other parts of the farm--fences, feed storage,

etc. I think I had 3 people look at it over the years.

5) Ask if they grow ALL their own produce. You can sell at a farmers market

without growing all your own or even any of your own veggies depending on the

rules of that market. Some markets are saying you need to grow at least 80% of

what you bring (you and immediate family), other markets do not have that

requirement. I can't remember any markets right off that require 100% of the

product being grown/raised by the farmer/immediate family. Sad.

6) Ask how they grow something. If you have grown any veggies in the past share

gardening talk with the farmers. Of course, if it is busy keep it short or come

back later.

7) , most of the people asking about chemicals are only thinking of what is

sprayed on the plant. They don't think of anything being added to the soil.

Good point.

8) Keep in mind what is local here in MN. If the farmer has tomatoes and corn

out right now, question them! You can do toms and many, many other veggies in

high tunnels and green houses to keep them coming year round, but corn??? Not

so sure. And I don't think pineapples grown in MN.

9) With the coming of GMO sweet corn and other fun things, ask what VARIETIES of

the veggies they have planted. They may not know but at least ask where they

get their seed. Some save it, others buy it. Hybrids don't do well the second

year from saved seed and some GMO's contain the terminator gene so they won't

come up anyway.

10) Ask where their farm is located. Ask for pictures of the farm. With camera

phones it is not difficult to do anymore. Ask if you can purchase directly from

them at the farm too.

In regards to looking for a " type " of farmer, I would probably trust most of the

Asian farmers out there. However, I also know of several of them who use heavy

chemicals on their plants and know enough to not say anything about it when

asked. They are by far not the only ones who do that.

There is a trust that you have to decide if it is real or not. You probably

can't go and inspect the farm for yourself and even if you did it is easy enough

to not do something when people are around. It can be a game of smoke and

mirrors.

Some things you can do for infractions so to speak--complain to the market

manager. Each market is set up differently but every market I have ever

participated in or looked at participating in ALL had a clause for inspection by

the market manager or member of the market board. If you honestly suspect

something not right, provide the market manager with the details and ask them to

follow up on it. And ask to be kept in the loop as to what they find. I have

NEVER had any market manager come to the farm or ask for pictures even. I would

not mind having someone check up--keeps things a bit more honest all around.

If the farmer is a MN Grown farmer, call the state. As you all know, the state

LOVES to check up on their farmers. When participating in this program you also

give them a right to inspect. Just contact the state thru the MN Grown portal

and state your concern/complaint. They HAVE to follow up on it.

Enjoy!

PS: In regards to asking about soy in the feed, if the farmer can not recite

what is in the feed mix, it is probably a general mix from a mill or company.

You should know what is in your feed mix. Mine is simply three things--linseed

meal, corn, oats. None are GMO, all are local. Any farmer who uses any type of

feed should know so if you are looking for soy free eggs and they can't tell you

about the feed, walk on.

The farmer has daily knowledge of what is happening on the farm, don't be afraid

to ask and keep seeking until you find the right one.