IN THE KNOW ABOUT THE WINDSOR CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET

By Glenda Castelli
April 26th, 2008

As the market is scheduled to open Mothers Day, May 11th, I thought this would be a perfect time to let you know the logistics on what the Windsor Certified Farmers Market is all about.

A "Certified" market means, what you sell is what you personally grow or personally make. For instance, Hector's Honey sells candles in addition to all his flavors of honey. Hector harvests the honey manufactured by his bees and with the honeycomb makes his candles. All our farmers GROW WHAT THEY SELL and their farms are open for surprise inspections at any time. Farmers are regulated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the Sonoma County Agriculture Commissioner, the Sonoma County Health Department. All scales must be verified each year by the Sonoma County Weights and Measures Department. There are fees for each of these departments that add up to over $500 for some vendors.

The Windsor Certified Farmers Market is a business. We are an incorporated, not-for-profit entity. We pay insurance, we pay our own advertising, entertainment, management, accounting and other bills incurred. Our Board of Directors set all the guidelines, rules and regulations of the market. We have a Town of Windsor business license and we are members of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, The Sonoma County Farm Trails and the Old Downtown Windsor Business Improvement District. We pay an Agricultural Farmers Market Permit and hold two Health Department Permits. Our income is based on a percentage of what our Farmers sell. All other vendors pay a set amount.

We are also regulated by the Sonoma County Health Department where all certified growers and food vendors are open to surprise inspections at every market. We must adhere to the "No Pets" rule as well as other health regulations with our sampling, box labels, and even the height the produce must be off the ground.

Is anyone allowed to set up a table at the farmers market? We are a certified farmers market first, with certified arts and crafts and processed foods added for the ambience of the market. Interested vendors must fill out an application. Vendors accepted by our board of directors, must adhere to all the rules and regulations. When space is allowed, non-profits that fit in with the ambience of the market are allowed. They must be pre- approved by our Board of Directors and follow strict sign and literature requirements. These rules can change each year, as legislation in Sacramento adds new guidelines to Farmers Markets. No resale of any item is allowed.

Eating from a farmers market is your best value. Some say, "Your prices are the same or a little more than a supermarket – what happened to the middle-man?" In 1977 the government passed legislation allowing farmers to sell retail. Before farmers markets, farmers were paid pennies on the dollar for their produce by big fruit and vegetable distribution centers. While this is still going on today, the farmers today have a choice. They can now make enough money to pay their gas and water bills and lead a little better life, while we get to reap the benefits of fresh picked-that-morning produce with no gassing, waxing, or pesticides. Isn't that the best value going? This is what I want for your family.

What if it rains? We are a rain or shine market. Farmers work every day every day you know, and that means 365 days a year.

We are "Kid Friendly." Since our opening in 2001 we have worked hard on the importance of Kids at the market. This year our new "Kidz Dig It Club" give the kids a choice on what they should be eating. Each month a special chef demonstration will demonstrate how important it is to eat the colors of the rainbow. And the most important part, the kids get to meet the farmer! Yes, we do have farmers at the market.

I am an advocate that a Farmers Market needs a grand spring opening and an equally grand finale. Wearied farmers and his land (and a farmers market manager too) need to take a much needed rest come the end of November. Anticipation for what's coming in the spring makes for a wonderful farmers market. I am known for change however, in regards to a year round farmers market, but only if it's dynamic and good for the farmer and the Town.

When visiting the market, stop by the market table and sit a while. Bring a friend and your dancing shoes. Smiles, dancing, and good times are definitely allowed.

You can contact the Market Manager, or for more information on what’s happening all year long, visit Our Calendar.

Farmers Market Celebrates Earth Day

By Glenda Castelli
April 4, 2008

The Town of Windsor asked the Windsor Farmers Market to join in their "First Annual Earth Day Celebration" and I must say, I immediately googled "Earth Day" to see what it was all about. It seems a special day was set aside back in the 60's or 70's that I and a big share of my down to earth farmers did not know about. When I asked our twenty-five farmers to come for this special Farmers Market, my biggest response from them was, "Wow, Glenda's having another party for us – what are we having to eat?" Have all of us farmers been so engrossed with the everyday hard work of weather watching, frost watching, watering, tilling, planting, harvesting, and to market to market to buy a fat pig, that we did not know there was a special day for us? Looks like it,s so!

Well let me tell you, Farmers never turn down a good party and especially at a place where they can "Shine," and shining we will be doing, on April 20th at the Town Green. It will be a surprise for us to see what early produce will come out of the garden and it may be a surprise to the farmer too. Everyday is a surprise in the garden – blink your eye and it could be gone. It seems like we have had a short winter and fortunately a nice cold winter. Although we could use a little more water, rationing won't be a problem. We are hoping for another couple of inches of rain before the summer sets in, which will be just fine for the farmers.

So what does the Farmer think Earth Day means to them? I regressed back to my younger years growing up as a farmer's daughter in southwest Iowa. The four seasons were vivid in my mind, but probably the most memories were spring. It was a time to take off the winter boots and walk barefoot with the mud squishing between my toes and seeing all the baby animals and birds. Wildflowers were abundant in the woods. We would pick huge bouquets of Dutchman's Breeches, which I remember as Dutchman Britches, as they resembled little white upside down pants. We would take them to the closest town, leave them on the front porch of friends - after we knocked on their door and ran to hide. Attending a country one-room school we celebrated May Day by attaching ribbons on the flag pole and dancing in a circle. Our lunch pails were metal with a dish cloths used for our tablecloth or napkin. Kleenex was an expensive item in my early years - cotton handkerchiefs were the only thing we knew. By the way, those little cotton handkerchiefs now demand a high price at antique stores. Paper towels? No way, our dishtowels, and me and my sisters dresses were handmade by mom, who salvaged the cotton chicken feed sacks, and which I must say, had some pretty good patterns.

Farmers Market advocate and volunteer Karen Alves grew up in the 1950's. Earth Day wasn't established, so there wasn't an Earth Day. She observed Arbor Day that falls in the same month as Earth Day. Sadly, Karen reports Arbor Day has fallen into obscurity as Earth Day has become the most popular observance. As a child she remembers Arbor Day as a day that all students would go out into the field behind her school and plant a tree. This would happen all over the country with children leaving their classrooms and planting trees to benefit the environment and "greening" up the air. To Karen, Earth Day should be more like Arbor Day. Rather than protesting global warming and corporate pollution, why not plant a tree and help "green up" the planet.

Saving the best for last, Earth Day could not be a day without a perception from long time, Windsor icon, George Greeott. George, who was born in the early 1900's and still farms today, had this to say on Earth Day. "I'm an old country boy from way back. I'm definitely an earthy kind of guy. Everything good that comes from the earth, I love. The veggies, fruit, birds, wild animals, and the sun setting at the ocean, I love. Everything good and sometimes that means things not so good. I honor the earth even down to the soil and climbing a tree as a young boy. When you think about it, we have been searching for life in space and so far we are the only planet with life. How lucky we are!"

Earth Day, Arbor Day, May Day, Spring Day, Farmers Day, George Greeott Day or whatever day you want to call it, we hope to see you and your cotton market tote on April 20th from 11-3 on the Windsor Town Green. We know you will want to see what the farmers will be eating. Oh, and be sure and bring your hanky!

You can contact the Market Manager, or for more information on what’s happening all year long, visit Our Calendar.

Farmers Planting for a Busy Season

By Glenda Castelli
February 26, 2008

Hot houses are steaming up with seedlings of summer's precious gifts. Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and other vegetable seeds have arrived from the seed companies and the farmers are as busy as ever.

Looking at my 2008 Burpee Seed Catalog, which just arrived, I see a new Burpee Exclusive, the Razzle Dazzle Hybrid Tomato. Burpee claims this red beauty is the best tomato they have ever grown and will give smooth texture and balanced flavor. Priced at a pricey fifteen cents a seed, the farmer surely will have to keep an eye on these in the hothouse. More exclusive tomatoes with Burpee this year is the "Best of Show Tomato Collection" where one packet carries each of 5 varieties, which includes again the "Razzle Dazzle and Tangerine Mama", the new bright orange counterpart of "Golden Mama Hybrid". Also in this collection is the "Italian Ice Hybrid", which is the first yellow paste tomato to keep its bright hue when cooked.". Adding to this collection is the mild cherry "Honey Bunch

I wonder how many of these tomatoes will make it to our Tomato and Pepper Festival on September 7th.

Speaking of peppers, I am hearing all about this new hard to get "Zavory Hot Pepper". It's a habanera, but promises a mild heat, registering only 100 Scoville's. Supposedly, you can bite into one just like an apple and survive to tell the tale. Other peppers that's on every farmers list and will be at the Tomato and Pepper Festival, is the new Japapeno Gigante, the Thai Dragon, the Big Thai, the Kung Pao, and the Biker Billy. Renowned Chef and TV host Billy Hufnagle has helped develop this big and hot jalapeno, which are especially hot when green. All these tiny precious seeds cost about ten cents each and again not one can be wasted. I' m sure the 2006 "All American Winner", Mariachi Hybrid pepper will be available at the market with its tasty, spicy and mild flavors. It freezes well and keeps its spicy flavor. Another "Must Have" pepper is the Hot Lemon Heirloom. Amazingly it has a unique citrus-hot smoky-spicy flavor. It has an extremely tasty fresh taste in sauces or even dried, and is great in tomato sauces.

This year, the market will be holding its first annual Garlic and Onion Festival on June 22nd. Last year was a remarkable garlic and onion year. The farmer's voice was to have this festival. Most farmers then jumped on the band wagon when I announced this at last years market, so most already have planted their garlic, onions, leeks, shallots, and chives. There is still plenty of time to plant in time for the June's harvest, though. Chef John Ash will be on hand to tell the history of garlic, its folklore, and to share his recipes. We are preparing a cookbook for the event, featuring garlic appetizers and antipasti recipes. Everyone will get to taste these recipes under the "Garlic Tent." This will be a fun event with a BBQ and live entertainment, and lots of chef demonstrations.

We wish to thank all of you for your winter hugs and for asking "When do you open?" Your energy, excitement, and wonderment keep our farmers growing the most exciting, tasteful, and exclusive vegetables and fruits on the planet. And, there're right here in your back yard. See you on Mothers Day!

You can contact the Market Manager, or for more information on what’s happening all year long, visit Our Calendar. See you Mothers Day, May 11th, when we open after our much needed rest. In the meantime, enjoy your jewel. Windsor is beautiful in the winter.