May 1, 2008 by Sara Zoe.

The Seacoast Growers’ Association, [which runs 6 of the 20 farmers’ markets in York, Strafford, and Rockingham counties, including the upcoming (as in 2 days away) Portsmouth Farmers’ Market] now has a monthly newsletter! Go sign up > (on the right, scroll down a little, see it there in pink?)

And next month, you too will get a newsletter in your email box, full of fun and helpful info like this schedule of live music and special events:
May 3, Random Acts of Harmony

May 10, American Flyer for our official ribbon-cutting with Mayor Ferrini

May 17, Taylor River Band for SGA’s own version of Earth Day

May 24, Penhallow

May 31, The Reef Band

And this tidbit on the Wednesday Dover market:

The Dover market has moved, and is better than ever!  SGA is teaming up with the Atlantic Culinary Academy at McIntosh College (181 Silver St.) to bring you more vendors than ever, as well as special demonstrations by faculty and student chefs at the ACA.  The new location offers plenty of parking, and easy access from the Spaulding Turnpike, exit 8E.  Come check out Seacoast farmers growing new roots in Dover.

I *heart* the farmers’ markets!

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April 26, 2008 by Sara Zoe.

from the Portsmouth Herald >

Farmers’ markets return for the season across the Seacoast

April 24, 2008 5:39 PM

PORTSMOUTH — The weekly farmers’ market in Portsmouth opens Saturday, May 3, bringing Seacoast residents and visitors another season of shopping just a short, gas-saving walk or bike ride from downtown. Fifteen new, independent businesses have joined Seacoast Growers’ Association in its 32nd year — a growth of 36 percent from 2007 — so the selection will be better than ever.

Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the City Hall lot on Junkins Avenue, fresh and local produce, flowers and garden plants, meats and cheeses, breads and pastries, fine crafts and more are available. Stock up on groceries, enjoy a live musical performance, and buy a gift for your mom … all in one stop!

Opening Ceremonies will be held the second week of the market, May 10, with a special ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. by Portsmouth Mayor Tom Ferrini, attended by City Manager John Bohenko and members of the City Council. The week’s live music will be provided by American Flyer, a collection of instruments and vocals on classic and contemporary Bluegrass, originals and covers. Other entertainment for the month is: Random Acts of Harmony, May 3; Taylor River Band, May 17; Jonathan Blakeslee, May 24; and The Reef Band, May 31.

Additional weekday markets in Dover, Durham, Exeter, Hampton and Kingston are open the first week of June through mid-October. The Dover farmers’ market, in particular, has grown and now boasts extended hours. Open weekly until 6 p.m., it has moved to the parking lot of McIntosh College’s Atlantic Culinary Academy, 181 Silver St., where a total of 15 weekly vendors will provide farm-fresh produce, fine crafts and gourmet foods.

(Dover: Wednesdays starting June 4, 2:30-6 p.m., McIntosh College’s Atlantic Culinary Academy parking lot, 181 Silver St.; Durham: Mondays starting June 2, 2:30-5:30 p.m., Durham traffic circle, Pettee Brook parking lot; Exeter: Thursdays starting June 5, 2:30-6 p.m., Swasey Parkway; Hampton: Tuesdays starting June 3, 3:00-6 p.m., Route 1, across from the post office; Kingston: Tuesdays starting June 3, 2:30-5:30 p.m., Main Street.)

The average American eats food that’s traveled 1,500 miles from field to plate. Who wants to be average? Shop local, enjoy the flavor, meet your neighbors, and reduce your carbon footprint. For details and directions, visit www.seacoastgrowers.org.

Seacoast Growers’ Association is a state-registered nonprofit organization representing 57 local small businesses. SGA works closely with Slow Food Seacoast, Seacoast Eat Local, and Seacoast Local, all of whom can be found every Saturday at the market booth. A hotline listing in-season produce and weekly special events can be reached 24 hours a day at 658-0280. For details and directions, visit www.seacoastgrowers.org.

Portsmouth Herald article >

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April 18, 2008 by Sara Zoe.

from the cover of today’s Newburyport Daily News:

City’s first Farmers Market to launch on Earth Day

By Stephen Tait
Staff Writer

NEWBURYPORT — Dick Chase is bringing spinach and fresh herbs, some honey from last year’s crop and also potted flowers, such as pansies.

He is also going to bring a new item from his Arrowhead Farm: a “living salad bowl,” or a collection of greens that grows back after people pick it for salads.

Arrowhead is just one of 10 farms participating in a farmers market Sunday at the Bartlet Mall as part of the city’s Earth Day celebration, which involves numerous events running throughout the weekend and ending Tuesday with the first-ever Earth Day Awards.

Chase and other farmers market organizers hope this weekend’s event serves as the launching pad for a summer-long farmers market in the city.

“The time is right for a farmers market in Newburyport,” said Heidi Spinella, an Earth Day organizer. “The concept is that the people will embrace it and we will be able to do a six- to eight-week farmers market this summer.”

Spinella and Chase said Newburyport is fortunate to have farms in the area that produce herbs, fruits, vegetables and meats.

“It is important to support the local farmers,” Spinella said.

Supporting local food producers has grown in popularity and importance throughout the country in recent years, especially among those who are environmentally conscious. One of the biggest reasons is that local farming is considered “green” because it can save fuel costs.

“The farmers market ties in beautifully with eating locally,” Spinella said. “If we can eat more food produced locally, we can cut down on the fuel it takes to truck them across the country.”

Chase said it is also supports sustainable agriculture, another movement he says is really starting to flourish.

“For a community to be sustainable, it really needs the capacity to produce its own food,” he said.

Spinella said beyond green aspects, the farm also could prove to be a great connection for local residents. She said she envisions a market that would allow for people to “re-engage with the simple pleasures in life,” such as riding a bike to go shopping at the market.

“It is a community-spirited opportunity,” she said. “You could come to town, meet your friends. It would be a beautiful thing.”

Chase said that it is also a way for people to get to know local farmers. He said not many locals may realize there are many farms in the region.

He said farming is among the “original green enterprises” and a farmers market is an “appropriate fit” for Newburyport.

“It is a good way for people to get connected back to agriculture,” he said. “We are hoping it will become a regular thing.”

“It is good for the farmers, good for the residents and good for planet Earth,” Spinella said.

 

 

If you go

When: Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Bartlet Mall

Why: Earth Day celebration

Who: 10 local farms with fruits, flowers and more

 

Participating farms:

Arrowhead Farm, Newburyport

Bartlett Farm, Salisbury

Colby Farm, Newburyport and Newbury

Herrick Dairy Farm, Rowley

Nunan Florist and Greenhouses, Georgetown

Pettengill Farm, Salisbury

Simple Foods, Amesbury

The Herb Farmacy, Salisbury

The Katie May, a Newburyport fishing vessel

CSA at Long Hill, West Newbury

Pictures and more at the Newburyport Daily News website >

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April 2, 2008 by Sara Zoe.

I was googling something rather unrelated when I came across this Youtube video of our own local farmer Shawn Stimpson, who, along with his partner Sarah Anderson, farm at Nelsons Organics and use a used-veggie oil radiant heat system to have fresh organic greens almost all year round. Nelsons Organics will be one of the farmers at the April 19th Sustainability Fair in Portsmouth (10am - 4pm, Parrot Avenue near the middle school and library), selling their fresh and sustainably grown greens:

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February 17, 2008 by Sara Zoe.

If you are a farmer  in Rockingham, Strafford, or York counties looking to expand your sales possibilities, apply for the summer markets! Last year saw record turn outs of customers at all the farmers’ markets, and with all the interest and support we’ve seen of late on the Seacoast, I can only think that this year will be even better. (And to the consumers out there - hold on - May 1 and the Portsmouth Market will be here before we know it):

Seacoast Growers’ Association invites new vendors to its six local farmers’ markets.

The deadline to apply for crafts or prepared food booths is March 1, and the deadline for agricultural producers — including wine, cheese and meat products — is April 1. The requirements are that all vendors must grow, make or produce what is sold, and that participating businesses must be based in Rockingham or Strafford counties in New Hampshire or York County, Maine.

An application form is available online at www.seacoastgrowers.org, and more information is available at seacoastgrowersyahoo.com.

Weekly farmers’ markets are held from May to November in Portsmouth, and from June to October in Dover, Durham, Exeter, Hampton and Kingston. This year’s focus is promoting SGA’s weekday markets, so new vendors are especially invited to apply for these opportunites. In addition to the goods of over 40 member businesses, farmers’ markets feature at-market demonstrations, workshops and entertainments, as well as nonprofit guests every week.

Seacoast Growers’ Association is a state-registered nonprofit organization bringing farmers’ markets to the Seacoast for over 30 years. SGA works closely with Seacoast Local, Slow Food Seacoast and Seacoast Eat Local to promote local agriculture and sustainable food distribution in our region.

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