Good Morning! We are having beautiful weather though warm and humid. Great for tomatoes, okra, peppers, melons, and all the heat loving crops. Our gardens are bountiful again after the drought though much smaller in choice. We consider ourselves blessed to have any thing left at all.

Mr. Aselage has again trusted us with his peaches this week. The variety is Red Haven. Because he is being so generous in helping with our CSA fruit, I really want to help sell some of his beautiful peaches.

This week I will be at the depot from 4:00-6:00 each afternoon, Monday through Friday. Please come by any day and tell as many others as you can about us. On Wednesday we will be there our usual times from 3:00-6:00.

I have had extras on some vegetables above the CSA on Wednesday if you need to round out a dinner, particularly cucumbers, squash, zucchini, eggplant, and odds-n-ends.

Hope you can come by,
candye

It is a real pleasure to visit with you all and we hope your 4th of July is safe and fun.

Hi, to all of you! This is certainly vicious weather. The cold is bad enough in unheated greenhouses, but the lack of sun is the worst part. I know that Deb is beginning to see some very adverse reactions in her houses and, of course, the quantities are diminishing without growth. I absolutely may have no greens at all for the first Saturday ever.

On a more positive note, eggs seem to be plentiful; so order to your heart’s content! David, Spence, and Kim are all providing a great deal from which to choose.

For us, this is a very exciting time of year–despite the lack of sun. We always open our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program to new memberships at this time. This is a harvest sharing plan. We grow and share the produce of our season. . .whatever that might be! The customer takes the rewards and risks with us for an upfront fee, then receives deliveries throughout the season. If your family is interested in participating, please let us know. We can get you an information sheet, you can visit with us on Saturday mornings, or even better visit our SUPERTY, DUPERTY WEBSITE: www.wynnstomatoranch.com or www.wynnfamilyfarm.com (thanks J & C–we love you guys!) You will love it, and maybe learn a little bit more about our family.

Thanks for the cartons and bags!  We put them to good use.

For everyone who is new to our market, we are located on south 71, also called South School St., just 2 blocks south from the Walgreen’s on the opposite side of the highway. Look for the Firemen’s Union House sign. The first two years of this venture were spent outside during the entire winter (cold, rain, snow, ice, wind…)  Last year, we teamed up with David Lewis, the executive chef of Brick House Kitchen. We are allowed to be inside to deliver our products. For this, we are mighty grateful. Please visit David any Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00am-2:00pm for a simply perfect lunch.

Please visit the winter market information page to read about the winter market program and learn how to subscribe to our mailing list. Our hours are 9:00am – NOON.

THE DEADLINE FOR ORDERING THIS WEEK WILL BE THURSDAY BY NOON. PLEASE PLACE ORDERS ON EVERY ITEM YOU DESIRE IN CASE DWIGHT AND I HAVE TO ACT AS ANOTHER VENDOR ON SOME WEEKS.
……………………………………..………

HERE’S WHAT WE HAVE FOR ORDER THIS WEEK:

BABE AND MARILYN PENNINGTON  from BABE’S BOARDS will be there again this week.  Thanks for making them welcome!

HORN FAMILY FARM – FAY HORN – ELM SPRINGS:

Mr. Horn operates a certified kitchen and uses a great deal of local and personally grown produce in his canned goods for winter use. Young Mr. Horn and his wife, Amy, have a new baby girl. Her name is Fayth. “Old” Mr. Horn will still fill in while Mama needs Papa.

The following jams and jellies are priced at $5.00 per 8 oz. jar (1/2 pint):

• jellies: plum, blackberry, watermelon, watermelon mango, elderberry, gooseberry, grape, muscadine
• jams: strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, 2 berry, raspberry, raspberry/blueberry, strawberry/mango, strawberry/rhubarb

Honey: 16 oz. jars with comb $9.00, without comb $8.00, honey bears $6.00

The following canned vegetables and fruits are priced at $5.00 per 16 oz. jar (pint)

• apple butter (which I love)
• grape butter
• hot pickled peppers
• bread and butter squash
• pickled okra
• cucumber dill pickles
• corn relish
• squash relish (hot or sweet)
• cucumber relish

*Mr. Horn also has the molasses that our dear Bob sold.*

A & A ORCHARD – JOHN AND BETH ASELAGE – BERRYVILLE:

• Arkansas Black apples- $5.00 per 1/4 peck

DICKEY FARM – DAVID AND DEANA DICKEY – TONTITOWN:

ACROSS THE CREEK FARM – SPENCE AND CARLA – WEST FORK:They will help to beef up our egg production which are from hens grown naturally and definitely pastured with the help of a guard dog. This family is what winter market is all about, serving young families who want to farm, who want to raise their children in a lifestyle that is, unfortunately, disappearing quickly. For now, their offering is eggs only! Spence wanted me to share that he has moved the girls into the greenhouse for winter in order to give his fields and the hens a bit of a break from each other.

Spence and Carla are pleased with their reception at the winter market! They wanted to make folks aware now is the time to let them know about TURKEYS for the fall. He needs to order the chicks. Believe it or not, it takes all these months in between to grow out a pasture-raised bird. So please let them or us know of your interest!

• Eggs – $3.50/dozen

SYCAMORE VALLEY FARM – ALEX AND KIM KAPITY – OLD CINCINNATI (NEAR LINCOLN):

Kim’s hens are raised on a natural vegetarian diet. She also sells duck eggs for $3.50 per 1/2 dozen. Again, we hope this helps to meet the demand for farm fresh eggs from happy, healthy hens. Kim replies, “Our eggs are also pasture raised. We use moveable electric fence, houses on wheels and guardian dogs. Our hens are also all heritage and rare breeds. And, I clean and candle all of the eggs to check for cracks, blood spots and meat spots. I don’t have an egg grading license yet, but I would like to get one in the future.”

• Eggs – $3.50/dozen

ROUND MOUNTAIN FARM – JAMES MORGAN & TERESA MAURER – FAYETTEVILLE:

Pasture-Raised Lamb. No Medicated Feeds or Meat By-Products. Selling lamb in Fayetteville, Arkansas for more than 11 years. Our lamb has been served by several local restaurants including Bordino’s, Greenhouse Grille, Brick House Kitchen, and Ella’s. For questions, contact Jim at 479-444-6075 or roundmtnfarm@earthlink.net.

• Leg of Lamb / $7.45/lb / wt = 4-6.0 lb legs
  For that special holiday dinner. A roast with flavor. Add some garlic, pepper and rosemary and bake in the oven. For that truly memorable dinner, use indirect heat on your barbecue grill. You can keep the leg moist on the grill by spritzing with your favorite apple juice.
• Half Leg of Lamb / $8.45/lb / wt = 1.5 to 2.5 lb roasts.
  The sirloin top of the leg. Cook the same as for the leg of lamb. You can also cook this as a roast in the oven or in in a slow cooker with red wine and stock.
• Denver Style Ribs / $4.35/lb / wt = 1.0 to 1.5 lb package
  This cut is comparable to spare ribs for smoking or slow grilling. Ask for our recipe to make the best smoked ribs in town. It can also be used in lamb stews and is one of our first choices to make lamb stew (ask us for a simple lamb stew recipe). While not a lean cut (ribs are never lean), meat from pasture raised animals has been shown to be lower in cholesterol and to be more balanced for the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (good fats, not bad fats).
• Lamb Loin Chops / $13.75/lb / 4-5 chops per pack / wt = 1-1.5 lbs per package
  Excellent on the grill or in the broiler pan. The loin chop is a mini-T-bone steak with excellent flavor. Suggest 2-3 chops per person for a moderate portioned meal.
• Lamb Shank / $6.15/lb / 2 shanks per pack  / wt = 1.2-2.2 lbs per package
  Excellent braised in wine and stock with citrus zest. Many consider this the most flavorful part of the lamb. We have lots of recipes.
• RMF Lamb Broth/Soup Bones / $2.00/lb / wt = 2-5 lbs/package
  These bones make great stock for soups or stews. For those wanting flavor in a stew without the expense, these bones are great. Brown with onion and garlic, add a little red wine and barley and carrots for an excellent stew. We also use the stock made from lamb bones for cooking dried beans (black, pinto and kidney).
• RMF Lamb & Mutton Bones for Dogs / $1.00/lb / wt = 2-5 lbs/package
  Raw frozen bones. A mix of bones (including rib, neck, shoulder, leg and arm) with a little meat and/or fat.

WREN THICKET GARDENS – DEBRA ELAM AND DARIN MCDONALD – GREENLAND:

PLEASE BE AWARE: AMOUNTS OF ALL LEAFY GREEN THINGS COULD BE LIMITED DUE TO SLOW GROWTH RIGHT NOW. ALSO ROOT VEGTABLES MAY NOT GET DUG THIS WEEK DUE TO THE MUD! WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO FILL EVERYONE’S “WISH  LIST”! WE WILL FILL ORDERS IN THE ORDER WE RECEIVE THEM.

• WREN THICKET GOURMET SALAD MIX – Includes black kale, frilly kale, rainbow chard, green mizuna, ruby streaks (red mizuna), endive, sorrel, celeriac, and various other gourmet greens as they are ready to harvest. Grown “naturally” without chemicals or pesticides. Carefully hand picked, mixed and packaged just before delivery to you!…..1/2 lb  $5.00 NOTE: THERE WILL NOT BE ANY LETTUCES IN THIS MIX AT THIS TIME DUE TO DECREASED AMOUNTS!!
• LETTUCES ONLY MIX – Mixture of green, red, and variegated lettuces. 5 to 7  different kinds……1/2 lb. $5.00 NOTE: AMOUNTS ARE LIMITED!
• SPINACH – Only Deb will have spinach, so the amounts will be limited!……1/2 lb.  $4.50
• CLAYTONIA (or miner’s lettuce) – Great added raw to salads, sauteed is similar to spinach in taste and texture. High in Vitamin C…..$3.00 per 1/2 lb.
• SWEET CORN on the cob! Picked in July or August, fresh frozen with husks. Just thaw, shuck, rinse, and drop in boiling salted water for about 4-5 minutes. 6-9 ears depending on size per bag…..$5.00 bag
• SHALLOTS – Small-bulbed variety of onion, less hot and more intense flavor than regular onion. Wonderful roasted or used for flavoring soups, salad dressings and vegetable dishes……$3.50 pint
• “GRANDPA DALE’S KETTLE CORN” – Made in a kettle the old fashioned way! Lightly sweet popcorn with just a hint of salt. A real treat! …..$2.00 small bag / …..$4.00 large bag

We will have some chard and kale bunches, cooking greens, jerusalem artichokes, various root vegatables, and any other extras on the table…first come/first served.

WYNN’S TOMATO RANCH / WYNN FAMILY FARM – DWIGHT & CANDYE WYNN – VINEY GROVE:

• Beefsteak Tomatoes: $3.00/lb. We have several varieties, but so as not to confuse things, please choose red or pink. Our red varieties tend to the acidic side and the pink more buttery and sweet. Indicate type and poundage. Amount available depends on sun.
• Sweet Baby Girl Cherry Tomatoes: $3.50/pint. Amount available depends on sun.
• Fresh Dill: $1.50/bunch. Mostly fronds, so it’s easy to use.

I will try to have whatever greens are big enough on the table.  IF YOU ARE AMBITIOUS, JUST TELL ME, “CANDYE, I’LL TAKE ANYTHING,” AND I’LL TRY MY BEST!

FRESH PORK:

Our animals are given a stimulated, healthy, free life. They are never given antibiotics (they don’t need it our way) or hormones (we let nature work on its time table.) They are never caged. We give them cover and fodder for their nests (which is like a giant bird’s nest) and our children love them and care for them. They are processed in a USDA-inspected facility and come to you fresh. They will appear more like beef, but it’s all pork. You may have to add fat with some cuts! We received no cured products this year again to avoid adding back chemicals. We also requested no sausage to avoid the MSG. If you want to make sausage, though, our ground pork is perfect; and we will offer a sausage recipe if you are interested. I have been given several interesting sausage recipes (including breakfast sausage, sweet/spicy sausage, & Italian sausage); if someone would like to try, let me know!

• bone-in ham roast: $5.35/lb – roughly 3.0 lbs per pkg. Succulent slow roasted or allowed to stew in a skillet.
• pork roast: $5.35/lb – roughly 3.0 lbs per pkg
• ground pork NEW!: $5.00/lb – roughly 1.4 lb per pkg
• ham hocks: $3.50/lb – roughly 1.5 lb per pkg
• end cut chops: $7.00/lb – roughly 2.0 lb per pkg. The sweetest cut of all! A Wynn favorite.
• center cut chop: $7.50 /lb – roughly 2 lb per pkg
• loin cut chop: $8.00/lb – roughly 2.0 lb per pkg
• pork steak: $5.50/lb – roughly 1.5 lb per pkg. Steaks also make a sweet cut if slow-cooked.
• country style boston butt ribs: $4.75/lb – 4 pkgs – roughly 2.5 lb per pkg. Leave ‘em in the crockpot when you go to work in the morning for a feast when you get home! These are ribs, not roast!
• freshside: $5.50/lb – 20 pkgs – roughly 1 lb per pkg – the healthier alternative to bacon. This is the pork’s belly…try grilling or roasting or braising or, gosh, much more than breakfast food. Use cotton twine to hold this sliced product while cooking in such a manner.
• neckbones: $ .99/lb – 5 pkg – roughly 2 lbs per pkg. Try for STOCK with this!
• feet:  THESE ARE FREE THIS WEEK TO ANYONE WITH A PURCHASE AND WOULD LIKE TO TRY THE FEET FOR BROTH OR STOCK. LET US KNOW!
• kidney suet (fat from over the kidney): $ 2.50/lb – roughly 3.5 lbs per package….a delicacy to some.
• liver: $3.85 lb / 1.0 lb pkg. Organ meat is especially healthy from pastured animals.
• hog jowl: $3.50/lb. Chunks of great stew meat…perfect for beans and stoups…only 4 packages this week though.

Sharing His Harvest,
Wynn Family and the Gang

What beautiful days we are having. A cup of coffee, a reclining chair, a good book, and a south-facing porch…a perfect day!”

I wanted to get to a little business right off the bat today. For every order that I receive, the customer will get a “thanked” reply from me as receipt of the order. This does not verify that the order will be filled 100%. I began the receipt system because the customers emails didn’t always reach us and they never knew for sure if they actually had an order placed. The order that you make can often be filled fully, but we like to call it a “wish list” so that everyone is aware up front that ordering doesn’t always guarantee receivership.”

Now! February is just around the corner and the days are already significantly longer than this time last month. Our tomatoes know this. By yesterday, we could already pick a few more cherry toms after only picking on Thursday. Of course, this house is heated and that is a help; but we are hoping the unheated houses will oblige as the days continue to lengthen.

Farmers will begin to work their fields if they haven’t already. It’s time to lime and start clean-up and add amendments. I personally spend endless hours with seed catalogs spread on the checkerboard table comparing prices and new varieties and adding to my stock of old favorites. This would be a great time to let us know what you would like to see more of this season (or less of)! On that note, for the last few years Dwight and I have offered our “ready-for-the-field” one gallon Celebrity tomato plants at the market. This has always been extra from our supply, but this year I will grow just for market. Remember us when you begin to look. Be patient though! We won’t offer these for sale until late April or early May when they should go into the garden.

The Wynn Family

[View with PicLens]

(Pssssst — beefsteak tomatoes were spied at the market today!)