Brand New Troy Farmers Market in Troy, TX

by Michael Harris
Sunday, July 15, 2012

farmers marketA wonderful picture of community happens every first Saturday of the month at the Troy Farmers Market.  Just a little over an hour drive from Austin or Dallas, you'll find some of the best all natural foods from organic farmers in the state of Texas.  The very first farmers market happened on July 2nd and was a great success.

Newcomers to Troy, Kirk and Dee Bailey, hearing from locals about an interest in starting a farmers market, brought the idea to the local council.  The idea was met with...

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Organic Dairy Farming Makes For Some Tasty Cheese at Fairview Farm Dairy

by Michael Harris
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
organic dairy farmingDallas, Oregon is home to Fairview Farm Dairy, where their handmade farmstead goat cheese and organic dairy farming techniques are worth writing home about. Farmhouse Cheese, made from pasteurized milk is perfect for slicing or melting. Their Chevre is the French classic with varieties in plain, organic herb and berry. The Cynthian is made from raw goat's milk in small basket molds and aged at least two months to let the flavor gain it's impressive characteristics. And that's just the tip of the...Read More » »

Sustainable Farming Practices at Deep Roots Farm

by Michael Harris
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
sustainable farming practicesStrawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, cantaloupe, sugar snap peas, broccoli, green beans, gold potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, butternut squash and sweet onions. Can you say "feast"? You'll find all this amazing produce and more at Deep Roots Farm, planted in the beautiful town of Albany, Oregon.

Everyone in the Bolster Family, Aaron, Kimberly, Kaia & Arissa, all believe in using sustainable farming practices to take care of your food, their land and our planet. Ecological accounting is a term you...Read More » »

It Feels Good to Eat Local at French Prairie Gardens & Family Farm

by Michael Harris
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
eat local"Farm fun for the whole family!" This friendly invitation is the first thing you see when you visit French Prairie Gardens & Family Farm online. Maybe they're talking about their Strawberry Festival in June or their Harvest Festival from September 24 to October 30 this year where you can visit the pumpkin patch, take a hayride, get lost in their two acre corn maze and watch the Pigtucky Derby (believe it). Or maybe they're alluding to their Berries, Brews & BBQ event or Swines & Steins event....Read More » »

Free Range Chicken Farming and More at Champoeg Farm

by Michael Harris
Friday, September 2, 2011
free range chicken farmingIt's pronounced "sham-POO-ee" and is a word that has lot of history in the fine State of Oregon. Champoeg was the name of the town where the first Willamette Valley settlers met in 1843 to establish a provisional government. They petitioned the US Congress in Washington DC and by 1848, the Oregon Territory was organized, however Champoeg wasn't chosen as the capital. It's a ghost town now, but represents the pioneering spirit of Oregonians. And the land surrounding this special place is where Cha... Read More » »

Urban Agriculture at Curious Farm

by Michael Harris
Friday, September 2, 2011
urban agricultureYou've probably heard the terms "urban agriculture" and "suburban farm" popping up more and more recently as folks start backyard or even patio or balcony gardens and build chicken coops for the fresh eggs. Curious Farm is actually one of the bigger suburban farms around at a whopping two-thirds of an acre.

Cathy & David Smith are the farmers here at Curious Farm, in the Cedar Mill area of Portland, Oregon. Here you'll find natural organic products such as "beyond free range" chicken eggs,...Read More » »

Small Farm With Big Flavor - Westwind Gardens

by Michael Harris
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
small farmFive acres of land would definitely qualify as a small farm, relatively speaking. But that hasn't stopped Liz & Phil Smith at Westwind Gardens from making a big impact around their community. Their "Planet Wise Plants" are a result of their careful attention to the sustainable organic farming techniques they practice here.

The Smiths started farming this plot of ground in Forest Grove, Oregon back in 1991 with only one greenhouse but now they have fourteen greenhouses that they use for garden...Read More » »

Farmers Markets Favorite - Willamette Valley Cheese Company

by Michael Harris
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
farmers marketsIt's no wonder that farmers markets from Corvallis to Salem to Vancouver love to have Willamette Valley Cheese Company participate in their communities local market. With awards like First Place for their Perrydale and Horseradish Havarti at the American Cheese Society 2010 Awards, it's clear that this farmstead cheese is something special.

But you don't get this kind of epic cheese just sitting around. The folks here at Willamette Valley Cheese Company take pride in their organic farming...Read More » »

Organic Produce & Grass Fed Beef at Winter Green Farm

by Michael Harris
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
grass fed beef"A productive farm creating harmony with the earth, humanity and ourselves." This is the motto of Winter Green Farm in Noti, Oregon. I'd say they not only achieve this but go the extra mile in more ways than one. You'll see it in their wide variety of vegetables, fruits and herbs, their CSA, their outstanding grass fed beef and their financial assistance programs helping people eat local and eat well.

One special treat you'll discover at Winter Green Farm is their organic sweet basil and Italian...Read More » »

Farmers Market Food From Winters Farms

by Michael Harris
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
farmers market foodTroutdale, Oregon lies along the might Columbia River, just east of Portland. It's home to Winters Farm where they've been growing vegetables, berries, fruit and flowers sustainably since 1938. The Winters Family believes in sustainable farming practices to bring you the best farmers market food in town.

This family farm was started back in 1938 when Howard Winters started farming that first 50 acres of land. Now over 230 acres of beautiful farmland is worked by Marven, Chris and Eileen...Read More » »