Meet the Farmers
Dragon Luck Farm, Loncito's Lamb and Soy Creative
Jacque Gates, Dragon Luck Farm
Based from Red Rock area, Jacque is farming solely as a woman 'out-standing' in her field. She does all the planting, maintenance, and harvesting herself on about an acre of land and brings to market carefully tended squashes and tomatoes. She also finds time in the winter months to do intricate beaded work, so look for this too, as a 'value-added' product at her booth.
Lon Cartwright, Jr., Loncito's Lamb
Lon raises lamb in Dinero, Texas by putting them out in the range and letting them feed on grass. He only comes to the market every other week, so catch him this week, August 2, and then alternate!
Kim Haley, Soy Creations
Kim makes soy candles from non-toxic soy ingredients and uses essential oils to add fragrance. There are a wide variety of shapes and colors of her creations available at the Market.
posted July 28, 2003 | permanent link to this article
Dugger Hill Plumerias, Oasis Gardens and McCall Creek Farm
Gary Dugger of Dugger Hill Farm is definitely one of a kind. Dugger isn't your typical farmer who grows fruits and vegetables; Dugger grows dozens of varieties of beautiful plumerias right here in Austin. In fact, he is the only person who grows them in Central Texas. The plumeria is the tropical flower used in Hawaii to make the traditional lei. During the spring and summer months the plumeria requires lots of sunlight and water but during the fall and winter months it takes care of itself. Come visit Gary at the market to see his beautiful flowers in person. You won't be disappointed.
Mike Nolan is the farm manager of Oasis Gardens and he brings a variety of beautiful herbs and vegetables to the market every Saturday. Oasis Gardens is located in the heart of Austin, just minutes from downtown. This farm is maintained entirely with the help of community members and Mike. Oasis Gardens is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm. The farm accepts members for each growing season. Each member pays a fee in advance for the season's worth of produce they will grow; they are also required to put in 5 hours of work on the farm per month. The farm does more than grow delicious organic vegetables; they pass on their knowledge about organic farming through educational classes as well as internships. From this farm that grows with community spirit, Mike brings some very unique vegetables like yellow mangel beets, squash blossoms and Armenian cucumbers. These not so common vegetables are a huge hit with market goers. So, visit Mike and pick some up.
For more information on Oasis Gardens visit their website at: http://www.greenbuilder.com/oasisgardenscsa/index.html
McCall Creek Farm is rooted in tradition. McCall Creek Farm is a registered Texas Heritage Farm, which means the farm has been in the family (Cathy's Conn family) for at least 150 years, a rarity in today's farming community. As more and more small farms all over the country are forced to shut down, Mark and Cathy Itz are keeping their farm alive and well. McCall Creek Farm is located off highway 281 between Blanco and Johnson City. The farm includes 460 acres but only 24 of those acres are being cultivated. The Itz family grows a wide variety of goodies, everything from flowers to vegetables to herbs. Cathy Itz flexes her baking muscles supplying their popular farm stand with fresh pies, preserves and other baked goods. To keep the farm running, Mark and Cathy sell not only at the Austin Farmers' Market, but also run the McCall Creek Farm farmstand, open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Suzie Banks of Texas Monthly called the McCall Creek Farm stand a Hill Country find. Come discover for yourself what McCall Creek Farms has to offer at the Austin Farmers' Market.
For more information about McCall Creek Farm or their daily farm stand visit their website at:
http://www.mccallcreekfarms.com
posted July 22, 2003 | permanent link to this article
Dugger Hill Plumerias, Oasis Gardens and McCall Creek Farm
Gary Dugger of Dugger Hill Farm is definitely one of a kind. Dugger isn't your typical farmer who grows fruits and vegetables; Dugger grows dozens of varieties of beautiful plumerias right here in Austin. In fact, he is the only person who grows them in Central Texas. The plumeria is the tropical flower used in Hawaii to make the traditional lei. During the spring and summer months the plumeria requires lots of sunlight and water but during the fall and winter months it takes care of itself. Come visit Gary at the market to see his beautiful flowers in person. You won't be disappointed.
Mike Nolan is the farm manager of Oasis Gardens and he brings a variety of beautiful herbs and vegetables to the market every Saturday. Oasis Gardens is located in the heart of Austin, just minutes from downtown. This farm is maintained entirely with the help of community members and Mike. Oasis Gardens is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm. The farm accepts members for each growing season. Each member pays a fee in advance for the season's worth of produce they will grow; they are also required to put in 5 hours of work on the farm per month. The farm does more than grow delicious organic vegetables; they pass on their knowledge about organic farming through educational classes as well as internships. From this farm that grows with community spirit, Mike brings some very unique vegetables like yellow mangel beets, squash blossoms and Armenian cucumbers. These not so common vegetables are a huge hit with market goers. So, visit Mike and pick some up.
For more information on Oasis Gardens visit their website at:
www.greenbuilder.com/oasisgardenscsa/index.html
McCall Creek Farm is rooted in tradition. McCall Creek Farm is a registered Texas Heritage Farm, which means the farm has been in the family (Cathy's Conn family) for at least 150 years, a rarity in today's farming community. As more and more small farms all over the country are forced to shut down, Mark and Cathy Itz are keeping their farm alive and well. McCall Creek Farm is located off highway 281 between Blanco and Johnson City. The farm includes 460 acres but only 24 of those acres are being cultivated. The Itz family grows a wide variety of goodies, everything from flowers to vegetables to herbs. Cathy Itz flexes her baking muscles supplying their popular farm stand with fresh pies, preserves and other baked goods. To keep the farm running, Mark and Cathy sell not only at the Austin Farmers' Market, but also run the McCall Creek Farm farmstand, open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Suzie Banks of Texas Monthly called the McCall Creek Farm stand a Hill Country find. Come discover for yourself what McCall Creek Farms has to offer at the Austin Farmers' Market.
For more information about McCall Creek Farm or their daily farm stand visit their website at: www.mccallcreekfarms.com
posted | permanent link to this article
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