Bob’s Note: Happy Valentine’s Day, Marketeers! Before going out with that special someone tonight have a “Day Date” at today’s Sweetheart Market inside the Bridgeport Conference Center from 11am to 2pm. And you can pick up a locally made gift for your Valentine while you’re there. Perhaps some sweet homemade jam or handcrafted earrings might do the trick. So while you’re having your morning jolt of caffeine enjoy the following dispatch from the Market’s newest board member, Heidi Nawrocki.

 

“Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.”

– Paul Theroux

 

Mr. Theroux must have been talking about farmers when he was quoted with this saying. After all the produce is harvested, fields put to bed for the winter, and the snow starts to fly, farmers are ready to settle into the long dark nights of winter. They can relax their achy bones. That is until the seed catalogs start to arrive. Then the itch begins. When snow is on the ground and a fire in the stove, anything seems possible in the garden. While recovering from the previous season, preparations are indeed in order for the upcoming spring and summer planting.

 

Even though the gardens and fields might not need tended, the animals do. Those nights with wind chills in the single digits? Many farmers have sleepless nights worrying about the comfort level of their animals. Oh, did we get a foot of snow? That's too bad, because the animals still need fed and watered. Eggs need to be gathered before they freeze. There is still recovery and preparation, but day to day tasks must still be managed.

 

One of the best things about the market is the personal connections you can make with the farmers and vendors. Before the last winter market, I was talking to Becky Gardner from Gardner Farms about the frigid temperatures we had been experiencing. She told me she woke several times a night when the wind was howling and worried about the animals. They were all tucked safe and sound in the barn, but it is human nature to be concerned. John and Mollie from Jennings Brae Bank Farm had to deal with some loss on their farm during the cold snap. It's the harsh reality of the season and the profession.

 

Some farmers have high tunnels and are able to continue producing cold hardy greens all winter. If you think salads and greens are only good in the summer, think again! The cold weather brings a certain level of sweetness to the greens that just can't be replicated in the summer months.

 

Farming is one of those professions where there is never a day off. The days change, but there is always work to be done. When I was at the store the other day, I chatted with an employee about the weather (what else comes up in conversation in the middle of winter!). We agreed that the weather could be far worse, but that it was cold. He told me that one of the fondest memories of his grandfather was sitting on the front porch of his grandfather's cabin. Winter was coming and his grandfather remarked that he was looking forward to the cold. When asked why, his reply was “Grandma always snuggles in a little closer at night when it's cold.” So, bundle up and come out to the market. And be sure to snuggle in close during those cold winter nights.

 

**********************************************************************************************************

Thanks, Heidi!

 

Before signing off for the month I wanted to point out what could be some exciting news on the local foods front in West Virginia. During last year’s legislative session WV venison farmers successfully lobbied for the passage of a bill changing the status of deer from wildlife to livestock. This bill also transferred responsibility for farm-raised deer from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture. The effect of these changes allows for the sale of WV raised venison in supermarkets and restaurants. And last month saw the first farm-raised venison become available in local supermarkets.

 

While not without controversy in the form of legitimate concerns from conservationists and wildlife biologists about the possibility of the farms being a source of Chronic Wasting Disease the changes will allow for a new business model for the state’s deer farms. The majority of farm-raised venison sold in the United States is imported from New Zealand so the farmers also have a legitimate argument that they are missing out on a huge business opportunity.

 

Many sportsmen also have concerns that the changes will be detrimental to what is known as the North American Wildlife Conservation Model. The main principles of the model are that fish and wildlife belong to all Americans and they should be managed in a way that their populations will be preserved in perpetuity. They also fret that farm-raised venison could be the beginning of the end of the state’s deer hunting industry. Again, all legitimate concerns.

 

Here’s to hoping that the three groups that have a stake in these changes work together, along with the Department of Agriculture, to mitigate any negative impact that may arise as the industry develops.

 

So, stay tuned. Regardless of which side you are on it will be interesting to see if farm-raised venison replaces its wild cousin as a staple of the West Virginia diet. I, for one, will give it a shot. But, then again, I’ll try anything once.

 

Until next month, Stay Fresh!

 

The Bridgeport Farmers Market Association is the seven member all volunteer board of directors that governs the Bridgeport Farmers Market. It is supported by a wonderful group of community volunteers who help in the setup and maintenance of the market. For more information on the Farmers Market or to see how you can help please e-mail us at bridgeportfarmersmarket@yahoo.comor, better yet, LIKE us on Facebook and follow us on both Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out the Market’s own YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BridgeportFarmersMktor for more BFM video content you can now go to http://vimeo.com/bridgeportfarmersmarket/videos

Go here to see all of the entries in the Let’s Get Fresh blog: http://tinyurl.com/kdv4mhl