Page (269)657-4030 ext. 5 …vanburencd.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/food-guide-2010-pdf2.pdfThe Meathouse (pg. 19) 28 The Red Brick Coffee Shop (pg. 20) n/a Two Rivers Coalition

(269)657-4030 ext. 5 Page

2009 Van Buren County Food & Farm Guide

www.vanburencd.org/farmguide Page

Buying local for ourselves, our economy & our environment!

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Name & Page Number Map # Aaron’s Organic Apples (pg. 6) 3 Apple-A-Day Farm (pg. 6) 4 Arellano’s Farm Market & Mexican Restaurant (pg. 6) 5 Barner Farms (pg. 7) 6 Big Dan’s U-Pickem & Farm Market (pg. 8) 10 Brookside Farms Fritz’s Blueberries (pgs. 7/17) 7 Decatur Farmers' Market (pg. 7) 8 Druskovich Farms (pg. 8) 9 Earl’s Farm Market (pg. 9) 11 Edward Jones (pg. 9) n/a Egly Grassfed Beef (pg. 9) 12 Fruit Acres Farm Market & U-Pick (pg. 10) 14 Gene the Pumpkin Man, back inside cover (pg. 26) 29 Hidden Savanna Nursery (pg. 11) 15 Holtzman Farms (pg. 11) 16 Lawrence Farmers' Market (pg. 12) 18 Leduc Blueberries, LLC, front inside cover (pg. 1) 1 Locke’s Fruitful Acres (pg. 11) 17 Moody Family Organic Farm (pg. 11) n/a Paulette’s Potting Shed (pg. 12) 19 Peace of Porter Farm (pg. 15) n/a Pine Grove Greenhouse (pg. 15) 21 Prak Potatoes (pg. 15) 20 Rainey Farms (pg. 16) 22 Rajzer’s Farm Market (pg. 16) 23 Schueneman Family Farm Market (pg. 17) 24 Schultz Fruitridge Farms (pg. 18) 25 South Haven Farmers' Market (pg. 18) 26 Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (pg. 3) n/a Summer Sun Nursery (pg. 19) 27 The Meathouse (pg. 19) 28 The Red Brick Coffee Shop (pg. 20) n/a Two Rivers Coalition (pg. 3) n/a Van Buren Conservation District (pg. 4) 2

Van Buren County Farm Bureau, back cover (pg. 27) n/a Van Buren County Michigan State University Extension (pg. 23) n/a Wahmhoff Farms Nursery (pgs. 10/20) 13 Walker’s Fresh Veggies (pg. 19) n/a

Index to Advertisers

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Table of Contents

Why buy local? …..……….………………...…………………5 Local farm & business listings ……..……………..…1-26 Map ……..………………………………………………..…13-14 What is MAEAP and MWSP?................................21 Seasonal availability guide …………..……………..……22 2010 Farmers’ Market Schedule ……………..………..24 Index of advertisers …………….………………….………25

Advertise your farm, farm market, or business that supports our local food and farms in the Local Food & Farm Guide

2011 Edition.

Visit www.vanburencd.org or call (269)657.4030 x5

for more information

Key

Farm is verified with the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program Farm is working with the Michigan Water Stewardship Program Use map number to locate advertisers on centerfold map

Dear Friends: If you own farmland in Southwest Michigan, there are opportunities to reduce the financial burden of keeping your land agricultural or natural by conserving those resources through a conservation easement. If you would like to learn more about permanent conservation options and the associated income, property, and estate tax incentives, please contact Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC) at (269) 423-1600. SWMLC recognizes the significance of Southwest Michigan’s agricultural industry and is interested in assisting agricultural landowners in protecting our agricultural land base while ensuring the farmer retains the necessary flexibilities to maintain a viable agricultural operation now and into the future. A conservation easement is a popular alternative to selling prime and other significant farmland for development. To date, SWMLC has conserved over 8,300 acres of farms, forests, vineyards, wetlands, and open landscapes across Southwest Michigan.

We all have an impact on water quality

The Two Rivers Coalition (TRC) is a citizen‐based group working to protect the health of the Black

River and Paw Paw River Watersheds through conservation, education, and advocacy.

Join TRC to help protect water quality in southwest Michigan!

Visit www.TwoRiversCoalition.org for more information!

Area Farmers’ Markets Allegan County Allegan Farmers’ Market: May - October Thursdays 8am-2pm Contact: Rich Klingberg 269-673-3456 Berrien County Benton Harbor Farmers’ Market: July 4 - October Wednesdays 10am-3pm Contact: Mara Boettcher Buchanan: www.buchananfarmersmarket.com Niles:www.nilesmainstreet.org St. Joseph Farmers’ Market: June 7-October 7, Saturdays 9am-2pm; June 30-September 1, Wednesdays 9am-2pm Contact: Brian Smith 269-985-1111 Cass County Cassopolis Open Air Market: Memorial - Labor Day Saturdays 8:30am-12:30pm Contact: Mary Nabozny 574-298-0559 Kalamazoo County Richland Farmers’ Market: richlandareacc.org Texas Township Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 8am-noon May 23-October 24 Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market: www.kalamazoocity.org Van Buren County Almena Farmers’ Market: June 5 - September 25, Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm Contact: 269-267-9310 Decatur Farmers’ Market: June - October, Saturdays 8:30am - 12:30pm Contact: David Moormann 269-423-2411 see listing page 7 Hartford Farmers’ Market: TBA–Contact: [email protected] for more information Lawrence Farmers’ Market: June 12- October 9, Saturdays 9am-1pm Contact: Jan Petersen 269-674-8730 see listing page 12 South Haven Farmers’ Market: May 10 - mid October, Saturdays 8am-2pm and Memorial - Labor Day, Wednesdays 8am - 2pm Contact: Laurie Arboreal 269-427-0423 see listing page 18 *Please note that this may not be a comprehensive list, contact the markets for more information.

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Why should you buy local? Helping to spur economic growth! Simply put, when you spend your dollars locally, the money circulates locally, positively impacting several businesses before it leaves the area. Spending the same amount of money at a large national chain has very little positive impact on the local economy. Know what’s in your food! Buying straight from local farmers lets you ask them important questions about how the food was grown, what farming practices were used and what’s really in your food. Local food can taste better and have more nutritional benefit! Studies show that the distance food travels from farm to table affects attributes like taste and nutrition. Help preserve open space and keep local farms in business! Buying from local farms helps keep smaller family farms in business. This helps maintain our rural character and helps farmers afford to stay in business.

Some other resources for eating & buying local

www.localharvest.org www.fairfoodmatters.org

www.michivore.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eatlocalSWMich

http://www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu Www.farmersmarketonline.com/Michigan.html

http://absolutemichigan.com

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WHAT’S MAEAP? The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is a coalition of farmers, commodity groups, state and federal agencies and conservation groups. While the Michigan Department of Agricul‐ture verifies the process, MAEAP is a volun‐tary partnership, not a regulatory program.

Benefits:

MAEAP farms use environmentally sound practices to protect natural re‐sources.

MAEAP is based on scientifically sup‐ported standards.

It’s a win‐win situation! Making a living from the land means taking care of the land.

Voluntary programs allow farmers to learn more about natural resources and to monitor the environmental quality on farms.

Look for the logos; the MAEAP logo means the farm has been verified by the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program because they want to

prevent and minimize agriculture pollution risks. The caring hands of the MWSP means the farm is working hard

to become MAEAP Verified and is reducing risk on their farm

On their farm, they:

Identified environmental risks Took steps to prevent pollution

Complied with state and federal environmental regulations

This three‐step process involved: 1. Education

2. On‐farm risk assessment 3. Third party verification

Call Kyle Mead at the Van Buren Conservation District

WHAT’S MWSP? The Michigan Water Stewardship Program (MWSP) is a voluntary and confidential pro‐gram assisting farmers in reducing environ‐mental risks on their farms. Through differ‐ent A*Syst tools, technicians evaluate, with the producer, the farming practices and rank them as Low, Medium, or High Risk. Producers then work to reduce High and

Medium risk practices thus working towards a MAEAP Verification and securing a healthy

environment.

Benefits: Free and Confidential Risk Assessment

with on site evaluation Gateway to Cost‐share Opportunities Free Technical Services

Apple-A-Day Farm Type: U-Pick and Picked Location: 53392 38th Ave, Bangor, MI 49013 Directions: Exit 52 on I-94, north through Lawrence 6 miles to 38th Avenue then left. M-43 east of Bangor, CR 215 (blinker), south 2 miles to 38th Ave-nue then left. Phone: (269)674-7127 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.AppleADayFarm.com U-pick sweet cherries (black and Rainier), peaches and apples - Delicious (red and yellow), Golden Supreme, Jonathon, Jonee, Ida Red, McIntosh, Rome, Spy, Winter Banana and Granny Smith (October). Call for current infor-mation.

Arellano’s Farm Market & Mexican Restaurant Type: Farm Market, U-Pick, Mexican Restaurant & Grocery Location: 36197 M-140 HWY Covert, MI 49043 Directions: From I-94, exit 41 go North about 7 miles. Just before Covert Schools. From I-96, Exit 18 go South about 6 miles just after Covert Schools. Hours: Spring & Summer 7am-10pm Fall & Winter 8am-9pm Phone: (269)764-0615 Website: www.arellanosfarm.com U-Pick peaches, apples, plums, grapes, cherries and more! We sell fresh fruits & veggies in season and also fresh meats and groceries year round. Also stop in, have a seat and enjoy one of our authentic Mexican dishes.



Aaron’s Organic Apple U-Pick Type: Organic Apples and Cider Location: 7440 N Branch Watervliet, MI 49098 Directions: I-94 exit 41, South 3 miles on M-140. Look for our signs. Hours: September thru October Daily 10:00am–5:00pm Phone: (269)252-9916 or (269)240-8292 Email: [email protected] Website: www.molterfarms.com Molter Farms is a fourth generation family farm that has been certified or-ganic since 2008. We look forward to having you out to our farm to enjoy some of the freshest, crispest, and most flavorful apples in Michigan! *Mention this ad for a free pint of our delicious apple cider when you visit!

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Brookside Farms Fritz’s Blueberries Type: U-Pick, market, and bakery Location: 34448 44th Ave. Paw Paw, MI 49079 Directions: From I-94 take M-40/N. Kalamazoo Street toward downtown Paw Pw, continue to follow M-40 North 3 miles. Turn Left onto 44th Avenue, the farm’s driveway is on the right side of the road. Hours: Late June-September; Monday-Saturday 9:00am-7:00pm, Sunday 2:00pm-6:00pm Phone: (269)521.6244 E-mail: [email protected] Website: fritzsblueberries.com Fresh fruit and products include blueberries, strawberries, maple syrup, honey, bakery items such as homemade pies, fresh muffins, and homemade jams, smoothies, and many more blueberry items. U-pick available on blueberries. Renovated facility with indoor restrooms. Picnic area available.

Barner Farms Type: Gary and Angie Barner’s Family Farm & Market Location: 65245 County Road 388 South Haven, MI 49090 Hours: June–October; 7 days a week, 8:00am—7:00pm Phone: (269)637-1895 E-mail: [email protected] Our season starts approximately June 1 with strawberries. Next will be sweet corn arriving around the middle of July. Once the sweet corn starts, we usually have it until October. We also raise tomatoes (round, plum and grape), water-melons and cantaloupe. We finish the season with all the fall staples. We have all sizes of Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins, white pumpkins, fall squash (acorn, butternut, spaghetti and buttercup). There are also assorted gourds and mini pumpkins, Indian corn, straw bales, corn stalk bundles and pie pumpkins. Our fall display starts approximately September 10 and goes until Halloween.

Decatur Farmers’ Market Type: Farmers’ Market Location: 119 N. Phelps St. Decatur, MI 49045 Directions: One block north at stop light, on west side of Phelps St. Hours: Saturdays, June - October 8:30am-12:30pm Contacts: David Moorman & Janine Beach Phone: (269)423-2411 E-mail: [email protected] Locally grown produce & farm products.



Wahmhoff Farms Nursery Type: Nursery Location: 23090 M40 Hwy. Gobles, MI 49055 Directions: 2 1/2 miles north of M43 on M40 HWY Hours: Year round 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday through Friday. Phone: 1-888-648-7337 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.mitrees.com Wahmhoff Farms Nursery has been family owned and operated since 1950. We are Van Buren County’s largest Christmas tree farm and nursery. We offer 13 varieties of evergreen trees for the wholesale, retail and U-Cut Christmas tree markets and the live landscape B&B tree market, as well as 20 varieties of high quality evergreen Seedlings and Transplants from our nursery. In addition, we have a Grower Supply Catalog business, offering high quality raingear and gloves, pruning accessories and related supplies. Visit us online at www.mitrees.com.

Do you have a farm, farm market, or business that supports our local food and want to advertise in the

2011 Van Buren County Food & Farm Guide?

For more information about how you can purchase a listing or advertisement in the next guide, contact the

conservation District or log onto www.vanburencd.org/farmguide

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Walker’s Fresh Veggies Type: Market: Fruit & Veggie Location: 41688 Paw Paw Road, Paw Paw, MI 49079 Hours: May 1 through November 1, daylight hours, 7 days a week. Phone: 269-657-8058 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.localharvest.org/farmsm26484

The Meathouse Type: Freezer Beef and Pork Location: 64233 Baseline Road South Haven, MI 49090 Directions: 5 miles east of South Haven on Baseline Road Hours: By appointment only. Please call. Phone: (269)637-3591 E-mail: [email protected] No hormone-no implant-100% corn fed. Naturally raised Black Angus Beef from our family farm. All meat is cryovaced and trimmed nicely. Freezer pork is also available.

We Grow annuals, herbs, trees, shrubs, aquatics, and hanging baskets. Open mid April thru September 30th Email us at [email protected]

See us at South Haven Famers’ Market with our all natural eggs and some seasonal veggies.

Family owned and operated for over 5 generations. Quality strawberries,

melons, fresh cut glads & sweet corn, all locally grown on our farm.

Just 3 miles northwest of Decatur on CR352 See us also at the Lawrence Farmers’ Market

50335 CR352 Decatur, MI 49045 (269) 423‐7866

7:00am—6:00pm In season

[email protected]

Big Dan’s U-Pick’em & Farm Market Type: U-Pick or Picked Farm Market Location: 65980 66th Ave, Hartford, MI 49057 Directions: From I-94, exit 46 turn left on CR 687 1 mile to 66th Ave. Turn right on 66th Ave. for 1 mile. Hours: Mid July-Mid November 10:00am-6:00pm Daily Phone: (269)621-4037 Email: [email protected] Website: www.bigdans.com U-pick or picked apples, peaches and pumpkins. Free weekend wagon rides in September and October. Fall-winter squash, gourds, Indian corn, mums, sum-mer veggies, picnic area, maple syrup, hone, fruit spreads, fresh apple cider, homemade caramel apples.



Earl’s Farm Market Type: U-Pick, Market, Bakery Location: 1630 Blue Star Hwy, Fennville, MI 49408 Directions: I-196 Exit 30, 1/4 mile North Hours: May through October, 7 days a week, 10:00am - 7:00pm Memorial weekend, Labor day 8:00am - 9:00pm Phone: (269)543-3156 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.earlsberries.com The Earl family offers U-Pick & we pick strawberries, summer & fall raspberries and blueberries for a family day at the farm. Enjoy our bakery & ice cream shoppe. With homemade fruit & cream pies, breads, cookies, muffins & more. In our Michigan Farm Market - homegrown produce, fruit ciders, salsas, butters, dressings and much more.

Egly Grassfed Beef Type: Grass Fed & Grass Finished Beef Location: 65701 39th St, Paw Paw, MI 49079 Directions: Paw Paw Road to 39th St., South 1/2 mile. On 39th between Paw Paw Road and CR358. Hours: Please call. Phone: (269)657-1787 or (269)375-9488 Email: [email protected] Website: www.eglygrassfedbeef.com We are a small, family owned beef producer. Our cattle are raised entirely on the alfalfa, clover and grasses grown on our MAEAP verified farm. We raise our Red Devon cattle naturally in a friendly, humane, and socially responsible atmosphere, assuring our customers a healthy and flavorful alternative for their table.

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Schultz Fruitridge Farms, Inc. Type: Market and U-Pick Location: 60139 County Road 652, Mattawan, MI 49071 Directions: 1.6 mile south of I-94 Mattawan exit 66 or 7 miles west of 131 Centre Ave exit 31. Hours: May, August through October Monday through Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm Phone: (269)668-3724 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.schultzfruitridgefarm.com 3rd generation family owned and operated farm since 1951. Growers of apples, asparagus, grapes, peaches, pears, pumpkins, squash, and sweet corn. We also provide award winning apple cider, jams, fruit butters, fruit salsa, local honey and maple syrup. U-Pick available on peaches, grapes, and apples.

Visit www.vanburencd.org for information on our upcoming events and workshops.

southhavenfarmersmarket.com

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Schueneman Family Farm Market Type: Market Location: 5940 E. Napier Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 Directions: 4 mi. east of I-94 on Napier Ave, South side. Hours: June 15-October 31 8am-7pm (later on request) Phone: (269)944-1639 E-mail: [email protected] Selling only what we grow, Tom & Martha, with children Sarah, Sami and Jesse, grow turnip, mustard and collard greens, broccoli, cabbage and cabbage sprouts, brussel sprouts, zucchini and yellow squash, cucumbers, melons, peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, gourds and pumpkins. Orders are accepted and freezer quantities are available. “Selling Vegetables We Grow”

SEEDLINGS AND TRANSPLANTS

Fruit Acres Farm Market & U-Pick Type: Market & U-Pick Location: 3452 Friday Rd. Coloma, MI 49038 Directions: Farm Market: I-94 at Coloma Exit 39 on south side. Easy off-Easy on. U-Pick: turn left (south) off exit 39 and drive .8 mile, U-Pick on left side. Hours: Market open daily 9am-7pm from June - October U-Pick open weekends 10am-5pm from July through October Phone: (269)468-5076 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fruitacresfarms.com On our family farm since 1846, we grow Sweet Cherries, Sour Pie Cherries, Sweet Peaches, Plums, Apricots, and Crisp Apples (including Honeycrisp) for U-Pick or already picked. Large farm market with friendly service, free fruit samples and a large assortment of locally grown produce. Also available are Jams, Jellies, Honey, Apple Cider (using our own sweet apples), Frozen Fruit & decorative farm items. U-Pick has free admission, hayride, picnic area with playground and dwarf trees so no ladders. A great day in the country with your family.



Hidden Savanna Nursery Type: Nursery: Michigan native plants Location: 100 N Van Kal St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009 Directions: 1/2 mile South of M-43 on the East side of Van Kal/22nd Street Hours: Spring & Summer weekends, see website for dates & times. Phone: (269)352-3876 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.hiddensavanna.com We produce wildflowers, grasses and shrubs that are native to Michigan. Most of our seed sources are located in southwestern Michigan. We specialize in upland prairie and savanna species, but we also offer a selection of both wetland and forest species. Family owned and operated.

Holtzman Farms Type: U-Pick & Picked Location: 67673 M43 Hwy, South Haven, MI 49090 Directions: 1/8 mile East of Jericho Corners on M-43 Hours: Daily 8am-5pm, typically starting around June 10 Phone: (269)217-0388 E-mail: [email protected] U-Pick or picked strawberries. We are about halfway between Bangor and South Haven on M43.

Locke’s Fruitful Acres Type: Market, U-Pick & Greenhouse Location: 51520 Gards Prairie, Decatur, MI 49045 Directions: M-51 South to Decatur, left on Cass-Decatur Rd to Marcellus Hwy, left to Gards Prairie. Follow signs. Hours: May-August 8:30-6:00 Phone: (269)423-6536 E-mail: [email protected] Blueberries picked or U-pick July through August. We also have bedding plants and garden items May through June.

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Moody Family Organic Farm Type: Family Farm: Fruit & Vegetable Location & Hours: Sell at local Farmers’ Markets: Call for information. Phone: (269)621-2546 We grow and sell fruits & vegetables including berries, beans & tomatoes. Our produce is available at the Lawrence and other local Farmers’ Markets. Please contact us for this year’s locations. Money can’t buy you love but it can buy you my organic vegetables!



Rajzer’s Farm Market Type: Farm Market and Greenhouse Location: 76301 M51 HWY, Decatur, MI 49045 Directions: 4 miles south of I-94 on M-51 or 2 miles north of Decatur Hours: May-October 9am-6pm Daily. Phone: (269)423-4941 E-mail: [email protected] “From our fields to you.” Asparagus, strawberries, blueberries, sweet corn, melons and a full line of in-season fruits and vegetables. Flowers, perennials, hanging baskets and more from our own greenhouses. We are a third generation family farm that strives to produce fresh quality products for our customers.

“All Natural” Retail Frozen Beef We are a family farm that sells beef raised without the use of synthetic hormones,

antibiotics, or steroids. Our flavor is truly “All Natural”. You will find us every Saturday at the South Haven Farmers Market selling individual cuts of beef

ranging from Ground Beef to Beef Tenderloin. Our Ground Beef Patties are a perfect summer quick meal!

We are located just a 1/4 mile North of CR 388 on CR 687 South Haven, MI 49090 Please check out our other deals at www.raineyfarms.com

or give us a call at (269)767‐7238

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Peace of Porter Farm Type: Farm: Produce and sheep Location: 24462 CR352, Lawton, MI 49065 Phone: (269)655-6770 E-mail: [email protected] Please call for more information

Prak Potatoes Type: Homegrown Potatoes by Fred and Joan Prak Location: 40114 County Road 352 Decatur, MI 49045 Directions: From Decatur; head South on George Street, turn left on Prairie Rhonde (CR 352), we are on the left hand side, look for the big green barn. Hours: Please call to assure we are home. Potatoes are usually available from August—December. Phone: (269)423.8689 We grow Reds, Whites, Yellows, and Yukon's right here in the Decatur muck. You can get regulars, b’s or bakers in 5, 10, 20, or 50 pound bags; all washed and bagged here on the farm.

Lawrence Farmers’ Market Type: Farmers’ Market Location: Downtown Lawrence in the Park - Red Arrow Highway Directions: Just east of the stop light in Downtown Lawrence on Red Arrow Highway - in the park. Hours: Saturdays 9:00am - 1:00pm June 12 - October 9 Phone: (269)674-8730 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.lawrencemi.com The Lawrence Farmers’ Market. Hop on Red Arrow Highway and head to Lawrence Michigan, the best little town there is. Stroll through the park with a cup of fair trade Peruvian coffee to the sound of Hank Williams on Saturdays 9am-1pm. Buy local fruits and vegetables! Meet new people! Don’t delay, the fun is contagious.



MAP GOEES HERE!

Documents

Page (269)657-4030 ext. 5 …vanburencd.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/food-guide-2010-pdf2.pdfThe Meathouse (pg. 19) 28 The Red Brick Coffee Shop (pg. 20) n/a Two Rivers Coalition