I learned that this week, meeting them at the farmer's market, in the meat market, and hearing from them by e-mail. Those interested in local freshness can find assistance through Community Supported Agriculture, www.localharvest.org, which connects local farmers with consumers. Eating only food produced within a 100 miles of Hutchinson filled my refrigerator with locally raised and butchered bacon, pork chops, beef and Cornish game hens. One week of eating in sync with the seasons has...

Department of Agriculture doesn't keep track of how many farms start each year, and many of those going into business are doing so with plans that don't rely on a traditional wholesale market. Start-up farmers need patience, creative marketing - and luck. And some new farmers, like the Woosters, have modeled their businesses on community-supported agriculture programs that rely on customers who pay a fixed price at the start of the season in return for a certain amount of produce. In a few...

Researchers say products such as blueberries, broccoli, spinach and salmon are being boosted by greater awareness of their health benefits. Blueberries saw the biggest sales surge - more than doubling to 95million last year. These are important to today's consumer. Analyst Jonathan Banks said: "They contain antioxidants which keep the heart healthy and maintain young-looking skin.

By KATHIE SMITH BLADE FOOD EDITOR Veggie U is like having a field trip without having to leave the elementary school, says Marcia Little, who taught Toth Elementary s three fourth-grade classes the agriculture-based program as part of the science curriculum in Perrysburg this spring. By KATHIE SMITH BLADE FOOD EDITOR Veggie U is like having a field trip without having to leave the elementary school, says Marcia Little, who taught Toth Elementary s three fourth-grade classes the...

At the grocery store, though, the broccoli was luscious and green and my dear son exclaimed Broccoli! Yum! to which I simply rolled my eyes, because the reality is that he doesnt care so much for broccoli. As with the asparagus, broccoli is cherished in its raw form, but cook it up in any way and it becomes toxic on my childrens plates. The broccoli was received with delight by my daughter who promptly requested some florets and dip in her lunch the next day. My daughter cleaned her plate,...

The Sturgis Online Community - News Email Alerts: Sign up for free daily headlines. Growing degree days, or heat units, are measured with a mathematical formula that adds the day's high temperature to the day's low temperature, divides that number by 2 to get the average temperature, and then subtracts 50, which is the minimum growing temperature. Growing degree days, or heat units, are measured with a mathematical formula that adds the day's high temperature to the day's low temperature,...

When I was a kid, such an exotic veggie (it is a vegetable, isn't it?) would never have made it past the front door of my meat-and-potatoes family's house. I would have thought that artichokes belong to that category of vegetables that kids avoid at all costs as if it were a law. This was a sort of bridge to steamed broccoli with butter, which I also eat with great relish now, as well as spinach (fresh, not steamed), asparagus, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts. Think of the first President...

Throughout the summer, we plan to check in regularly with various certified farmers markets, pick up some seasonal fruits and vegetables, and feature recipes that use the bounty. There's always something new at farmers markets. With the great weather and the lure of apricot and cherry seasons, it's a perfect time to cruise the local farmers markets and pick up something fresh for dinner. We weren't impressed, although we roasted them in olive oil and it took so long to cook them that they...

At the same time, Central Market as a whole will introduce some changes that will affect the 65 independent vendors who gather three times a week under the roof of the 118-year-old building to sell fresh produce, meats, cheeses, deli products, ethnic foods, spices, coffee, candy, baked goods, flowers and craft items. At the same time, Central Market as a whole will introduce some changes that will affect the 65 independent vendors who gather three times a week under the roof of the...