Displaying items by tag: farmers' market

Photos by Pattie Garrett.

WHILE LIVING and vegetable farming in Fort Collins, Colorado, Ann and Josh Carnes decided to move east, after discovering their Ramble Creek Farm near Greenwich in Washington County. Ann’s background with her permaculture degree from Indiana University and Josh’s experience as a retired lieutenant firefighter and handyman has created a well-rounded partnership in farming.

This ambitious couple became vendors at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market less than seven months after establishing Ramble Creek. They currently raise mushrooms, blueberries, poultry and livestock, and are applying for organic certification and starting a commercial kitchen to expand their products. 

Ann explained, “There is an unfulfilled niche for growing and selling mushrooms.” Currently they raise a variety of mushrooms such as lion’s mane, shiitake, maitake, and blue and canary oyster, in truck-sized refrigerated coolers.

Most of their meat production is still in progress, but they’ll be offering pasture raised chickens in the near future. Beef production will start in October, and customers can pre-order turkeys for Thanksgiving. 

Ann and Josh emphasize the layout of the land so all animals work together to create a happy and healthy environment. Their heritage breed Berkshire and Tamworth pigs, are “forest pigs,” which control the underbrush on the farm’s edge. In August, pork ordered through their website will be available for on-farm pick up. 

When the pigs move to a different section, they wag their tails excitedly ready to take on the next spot. Ann and Josh will use wood from the cleaned-out sections and watch for new wild plants and ferns.

Young chicks and turkeys start their lives in the two barns that are on Ramble Creek’s distinct logo. After growing for several weeks, they continue on pasture. They follow the cattle in movable coops, to eat the plants the cattle haven’t grazed and scratch the soil. When the grass regrows, it is beautiful, rich, nutritious and green.

Ramble Creek Farm is as impressive as the products they offer at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. Visiting their farm showed the dedication Ann and Josh have put towards their land and their animals. Ramble Creek Farm participates at the Market on both Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays at High Rock Park. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and check us out on the FreshFoodNY app. E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for volunteer opportunities.

Summer is a season that explodes with freshness and flavor, and at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market we experience it first-hand. Julia Howard, Market Manager explained, “Local fruit and vegetables are abundant this season, and we plan on putting a special focus on the summer’s sweetest berry—the blueberry.” On July 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Saratoga Farmers’ Market will have our first Blueberry Festival in celebration of this superfood. This free event will be held rain or shine, and the market will be bursting with all things blueberry.

Eight farms will be offering their freshly picked blueberries. Charles Holub from Scotch Ridge Berry Farm explained, “The blueberry harvest is fantastic this year because no frost occurred while the bushes were blooming. Clear weather allowed our on-farm bees to buzz through pollination. As the berries grow we use drip irrigation in dry weather, which gives us the largest berries with the sweetest flavor.” 

Many vendors will have all the tasty blueberry themed products you could imagine. Some of these include blueberry honey, blueberry lemon chèvre, blueberry yogurt and smoothies, blueberry jams and jellies, blueberry and lemon curd crepes, blueberry pie, blueberry baked goods, blueberry cheesecake, blueberry cider, and blueberry-lavender lemonade.

The market will be full of tastings and recipes from vendors that incorporate their products with our “Fruit of Honor.” Eat Smart NY will be in attendance with some yummy samplings.

CREATE Community Studios is offering a blueberry fingerprint activity for younger children, and older children are invited to make a blueberry basket. Skidmore College’s Developing Minds Center will have free face painting and blueberry-themed activities for all ages and abilities. 

Everywhere you turn there will be something blueberry, so if you’re looking to get your fix of these tasty berries while they’re in season, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market is the place to be.  With all of this, plus information tables, and live music by Vince Seegar and Samantha Levy, this is set to be the sweetest festival of the summer.

To learn more about this event, check out the Market’s Facebook page, and come see us on July 28 to enjoy the fun. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Wednesdays  from 3 to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at High Rock Park. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and check us out on the FreshFoodNY app. E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for volunteer opportunities.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — More than 700 guests donned animal prints and vibrant colors of the rain forest for Saratoga Hospital’s 31st annual Benefit Auction on Wednesday. It was truly a jungle under the packed tent on the grounds of Saratoga Casino and Raceway.