Grumpy Glenn’s Grumblings

Posted By Grumpy Glenn and Judy on May 13, 2009

It was just a matter of time….. Massive companies such as Frito-Lay are starting a marketing campaign with the theme of  “local food”.  Five different ads will highlight farmers who grow some of the two billion pounds of starchy chipping potatoes the Frito-Lay company uses each year.  Read the whole New York Times article at this link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/dining/13local.html?_r=1.

At the Dubuque Farmers’ Market Downtown Saturday mornings, there is a great Amish family that make their own potato chips, and they are “to die for”.  Now, that is local!

Category: Grumble of the Day, National "Eat Local" News | No Comments »
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Posted By Grumpy Glenn and Judy on May 12, 2009

We came across two terms new to us recently….Ecopreneur and Locavore. Today, we’ll explore what it means to be an ecopreneur.  This  self-test to determine if you are indeed an ecopreneur was taken from ecopreneurist.com:

• Are you more interested in what you do and with whom you work than how much you make?

• Does community, environmental and social issues drive what you focus on with respect to your livelihood or volunteer time?

• Do you view your experiences, growing and diverse knowledge base and unique skills sets as the primary value you can offer clients, customers or workplace?

• Do you think the late Nobel Laureate economist Milton Friedman ate too many Big Macs after he argued — much to the chagrin of the massive multinational corporations and millionaire politicians — that “the only social responsibility of business is to make profits”?

• Do you focus your life pursuits on helping others or restoring, enhancing or preserving the environment?

• Are you more concerned about achieving balance in your life, seeking quality of life that doesn’t adversely impact the Earth or exploit people?

• Do you readily try new ideas, explore new ways of doing things or adopt new practices or use new products or services that reflect your values?

• Are you mindfully aware of your direct and indirect impacts on life on Earth, and accept responsibility that results in you being actively engaged as a steward of limited resources for the benefit of all life, not just for the present generations but for future generations as well?

• Is work a reflection of your passions and values, deeply fulfilling and providing meaning and purpose, or merely only the focus for paying the bills, building personal wealth and funding your retirement?

We first ran across the term ecopreneur when reading the 5/1/09  Monroe Times article entitled “Helping Women Grow Into New Businesses”.   The interactive seminar offered support to existing women ecopreneurs and those who hold dreams of launching their own businesses related to food and agriculture. You can read the entire article about the “See Jane Grow” seminar  here.  We were linked to the Monroe Times article from a Facebook Group named:  Women, Food & Agriculture Network.  You can read about and join the group here.   See how Social Networking can work?

Category: Grumble of the Day, Internet Resources, Personal Stuff | No Comments »
Tags: ecopreneur, Ecopreneurist.com, Locavore, Monroe Times

Posted By Grumpy Glenn and Judy on May 11, 2009

We, along with other local Farmers’ Market Vendors  are being given the opportunity to do a short presentation at an Eating Local Workshop this week in Elizabeth, IL. The assignment is to spend a few minutes talking about how we have impacted the Eating/Buying Local movement.  This blog, along with the Facebook Group we started - “Dubuque/Tri-State Area Farmers’ Markets” is our way of contributing.  Here are a few pieces of info we are giving to attendees:

• Suggestion—develop a simple website—most larger hosting services such as Yahoo and Google have “do-it-yourself” site builders. If you don’t want a website, do a listing in Local Harvest.org so that there will be a page about your business to link to.
•  Register your new website with many of the directories and “virtual” stores popping up on the internet catering to Farmers’ Markets and the Eating and Buying Local Movement.
• Write and submit online (and print) articles in your area of expertise and submit them to relevant informational websites or e-zines.
• To promote incoming links to your own website (search engines like this and will rank your site higher in the search list), start your own blog , or become a frequent contributor on other blogs. At the very least, frequently comment on other blogs and be sure that your signature includes a link to your website.
• Join Social Networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. On Facebook you can also put up a “page” for your business. You can also become “fans” of other pages, and join “groups” that are comprised of like-minded individuals who are also advocates of your cause. When joining these groups and when making “friends” you are marketing yourself and your business each time you post a link, comment, photo or discuss anything.

Category: Internet Resources | No Comments »
Tags: Dubuque/Tri-State Area Farmers' Markets, Facebook, Local Harvest

Posted By Grumpy Glenn and Judy on May 10, 2009

Leg of Lamb

1 - 2 pound Leg of Lamb
1 Cup Dry Red Wine
1/4 Cup Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 Crushed Garlic Cloves plus 3 sliced Garlic Cloves
3 Tablespoons dried Rosemary
Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper to Taste

Mix the Crushed Garlic, Wine, Rosemary, Olive Oil, and Salt and Pepper in a small bowl. Pour over the Leg of Lamb in a baking dish, cover and refrigerate overnight, turning once. Before grilling, cut tiny slits into the lamb and place sliced garlic into the slits. Grill until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Use the leftover marinade to baste during cooking.

Category: Recipes | No Comments »
Tags: Leg of Lamb Recipe, Marvin's Gardens

Posted By Grumpy Glenn and Judy on May 10, 2009

Farmers Market Coalition

1. Farmers earn fair prices for the fruits of their labor by selling directly to consumers.
2. Consumers gain access to fresh, nutritious, local produce.
3. Communities regain a figurative “town square,” experiencing the many positive outcomes of foot traffic and animated public space.

The mission of the FMC is “to strengthen farmers markets for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and communities.”

Only at Farmers' Markets

A Virtual Farmers Market where vendors can register their websites. OnlyatFarmersMarkets.com promotes the richness of farmers markets by serving as a clearinghouse for customers and growers nationwide.

Local Harvest

Local Harvest - Use their website to find farmers’ markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies. To support their great web site you can shop in their catalog for things you can’t find locally!

Farmers’ Market Resources for Vendors
A wonderful resource that includes tips on just about everything a farmer or vendor needs to know to have a profitable market season. Topics include:

• Storage and Safety
• Organic Certification
• Extending your season
• Diversifying your product
• Adding Value to your product

This post will continue to be updated when we find new resources!

Category: Internet Resources | No Comments »
Tags: Farmers Market Vendor Resources, Farmers' Market Coalition, Local Harvest, Only at Farmers' Markets

Posted By Grumpy Glenn and Judy on May 10, 2009

At the Dubuque Downtown Saturday morning market our Galena Dips booth is in a new spot this year. We are right in the thick of things on 13th Street just east of Iowa. From our new spot we get to people watch, and boy is that fun!

Here is a photo of Annalissa, head trainer of That’s My Dog! in Hazel Green, Wisconsin - and Friends! Along with the important job of carrying her purse (see doggie on the left) these well trained dogs obediently laid down - and stayed - while the humans stood in line at Key City Coffee to get their a.m. cup of java. They didn’t move an inch - even with no leashes, and the humans weren’t even gazing in their direction. It was incredible! Annalissa does quite a job! If you want your dog to carry your purse as well as behave, Annalissa can be emailed at annalissa@thatsmydog.com, or follow the website link above and do give her a call!

Category: Shopper Info | No Comments »
Tags: Dubuque Downtown Farmers' Market, Galena Dips, Key City Coffee, That's My Dog

Posted By Grumpy Glenn and Judy on May 5, 2009

Greenhouse Tomatoes from The Stillmunkes

Elizabeth, IL on Friday and Dubuque, IA on Saturday- I went nuts!

A Leg of Lamb from Marvin and Betty of Marvin’s Gardens - Elizabeth market Fri. afternoon. We put it on the BBQ! Recipe to follow!

The following from Dubuque Downtown - Sat. a.m.:

• A Vanilla Sugar Candle from Key City Candles. Scent is heavenly!
• Tomatoes from the Sillmunkes greenhouse! You can find them on 13th near Iowa.
• Key City Coffee - the booth next door to us… 2 cups for each of us.
• Kristi’s Perfect Produce on 13th - lettuce for this weeks’ salads.
• Smoked sausage sandwich (breakfast of champions!) from the Duehr/Joos booth next door to us on 13th.
• Butter Lettuce from the Hull Booth - on Iowa right off of 11th.
• Asparagus and onions from the Kruse’s - right in front of City Hall.

It’s just the beginning!

Category: Events & Markets, Farmers/Vendors/Crafters/Artisans, Shopper Info | No Comments »
Tags: Dubuque Farmers' market, Elizabeth Farmers' Market, Galena Dips, Key City Candles, Key City Coffee