by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
The St. Joseph’s Farmers’ Market held its second-to-last indoor Winter Market March 14 at the Resurrection Lutheran Church fellowship hall.
About 10 vendors were set up in the hall. Those vendors offered a variety of produce from storage, such as farm-fresh eggs, artisan breads and baked goods, mushrooms, sunflower oils, meats, maple syrup, dried herbs, herbal tea, pottery, wild rice, preserved goods and more.
Terri Emmerich from Emmerich’s Produce, located between Avon and Albany, said she offers 50 varieties of herbs. She had many dried herbs, herbal teas, fresh eggs, jams, popcorn and more to offer. She has been selling at the market for 10 years.
“This is the time of year the chickens are starting to get very active,” Emmerich said.
Cathie English played her guitar and sang at the market. Her children bought her the guitar for her 50th birthday, and she has been learning and playing ever since. She has been attending the market for a couple of years.
Joel Cherrico had some of his pottery on display. Cherrico graduated with an art degree from St. John’s University in 2010 and took out a small- business loan to make and sell his artwork. He said thanks to “The Local Blend” for displaying his work and it’s because of his many customers, he is pursuing his dream. Cherrico started attending the Sartell Farmers’ Market two years ago and was invited to join the St. Joseph’s market. He plans to have his portable kick pottery wheel at the summer markets.
Ron and Joyce Neumann from Neumann Farms, Princeton, offered their antibiotic-artificial hormone-free pork and beef products. The Neumanns raise hogs and cattle, processed at McDonald’s Meats in Clear Lake. In the summer Joyce also has pies and sweet breads to sell. They have been attending the St. Joseph and Sartell markets for seven years.
“We enjoy this market – especially in the summer since it’s on the grass instead of asphalt,” Joyce Neumann said.
Sierra Kaptain from the St. Ben’s Nutrition Club offered the recipe of the week and nutritional facts.
Mary Ann Friederichs of Collegeville Artisan Bakery offered a variety of breads . Her brother, Steve Friederichs, was selling mushrooms for Forest Mushrooms Inc. He also had his creamy caramels to offer.
Russ Willenbring of Produce Acres, Cold Spring, offered sweet dill pickles and a variety of produce and preserves. He has been attending the market since it opened in 2000.
Visitors explored those booths and more. The final indoor market will take place from 3-6 p.m. Friday, April 11 and then the summer weekly market schedule will begin in May.
Kate Ritger visits with Russ Willenbring from Produce Acres at the winter market. Ritger said Willenbring often has fabulous asparagus and sweet corn at the markets.
Cathie English plays her guitar and sings at the St. Joseph Winter Farmers’ Market. The guitar was a gift from her children for her 50th birthday.
Joel Cherrico offers his pottery at the winter market. Cherrico frequently attends both the Sartell and St. Joseph Farmers’ markets where he demonstrates and sells his pottery items.
Sierra Kaptain from the St. Ben’s Nutrition Club offers nutritional facts and the recipe of the week.