Winter markets help farmers stay active, earn extra money

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By Dawn Feddersen | Saturday, January 6, 2007 1:19 AM CST | () comments

Though it may feel like springtime outside, farmers know that it’s still winter.

It’s not time to plant, but But Churches’ Center for Land and People is making sure it’s time to sell.

For the second year, the group is hosting winter farmer’s markets in different cities throughout Iowa, including one Friday at Zion Lutheran Church in Davenport.

“We set up these markets for one reason: to help the farmers. You heard all about the farming crisis back in the 1980s, but farmers are faring worse now,” said Jim Earles, Iowa Project coordinator for the Wisconsin-based Churches’ Center for Land and People.

The concept has grown from just eight sales last year to 17 in Iowa this year. The idea is going strong in Wisconsin and beginning to catch on in Illinois.

The farmers participating in the sales have to practice either organic farming or be able to show they are using sustainable farming methods.

Earles said getting many different farmers together is another benefit of the sale.

“We want organic and nonorganic farmers in the same room to share ideas. Cross-pollinate, so to speak,” he said.

Items depend on location and availability but have included honey, maple syrup, root vegetables, meat, eggs, wine, dried herbs and spices, wool products, crafts, and goat milk soaps.

Charles Aldrich and his sister run the 200-acre family farm in Tama County, Iowa, that they inherited from their parents. Though Aldrich still uses the tractor his father bought his mother in 1956, most everything else about their farm has changed.

That includes selling their goods in the winter. Aldrich was selling walnuts and pecans picked and shelled by a friend in Texas and handmade blankets and pillows, his wife’s favorite ways to keep busy in wintertime.

“The only thing we could do before was eat what we had left in the winter. Now we have a way to keep productive in the winter,” Aldrich said.

Dorothy O’Brien has found a way to keep busy in the winter.

In addition to the corn, beans, and hay she and her husband grow on their Clinton-area farm, they added six acres of grapes and now make wine.

“Grapes take a lot of time, but I just love them. That’s one of the reasons why I got going on wine, I love the grapes!” she said happily.

With clever names like Felony Red, O’Brien’s Wide River Winery is keeping her in touch with her farm year-round.

She says that someday, if there’s time, she wants to keep even busier in the winter.

“I really want to have a hoop house for year-round growing. You can harvest a good 10 months of the year if you grow in one of those,” she said.

Earles hopes that the winter farmer’s markets will get even bigger and better as word gets around.

“A lot of farmers don’t have goods in the winter. But if this concept takes off, the farmers will realize that there’s opportunity in the winter and they’ll plan for it,” he said.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.

FUTURE SALES

Upcoming Churches’ Center for Land and People Winter Farmer’s Markets

Jan. 27 St. Stephen’s Lutheran, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Feb. 2 Cathedral of St. Raphael, Dubuque, Iowa, 2-6 p.m.

Feb. 9 Zion Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa, 2-6 p.m.

Feb. 10 St. Timothy’s Episcopal, West Des Moines, Iowa, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Feb. 17 Christ Episcopal Church, Burlington, Iowa, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 3 Collegiate United Methodist Church, Ames, Iowa, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 10 St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Dubuque, Iowa, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 24 St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.