Eat Local: Farmers Markets in Muskoka

It's summer and there is no easier time to eat locally in Ontario!

Here in Muskoka we're lucky to have some amazing food producers.

I wrote last year about the benefits of eating locally. There are usually less pesticides, less packaging, and less distance to travel to deliver (= less burned fossil fuels). David Suzuki recently published an article called: Small farms may be better for food security and biodiversity. In it he concludes that "we need to grow food in ways that make feeding people a bigger priority than generating profits for large agribusiness." Below are some folks you can support in order to get involved in our local food scene right here in Muskoka.

Our favourite producers continue to produce healthy, fresh, delicious, and nutricious food that we can get nearby:

Muskoka Meats & 100 Mile Store

Brooklands Farm (fruit & veggies)
Lavender Hills Farm (honey products, candles, & cosmetics)
Ivanita Farm and Meats
Muskoka Brewery
Lake of Bays Brewing Co.
Any many, many more. Too many to list here...but Savour Muskoka has a very comprehensive list.

Of course, the local markets play an important role in the distribution of the wonderful food and locally produced wares. Be sure to check them out!


Bracebridge Farmers Market
When? Saturdays, 8:30 am – 1 pm, Victoria Day Weekend to Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend
Where? Memorial Park, Manitoba Street, Bracebridge (beside Norwood Theatre)
More Info: http://www.thebracebridgefarmersmarket.com/


Rosseau Farmers Market
When? Fridays, 9 am – 2 pm, July 1 – Sept 2
Where? Waterfront on Lake Rosseau at the end of Short Street
More Info: http://www.rosseaumarket.com/



Huntsville Farmers Market
When? Thursdays, 9 am – 2 pm, Victoria Day Weekend to Halloween
Where? Canadian Tire Parking Lot, 77 King William St
More Info: http://buyfromthefarm.ca/farmers-market/huntsville-farmers-market


Rivermill Park Farmers Market (Huntsville)
When? Saturday's 9am-1pm starting July 2nd
Where? Rivermill Park
More Info: http://www.rivermillmarket.com/#SlideFrame_2


Port Carling Farmers Market (new this year!)

When? Thursdays, 9 am – 2 pm, June 30 to September 1, 2011

Where? Hanna Park, Port Carling

More Info: http://www.portcarlingfarmersmarket.com/

Gravenhurst Farmers Market
When? Every Wednesday 9am - 2pm, 18th May 2011 - 5th October 2011
Where? In the special events field at Muskoka Wharf (across the road from Boston Pizza)
More Info: http://www.gravenhurstfarmersmarket.com/
Carling Farmers Market (District of Parry Sound)
When? Saturdays, 8 am – 1 pm, last Saturday in June – Labour Day Weekend
Where? Carling Recreation Hall, Carling, Ontario

Enjoy the succulent strawberries that are now ripe for picking at Brooklands Farm and Taylor Farms!!

Happy Earth Day!!

Earth Day is April 22!

What will you do to celebrate?

How can your actions last longer than just one day?

Here are some ideas:

In Huntsville, there is the "Greening Huntsville" initiative. It includes:

• 2 Street Sweeps: April 21


• Urban Strretscape Tree Planting Program


• Free Compost at Madil Church Yard (April 21)


• Roadside Clean-up (April 30)


• Neighbourhood Clean-up


• Free Garage Sale (May 7)

Some Muskoka-wide events:

• Native Plant Sale: pre-order before May 9, pick-up in Huntsville, Bracebridge, or Bala on May 14.



• Biodiversity Day: A fun day for the family on May 22 at Brooklands Farm near Milford Bay



• Muskoka Envirocredits: emissions offset program plants trees in Muskoka



• 3rd Annual Amazing Race: Come out August 13th as a volunteer or participant for fun and to support the Muskoka Trails Council



• Participate in the Muskoka Stewardship Program to live more sustainably on your land.
  One of the best things you can do to celebrate Earth Day is to "Give it up for Earth Day. That means helping to create a healthier world by making some changes in your daily routine. Some examples are:


• Eating less (or no) meat in your diet. If you are really ready for change, you could try veganism.


• Reduce the amount of "things" you buy- especially when lots of plastic packaging is involved.


• Turn off the TV and get outside!


• Cut out toxic chemicals from your home (watch for an upcoming blog post about this)


• 
  
  Challenge your friends and family to follow in your Earth Day footsteps

Have you decided to "Give it Up for Earth Day"?

There are prizes, materials, answers to your questions, and a community of like-minded people at Earth Day Canada's "Give it Up for Earth Day" Challenge.

Happy Earth Day!

How are you celebrating Earth Day?

For some reason, I have been thinking a lot lately about the connections between the Muskoka Stewardship Program and biodiversity. Ecological diversity to be sure, as the actions landowners will undertake to conserve the ecological features of their land contribute to the well being of the systems on their property in a biological sense.

But what about community diversity? How does our learning about and from our land in a biological sense influence how we interact with our community of neighbours? Certainly the answer will be different for each landowner depending on the interests she has on her property and her relationship with her neighbours.

I think it will be exciting to notice the interactions that take place between neighbours during the course of this field season. It is my hope that we can encourage neighbours to be partners in their conservation efforts. Although our land can be separated by property lines, it is ultimately connected through the flora and fauna that exist there. The potential for these beings to connect us with our neighbours is an exciting prospect for community partnership in conservation through private stewardship.

Happy Earth Day!

In Stewardship,

Rebecca