WILLOW LANE KITCHEN … Was started last August by Angie Pelland in her home in Stryker. She is seen at the market with her sister Brooklyn Pedroza, offering delicious baked goods. Pelland has been in the catering business for twenty years, and continues to do that as well as enjoying time at Farmers Markets now. Her beautiful cakes, cookies, muffins and other delightful goodies can be seen on the Willow Lane Kitchen Facebook page. Angie can be contacted at Angiempelland@gmail.com. (PHOTOS BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
The turnout on Saturday morning, February 19, 2022 in Bryan, Ohio for the first Winter Farmers Market was terrific.
Despite the nasty winter weather which hit the day before, area residents got out on the less than perfect roads to get in on the goodies.
Bernard’s bagels were completely sold out by 10:30, and the rest of the vendors were enjoying sales as well. From freshly roasted coffee to freshly cut flowers, the tables were displayed for beauty and sales.
The seven vendors and one information table were all set up and ready to go by 9 a.m. This event, which is the brainchild of Ashley Davis Pardee, daughter of Parlor 1861 owners Brian and Kathy Davis, was created so that the Farmers Market which is held on the square in Bryan from May through September would not have to end in winter.
In an interview, Pardee said that she saw how Ft. Wayne holds their Farmer’s Market all year, and she thought how some of the vendors at the Bryan Farmers Market might appreciate a way to sell their products during the winter months, so she presented the idea to her parents.
If the success of this first one has anything to say about it, these monthly (at this time) markets will definitely continue.
The next two are scheduled for March 19 and April 16, and Ashley hopes that in the Fall they will start up in October, right after the summer market ends.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com
ROOSTER RIDGE FARMS, LLC … Owner and grower, Teresa Brown, sat behind a dwindling supply of freshly cut flowers in vases, ready for purchase. Brown is a full-time teacher at Butler Elementary school, but has always loved flowers, too. She shared how she couldn’t pass up the farm she saw for sale on St. Rt. 576, near St. Rt. 6, as it has been a dream of hers to raise flowers. She grows three acres of flowers each spring and summer and is hoping to start growing some vegetables this spring. Rooster Ridge Farms does “anything a florist does”, Brown said, “weddings, any special occasions, corsages, bouquets, and was all self-taught.” She can be contacted online at www.flowerpower.farms or roosterridgefarms.llc@gmail.com. Teresa welcomes your questions and orders at 260-446-4250.
MADE ON THE FARM … Had local Maple Syrup, made by Gary Crider, who said this is the first year he has had surplus syrup to sell. He has been gathering sap and making syrup for 38 years along with making Willow Furniture. He gave out a taste of maple syrup in a spoon to each person interested, with Joe Delisle seen in his picture, and the flavor was exquisite. Crider is one of very few who still use metal buckets and a flat pan in the process of gathering and making the syrup. This makes his syrup very tasty. He also had pictures of the willow chairs and loveseats he makes, and welcomes any orders for those. Crider can be contacted at www.madeonthefarm.com.
HOUSE DAGGETT ROASTERS … Had a table full of coffee beans freshly roasted by Matthew Daggett. His wife Jennifer was proud to offer chocolate coated coffee beans as well, Cappucino Clusters. The Daggetts are located in Bryan and “source globally, roast locally.” Matthew said he got started roasting his own coffee a few years ago because “he wanted good coffee!” He gave out tastes of his Mexican roast that was bright and would make a great morning cup o Joe. He roasts presently from four different origins and even adds flavor sometimes with whiskey or wine. At $10 for a 1/2 pound, many customers could be seen carrying away their little brown bag of coffee beans.
HIGGENS HOMEMADES … Is a relatively newly named business also, as Laura Higgens, came up with Higgens Homemades in 2019. Laura has been serving customers at the summer farmers market, since a few months before she thought of the name, with fresh local produce. She added baked goods also and was really happy about the idea of a winter Farmers Market. Higgens Homemades can be found on Facebook and she will be selling tomato and strawberry starter plants in the spring.
CO-OP AND COMMUNITY GARDENS … With Free Information, there was a small table where folks were greeted by the friendly smile of Master Gardener Jenni McKarns. This spot held information concerning the Bryan Co-Op and the Williams County Community Gardening Association (WCCGA). The Bryan Co-Op is “a non profit buying club established to obtain natural and organic foods, with consideration to source, quality, and price.” For anyone who did not get to the market and take your information home to get started, the co-op registration form and information can be found by contacting Sherry Fleming, coordinator, at bryanco_op@yahoo.com or 419-636-1864. McKarns is the contact person for WCCGA at williamscountygarden@gmailcom, www.wccga.org and on Facebook. They also have a YouTube channel. She was happy to say that since their beginning they have gardens in Bryan, Kunkle and Edon. She also answers questions for other communities that are interested in starting a community garden.
CARLIN HONEY … Which has become a staple at area Farmers Markets and other events, was present with a great selection of items besides their delicious local honey. Betsy and Andrew, who are based in Stryker, were both present to answer questions and make sales. They have been expanding from honey over the past three years and at this market they had ten non-edible items available from lip balm to soaps. Their booth was plenty busy and folks enjoyed getting their favorite products or trying something new. Carlin Honey can be found on Facebook as well.
BERNARD’S BAGEL’S … Was hosted by the owner and baker, Bernard Jones, of Bryan. He enjoyed a chat with Parlor 1861 owners, Brian and Kathy Davis, while they bought bagels to enjoy with their Carlin Honey. Bernard shared that he has another job, but in 2020 when the world slowed down and he was stuck in the house, he started baking bagels. He sold them at the Spring Fling Farmers Market and as they were a hit, he continued. He had six different flavors at the market on the 19th in packs of four for $7. Obviously, he will need to bake more for the March and April dates! Orders can be place on his Facebook page.