Sometime, a few weeks back or so, Frank and I came upon the idea of a kind of farmer's market trading post thing. We've heard about them, read about them, and recently someone left a comment about how they're doing this very thing in their area on the article, Homestead News, Volume 14.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You two lit a fire under me - yesterday Bruce (66) and I (65) drove 600 miles to pick up two
AGH [American Guinea Hogs]/ Kune Kune six week old barrows. Hopefully the gilt and boar will
come later. What cute tubby little guys. As I look off my back deck at
the fences patched with baling twine (chuckle). I am grateful for all we
have and will have to offer.
The small community that is ours - boasts
180 souls. Some of us ladies of this burg started a small farmers market
this past summer - small, social and we think needed. Those of us with
incubators have shared eggs and hatched many chicks for those wishing to
start flocks - all sage advice, good and bad, shared with humor. Our
volunteer fire department - always in need of funding, will receive all the $ from our local chestnut harvest sold at the market. Time is short - Please keep blogging. Nurse Claudia"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She's right, things like this are needed all around the country in many shapes and sizes, with formats to meet the needs of the
surrounding communities. It really struck me how simple something like this can be. I've also thought it doesn't have to be only a farmer's market with vegetables, eggs and the occasional rabbits or chicks. It could be anything someone wanted to sell, or trade or barter. Not a flea market, per se, but the time is coming that what you have is what you have, and if you need something, trading or bartering may be the only way to get it.
We've told you about Emmet digging ditches for us. This week he had worked enough hours that he went home with two radios. That is what we bartered for. We needed the help, he wanted some radios. Good trade.
Our questions for you are:
- Are you or have you participated in a trading post before?
- How did it go?
- What recommendations do you have?
- What didn't work?
- Are there any draw backs or problems?
- Or anything else I forgot to ask
Frank and I aren't looking to start a trading post, but the idea is there. Our small communities have places that could be utilized, so that could be worked out if there was interest. People could bring their own tables or use the tailgate of their truck to ply their wares. There is a possibility that tables and chairs could be used from a community center building.
One of the reasons this idea has great appeal to us is not to bolster the trading, bartering, buying or selling between people in our communities, but to bring people together, get people talking and possibly helping each other. We need to know each other better. This will familiarize people, not only with their neighbors, but with their neighbors abilities, or lack thereof. Fortunately, or unfortunately, it could showcase those who are the workers, the takers, the loafers and the givers. There is always someone looking for a handout, but there could also be people looking for a hand up.
Right now, Frank and I are just in the thinking, pondering, brainstorming stage. There are folks around we will start talking to about this idea and see what they think. We know the two of us can't be an island in the coming storm. It's time we take a more active role with our small communities. We all know that sometimes with just a little encouragement, someone will step up to the plate and help organize and support an idea like this.
So this article is a little different. We would appreciate all of the input you can give us. And like Nurse Claudia said, "all sage advice, good and bad, shared with humor" can help make this possible venture more successful, not only for us, but maybe for a number of people and communities. We look forward to hearing from you.
Until next time - Fern
Remember when we showed the pictures of the zinnia and marigold seed heads we had picked one afternoon? After they had dried somewhat, we separated them to make sure they dry completely before we store them for next year. There are millions, well maybe not millions, but thousands of seeds. Most of these came from
volunteer plants that came up this year from the seeds we planted last year. Many of those seeds came from an end-of-the-year sale at a hardware store for 10 cents a package. 10 cents! So for 10 cents, we now have thousands of seeds that we can use for 10 years even if we never save another seed.
So, that got me to thinking. We saved three big cucumbers and kept the seeds from them. Since we don't really like cucumbers (believe it or not, I just like dill pickles) these seeds will last us forever - not counting the ones still in the original package I bought that I have been planting for three years now.
In the past few years we have saved okra, corn, zinnia, marigold and black-eyed pea seeds. If we continue to expand this process with seeds from plants we like to eat that are non-hybrid, pretty soon we will not need to buy any. Wouldn't that be great? One more small step toward independence and self-reliance.
It is always good to have a stock of seeds on hand though. What if the weather doesn't cooperate and you need to replant? What if the bugs kill everything and you need to
replant? What if you can never buy another seed and what you have is all you have? You've heard the old saying 'Never put all of your eggs in one basket'? Well, never plant all of your seeds. Never. Always have some in reserve for the unexpected. Your life may depend on it one day.
I know that sounds odd in our day of plenty, but I truly believe this will not always be the case. I am very grateful for the comfort and luxury of living in a time when failure is an option - that I can go to the store and replenish all I need and want that is within our means. We are truly blessed.
Now, at the end of the season, wisely stock up on extra seeds - more than you think you will ever need in your lifetime. They will be worth more than silver or gold. They may feed your family, your neighbors or your community. They will be tremendous bartering commodities. Providing others with the means to provide for themselves may be one of the most
priceless gifts you will ever be able to give someone.
Until next time - Fern
