You might have heard us mention WWOOFers before, well this Saturday (April 8) at the Lodestar Gardens Winter Market is your chance to find out all about what that means from two experienced WWOOFers. Our former farm manager, Bobbi Wilson, and current farm manager, Mark Nelson, will be our noontime presenters – discussing pathways for young adults (and adult adults!) to experience cultural exchange and educational opportunities through work exchanges, in particular World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF).

As always, Saturday’s market starts at 11 a.m., with the presentation beginning at 12 noon.

Please call (928) 587-1660 or e-mail bhockabout@gmail.com for a map and directions if you haven’t made a visit to Lodestar.

Bobbi and Mark each bring their own first-hand experiences to the table, to expound on how volunteer work exchanges have shaped their lives and give useful information for anyone interested how to get started. Not only are these work exchange opportunities chances to gain valuable experience and education in farming and agriculture, they are also potential paths for future careers!

At last week’s market, Marilyn Bell kicked off her herb exchange and we still have some comfrey, nettles and horehound among a variety of others. Marilyn also started a Facebook page so that we can communicate about herbal information. Click here to visit Marilyn’s page.

As always, this Saturday enjoy free space for vendors, free hot beverages, free farm tours, and delicious homemade lunch for just $2 (soup, salad and Clark’s ancient grain bread).

We will have our Spring Greens packages for sale ($3 for 1/2 lb; $6 for 1 lb.), as well as Kale and Swiss Chard. We have carrots ($3/lb.), both stored and fresh beets and rutabagas ($3/lb.), dried lavender ($2), fennel seeds ($1), parsley ($1) and our homemade, 8oz. jars of pesto (walnut $8, pine nut $10, non-dairy $12). All of our packaging is eco-friendly made of cellulous, reusable, recyclable (and compostable) bags.

Donna Daniel’s wonderful, handmade fiber arts will be available in a variety of sizes and prices, along with Monte Cunningham’s accupressure treatment tools and several other products from local artist and vendors.

Also for sale will be goat’s milk soap from Misty Mountain Milkers ($6/bar or 2 for $10), a variety of soaps from Flagstaff Soap ($6/bar or 2 for $10) and some wonderful handmade chalkboards (crafted out of recycled cabinets) by Bernie!

See you on Saturday!