Head out to Lodestar Gardens this Saturday (March 25) for our Winter Farmers’ Market. Our noontime presenters are Linda Owens and Robin Whitlock from Sunshine Herbs in Show Low, who will be discussing the culinary and medicinal uses of five common native plants. The presentation starts at 12 noon and the market starts at 11 a.m.

Saturday’s presentation will be the first of two discussions about plants we can grow in our area for medicine and mealtime enjoyment. Sunshine Herbs has been serving botanical remedies and organic food to our community for many years. Their second presentation will take place on April 22.

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.

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).

This weekend we welcome Blossom Farms as our featured vendor. Gary Hull will be selling his tomato and bell pepper starts ($1.50/plant), as well as Chinese Lettuce starts ($1/plant) and organic eggs ($3/dozen).

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!