Market to offer farm products

PHOTOGRAPHER: Edward Munger Jr.

Farmers and artisans from throughout Montgomery County will gather at the Glen Town Hall today to offer visitors locally grown food, soaps and an element that goes along with many of the market’s offerings — advice.

Elk meat is one popular item people purchase by the pound at the annual spring market, but farmer Sue Keith from the Creek’s Edge Elk Farm said she always stresses some basics involved in cooking the lean, protein-rich meat, which differs from beef in a few key respects.

“With the elk meat, the danger is that they’ll take it home and cook it to death and they won’t like it,” Keith said Friday.

Elk meat roasts typically come in sizes smaller than beef roasts, Keith said, and with little fat, it cooks faster than beef.

“We stress they make sure and cook it with water; don’t just cook it in a pan,” Keith said.

Keith is one of several producers who provide recipes and hints on obtaining the most from their purchases. She suggests putting a packet of onion soup mix in the roasting pan water to help flavor the gravy once the meat is done.

The Montgomery County Agriculture Economic Development Project and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Fulton and Montgomery counties coordinate the event, which is open an extra hour this year due to its popularity, said Julianne Clouthier, who coordinates the event at the extension service. The first two years, the market took place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., this year’s event will run until 2 p.m., Clouthier said.

Returning vendors will include the Creek’s Edge Elk Farm and the Palatine Valley Dairy.

This year, the Hero Group/Beech-Nut will be joining the list of suppliers, as will the Natural Bridge Farm from Amsterdam.

Susan Wojturski from the Natural Bridge Farm said it’s the first year for her at this market, and she’ll have some early chives available along with advice about houseplants produced in the farm’s greenhouse.

One of the most common mistakes people make with houseplants, Wojturski said, is doing too much to them.

“They overwater them,” Wojturski said.

Clouthier said it’s difficult to gauge exactly how many people come to the winter and spring markets, but estimates the number in the hundreds.

Products for sale today are expected to include herbs, grass-fed lamb and beef, pork, fudge, peanut butter, cheese curds, beeswax lip balms and candles, alpaca fiber, hand-dyed yarn and artisan breads, among other items.

Master gardeners from Cornell Cooperative Extension will be on hand to answer questions on gardening and for the first time, live music will be played during the market.

Sundial Express will perform acoustic folk music and light jazz.

The Mohawk Valley Spring Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Glen Town Hall, 7 Erie St., Fultonville. Admission is free. More detail can be found on the Web site of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Fulton and Montgomery counties at www.ccefm.com.