Alton Yard Farms

08/19/2024

Good morning beautiful humans. Dropping an update as I continue to move through the process of radical change! Yep!

🌱Up next: A focused effort on adjustments. While I had planned to add ~1000sf in crop rotations to the fall plan, that has been nixed due to displacement + a shift in resources. This happens in farming (and life!). As the vision unfolds, sometimes the physical and mindset changes are not actually tenable for the parties involved. I'm taking in the lessons and trust I'll know how to better minimize such outcomes going forward. Show business, eh. There are so many gifts in the slow down 🎁

🌱 What's up with the food, tho? We are seeding lettuce and other greens to end the season (Oct 19) with abundance. Expect 1st harvest late Sept. I'm also re-homing the microgreens setup (in Alton) and 100% can't wait to start shelling them out as part of my birthday celebrations Sept 16. Yes.
+ A GARLIC PLANTING PARTY 🧄📆🍂
+ Are you going to the the farm-to-table dinner FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar next Tuesday? I'm so looking forward to 3 hours of fantastic food & conversation with family and friends! I can't say for sure, yet ... there is a possibility of a similar event later this year.

🌱In review: So far this year we've managed to consistently provide neighborhood food at the market, online, and via experimenting with a pick-up fridge at Market at Milton. I'm so proud of this, as well as 's will to commit to the ups and downs of disrupting something as complex as our modern food system. She embodies a relentless, artistic, nurturing passion for our community, and this season would not be what it is without her!

🙏I'm not unamazed by how searingly beautiful it is to grow while growing food. Keeping this vision going requires the patience, love & support of community. We lucked out with this one 💚
THANK YOU.

More to come as I pull myself away from this view and head back to Alton later this week.

Stay safe stay sweet 🍠

Maggie

08/13/2024

Who's hungry? 🤚

08/09/2024

2 months later. Silage tarp is a passive, natural way to remove unwanted plants (zoysia grass) and preserve and build the soil health where some of Mother Nature's mightiest species live and thrive when the earth isn't scraped and tilled with machinery. This soil is soft, and the zoysia roots pull up easily. 👌

Seeding clover will be an easy peasy way to continue the process. 🍀

08/09/2024

Join the Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market every Saturday from 8am-noon through October 19th at the corner of Landmarks Blvd and Henry Street! Not only can you enjoy the literal fruits of our local farmer's labor but there's coffee, hot food, crafters and artisans of all types, fresh shaken lemonade from multiple stands, eggs, meat, and SO MUCH MORE! Plus, special activities each weekend. Coming up in August:

8/10 - Celebrating National Farmers' Market Week! Check out some BIG Farm Equipment on-site with the Madison County Farm Bureau
8/17 - Live music from Crossriver
8/24 - Live music from Steph Plant & an Obstacle Course with Blue Wave Spirit Martial Arts
8/31 - Artist demo: Riverbend Yarn Bombers

08/03/2024

Pull up to the trunk sale !

$4/pint Snacking peppers
$4/pint cherry tomatoes
3/$1 Jalapeños
$3 Dill
$3 Oregano
$3 Opal basil
$3 Sweet basil
$3 Thai basil
$3 Tulsi basil
$5/pint Thai lavender frog eggplant
$10/jar Herb bouquets (Oregano, mint, lemon balm, opal/Thai/sweet basils)
++T-shirts, totes & stickers

Pick up more at Maeva's Coffee 👀
e.g. scallions, gypsy peppers & herbs

08/02/2024

The pick-up fridge is loaded at Market at Milton ‼️

2/$1 Gypsy peppers (sweet, yellow frying pepper)
3/$1 Jalapeños
$3/bu Parsley
$3/bu Tulsi (holy) basil
$3/bu Bergamot
$2/bu Sweetgrass
$2/bu Scallions

Use venmo or paypal to 💸
Use 💚 when choosing your next ingredients!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
(My vacation was uhhh-mazing! And it is good to be back.) 🙏

08/01/2024

Sounds about right 💚

Our first August market will feature the sounds of Tony Caradonna! Enjoy free live music while you shop for all your market staples Saturday, August 3rd from 8am-12pm. Grab some Bunkhouse Joe Coffee and get to shopping!

The Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market can be found every single Saturday, rain or shine (unless the sky tries to get us 🌩), through October 19th. 100+ farmers, artisans, and food vendors will happily serve you from 8am-12pm. Keep your money local and shop the market! 🍊🍉🥒🌶🥔🍞🍗🥩🥚🧀🥨🌽☕

07/26/2024

Hey, how much did Santa pay for his sleigh?

Nothing - it was on the house.

Did you hear that!? It sounded like... Santa's sleigh!?

Join us this weekend, July27th, at the Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market Christmas in July! Santa has penciled in a summer vacation stop right here in Alton. We can't promise any snow but there will be plenty of other holiday themed fun to enjoy. Get a pic with the big man himself as you shop for healthy, fresh market items to fill your pantry and all the crafty goodies you know our 100+ vendors will have available!

The Alton FAM runs every Saturday through October 19th from 8am-Noon. You can find us at the corner of Landmarks Blvd and Henry St, rain or shine *unless the sky tries to electrocute us*

07/23/2024

Tickets are on sale 🤌
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/farm-to-table-dinner-experience-tickets-947249397447

07/23/2024

After 5 years of farming (technically 4, because I've been plotting this since the fall) ... I've confirmed that July is an exquisite time to rest! Yay! I'll be back Aug 1. and friends are holding it down 'til then. 💚 When I return, updates will include lettuce, microgreens, and more on farm-to-table dinners.

So grateful to have this opportunity to pause before the next push. Thank you in advance for understanding my unbridled aloofness/ karaoke-if-you-@-me energy for the next 10 days.

FALL IS COMING ✨️🌱🎤🐎🥰
Maggie

07/21/2024

Entrepreneurship is a deep calling imo. What a beautiful sight. Thank you, Alton! Happy Sunday!

07/19/2024

The inaugural full-time pickup fridge has arrived 🙌

Swing by Maeva's Coffee and see what's fresh! All produce is organically grown at Milton or in Middletown. Today's offerings: Sweet basil, Swiss chard, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, snacking peppers, and herb bouquets.

GINORMOUS thank you to Foxes-Boxes for the display case!

We are so excited to offer an option that makes it easier to shop fresh produce and support the local food system. THANK YOU. Let's gooooooo!!!
👩‍🌾👩‍🌾👩‍🌾🎉🎉🎉

07/18/2024

Snacking peppers @ Milton + Middletown will be a bumper crop for back to school!🧃

07/12/2024

Did you know? The whole world is a garden, SO THERE ARE NO WALLS! 🤔💭💚
Also. DELIVERIES ARE OPEN. We will bring the goods to you Saturday-Tuesday, 8am-12pm each day! DM to arrange pickup. Because we are taking a break. 💤 We'll see you *next* weekend at !

ON HAND
$4 carrots w/tops
$4 mixed cherry tomato pints
$3/ # heirloom tomatoes
$3 rainbow chard
$3 herbs (tulsi/opal/thai/sweet basils, dill, oregano)
$3 plants (squashes, sweet basil, sungold cherry tomato, day lilies, marigolds, zinnias)
Lots of merchandise (DM for her amazing market bags)
Link in bio.

THANK YOU!!!!!! 🙏

P.S. GUESS WHAT ... deets on the farm-to-table dinner are coming. they will come. tickets will go. Stay tuned!✨️

07/10/2024

Sleeping beauties 🌻🐝🌻🐝🌻

07/09/2024

Cilantro and more beans made it in before today's shower. 🤌

Also pictured:
*spaghetti squash, 3x bigger since last Friday!
*bush beans tarped and adding nitrogen to the soil.
*watermelons aiming for the sky (this is a bet on late-season heat).

07/05/2024

Peak farming is here, y'all! This week, we thank the rain gods for nourishing our gardens and souls. The next rain in the forecast is Monday, then *next* Tuesday. This means we'll need to supplement at least 1-3" worth of watering with our drip timers and overhead systems. It's a wonderful opportunity to be grateful for access to clean water, safe, fertile land, and the space to give our precious plants the attention they deserve.

🚿Things that need it: Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, winter squashes, melons, carrots.

💦Things that want it, but are less urgent: Herbs, beans, sweet potatoes, summer squashes.

🏞️The plan in ~2 weeks: Soak the humans in a creek for 8hrs/day.

🙏In perpetuity: THANK YOU for supporting this vision to grow food for our community! 🙏

Next up ...
We'll seed fall crops in the nursery by mid-month, and have news about a "Back to School" special in early August, designed to help keep local, nutritious snacks in your kiddos' packs.

Also ... "Christmas in July" is coming!
Join us at the market 7/27 for silly Santa jokes and farmer gifts!

ON HAND THIS SATURDAY 7/6 @ Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market
*$4 Green Beans
*$4 Carrots with tops
*$3/ # Heirloom and cherry tomatoes
*2 for $5🌈 Chard
*$3 Herb bundles
*$3 Plants: Day Lilies, Squashes, Sungold Cherry Tomatoes, Yellow Pear Cherry Tomatoes & more
*$20 Softstyle T-Shirt: "Local Tastes Better"
*$15 Upcycled T-Shirt: "Rest Is Work"
*$10 Herb Bouquets!
*$16-$45 Custom, coffee bean burlap totes x

If you can't make it, visit the site and place a delivery order for Tuesday.

DRINK MORE WATER 💚💚💚💚💚

07/04/2024

We will be 8-12 Saturday w/ fresh harvests. The morning newsletter will have all the deets. Enjoying the land & good company til then. Happy Independence Day, America💃🇺🇲🧜‍♂️🌊🌳

07/03/2024

Sweet, beautiful rain doing its thing. Thank you 🌦🍠🌈

06/30/2024

TODAY: Pull yourself together, people, and take a walk around the food systems happening right here in Alton! 😁 Everything changes when "you" is replaced with "me."
Weeeeeeeeeee

It's going to be 80 degrees, which makes me shiver, at this point.
Still, I will have cold beverages and shade for you on your adventure!
⛱️🍋💦

I couldn't have continued this vision without the support of so many community members offering pure love. Whether it was a ride, a meal, a nice email, seeding, weeding, a hand massage (yes, my hands are inquiring WTF), an uplifting conversation, an impromptu road trip, a song, a list (looking at you ) or straight up SHOWING UP.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

URBAN FARM TOUR
TODAY
10AM - 3PM
1320 MILTON RD

06/29/2024

Community members are welcome to attend the Urban Farm Tour on Sunday, June 30 from 10am-3pm. The Riverbend Community Gardens Urban Farm Tour is an exciting opportunity for neighbors to connect and discover how others are turning their yards and empty lots into thriving, edible gardens and sustainable farms. As you explore the diverse and vibrant exhibits, you'll see an array of fresh produce, herbs, flowers, and even backyard chickens.

Registrants will receive a map of the self-guided tour upon registration, and the tour will feature 7 urban gardens, farms, and community gardens. Tourists will be greeted by a guide at each location to answer questions about the farm.
Register to get the map here: https://sc.org/uft2024

06/29/2024

😎Come say hi this Saturday 6/29 at the ! We will have PLANTS and food and sweaty, grateful smiles 🌱🌱🌱

👩‍🌾ALSO, come see how the squashes are made. AYF + are 2 of the 7 farms on the Urban Farm Tour this Sunday from 10am - 3pm via the Three Rivers Project x Sierra Club! Sign up via the Facebook event and get a map for your self-guided garden adventure around Alton.

🍅.... IT'S TOMATO TIME. Come get 'em.

🙏Thanks for letting us feed you!

06/28/2024

More plants coming to the site. Newsletter next.

Yes, spaghetti squash (a winter squash) takes up to 100 days to mature. These transplants would make for a fall harvest. As long as there's no frost, and you keep up with plant care, you can make it happen! Don't think just plant!

06/26/2024

Ashley makes all sorts of things special! 👩‍🌾🌱💚

Look what my friend Ashley Luster from Scrappy Little Patches gave me! It’s a little herb bouquet for the kitchen counter!

You can pick one up for yourself every Saturday at Alton Yard Farms booth at the Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market. Nip off some leaves for cooking…mine has basil, dill and oregano!

Fresh sunflower bouquets from Riverbend Flower Farm available at the shop today!! Be sure to check out the block printed textiles from Scrappy Little Patches up in our loft. (Open 9-5)

06/26/2024

Come on out to the Urban Farm Tour 10a-3p this Sunday! Become inspired, meet local farmers, and learn about the food systems that exist right here in Alton. We are one of up to 8 farms on the self-guided garden adventure organized by the Three Rivers Project x Piasa Palisades Sierra Club

Sign up and get your map at https://tinyurl.com/altonfarms

06/23/2024

Garlic makes garlic makes garlic. I like to pull when 5 leaves have turned brown; the green left in the stalk sends more nutrients down to the bulb while it cures in a cool, dark space for 4-6 weeks, ensuring that when it dries, it will last all winter long. I freaking love garlic! We'll be saving ours for seeding in October. Saving 20% allows one to reproduce the amount grown, and any more means you are on your way to a self-sustaining garlic farm. Let's goooooooooooooooo

06/21/2024

Good morning dear Alton. This week, eh! The hot is here to stay and every living thing is stretching toward peak growth. For farmers, it means we are still planting, weeding, maintaining plant maturity, feeding the soil, harvesting the bounty, seeding new greenery, and planning for the future. For some, it's a gut check and a fine time to seriously reconsider whether it makes sense to continue as planned. For others it is smooth and sure *because* change is constant. Facts: I am mapping winter crops and seriously considering a hot chocolate.

Never been more grateful to be here and commune with ya for the long haul, Alton.

🌱Please come out for this epic Saturday of fun! We will be set up in a temporary location in the morning for the Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market to accommodate the boats going in circles (F1 Powerboat races Fri-Sun). 8a-12p FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar

🎸Then it's the Mississippi River Festival from 5p-? at the Alton Amphitheater!

💃AND the talent show auditions Market at Milton from 12-5p followed by the dinner, show & gala from 6p-? at Jacoby Arts Center.

OUR OFFERINGS
*Green Beans
*Tomatoes
*🌈 Chard
*Herb bundles & bouquets
*Fresh garlic
*"Local Tastes Better" T-shirts
*"Rest Is Work" T-shirts
*Market totes & more x
*OUR SMILING FACES

06/20/2024

They're baaaaaack! Pick up the inaugural AYF tee this Saturday. 2nd print x Logo It. Same softstyle, fitted goodness.

06/20/2024

FYI - we will be set up between FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar + Jacoby Arts Center from 8a-12p this Saturday.

The Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market is being displaced for one week only on Saturday, June 22nd to accommodate the powerboat race on the Mississippi River. On that date you

06/18/2024

Calendula, zinnias, green beans + Brad's Atomic cherry tomatoes looking right. Stop by Market at Milton anytime to see how the demonstration plot is going 👩‍🌾🌱💚