OXFORD - The Oxford Farmers’ Market and St. Paul’s Bake Sale are held in LaFayette Park every Saturday morning from 9 to noon, from July through August. You never know who might show up as there’s no fee for vendors. You may find: blueberries, preserves, pickled vegetables, herbs, etc. It’s also well worth a visit to meet the farmers, get to select the best and freshest products, as well as keeping dollars circulating locally. Regulars were at the market on July 21, but there were a few really special demonstrating guests too.
Oxford entrepreneurs, such as Kim Marshman of “The Barnyard;” and Bill Brower and Nancy Morey, of “Shadeyside Farm,” all members of PON, set up their usual, exceptional displays, selling fresh produce and hand crafted wares.
Kim had fresh cut flowers, tender little yellow and green squash, baby cucumbers, heads of garlic, and big yellow onions. (Kim said that her sweet corn and tomatoes will be ready soon.)
Bill, “The Egg Man,” had fresh brown eggs from his flock of free-range laying hens. Some eggs are even blue or green from his Araucana chickens!
Nancy, a fiber specialist, had many fibers such as fine wool from their own sheep, kid mohair, cotton, silk, etc. all hand spun and hand dyed. Nancy also had Bullthistle Bounty Discount Cards for sale. With this $15 purchase, cardholders receive 10 percent off select items at 34 small, locally owned micro enterprises which include some members at the Oxford Farmers’ Market.
St. Paul’s Church Bake Sale had cookies, brownies, pies, cakes and other assorted goods. (Fruit pies sold out early!)
The special guests were members of the Chenango Region Handspinners Group. The group regularly meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month at St. Paul’s, but this was a real treat for the market. Spinners brought their wheels, knitting, felting or whatever fiber project they were working on and set up on the LaFayette green. Some of the spinners were from the Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery in Otego. All were available to ask questions and gave wonderful demonstrations.
Another most entertaining guest to the park was a very young entrepreneur, Johannes Nightengale – around age 6 (his mother, Regina Mason, was one of the spinners). This young man was demonstrating the art of hand-tying fishing lures. He would custom tie a fly to order while you waited. His experience, professionalism, and fishing banter seemed way beyond his years.
These new demonstrating exhibitors were a welcome addition. Be sure to come to the Oxford Farmers’ Market on Saturdays through the end of August so you don’t miss something special like these unique exhibits (remember: There’s no Farmers’ Market if it rains).
Contact Shadeyside Farm for fiber products, classes, or free-range eggs at 843-8243 or email: shadeyside@citlink.net.
The Barnyard maintains a self-service produce stand in front of their River Road farm. Call 843-6897 or email: barnyard@frontiernet.net .
For some other farm producers, check the P.O.N. members list at http://www.oxfordny.com/business/pon/members/index.php .
For more on the Bullthistle Bounty Discount Card, visit www.ofcinc.org/bounty or contact Stacie Edick at 334-7114; email: bounty@ofcinc.org .