Mutiny Ranch is at the Farmer’s Market

Sunrise in McElmo Canyon.

It’s 7:27am on Sunday morning and I’ve already fed the chickens and pig, let the goats and horse out to graze, cleaned the stall, started irrigating the garden and am sipping on my second latte of the day. Granted, a lot of people have accomplished more than me, and at an early time, but still…this feels good. The cool morning has offered a reprieve from the 95+ degree temperatures that have been holding steady for weeks. I could (should?) be pulling weeds or mowing or turning compost while it’s cool but I’ve been promising that I would write…so here I am.

Freshly roasted coffee for market and a homemade latte. This gorgeous mug was handmade by a neighbor (Barefoot Pottery) and can be found for sale at our market booth (Fury’s Funny Farm and Friends).

A little farm update is way overdue. Yesterday I participated in the local Farmer’s Market. This is actually the 3rd market I’ve done this summer and I’m getting addicted. In a small town like this the market is much more than a money making endeavor (hey, even a few dollars helps buy new seeds for next year), it’s a social event…a time to catch up with one another, meet new people, chat with tourists, discuss our latest crop struggles (generally having to do with the heat, drought or grasshoppers) and to get away from the farm and be in “civilization”. Let me tell you, it’s very easy to become a recluse on your land…so much to do, so much to do. Going out in public (and even putting on some clean duds and brushing your hair!!) is pretty dang exciting!

I grew TWO carrots (so far)!!

When this whole idea of moving somewhere rural, where we could {try} to grow some of our own food, came into existence it never occurred to me I’d be selling at the Farmer’s Market. Right now I’m happy when I get one radish to grow or pick enough blackberries to make 2 jars of jam (2 jars I won’t have to buy). But something about bringing the fruits of your labor to potential customers ignites a passion for doing better. I look at my little garden a bit differently when I imagine what our land might bring forth one day as an offering to others. The thrill and awe of watching a seed become a plant which then bears fruit is just too much to not share with others. And, as I’ve learned through my dear friend and mentor, Moqui (of Fury’s Funny Farm) as well as Kathy (of Permaculture Provision Project) is that abundance is a mindset. If we share our abundance we will attract even more abundance. P.S. This works in all areas of life. You are what you think about and you attract that which you feed with your attention and energy.

Chocolate & Cinnamon Sourdough Twist

Since my garden is small (right now) my market offerings have been mostly freshly baked breads. My favorite, as you may know, is sourdough. The beauty of this bread is that it can be made from 99% locally grown items since you’re capturing the wild yeasts yourself (salt is not local). In our area we are fortunate to have a local grain mill which uses locally grown wheat (how cool is that??). I’ve been experimenting with adding herbs, dried fruit and even chocolate to the sourdough. This past weekend I sold plain sourdough, fig & thyme sourdough, chocolate noir sourdough and a sourdough twist with chocolate and cinnamon (see photo above).

Gluten-free sandwich loaves…

My other offerings have been a Gluten Free Sandwich loaf. It’s sold out every time I make it. Although it’s not 100% locally sourced ingredients I’m happy to say it does include local raw honey and our farm fresh chicken eggs. I might get a wild hair and see about adding herbs to a few loaves this week…just for fun.

Harvesting alfalfa for tea and plantain for lotion bars.

I also harvested a butt-load of plantain from my pasture. This got dried, crushed and covered with olive oil. Once it infused I used it to make little lotion bars. They also sold out at market so it looks like I need to make more this week!

Plantain lotion bars with a bit of turmeric for easing sore muscles.

And, of course, I offered small batch, freshly roasted coffees. I’ve stocked up on some varieties from around the world and will be roasting off and on all week in preparation of next week’s market. I think having the coffee and breads displayed together (along with the Funny Farm’s eggs) showcases the perfect farm fresh breakfast.

On top of these market offerings I’m also excited to let you know I picked up a teaching job! I’ll be leading the 10:30am Vinyasa Flow class at Heart and Core Yoga Studio in Cortez starting this Wednesday! Right now my schedule is every Wednesday (except the first Wed of the month) as well as a few Community Classes (by donation) on Sundays. I’ll still be teaching Yoga and Mindfulness at Battle Rock Charter School on Mondays once the school year starts in mid-August.

Stunning views from this area.

I’ll tell ya…as much as we loved our full-time travels there’s something about connecting with this community that really fulfills our need/desire/obligation to give back and be a part of *something*. The things we learned during our travels certainly helped shape this outlook but I never really understood how much we were missing out in terms of our actions. Being in the midst of it all and being able to DO something has enhanced our lives so much. At yesterday’s market I was approached by a young man representing the Utah Navajo Health System. He’s looking for local producers and bakers to help provide healthy food to his community in Montezuma Creek. Keeping it local, keeping it healthy and keeping the door open for all of us to build community and friendships no matter what our race or background. I am so looking forward to this opportunity to share the abundance with my neighbors.