Look for winter farmers markets here

   Lena Gilbert let us know about all the great items available at the Springville winter farmers market, coming up this Saturday (Jan. 9, 2010) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Springville Community Center, 265 Broadway.  If you're looking for local produce, this is where you can go for winter squash, apples, honey, spices, jam, apple chips and cider, as well as locally produced free-range pork; grassfed beef and lamb. Fruit pies, kolaches, whole-grain and herb breads, coffeecake, glass-beaded jewelry, scarves, hats, aprons, hand-bound journals and books will also be for sale at the market.

   Lena, who is the market master and one of the driving forces behind the market, said as early as next month, the market will also have leafy greens and other fresh veggies. A harpist from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids will be entertaining market-goers at this Saturday's market.

   Others are scheduled for Feb. 20; March 20 and April 10, all from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    Tammy Neumann, farmers market coordinator in Iowa City, who submitted these great photos, noted that the two winter markets in Iowa City were a huge success. Those are over for the season, but if you're looking for others in Eastern Iowa, a caller told me that Dubuque has one every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Colts Drum & Bugle Corp Building, 1101 Central Ave., Dubuque. Those run November through April.

    Also,   Mount Vernon has twice-monthly winter markets.  The next is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, in the basement of City Hall, 213 First St. West.

Products include seasonal vegetables and fruits, nuts, meat, farm-fresh eggs and baked goods. Others in Mount Vernon are scheduled for Jan. 30; Feb. 13 & 27; March 13 & 27 and April 3 & 17.

      If you are aware of other winter farmers markets in Eastern Iowa, leave a message here, or send an e-mail with info to:

cindy.hadish@gazcomm.com