When the construction business came to a screeching halt several years ago, Duane and Julie Schiedler, owners of Miracle Acre Farm off Brosterhous Road, saw business for their custom cabinet shop dry up. That's when they opened Celebrate the Season with the intention of selling garden structures—like their handmade chicken coops and greenhouses.
"We tried to think of what we could do that could provide a need for people," explained Julie Schiedler.
That side business has grown into a full-time, year-round market. The Schiedlers sell eggs, potatoes, onions and garlic from Miracle Acre over the winter; in the summertime they add asparagus and an abundance of other veggies.
"Last year we had folks coming to us with their produce from their small backyard gardens. "Maybe they had too much lettuce or too many carrots," Schiedler recalled. "One gal came in with boxes full of plums!"
Now, for an entry fee of just $10, local vendors can sell their own products—from veggies to cheeses to artisan soaps—on Saturdays in the backyard of the storefront off of Reed Market Road. The inaugural market will be held Saturday, May 25. The event will include music, drinks and a variety of vendors, all of them local.
"It's the people's market!" Schiedler insisted. SW
Highlighted vendors:
Miracle Acre Farm
The Schiedlers raise more than 100 chickens on their private Miracle Acre Farm, which is exactly what it sounds like—one acre that produces an abundance of root veggies in the winter and herbs and fresh produce during the warmer months. As their crops mature, the Schiedlers plan to sell fresh-cut flowers at the farmers market, alongside herbs, fresh veggies and, of course, eggs. The farm sells the same herbs commercially to local eateries like Blacksmith, Dump City Dumplings and Chow.
Plainview Pleasures
Amateur farmers Gayle Hoagland and Terry Jones graduated from a community garden off Highway 20 near Sisters and are now hawking their basil, rosemary and parsley starts at local farmers markets and kitchen stores throughout Bend. Their 2-year-old venture, Plainview Farms (541-388-7314), specializes in culinary herbs and is focused on starts—most of which are grown from seed. But the two friends also offer cut flowers and veggie starts, including tomatoes, peppers, cauliflower, broccoli and kale. Hoagland and Jones still grow on shared land off Plainview Road (hence the name). Aspiring gardeners and fickle foodies can find Plainview offerings at Celebrate the Season market in Southeast Bend as well as Ginger's Kitchenware in the Old Mill.
Cada Dia Cheese
Cows are not Type-A personalities—they take it as it comes and enjoy chewing their cud. That pace and flow seem to define Cada Dia (541-788-7723), a 20-Jersey cow farm in Prineville. Cada Dia translates to "every day," a motto that farmer and co-owner Cher Sullivan says encapsulates a philosophy.
Four years ago, Pat and Cher Sullivan relocated to their 60-acre ranch after selling their farm in New Mexico and then backpacking throughout Argentina and Chile with their daughters. While not native to the area, they emphasize that their cheeses are locally produced—the cows are milked and the cheese made and aged at Cada Dia.
Jersey cows produce milk that is high in fat and protein and provides a rich but solid foundation for hard cheese like cheddar, feta and parmesan—the Cada Dia staples. The Sullivans also produce one soft cheese, a camembert.
Farmers market opening schedule:
Celebrate the Season Backyard Farmers Market, 61515 American Lane
11 am-4 pm Saturdays May 26-Oct. 26. (Market open Tuesday–Friday 10 am-6 pm & Saturday 9 am-5 pm.)
Central Oregon Locavore Storefront, 1216 NE 1st St.
12-6 pm. Open now, Wednesday-Saturday.
Bend Farmers Market, Drake Park
3-7 pm Wednesday, June 5-Oct. 9.
Brookswood Plaza Farmers Market, 19530 Amber Meadow Plaza
3-7 pm Tuesday June 25-Aug. 27.
Northwest Crossing Farmers Market, Northwest Crossing
10 am-2 pm Saturday, June 29-Sept. 21.
Redmond Farmers Market, Centennial Park
3-6 pm Tuesday, June 11- Sept. 24.
Sisters Farmers Market, Barclay Park
3-6 pm Friday, June 14-Sept. 13.
Prineville Farmers Market, Downtown Plaza on 3rd Street
9 am-12:30 pm Saturday, June 15-Oct. 5.
