May eNews

May 2025

Water Buffalo from Rocking TT Bar Ranch in Hammond

Farmers Market Gift Tokens Are Available Now!

Are you looking for a unique gift to give this season? Forget about the chain store gift cards! Give something delicious AND local - farmers market gift tokens! You can purchase $5 gift tokens at the managers tables of the Canton, Gouverneur, Hammond, or Potsdam farmers markets or by calling the GardenShare office at 315-261-8054.

Farmers market gift tokens can be used for any product at the markets and they never expire! Give delicious gifts this season while supporting your local farmers!

Gardening and Local Food Security Survey

GardenShare is always working to combat food insecurity and to share awareness about food access programs. One of the ways we do this is by gathering information about various topics related to food and gardening.

Please consider completing the short survey at the link below that will assist GardenShare in collecting resident opinions, behaviors, preferences, and needs related to gardening and local foods. GardenShare is partnering with the Center for Community Studies at Jefferson Community College, in Watertown, to complete this survey. The Center has served the North Country for 25 years, by collecting local data from residents regarding their opinions and behaviors.

The survey should take less than five minutes. Please consider completing this confidential survey at the link below.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GardenShareELetter

You matter - and your thoughts are important to us. Thank you for your time!

Farmers Market

Opening Days!

Our favorite time of year is almost here! The opening days for the spring farmers markets are set and our producers are working hard to get ready for their customers. It's also a great time to sign up for a CSA for the summer!

The vendor application is now closed but we do accept day vendor applications on a rolling basis. For more information, contact Erin at farmersmarkets@gardenshare.org.

Benchmarks and Key Profit Insights are now available!

Farmers and producers in New York can now access a highly valuable set of benchmarks and profitability strategies at no cost by visiting: https://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/benchmark-assessment-supp.

The data has been released as the culmination of the multi-year project: Cultivating Profitability: Farmers Market Benchmarks. The project is spearheaded by Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County (CCE Broome) and the Farmers Market Federation of NY (FMFNY) and is the second iteration of profitability benchmarks set in 2016 by these same organizations. Those interested in accessing the data can choose how to utilize the information. It is available in a presentation format, as a pre-recorded webinar, and even as raw data. In addition, there are helpful data sheets and worksheets so farmers and producers can intentionally apply the concepts and data to their own organization in an effort to cultivate their own profitability at farmers markets.

Calling all chefs and restaurant owners!

If you are looking for locally grown produce in larger quantities, check out the Seaway Produce Auction. Their first sale will be on May 23 at 10am in Rensselaer Falls (2841 County Route 11).

Consisting of many local Amish farmers, this is another option for local produce purchases that may be a good fit for your shopping needs.

If you would like more information, contact Seaway Produce Auctions at (315) 965-2535 or at www.seawayproduceauction.com

Farm to School Programs

Did you know that many of the schools in St. Lawrence County participate in the Farm to School Program? This innovative partnership connects farmers to schools, providing a consistent market for the farmer and healthier foods for the schools. You can read more about one particular program in

The Hill news!

Thank you for receiving and reading our newsletter! We appreciate your time and dedication to supporting GardenShare and our local food system.

Interested in volunteering with GardenShare?

More information is available here.

Connect with us! | info@gardenshare.org | 315. 261.8054