AgriMissouri

Grand Opening of Free Range Cookies

Below is a note I received from Linda, owner and maker of Free Range Cookies.

Let's break some gluten free bread to celebrate the Grand Opening of Free Range Cookies on Sunday, November 23, 2008 from 12 noon-3 pm.

Our party will coincide with an open house and ribbon cutting for the Streetcar Lofts, a new loft/retail space where Free Range Cookies calls home. Bring the whole family to enjoy live music, food, drink (including gluten free beer), and tours of Ferguson’s latest new development. My friend Colleen McFarland, a Nashville based singer-songwriter (and former St. Louisan) will showcase songs from her new CD, "Let It Shine," just released on the High Horse Records label at 1 pm. Goodie bags will be distributed to the first 100 friends. Hope you can join us for the party at 425 South Florissant Road (at Suburban Avenue), Ferguson, Missouri 63135!

Linda

Shatto Milk Bottle = Free Chipotle Burrito!

I received this update in Shatto Milk Company's November Moosletter and I think this is a great promotion! I wish I was going to be in Kansas City this Saturday because I am a Shatto Milk & Chipotle fan.

Yes, you read the title correctly. On November 19th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., our good friends at Chipotle will set you up with a FREE BURRITO, BOWL, ORDER OF TACOS or SALAD when you provide them with an empty Shatto Milk Company Bottle. This promotion is only good at their 14th and Walnut location, near the Sprint Center.

My family and I will be on hand to meet and greet those of you that decide to take advantage of this wonderful offer. You may be asking why would we be doing this promotion, well, for two reasons, 1) Chipotle and Shatto Milk have something in common that we wanted to share with everyone. That is, we are both opposed to the use of artificial growth hormones in cows. Chipotle uses only dairy products from cows not treated with growth hormones, and of course, we here at Shatto Milk Company do not treat our cows with such injections. We thought this similarity was worth a little “party”; and 2) we wanted to find a way to offer a cool little bonus for our wonderful loyal customers.

So, come get a free burrito, and feel free to pass this along to your friends, colleagues, neighbors and family.

Sycamore Valley Farm B&B Featured in America's Heartland

Question: How excited was I to talk to Tina Reichert with Sycamore Valley Farm Bed & Breakfast this afternoon?

Answer: Totally excited!

Question: Why?

Answer: Well last spring, or maybe it was winter, a representative with America's Heartland television show called and asked about Missouri agritourism producers. One that we discussed was Sycamore Valley Bed & Breakfast, I just found out that the television show filmed there this summer!

I just watched the episode online and it is very well done. Tina said their episode has aired once on RFD TV and is scheduled to air again soon. She's already had someone from Tennessee call and say they are coming to stay at Sycamore Valley Farm. Tina also said the filming was "a lot of fun."

Congratulations to the Reichert's with Sycamore Valley Farm on the television debut!

Bobo Noodle House in St. Louis

I've mentioned before that I truly enjoy the blog, St. Louis Eats with Joe & Ann Pollack. I love food and they have very detailed reviews of restaurants that I put on my list to visit when I'm in St. Louis. Today I was catching up on my reading of their blog and saw their review of Bobo Noodle House. You may be wondering, "Sarah, why is this such a big deal?" Well it's because Bobo Noodle House is a new AgriMissouri member.

They just joined a couple months ago. Zoe is getting some of the sauces they serve in their restaurant bottled so that patrons can enjoy them at home as well. I have not had the chance to visit the restaurant yet and didn't know much about it until I read the blog. Now I'm intrigued and can't wait until my next visit to St. Louis.

Exploring Missouri

I get to blog about a lot of cool events and places but I haven't always gotten to attend all the events or festivals. This past weekend I got to spend the day with my BFF, Missouri's Wine Girl, visiting the Chestnut Roast in New Franklin and then we traveled up to Glasgow to the Riverport Market and Rolling Pin Bakery.

I know I told you about the Riverport Market and Chestnut Roast last week but I can't stress enough how fun it was to get away, spend the day with a friend and do something different. Glasgow is a town with great architecture, history and friendly faces. Their library is the oldest operating library west of the Mississippi. We didn't get to take a tour but it is on the itinerary for our next trip.

The Riverport Market has been restored impeccably and is filled with yummy AgriMissouri products and pottery that I couldn't resist. I bought a pie plate, made by a Hannibal artisan, while we were there and a couple Missouri Christmas gifts. I've got my eye on more pottery but I thought I should pace myself.

I won't go on and on since I told you about these places last week but I strongly encourage anyone with an afternoon to take break and stop in for a slice of pie at the Rolling Pin and follow that with a glass of beer or wine from the Riverport Market. Since the Chestnut Roast is an annual event, put it on your calendar for next October.

Flickr photo courtesy of mlaaker. Visit their site to see pictures inside the Glasgow Library.

Riverport Market - a Must See

I've decided it's fate, on my drive in this morning I was thinking that I should blog about one of my new favorite stores, Riverport Market - A Taste of Missouri, in Glasgow, Mo. Wouldn't you know it, I checked my Google alert and there was an article about them in the Columbia Tribune yesterday. Seeing that, I knew I must share both the story and my experience.

As I said the Riverport Market has made my list of new favorite stores. The first weekend in September Danene (Mo Wine Girl) and I were hosting travel journalists at several Missouri wineries and agritourism destinations. The Riverport Market hosted our group for dessert that Saturday evening. I loved everything about the store! From the welcoming owner, Greg Speiser, and manager, Terri Crawford-Goss, to the restored historical building with the pressed tin ceiling, to the tasty and unique Missouri products.

In addition to selling almost entirely AgriMissouri foods and wines, the Riverport Market also offers beautiful hand-crafted pottery that is usable! You don't just look at it!

I only got a brief taste of Glasgow that evening but the town seems very friendly and welcoming. I am definitely going back to visit Terri & Greg, shop for Christmas gifts, discover the town and the bakery next door to the Riverport Market.

They've got a couple events coming up that you might keep in mind. This Saturday, October 18 at 3:00 p.m. is the Beer Festival, featuring O'Fallon Brewery and their seasonal 'Pumpkin Beer" and on Saturday, November 8 at 2:00 p.m. the Riverport Market will kick off the Christmas season with specials and a wine tasting featuring Indian Creek Winery's wines and wine jellies.

Murder Mystery at Mount Pleasant Winery

I have always wanted to go to a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater but its never worked out for me to go. Today I received an email from Mount Pleasant Winery that they are hosting a murder mystery dinner with a twist. The mystery combines themes from the shows "Lost" and "Gilligan's Island".

For all of you who are like me and have never been to a murder mystery but want to go, here's your chance. Mount Pleasant is a wonderful winery so I know you will have a great time. Here are all the details.

You love Lost and you love Gilligan’s Island, and now you have your chance to enjoy both at once. Mount Pleasant Winery presents “Lost on Gilligan’s Island” Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. Enjoy a hilariously entertaining evening full of mystery and intrigue, as Pop Aye the Sailor is put on trial for Gilligan’s murder, with Admiral Dimwitty as the judge. And you get to be the jury!

Mount Pleasant Winery 5634 High Street Augusta, Missouri 63332 Call 636-482-WINE, 800-467-WINE or visit http://www.mountpleasantwinery.com/

Tickets are $44.95 per person or $39.95 for Vintner’s Circle members plus tax and gratuity. Seating is limited, so call for reservations today!

Sixth Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast

It's time for the annual Missouri Chestnut Roast in New Franklin. Festivities begin on October 18 at 10:00 a.m. Lots of AgriMissouri members will be in attendance to sample and sell their products. It's a great place to get your Christmas shopping started. Below is information from the press release or to read the whole press release click here.

Missouri's agricultural specialty products will be front and center at the sixth annual Missouri Chestnut Roast, Saturday, Oct. 18, at the University of Missouri Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center in New Franklin, Mo.

Activities begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. The Ironweed Bluegrass Band and Eco Gitano, a group specializing in a blend of Caribbean and Spanish guitar, will provide musical entertainment. The New Franklin High School Athletic Booster Club will operate a concessions stand offering grilled elk, buffalo and beef products for sale.

Craig Cyr, executive chef of The Wine Cellar and Bistro in Columbia, and Eric Cartwright, executive chef at MU Campus Dining Services-Plaza 900, will prepare recipes that incorporate chestnuts and local foods during cooking demonstrations. Attendees can watch the creation of and taste these one-of-a-kind chestnut creations.

Vendors will feature a variety of locally grown agricultural specialty products including chestnut, pecan and walnut products; wines and specialty beers; ice cream; mustard; goat cheeses; tomato products; meat products; and elderberry products.

The Missouri Chestnut Roast is a kid-friendly event. Children will have plenty to keep them busy, including a live bat presentation by the U.S. Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station, at 12:45 p.m.; Missouri Chestnut Roast Fact Hunt; and a straw bale maze.

For directions and a schedule of the day's events, see http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/, or contact Julie Rhoads at 573-882-3234 or rhoadsj@missouri.edu.

Best of Missouri Market This Weekend

The St. Louis Post said it this morning, "this is the Best of Missouri Market." Myself and intern Jennifer will be at the Market this weekend and so will lots of AgriMissouri members, so stop by the Missouri Botanical Garden between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday or Sunday to see us.

Best of Missouri Market

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday — Missouri Botanical Garden — $10 — mobot.org

It's not the So-So Missouri Market or the Not Quite What We Expected Market, but the Best of Missouri Market. That means 100 of Missouri's top farmers and artisans will pack the Missouri Botanical Garden with their finest fruit, herbs, vegetables, toys and baskets.

-Sarah

Rewind 1: Missouri State Fair - AgriMissouri Market

I'm rewinding to give everyone an update on what's been going on in AgriMissouri since early August. I know we had a couple posts about the Missouri State Fair but I thought one going in to more detail was needed.

The AgriMissouri Market at the 2008 Missouri State Fair was extremely successful. The gorgeous weather brought out thousands of people. We had members sampling in the Market everyday. I am truly appreciative of the members who came and sampled their products. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your presence adds a lot to the Market. Thanks to the following samplers:

• Country Goodies, Centralia
• The Smashed Chefs, St. Louis
• Ozark Country Fixin's, Urbana
• Walt's Creole Seasoning, Kansas City
• Indian Creek Winery, Monroe City
• Garden Goodies - Fruity Peppers, Brookfield
• Hoss's BBQ Sauce, Mtn. Grove
• JAG BBQ Sauce, Eldon
• Grandma Ding's Fudge, Platte City
• The Settler's Inn, Boonville
• Barnicle Farms, Mary's Home
• Cowboy Chris BBQ, Wright City
• Mama Jo's Mustards, Jefferson City
• Garlic Earth, St. Charles
• Lahms, Inc, Springfield
• Peters Market & Oh So Good Foods, Waverly
• Chef Leron's Strawberry Salad Dressing, Black Water

In addition to sampling, we featured Grow Native in the AgriMissouri Market. Grow Native is a program that promotes the use of native Missouri plants in home and commercial garden settings. We sold over 70 native plants to gardening fans across the state.

As I said the AgriMissouri Market was extremely successful this year and I couldn't have done it without the wonderful AgriMissouri member support or my tremendous co-workers who worked in the Market throughout the fair. Thank you to Katie, Shelley, Tammy, Karen, Dawn, Kelley, Lyndsey, Mark M., Laura, Tony and Bart for all of your help!

Can't wait until next year!

-Sarah