With the summer growing season in full swing here in the Rogue Valley, I thought it would be a fun and helpful resource to put together a blog of all that’s growing locally. Whether it’s hitting up the farmer’s market or stopping by a local farm, you will be sure to find a plethora of healthy choices to add to your diet.

FARMER’S MARKETS

First, let’s talk farmer’s markets. The Rogue Valley Grower’s Market consists of four markets located in both Ashland and Medford.

  • Ashland ~ Tuesday: National Guard Armory 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Ashland ~ Saturday: Oak St. Downtown 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Medford ~ Thursday: Hawthorne Park 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
  • Medford ~ Saturday: Hawthorne Park 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

The Rogue Valley Growers Market includes over 100 local farmers and vendors in total, conveniently located in one space for you to shop the freshest fruits, vegetables, grass fed and pasture raised meats, local honeys, mushrooms, baked goods, and so much more.

As I tell my naturopathic patients, “When in doubt about your diet, eat local—highly plant-based—and diverse.”

You can check out everything you need to know about the Rogue Valley Grower’s Market (like vendors, locations, times, events) on their website.

Here is a summary of why our own Siskiyou Vital Medicine (SVM) employee (Natalie Kennedy) loves the Thursday Medford Market:

“My favorite thing about going to the Medford Farmer’s market at Hawthorne Park is the incredible connections I’ve built. I’ve made friends with so many of the friendly farm-stand workers. I love Barking Moon for my lettuce greens, Black Dog Farm for basil and ‘Kraut’ crackers, By George for grass-fed raw cheese, and Rise Up Artisan Bread for your good-old sourdough. There are amazing alternative booths too; like goat cheese stands, raw food treats, and gluten free baguettes and pita bread. It’s a great place to meet up with friends for lunch as well with the diversity of food trucks and setups. I’ve made going to the market my weekly routine and it brings me back to how I imagine my great-grandparents used to buy food—getting back to my roots and feeding my body and soul with good food and lifestyle. We have a wealth of local food growers in our Rogue Valley! It’s important to support our neighborhood farms to help our global environment and our local economy.” ~Natalie

LOCAL FARMERS

Can’t make it to the markets? Then go to the farm!

Fry Family Farm ~ The Farm Store

The Fry family has been farming in the Rogue Valley since 1990. What started in Talent has now expanded to over 90 acres in Phoenix, Medford, and Ashland; growing organic veggies, fruits, and flowers. Fry Family Farm has opened a retail store at their Medford farm on Ross Lane and also offer a CSA program where you can have seasonally fresh organic produce delivered on a weekly basis throughout the growing season!

The Farm Store
2184 Ross Lane
Medford, OR 97501
Sunday-Tuesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Whistling Duck

Whistling Duck Farms is located in the Applegate Valley between Medford and Grants Pass.  They are a certified organic family farm growing high quality produce—especially vegetables.  Whistling Duck also has a farm store, which features their homemade ferments, a wealth of produce, and other tasty foods from local vendors. You can also find their produce at the Ashland Food Coop, Medford Food Coop and Food 4 Less in Medford.

Whistling Duck Farm Store
12800 Williams Hwy (238)
Mon-Fri 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sat and Sun 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Valley View Orchard

Valley View is a certified organic U-pick and farm stand. Peaches are in full swing this time of summer! They also offer pears, apples, and cider!

Valley View Orchard
1800 Valley View Rd.
Ashland
Open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily

Little Sprouts Farm

Little Sprouts is a farm dedicated to high quality and humane animal husbandry. They raise turkeys, chickens, red wattle pigs, Jacob sheep, guard llama, goats and ducks. You can choose between farm pickup and home delivery of their high quality meats, dairy, eggs, soy-free livestock feed, cultured foods and more!

Little Sprouts Farm
541-826-4345
4446 Dodge Road
White City, OR

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Enjoy the Bounty of Summer!

Yours in Health,
Sonja Halsey, ND