Any farmers markets or food co-ops near Lemmon? (home, organic)

[ronandelaine]

Hello!

My husband and I will be moving to South Dakota in the spring (we've bought a home there already) and we're just trying to get some info on what's available as far as organic food ... or not. Does anyone know of any food co-ops or farmers markets or farmers that grow organic (but we're not necessarily looking for certified organic)? Does anyone in Lemmon sell free range eggs? Can anyone help with info? Thanks so much.

[leroyleroux]

I'm just going to guess, but I'd guess probably not. Farmer's markets have been popping up around the area, so it is possible. You might be able to find someone on the eggs. My mother used to sell them. I don't know what free range is, but they were certainly free to move about, while still in a cage.

I'm not sure how well you know the area, but I've enjoyed the town in my visits, but I'm not sure if the population can support the type of things you are looking for.

[ronandelaine]

Thanks Leroy for your reply ... we know the town is very small, but thought someone out there might want or have info on finding organic food as well. I'll keep checking back.

[rjl78]

Nothing comes to mind. Might take a peek around Hettiginer ND. Otherwise visit with your neighbors. There might be some who still have chickens...

[leroyleroux]

That's what I was saying on the chickens rjl. I don't know if they do anymore, but some farmers used to sell them to the grocery stores around here. And yeah, meet people. They should be able to help.

There may be Hutterite colonies around, but I don't know if they are considered 'organic', but in addition to the big crops like corn and wheat, raise all types of animals, and have other foods like watermelon, squash etc. They raise what they need basically and sell the rest. But my guess is that the chickens may not be free range.

[rjl78]

They would be quite a distance away from any colonies. Out that way there is more pasture land than farm land... Being livestock are around I am thinking yard birds might be in more abundance.

As far as organic... Bismark might be the closest for organic outlets.

[ronandelaine]

Thanks guys, I'll try Bismark, or maybe the North Dakota forum (since Lemmon is partly in ND as well). I know it sounds silly, but we USED to have chickens when we lived in Pennsylvania, and we definitely want them again, even though we're in the town, on a small lot. I wonder if the town "allows" that!

[rjl78]

Check the city ordinances, they might allow for backyard yard birds.

[leroyleroux]

I would guess that a city the size of Lemmon would be okay with it, but I could be wrong. You might be able to find a farmer just outside town that has a small building that could be used as a coop. Actually, my folks still have a coop, though they got rid of the chickens a few years ago. My mom still misses them.

[ronandelaine]

I know how your mom feels, we used to have chickens years ago, and now I miss them. ALOT! We had too many, at the time, to take care of them with life so busy, but we plan on slowing down now, so chickens are in the plan, again. I'll check into the city ordinances when we get out there permanantly this spring.