HEALTH Strings Under the Big Sky - Explore Big Sky

52 June 29, 2012
loCal Food
explorebigsky.com
explorebigsky.com
farmers markets, all about the community
by renae Counter
big Sky weekly editorial aSSiStant
Bogert farmers Market
BOZEMAN – Now that summer has finally made it
to Gallatin County, so has the staple summer Farmers
markets, and there is no shortage this year. Across
Montana it’s possible to find a market almost any day
of the week, and you can be sure they’ll have just what
you’re looking for. Local, fresh produce, baked goods,
jewelry, crafts, and activities for the kids—Montana
famers’ markets have it covered.
If you happen to be passing through Bozeman on a
Tuesday evening, don’t miss the chance to stop at the
Bogert Farmers Market in Bogert Park. This 100-plus
vendor market is tucked conveniently under a large
pavilion so it can withstand Montana summer rain (and
snow) storms—just be prepared to walk a few blocks
after parking, because the market fills up fast.
Salal Huber-McGee, Bogert’s market director, started
the market 10 years ago. She said she’s loved watching
it evolve. “We have a lot of really great things going for
us. We’re in a great location, we have a ton of community
support and a good mission statement.”
That mission is simple, yet effective: Promote, Preserve
and Play.
As you stroll through the market you may recognize
some vendors from their local storefronts and find
that others are completely new. The market offers a
platform for new businesses to start and grow, and for
developed businesses to return and share with the
community.
“The market is a really good platform for local business
to try out,” Huber-McGee said. “The booths are
very affordable, and it’s a good way to promote local
interest.”
Kristin Fletcher, a Bozeman jewelry maker, has had
a booth at Bogert every year. Along with beaded
jewelry, Fletcher also makes an arrangement of metalsmith
jewelry like rings and bracelets.
“I like this market because of the local feel,” Fletcher
said. "You see a lot of the same faces every Tuesday.”
If it’s produce and vegetables you’re looking for,
Bogert has a wide selection from local farms. Crazy
View Farm from Wilsall offers a selection of fresh
greens for salads and cooking. Laurie Sargent, owner
operator of Crazy View, has been a vendor at Bogert
for four years. “I love seeing the people we’re grow-
ing food for,” Sargent said.
Photos by renae Counter
Crazy View Farm is an organic farm that operates
through the volunteer program World Wide Opportunities
on Organic Farms, which places eight
volunteers on the farm each season.
One WWOFF volunteer from Minnesota has been
in Montana for two weeks, volunteering at Crazy
View. She said she’s loved Montana for the people,
mountains and “seeing how a farm acts within a community.”
Big Sky Weekly
Along with Crazy View, you can also find Three
Fiddles Farm, Organic Valley Farms, Gallatin Valley
Botanical Tristan Garden, M&M Farm, High Ground
Farm and Three Hearts Farm.
If it’s a cooked meal you’re looking for, Bogert also has
that covered. From fresh made crepes, gyros, tacos and
more, the market has something for everyone in the
family to enjoy.
The Hungry Mexican is known for its famous salsa
and fish tacos, said owner Ken Reynolds. He and wife
Sharon have been “bringing it” with their homemade
salsa for the past three years.
“Sharon has been making salsa for years,” Reynolds
said. “After I got laid off, I came on board. It has allowed
us to chase our dreams.”
The Reynolds started out at the Big Sky Farmers Market,
where their tasty Mexican salsa quickly became a
hit. They have since moved to Bozeman but will return
to Big Sky’s market this year.
“Our fish tacos are famous up there,” Reynolds said.
Bogert strives to be a gathering place. It’s an “easy way
for people to hang with their families and friends in a
good location,” Huber-McGee said.
Along with a park full of swings, jungle gyms, basketball
courts and plenty of lush, green grass, there’s also
the much-loved rock climbing wall and power jump
bungee trampoline for kids.
“The power jump is always a big hit with the kids,”
said Dale Mandeville, owner of the Bozeman Straw
Bale Maze. “We’ll be here two to three times a month
setting up the jump for the kids.”
The market also supports maintenance and improvements
for Bogert Park. All revenue from vendor fees
go to “Friends of Bogert Park,” a nonprofit run by community
volunteers.
The funding helps improve the playgrounds, the
tennis and basketball courts, the band shell and the
pavilion, and helps with creek restoration, according
to Huber-McGee. The big project on tap for this year:
a new water fountain that will be “a big fish you can
drink out of.”
The fountain is being supported by a local grant and
designed by local artists. With the help of the organization
SLAM, Support Local Artists and Musicians,
local artists Mitch Billis and Sarah Anderson have been
hired to design the fountain.
With summer nights lasting well into the 9 o’clock
hour, there’s always local music to enjoy after the
market closes. The Bozeman City Band has performances
in the music pavilion for eight weeks of out
the summer. The Equinox Theater also brings in camp
programs to perform plays.
The Bogert Farmers Market is every Tuesday evening
from 5 – 8 p.m. through Sept. 25. More information at
bogertfarmersmarket.org.