Farmer’s and artisan outlets continue to produce despite the season

WASILLA — With all the bazaars, craft fairs and other holiday shopping options out there this time of year, farmer’s markets don’t always come to mind. But a few remain in the Valley despite the winter season.

Along with produce from the root cellar and cooler, expect to see handcrafted items from a variety of mediums at two weekly markets: the Palmer Depot Farm Market and the recently relocated Duane’s Top Shelf Artisan Market.

The Palmer Depot Farm Market, open Mondays from noon to 6 p.m., is approaching its first anniversary, according to board president Theo Koppenberg. It became a registered nonprofit corporation in 2014 after the dissolution of the private Mat-Su Farm Market.

“It has been a good year for us; we’re in the black now,” said Koppenberg, who also is a vendor with produce and hand-crafted woodwork through his Simple Living Farm.

Koppenberg said in some weeks, the depot traffic rivals or even beats what local vendors see at the Anchorage markets.

On a recent Monday visit, the free coffee was flowing as customers browsed vendors that included Jackie Palmer’s The Soap Basket, Deborah Forslin’s Golden Farms, Becky Oviatt’s AK Frayed Knot, Voodoo Chocolates, Betty Scheeler’s The Crafty Old Lady, Ginger’s Pretty Things, Mooselaneous, Keith and Georgia Barkwood’s Northwind Leather and Survival, Happy Family Jams, David and Michelle Church’s Moonstone Farm, Richelle Plummer’s Alaska Grown Revolution, Wild Alaska Boreal Salves, Kimberly Durst Cakes and Bill Lance Knives.

Michelle Church sat behind a stack of jars that ranged from pickled peas and beets to ground sage. She said she started back up at the depot in October, and the traffic has been good.

“It was a good squash year on the farm, so we sold quite a bit in the fall,” Church said. “We have switched to the pickled products now and so far, things are going well this winter.”

Koppenberg said although the market is a year-round endeavor, it will be closed in January ahead of planned renovations at the depot.

Another familiar vendor, Duane Clark, has found a new home at the MTA Sports Center in Palmer, where Clark — also known for his Palmer Christmas tree business — and other vendors under his banner have set up in the lobby of the sports complex. Clark previously had been working out of the Palmer Downtown Plaza.

The market, which debuted last week, is open on Fridays from 2-7 p.m.

“We plan on being around into the summer,” Clark said. “This is a high-traffic area ... we like the new location.”

On a Friday visit, the artisan market featured Clark’s salsa, honey, beeswax, zucchini relish, a handmade pasta selection and vegetables. Clark also had a cooler of yak meat from Sunny Hill Ranch near Willow.

Julie Meer’s Farm 779 booth featured an assortment of whole-food probiotic products like sugar-free organic truffles, coconut kefirs, fermented krauts, kombucha and several varieties of kvass. She also featured a “perfect snack” raw food product of nuts, seeds, coconut flakes seasoned with spices and salt.

Over at the Jonesers’ table, Lea Kapuiai featured nectars made from fireweed and clover, along with loose-leaf teas and chaga.

“People like to match the teas with nectar for gift sets,” Kapuiai said.

Also, in the farmer’s market vein but actually an on-site location, Earthworks Farm opened its “on-the-farm” store Saturday as part of the Colony Christmas celebration. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2-5 p.m. on Sunday. One of the original Matanuska Colony farms, it is located at 5705 N. Farm Loop Road.

Owner Dee Barker said Friday that she’s planning on keeping the store open into the new year, but days and hours have yet to be determined. Visit www.earthworksfarmalaska.com for details.

Along with growing vegetables and flowers in the summer, Dee and husband Bruce are beekeepers. The farm sells honey and features a line of handmade honey-based and beeswax skin and body care products. They also feature both solid and liquid perfumes.

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com