Farm focused
A new Thursday evening farmer’s market has opened at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown
Shallom Tarzan is all about sharing his knowledge on the healing properties of herbs. The Charlottetown man began to grow into the subject about seven years ago after finding a book in a B.C. bookstore about wild plants.
“As soon as I opened that up I just knew that everything inside of there was going to be what I was going to study for potentially the rest of my life.”
His passion eventually led him to create a business called Watermoon Holistic Herbs where he educates people with wild edible and medicinal herb walks, wildcrafting talks and workshops.
“It’s so important to make this common knowledge again,” said Tarzan, who believes people should know these different remedies for their own wellbeing. “It gives people an opportunity to do that self-work and that healing on a deeper level.”
Tarzan also sells products like beeswax candles and wild herbs in the form of teas, smudges, tinctures, vinegar tonics and skin salves at different farmer’s markets, including the new farmer’s market at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown.
Last week was the grand opening with approximately 40 vendors taking part, selling various handicrafts, baked goods and farm produce.
Lynn O’Neill of Charlottetown was beyond excited when she noticed two miniature horses grazing on the grass outside of the building.
“You are never too old to pet (miniature horses) or have live animals at a farmers’ market,” said O’Neill.
O’Neill heard about the farmer’s market through social media and was eager to check out what vendors were selling.
She was also happy to hear that it was an evening market.
“I think it’s great because it gives more people the opportunity to come in the evenings because everybody is at work so they can just pop by on their way home.”
Phil Ferraro, manager at the Farm Centre, said they received a lot of positive feedback about the prospect of hosting an evening market, as it would allow people to shop locally after work. Ferraro adds that evening markets are part of a growing trend across the country. “People go to the market as much for a social event as they do to buy stuff,” said Ferraro. “It becomes a meeting place and a place to gather to see your neighbours, your colleagues and to pick up something to eat as well.” Cathy Shreenan of Charlottetown said she went in support of local farmers and walked out with some baked goods and sheep yogurt.
“I loved it,” said Shreenan about the sheep yogurt sample she tasted from the Ferme Isle Saint-Jean Farm. “I had mine with a little bit of maple syrup. It was very good.” Bernetta Lawrence, owner of Garden Groomers, was selling barn board signs with various sayings last Thursday.
“It’s very relaxing and very calming,” said Lawrence on this pastime.
Lawrence said in the weeks to come she plans on bringing rhubarb leaf stepping stones (made of concrete) and rhubarb leaf candleholders.
The market is free to attend and is open 4-8 p.m. every Thursday until the end of the calendar year.