What's Up in WIndsor? by Tina Castelli - July 2017

Windsor Certified Farmers Market is now proud to offer a locally raised selection of natural pasture farmed proteins including longtime Fish Monger,Santa Rosa Seafood, and Angus Beef and Chicken from new Farmers; Heather’s Custom Meats, A4 Farms and seasonallyWill at Blue Leg Farm. The Market is very excited to add these new farmers with fresh organic meats. “These are local choices not only good for the economy, but good for our bodies and the flavor is real”, says Market Manager.

Santa Rosa Seafood was one of the first full time vendors at the Windsor Market back in 2003. Owned by the Svedise Family, led by Dad, “Mike the Fish Guy”, they have offered the highest quality fresh fish, shellfish, fresh tuna salad, chowder, cioppino and their famous “Smoasted Salmon” to Sonoma County for almost 15 years. They now operate a full fish market and a fabulous Fish Restaurant & Raw Bar in South Santa Rosa on the corner of Santa Rosa Ave. and Petaluma Hill Rd. You will find Sal and his wife Rachael selling the fresh fish selection every Sunday at the Windsor Market. The Smoasted Salmon is smoked and roasted daily so that it stays moist and flaky, stop by and get a taste and you will be back for a salmon steak, weekly. Learn more about Santa Rosa Seafood and the Svedise Family at santarosaseafood.com

The story of Heather’s Custom Meats begins with Heather and her partner Gene. They will have 150 head of grass fed Angus Beef this year at 50 acres on Stony Pt. Road in Penngrove and another 44 acres at their home ranch on Sanford Road in Santa Rosa. Gene has been operating his herd for over ten years but it was only recently that Heather had the idea to create a sustainable meat business from their ranch. In 2016 Heather began selling to friends and family and growing clients by word of mouth. In November of 2016 after receiving all her permits she began selling at local farmers markets. Heather’s Custom Meats currently offers a variety of steaks, roasts, ground beef and ‘special cuts’ such as organs, and bones. “We graze our grass fed cattle on natural Sonoma County grasses and grow organic hay to get through the months that grazing is difficult. My vision is to grow my meat business to include pasture raised hogs and chickens for meat and eggs. I am comforted by the knowledge that the animals in our care receive easy and protected lives, free from stress with humane practices.”, said Heather. Heather and Gene use USDA certified slaughter and butcher partners to provide the finished cuts of meat that folks love to serve. Heather feels good about knowing it is a local, grass fed, natural and humane product. She is especially proud of the sophisticated flavor of her meat which she believes is a stark contrast to most store bought meats. Be sure to like Heather’s Custom Meats on Facebook and visit their online store at Heatherscustommeats.com

The Ascoop family has farmed and ranched in Sonoma County since the late 1800’s. New generation farmer Jessica Ascoop is the 5th generation farmer on her families land in Fulton and new owner of A4 Farms. Originally the farm raised hops, prunes, apples, hay, cattle and egg laying chickens. Currently, with her parents, her husband and her children they raise beef cattle and have a small flock of sheep and pigs. Jessica wanted to diversify the family farm and found a need for local, fresh, farm raised meat chickens. This is where Jessica started with new farming operations just last year. She raises the Cornish Cross birds from 2-3 days of age to 6.5-7 weeks old. She then takes them to the processor for harvesting, processing and packaging. The chicks are raised in a warm brooder for 3-4 weeks and then are turned out on the pasture for the remainder of their growth period. The chickens are feed a properly rationed diet milled from a local feed mill. Jessica said she is proud to produce a local, pasture raised meat chicken with NO hormones or antibiotics. Our chicken is processed in either a CDFA Inspected(California Department of Food and Agriculture) or USDA Inspected(United States Department of Agriculture) processing facility. The chicken is individually packaged in Cry-o/Vacuum sealed packages as whole chickens ranging in weight from 2.5lbs -4lbs.

The Windsor Certified Farmers Market is very happy to welcome these new local farmers to our Market family. We hope you visit the Market every Sunday from 10-1 and support these farmers and remember to feed your families natural locally raised foods. “It’s Good for You.”