J. Adkins Cultivation

Grower cultivates a love of plants at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market

December 1, 2021 By marketeditor

By Julia Howard

“Plants need people, and people need plants,” is a motto that Jay Adkins lives and works by. “When you think about how plants give us life through food, medicinal herbs, our entire ecosystem, even flowers for joy and happiness… Why shouldn’t we care for plants the way they care for us?”

Adkins is the owner of J. Adkins Cultivation, one of the newest vendors at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. His winter market display is a lush abundance of tropical greenery with busts of red poinsettia arrangements special for the holiday season. Plants are displayed in decorative pots ready for purchase, and Adkins and his staff offer guidance and support to ensure plants flourish in their new homes.

For Adkins, what began as a hobby turned into a passion he didn’t realize he had. He was working as a full-time contractor when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and work came abruptly to a stop. “I had some extra time on my hands, and since I always had an interest in gardening, I decided to start growing plants inside my house,” explains Adkins. “I grew way too many plants and sold the extra starters, and the business took off from there.”

One year later, J. Adkins Cultivation is expanding. In the spring, they grow various fruit and vegetable starter plants and herbs – all using organic growing methods. Adkins also grows flowering perennials, annuals, and arrangements with availability based on the season. “We care about the health of each plant, and mix our unique recipe of premium soil, and even play the plants music as they grow,” says Adkins.

For Adkins, plants offer a new purpose for living. “I believe in the benefits that come from caring for living things,” says Adkins. “Inspiring others to grow gardens and fill their homes with house plants is very meaningful to me.”

In the future, Adkins is looking forward to providing live plant installations at local businesses and restaurants. Customers can find J. Adkins Cultivation at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, at the Schenectady Green Market on Sundays and Ink & Ivy’s House of Beauty’s pop-up Christmas market this Sunday, December 5, 10 am-3 pm. This coming spring, customers can shop for plants directly at J. Adkins Cultivation’s greenhouse located in Rotterdam. For more information, visit their website www.jadkinscultivation.com.

This week’s recipe: Garlic & Herb-Infused Butter

Garlic & Herb-Infused Butter

December 1, 2021 By marketeditor

Recipe by J. Adkins Cultivation
Makes: 8 oz. of garlic and herb-infused butter

“There is nothing better than having fresh, organic herbs growing inside, ready to be snipped for your next recipe. Our favorite herbs are Rosemary and Winter Savory, especially at Christmastime. Herb-Infused Butter makes an excellent addition to any holiday dinner table.” – Jay Adkins

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 2 sticks (8 oz.) salted butter*
● 1 fresh garlic clove*, crushed
● 3 sprigs of Organic Rosemary*
● 3 Sprigs of Organic Winter Savory*

Additionally, you will need a butter mold for this recipe (get creative!)

Instructions
Pluck all herb leaves away from the stems of 2 sprigs of both herbs (leaving one whole fresh sprig for the last step).
Crush the garlic clove and toast lightly on low in a cast iron pan.
Toss the fresh herbs into the pan with the garlic and stir. The dry heat from the cast iron helps the flavor of the herbs break open and blend with the garlic.
Slice the butter and add to the pan on low/medium heat. As the butter melts, stir it well to mix in the garlic and herbs.
Wash and dry your mold (I used a small, antique ceramic dish shaped like a rectangle).
While the butter is melted and hot, pour it into the mold.
Let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Cover the dish and refrigerate for up to 1 hour or until the butter starts to set but is still soft.
Press the remaining whole sprigs into the top of the butter. Continue refrigerating until use.

Shop Local at the Farmers’ Market this Season

November 22, 2021 By marketeditor

By Julia Howard

Supporting small businesses is always a must in our eyes, and this year it’s as important as ever. Not only does it give our local economy a boost, but you’re more likely to find unique gifts for your loved ones.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market offers a spacious shopping environment featuring 50+ local businesses. The variety of vendors is sure to rekindle your excitement for shopping and finding the perfect gifts – all in one place.

J. Adkins Cultivation is a local, organic grower of classic and hard-to-find organic vegetables, herbs, fruits, perennials, and annuals. For the holidays, they have beautiful poinsettia arrangements as well as numerous giftable plants.

Saratoga Suds ‘n’ Stuff, photo by Pattie Garrett

Saratoga Suds ‘n’ Stuff makes soap the “old fashioned” way – “by hand, in small batches, using fat and lye and some essential oils to scent it.” For the holidays, find soaps in the shape of gingerbread men, Christmas trees, and other fun seasonal shapes alongside their traditional soaps.

Scotch Ridge Berry & Tree Farm has handmade wreaths, kissing balls, holiday swag, and tabletop Christmas trees all this month. Gorgeous greenery makes a memorable and personal gift, and even more so when it’s locally made.

For the spirits connoisseur on your list, Yankee Distillers proudly to stands out as an NYS Farm Distillery, where they use 100% unmalted New York State Grain to produce outstanding bourbon, rye, and vodka. For the beer enthusiast, Mean Max Brew Works makes distinctive craft-brewed ales and lagers fermented naturally without additives.

Saratoga Chocolate Co., photo by Pattie Garrett

Sweet treats are undeniably a part of the holiday season, and Saratoga Chocolate Co. specializes in gourmet craft chocolate bars, handmade truffles, unique chocolate confections, and chocolate tastings and pairings. Their gift sets, hot chocolate mix, and chocolate Santas make perfect stocking stuffers.

Kim Dolan Designed Jewelry and Feathered Antler have a giftable wearable art selection, from handmade jewelry to custom clothing. Kim Dolan makes unique tie-dyed shirts and jewelry made from gold, silver, and gemstones. Feathered Antler creates jewelry, knitwear, customized flannels, and more.

Many holiday season vendors offer pre-ordering for easy pickup as well as online ordering. Find their website and ‘like’ them on social media to stay up-to-date on their products and specials.

This week’s recipe: Shepherd’s Pie

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is on the move: Winter season starts November 6 at the Wilton Mall

November 1, 2021 By marketeditor

By Emily Meagher

When there is no daylight left at 6pm when Wednesday market vendors pack up their stands, and it’s too cold for Saturday market vendors to feel their hands when setting up in the early morning, we at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market gratefully know the indoor winter season is coming soon.

The first winter market returns to the Wilton Mall food court on Saturday, November 6th, from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm, where it will take place weekly until the end of April. Over 50 local vendors will sell a full range of locally produced items, including fresh farm items, ready-to-eat foods, and artisanal products. Several holiday boutique vendors will be present as well, so you can get your holiday shopping started early this year.

Alongside many returning vendors, the winter market will also feature some new vendors and products, including alcohol-infused ice cream at Boozy Moo!, (house)plants at J. Adkins Cultivation, Scandinavian baked goods at parchment, and several fan favorite vendors that were new at the markets this summer. This season, the market is also grateful to bring back several seasonal events and holiday celebrations like Maple March, family activities, and more.

The first holiday that will get the local treatment is Thanksgiving, which is just three markets away. Customers can preorder holiday meats, stock up on fresh produce for sides, and find plenty of dessert options at the next few weeks of markets.

While it’s hard to beat the excitement of outdoor markets at High Rock Park, there is something about the winter market season that brings out something even better: a closer sense of togetherness with our local community. When we spend more time indoors together during the holiday season, we queue our stove tops and ovens to heat our homes and hearts when we prepare homemade dishes stuffed with local market ingredients. There’s nothing quite like a warm plate prepared with quality ingredients over which to connect.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market will be open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. from November through April. The market will be in the Wilton Mall Food Court, accessible from the TrustCo mall entrance, across from BJs, or the mall interior. The CDTA’s routes 450 (from Schenectady) and 452 (from Skidmore College via downtown Saratoga) run to the Wilton Mall at least once an hour on Saturday mornings. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on the latest vendor and event news.

Find a listing of our winter 2021/22 vendors here.

J. Adkins Cultivation

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