Find Your Sensory Feast at the South Haven Farm Market

South Haven Blog

Farm-to-table produce and meat. Freshly picked berries and nuts. All-natural Amish cheese. Herbs and spices. Artisan woodwork. Whimsical jewelry. Candles and soaps. Leather wraps.

You’re not in the middle of an exotic bazaar – you’re among the 80 vendors at the South Haven Farm Market at the Huron St. Pavilion, an annual highlight of downtown South Haven.

A point of interest in South Haven for many years, the market connects regional producers and artists with people from all over for a celebration of original food, beauty and creativity.

The Delight of Diversity

The joy and success of downtown South Haven’s farm market reside in its variety.

Farm Manager Harold Stanton of Stanton Farm of Gobles, Michigan, has been selling his farm-raised, non-GMO beef, chicken and pork at the market for eight years.

“For us, being at the market is like going to an event,” he said. “We really enjoy the customers, the personal aspect and the South Haven atmosphere. People there ask a lot of questions because they care about where their food comes from. They like being able to speak to the farmer and know how the animals are raised and fed.

“The market is also a meaningful extension of our farm’s livelihood. It represents about 20 percent of our sales.”

Stokes’ Blueberry Farm & Nursery has been participating in the market for the past six years. The farm and nursery

specializes in blueberries but also offers asparagus; dark sweet, Rainier and sour cherries; peaches; apple varieties such as Gala, Red Delicious and Jonagold’s; and jarred jams, jellies, preserves and pickled asparagus.

“As a first-generation family farm, we take pride in our Michigan farm land and feel blessed and honored to be providing locally grown produce alongside other hard-working Michigan farmers,” said Jamie Stokes-Glowacki, the farm and nursery’s office administrator.

“We enjoy being able to interact with market visitors and answer their questions about how we grow and care for our crops. We believe the power to obtain safe and healthy foods needs to be with consumers. A local farmers market lets them purchase fruits and veggies that are truly ‘in season’ from trusted local sources.

“The South Haven Farm Market is a great way to bring the community together and support local business, all within walking distance of beautiful Lake Michigan. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

The Honduran family–owned Patas de Pluma (Michigan City, Indiana) offers a variety of handmade artisan carvings (e.g. bowls, jewelry boxes, wall art, statuettes), as well as hammock chairs. In 2019 they are also adding Mayan woven cloths and purses, Garifuna shell jewelry and some handmade pottery items.

Born and raised in Honduras, Roberto Enamorado is in charge of Patas de Pluma’s products and sales. He has found great value and appeal in the market since joining in 2018.

“The South Haven Farm Market brings together beautiful summer days, interesting people and great food all in one place,” he said. “It’s also conveniently located for those who come to enjoy Lake Michigan’s coastline.”

The market has been a boon for business as well.

“I love to talk to people about my home country of Honduras and the wealth of its talent and the resourcefulness of its people,” Roberto said. “The response to what we offer has been overwhelmingly positive. Many people say they have never seen anything like our products before.”

For even more insight into the vendors’ diversity, view the complete listing.

Make Your Plans for the Market

Whether you’re here for fun in the sun, dining, fishing, shopping or trips out on the lake, the South Haven Farm Market adds excitement and culture to your stay. The market welcomes visitors 8am–2pm on Saturdays May–October as well as on Wednesdays June–August.

For more information, call (269) 206-0324 or visit www.southhavenfarmmarket.com.

While many market vendors accept credit cards, some do not; carrying some cash is recommended.

 

About the Author

A creative writer for many years, Jon Davis (eloquentarrow.com) paints pictures with his words and captivates readers with distinctive language. He now shares his love for South Haven with us, writing about the experiences you can have only in the Haven. Jon resides in Oswego, IL, with his wife, Kristie, and two daughters. They visit South Haven often to take in the scenic beauty and spend meaningful time as a family.

 

Top 5 Autumn Activities in Saugatuck/Douglas

Saugatuck Blog

There’s lots to do in Saugatuck/Douglas all year round, but fall is an especially special time to visit. From traditional autumn activities like apple picking and color tours to more creative ones like gallery walks and beverage tours – spending time in Saugatuck/Douglas in the fall is an experience you’re sure to enjoy.

1. Fall Color Tour – Saugatuck Style

Taking a drive to see the fall colors is a popular Michigander tradition, but in Saugatuck/Douglas, we do color tours a little differently than the rest of the state. One of the most popular ways to see the colors around here is on the water. The Star of Saugatuck offers rides along the Kalamazoo River and into Lake Michigan, giving guests a view of the Saugatuck/Douglas colors that you can’t see from land.

For the active color-seekers, Saugatuck/Douglas offers many opportunities to experience the magic of a Michigan fall. Hiking through the 13 miles of Saugatuck Dunes State Park that lead into acres of rolling dunes is an amazing way to see the colors and get some exercise. For a more romantic color tour, try walking our world-renown Oval Beach for a view of the colors along the lake shore. Finally, what’s more refreshing than a fall bike ride through the colors? Ride along the 11-mile bike route that stretches from Saugatuck to Holland along the side of 62nd Street, 138th Avenue, 64th Street and Blue Star Highway.

2. Apple Picking/Cider Drinking

If you’re from the Midwest, you know that a visit to the local apple orchard is a must. Here in the Saugatuck/Douglas area, we live among a 30 mile stretch that is considered Michigan’s “Fruit Belt,” where apples and pumpkins are plentiful in the fall.

At Crane Orchards, getting the chance to pick your own fruit (u-pick) is only one of the fun fall outdoor activities to take part in. Their 20-acre corn maze is fun for the entire family, as well as a tour of the Crane farm, orchards and woods on a tractor driven hayride, or a cow train for the kids to enjoy. The Saugatuck Center for the Arts also hosts a farmer’s market every Friday, which sells local produce and goods through the end of September, a great place to get local apples or cider!

3. Experience the Arts

The arts are woven into the fabric of the Saugatuck/Douglas community and can be found at every turn throughout the entire year, but the autumn season is always accompanied by annual community arts events that shouldn’t be overlooked!

If you like live music, the Saugatuck/Douglas area is a year-round haven for local musicians, but during the fall months, venues like Salt of the Earth, Fenn Valley Vineyards, Crane’s Pie Pantry & Restaurant, Borrowed Time, and Saugatuck Center for the Arts host local, regional and nationally known musicians.

For live performance, theater, video and community arts events, the Saugatuck Center for the Arts is a venue that is known for bringing in Broadway level productions and nationally known live music. This year, you’ll find shows like A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, running from  August 16 – September 1.

If you’re a fan of visual art, galleries across Douglas and Saugatuck will be open for viewing, but a few special events make it worth the trip! On October 12, The 42nd Annual Fall Gallery Stroll is a yearly local favorite featuring dozens of galleries, special receptions, live music, drinks, demonstrations and more throughout Saugatuck and Douglas. If you want to see the colors in conjunction with artwork, join the Blue Coast Artists Tour, on October 5 & 6 to visit eight studios that are situated between South Haven, Saugatuck and Fennville.

4. Take a Beverage Tour

The Saugatuck/Douglas/Fennville area is rich with a great collection of wineries, breweries and cideries, all within our community borders. Let the drinks lead the way!

Start your beverage tour in Fennville with a glass of crisp apple cider at Virtue Cider, and then hop across the road to Fenn Valley Vineyards for some classic Michigan wine. While in Fennville, be sure to stop by Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery for a snack and perhaps more wine. Finally, don’t forget to stop by one of our area’s newest breweries, Waypost Brewing Company!

When heading back to Douglas, Saugatuck Brewing Company is your next stop for some craft beer before heading to Saugatuck to stop at some in-town tasting rooms like Tabor Hill Wine Port, Fenn Valley Tasting Room, Coppercraft Distillery Tasting Room, Crane’s Tasting Room, Ridge Cider Co. Tasting Room, and The Mitten Brewing Company.

5. Festivals/Parades/Special Events

Part of what makes Saugatuck/Douglas the charming, quaint small town that it is, is its unique local events. Below is a list of some of our favorite fall events happening in our region:

Plan your autumn getaway to Saugatuck/Douglas today! Check lodging accommodations and availability at Saugatuck.com/stay.

Planning a Beach Day in SWMI

St. Joseph Blog

Sitting on the beach with your toes in the sand. It’s an iconic image of summer – and frankly, no summer feels complete without at least one beach day (at least to me). If you’re looking to spend a day at the beach in Southwest Michigan, consider these tips while planning your trip.

  1. Choose your beach carefully.

    Beaches and parks pepper the coastline throughout Southwest Michigan, and each has its own personality and fits different beachgoers. Here are a few different options to choose from:

    1. Silver Beach County Park: Silver Beach is the busiest of beaches and for good reason. With more than 20 beach volleyball courts, playground equipment and lifeguards on duty during the summer, it suits those who are most interested in being active on their beach day. If you choose Silver Beach, be sure to plan a walk to the pier for a little relaxation mid-day (it offers a great view of the North Pier Lighthouses). Silver Beach is located within walking distance of many of St. Joseph’s greatest attractions. Take the kids to the Whirlpool Compass Fountain to frolic in the water jets, for a ride on the Silver Beach Carousel and a trip through the Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone. Silver Beach can easily fill a full day of fun for even the most finicky of beachgoers.
    2. Warren Dunes State Park: For the nature loving beachgoer, Warren Dunes provides a beautiful beach filled with unmatched beauty. Plan some time to hike the trails throughout the park – they run anywhere from .2 miles to 6.0 miles and offer views from all levels of the dunes and beach. Give yourself plenty of time to explore. Hike the large sand dune and look out over the coastline to get a view you’ve never seen before. Walk along the stream and find the clay pit. If you’re an adventurer, try skim boarding along the stream. Or take a ride down the blow-up water slide in the parking lot – the breeze is refreshing! Warren Dunes is a more natural environment than many beaches and as such has many species to keep your eyes out for. Here are some tips provided by the State of Michigan.
    3. Jean Klock Park: Jean Klock Park is a jewel located in the city of Benton Harbor. With parking so close to the shoreline, it’s a great spot to go if you only have a short period of time to enjoy the beach (or a full day, too!). To get to the beach, you’ll walk through a trail of dune grass that is sure to give you that feeling of awe and wonder that any beach trip should. Crafters will love Jean Klock Park as it’s a local favorite for finding crinoids and beach glass. Amateur photographers will love it too with a gorgeous view of the North Pier Lighthouses (framed by beautiful dunegrass).

  2. Plan for a full day.

    Any amount of time at the beach is refreshing, but a full day can leave you feeling revitalized and ready to take on the world. From the peaceful sound of seagulls in the morning to the spectacular sunsets at night, few things can calm the soul like a beach day. Take in as much as you possibly can for full benefits.

  3. Don’t forget the food.

    Prepare yourself for a long day of sun. Whether you pack a cooler full of snacks and sandwiches or plan to buy some food throughout the day, don’t let the day pass without filling your belly. Fresh Michigan fruit from one of our local farms makes for a great beach snack (refreshing and keeps the blood sugar up!). And if you don’t feel like making yourself a bagged lunch or you just plain forgot, Jimmy John’s delivers to Silver Beach. Just call in your order and meet the delivery person at the flag poles.

  4. Enjoy!

 

Guest Blogger: Katie White is a lifelong resident of Southwest Michigan and professionally encourages visitors to spend time in the region every chance she gets.