In Season NW: New Market, New Schedule & Farmer John

It was embarrassing. Here I'm supposed to be all up on farmers' markets around town, and I drive by a sign on NE Broadway announcing that the Irvington Farmers' Market happens there on Sundays. What??? The last I'd heard it had been canceled for the season! So Sunday found me walking the block-long aisle of this well-stocked little market, drooling over the humongous burritos at Canby Asparagus while Dave chatted with Morgan Brownlow of Tails & Trotters. Needless to say, we'll be going back!

Details: Irvington Farmers' Market. Sundays, 11 am-3 pm. NE 16th between Broadway and Weidler.

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If you're at the Portland Farmers' Market on Oct. 3 and it looks a little, well, "different" (not that there's anything wrong with that), especially as you get closer to Norma Craven and Roger Konka's Springwater Farm booth, it's because Farmer John Peterson, star of "The Real Dirt on Farmer John,"will be there selling and signing copies of "Farmer John's Cookbook: The Real Dirt on Vegetables."Chef Kathryn LaSusa Yeomans will be there as well, cooking and handing out samples from his recipes. Rumor has it that there may be some flaunting of feather boas.

Details: Farmer John Peterson of "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" book sale, signing and recipe sampling. Sat., Oct. 3, 9 am-2 pm. Springwater Farm booth at the Portland Farmers' Market, in the South Park Blocks between SW Harrison & Montgomery.

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A year-round farmers' market may seem like a contradiction in terms, conjuring visions of piles of muddy rutabagas and parsnips. But here in Oregon farmers are growing greens outdoors year-round and harvesting gorgeous bok choy, mushrooms, wildflower honey, garlic, squash, kiwis and shallots. Plus there are all the breads, jams, beans, meats and cheeses that you've come to love in warmer seasons. Now comes news that, in addition to the two year-round markets in Hillsdale and at People's Co-op, the Lloyd Farmers' Market will be starting a winter schedule on Tuesdays from 10 am till 2 pm, Jan. 5 through Mar. 16. Yay!

Details: Lloyd Farmers' Market. Tuesdays, 10 am-2 pm through Dec. 5, then Jan. 5-Mar. 16. Located in Oregon Square on NE Holladay St. between 7th & 9th Aves.