March 2026 Newsletter
Hello Mama!
The only March Madness we know around here is the kind Mother Nature throws our way. One day it’s 70 degrees, the next it’s snowing, and every once in a while she sprinkles in a tornado or two just to keep us on our toes. In the Midwest, the only real certainty in spring is uncertainty. It’s a restless time of year—when we’re all itching to be outside in the sunshine while the weather tries to sort itself out.
Our local FarmHers are doing everything they can to prepare for the season ahead and bring that beautiful bounty come summer. Tomatoes and peppers are being started indoors or in greenhouses, soil is getting prepped whenever the weather allows, and everyone is more than ready to get their hands back in the dirt for that daily “dirt manicure.”
The Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is right around the corner and symbolizes renewal and fresh beginnings. If you’re anything like us, you might be feeling ready to shake off the winter dust and welcome some new energy. Be sure to check out the third page to see how farmers of the past—and many still today—prepared for the growing season. We love incorporating a few of these traditions during the colder days (especially bringing flowers indoors!) as small reminders that we’re getting closer and closer to those warm days of sunshine.
We hope you enjoy this month’s offerings!!
Food Justice For All,
The FarmerHer to Mama Team
Anne, Jen, Virginia, Becca, & Sarah
March Goodies
Ridge Lane Farm- New Paris, IN
Carrots, Sweet Potatoes
Baby Greens Family Farm - Highland, IN
Microgreens
Windy CIty Mushrooms - Chicago, IL
Oyster Mushrooms
Piazza Produce - Indianapolis, IN
Broccoli
Fischer Farms - St. Anthony, IN
Eggs & Chicken
Ellsworth Creamery - Ellsworth, WI
Cheddar Cheese
Foodie Corner
All about Windy City Mushrooms !
Those gorgeous oyster mushrooms are brought to you from a warehouse in Chicago. Say what?! Using very specific temperature controlled grow-rooms, they are able to manage every single second of these mushroom’s growing cycle creating some of the most beautiful fungi I’ve ever seen. Some come with pink or blue tips!
Mushrooms can be cooked in so many ways that highlight their rich, savory flavor—it’s almost impossible to stop at just one bite! The photo above shows one “meaty” preparation that’s perfect for tacos, but there are countless other delicious ideas and helpful tips. We highly recommend checking out their page for more inspiration! Fungi Recipes and tips here.
Welcoming in Spring!!
🌱 Blessing the Seeds
Before planting, farmers sometimes placed seeds in the sunlight on the equinox or mixed them with a bit of soil saved from the previous year’s harvest. This symbolized continuity between seasons and invited strong germination.
🔥 Fire and Smoke for Protection
In parts of rural Europe, small fires were lit near fields or gardens. Farmers would walk the smoke or scatter ashes along field edges to symbolically protect crops and wake the land after winter.
🐓 The First Egg of Spring
Eggs have long symbolized fertility and new life. Some farmers buried the first egg laid by their hens in the garden or crushed eggshells into the first planting rows to nourish the soil and encourage abundance.
Walking the Land
Spring often began with a quiet walk around the farm. Farmers would check fence lines, observe orchards, feel the soil, and reconnect with the land after winter. In parts of England, this was known as “beating the bounds.”
🌼 Bringing Spring Indoors
The first wildflowers—often violets, primrose, or dandelions—were gathered and brought into the home. This simple act symbolized inviting the new season onto the farm.
🌞 Watching the Sunrise
Farmers have always been careful observers of nature. On the equinox, some would watch the sunrise and take note of wind direction, bird activity, and cloud patterns to get a sense of the coming growing season
🥣 The “Last Winter, First Spring” Meal
Farm families sometimes marked the equinox with a meal that combined the last of winter’s stored foods with the first fresh greens of the season—often eggs, roots, and early greens. It was a way of honoring the seasons and recognizing the moment when winter finally gives way to spring.
Join our FarmHer to Mama Facebook Group for support, recipes, tips, & community.
Questions or feedback about the program? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to:
Anne at info@nwifoodcouncil.org / 219-313-8828
Becca at becca@nwifoodcouncil.org / 219-928-3225
Sarah at sarah@nwifoodcouncil.org / 503-964-7813
