Business Tools, Small Business Grant Program, Growers Spotlight, and more!
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The second week of the Farmers Market saw a huge turnout. We added several new vendors and are doing the same again for this Thursday. Do you like those Chinese Dumplings? They should be waiting for you at about 5:30 just as the cool delta breeze kicks in. High for this Thursday 84 degrees…perfect for fresh local cherries and much, much more.
Tuesday, this morning, we heard a great presentation from Rachael French, Owner of Express Employment Professionals. She thoroughly addressed the challenges business owners currently have working with five generations of employees. Each generation has different core values, came through very different educational experiences, and add to the mix how each communicates and uses or not, technology. It is no wonder employers have a very difficult time with retention, let alone this impossible current hiring challenge.
Don’t miss these monthly “Business Tools, Listen & Learn Gatherings.” Attendees today received some great tools to use in basic communication with employees. As you might expect each generation has different values, Rachael gave examples of questions to ask while interviewing candidates from different generations. I can see how you ask and what you ask can make a big difference in finding that dependable, hard-working, loyal person who wants to work. We all know the current panicked need for qualified employees to fill positions with Lodi's small businesses. Sharpening your “hiring swords,” or techniques is key to hiring successfully at this time. If you missed her, you missed some valuable information! But…
Wednesday at 4:00 PM you have another chance to get insights into hiring in this market. Join the Lodi Chamber's Business Development Committee to hear from Anna Towne, Founder and CEO of Biz Haven, a Human Resources and Safety firm. Anna will share her firm's experience working with employers in seeking and hiring employees in this post-COVID world. In Ms. Towne's own words... “Business owners across the nation are struggling to find employees despite declining COVID cases.” Join us for tips employers might use to succeed in hiring during this trying time.”
In addition to Ms. Towne, we'll have joining the meeting, Astrida Trupovnieks, the City of Lodi's Business Development manager. She'll provide an update on the Small Business grant program and the outlook on Lodi's Economic Development prospectus.
This meeting will be a hybrid with In-Person and Zoom opportunity for Business Development Committee members and any small business owner interested in learning more about participating in the work of the Business Development Committee. The in-person meeting is hosted at Clearsuites at Kettleman Station, 400 E. Kettleman Ln., Suite 20 in Lodi. The Zoom call-in invitation link is here.
Grower Spotlight
Grilling season is upon us - so we checked in with one of our Lodi Certified Farmers Market farmers, Golden Acorn Farm, to see what they have in store for us next week.
Grilling season is upon us - so we checked in with one of our Lodi Certified Farmers Market farmers, Golden Acorn Farm, to see what they have in store for us next week.
Meagan Monaghan and Jeff Campbell aren’t your typical “grower” in means of produce, but they do “grow” non-GMO fed Red Wattle Hogs. 160 pasture-raised hogs to be exact, right here in Northern California.
Similar to Spain and Italy, Golden Acorn Farm lets their pasture-raised hogs forage in the forest for treats. They will hike them in, let them graze on a ¼ of an acre and then move them on to the next spot. The hogs forage for mushrooms, acorns, walnuts and grass, which in return changes the flavor of the meat. Although the Red Wattles are already known for their fat and flavor, this foraging will actually enhance that with a richer and sweeter taste. The open-air and forest grazing also allows the hogs to soak up some much-needed SUN providing them with more beneficial vitamins such as Vitamin D and E.
Golden Acorn Farm calls themselves a “snout to tail” butcher and have plenty of grilling meat options for you to try. There are all kinds of cuts from sea salt and thyme bacon to 12 different flavors of sausages, which we might add are all nitrate and sugar-free! We asked Meagan and Jeff what they would recommend for an easy farmers market dinner night pick-up and here’s what they suggested:
- Golden Acorn Farm Thai Coconut Sausage paired with some Asian slaw and fresh buns.
- Golden Acorn Farm Hawaiian BBQ Sausage paired with some fresh bok choy or kale and prepared as a stir-fry.
- Golden Acorn Farm Pork Chops grilled with a fresh peach and thyme.
And even though you can’t bring Fido to the market you can bring home some scrumptious dog treats such as baked pork skins or dehydrated ears and snouts.
So, prep your BBQ and head down to the Lodi Certified Farmers Market every Thursday night from 5pm – 8pm, May 27th – August 26th and be sure to visit Golden Acorn Farm.
*All USDA processed.
