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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016
DOMINIC CARTON PHOTO The Scoop Today
Run for fun
More than 300 walkers and runners signed up and participated in the first annual Trail Trekker 5K Color Fun Run/Walk held Saturday at Apple Canyon Lake.
Galena Garlic Co. gears up for Midwest Garlic Festival By Tony Carton EDITOR
Laszlo Marton bought a small acreage near Woodbine in Jo Daviess County nearly 15 years ago and dreamt of cultivating a nursery. He began spending his weekends planting hundreds of pine seedlings and about three years into the project, as he began to see some results, he wondered if there might be something more productive to do with his ground. “I thought to start raising garlic mostly because of my upbringing,” said Marton. “We grew up with garlic, paprika and olive oil and I wondered if cultivating garlic would be a natural progression.”
And so, clove by clove, row upon row, planting first an acre, and then another and another until there were almost five acres of the spicy bulb basking in the sun and drinking in nutrient until the dream became reality. “I didn’t realize when I started my business that there are roughly 40 varieties of garlic,” said Marton. “Those are the gourmet garlic. We found about a half dozen that flourished here in Northwest Illinois. They are totally different from the garlic that you get in the store.” He founded Galena Garlic Company and quickly learned five acres was not enough. He needed growers and decided marketability would
Stockton Schools announce Notice of Public Hearing
The Stockton Community Unit School District #206 will hold a budget hearing for FY 17 on Monday, September 19, starting at 6:45 p.m. in the Stockton High School Library. The budget is on display at the District Office located at 540 N Rush Street, Stockton, Illinois 61085.
be his strongest selling point for recruiting helpers. “Gourmet garlic varieties routinely sell for about $5 a pound and an acre will produce around 15,000 pounds of garlic,” said Marton. Do the math: 15,000 pounds times $5 equals $75,000. He knew he was on to something and soon alternative farmers and entrepreneurial gardeners were beating a path to his door. “Sure, there’s money to be had, but keep in mind growing garlic is labor intensive,” said Maron. “We’re out there with hand tools working the rows. There are plenty of weeds, but that is an expected trade-off for not using chemicals and the benefits from eating it are incredible.” He said almost anyone can grow garlic.
“We’re always looking for growers,” Marton said. “There are steps you follow and practices like mulching are a personal choice. We won’t spray our garlic and the weeds will come. You want to minimize the weeds, but garlic will grow next to a weed and you would rather it grow naturally.” Galena Garlic Company operations and marketing director Amy Curione said folks are passionate about garlic. “Folks are really beginning to appreciate the benefits of garlic,” said Curione. “I’ve always felt that garlic is the best medicine. I’m glad it’s catching on.” She said folks are serious about farm-to-fork and want to have a oneon-one relationship with their grower. “People are always asking for in-
formation in our store and education is a big part of what we do,” Curione said. “We are serious about sharing information and our love of food. It’s fun and who doesn’t want to have fun.” Learn more about the benefits of eating garlic and the products available through the Galena Garlic Company. Visit the store at 311 South Main in Galena, or call (815) 777.9625 or visit them online at http://www.galenagarlic.com or on Facebook. For a firsthand look at their varied products and an opportunity to meet growers and sample the wares of a number of food establishments using Galena Garlic products be sure to check out the Midwest Garlic Fest on August 13 and 14 in Terrapin Park, Elizabeth.
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