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On a recent shopping trip to the Rillito Farmers Market in Tucson, I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer number and variety of vendors in the area of First Avenue, South of River Road. The market is well organized and the producers’ tents are well placed along a concrete path. Ample parking is a welcome sight.
I was also impressed by the geographic diversity of the vendors, some traveling 70 to 80 miles to sell their precious wares.
Most of all, I noticed that Oracle is well represented by its organic farmers at the Rillito Farmers Market on Sunday mornings.
As we strolled along the walkway, we first encountered Gregg Vinson, the Jojoba King.
Gregg Vinson of Jojoba Beef
Gregg Vinson, owner of the Jojoba Beef Company, is a well known personality both at the Rillito Farmers Market as well as the one at St. Philip’s Plaza in Tucson. Gregg raises cattle on a ranch teeming with the jojoba plant.
For many years, Vinson’s jojoba beef had been served as a fine-dine signature dish at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Apparently, this particular beef is very much appreciated by local chefs for its unusual flavor and texture.
Gregg Vinson and son Gary run the A Diamond Ranch, a 22,000 acre sprawl of wilderness in the Sonoran Desert near Kearny. Their approximately 200 head herd is provided for with well water, as well as the Gila River during certain times of the year. Vinson keeps a close eye on the herd with regard to age, well being, and their offspring. Although well cared for, these animals live according to ancient lifestyle and have to fend for themselves… losing one occasionally to a mountain lion… a loss to be expected by ranchers in the Wild West.
In addition to New York steak and loin cuts, pre-packed portions of ground meat and different kinds of sausage are offered as well. The best part about his beef is the fact that we can be assured that it is grown on the range, far far away from commercial compounds.
Gregg Vinson is very much at home on the prairie with cattle and horses, as well as on the dance floor with wife Helen, owner of Oracle Land and Homes Realty.
Gregg Vinson Signature
The first name in Gregg’s signature is well written, whereas the last name consists mainly of a capital V and an i-dot. He is a self-made man and not dominated by the family name or authority. The signature travels upward and remains in the spiritual philosophic area. Contemplation comes easy to a man under the stars and the big sky.
Next along the way, we find ourselves in front of the Vermillion Wormery.
Dr. Linda Leigh of Vermillion Wormery
Dr. Linda Leigh of the Vermillion Wormery offers worms as an antidote to trash: “Our earthworms transform organic garbage into the best possible food for your plants and the earth.” Worm castings are also sold as a nutrient alternative for growing plants. Additionally, you can find potted organic herbs at her booth.
Leigh is one of the eight original Biosphereans who spent two years locked into Biosphere2 in Oracle. Biosphere2 was designed as a prototype self-sufficient globe in the research and preparation for space travel. It is currently being used for various research projects by the University of Arizona.
Among many other accomplishments, Leigh was instrumental in the development of the Ore Cart Trail in the Copper Corridor. This was an artistic undertaking to encourage tourism into the mining communities north of Tucson. The few new monuments I have visited in San Manuel, Mammoth and Oracle (amongst others) are awe inspiring and well worth a day trip!
In earlier years working as a researcher in Alaska, Dr. Leigh was charged by a brown bear in the Alaskan tundra and lived to tell the story!
Currently, her ambition is to develop a community garden in the town of Oracle. Participation and input is sought from local people and others interested in the project.
Linda Leigh Signature
Leigh’s signature shows non-conformity and creativity. The simplicity of the letters ‘L’ and the writing style in general are representative of high intellect, fluidity and modesty.
On the way back toward our car, we passed Freddie Terry’s Apiary booth. He has developed a faithful following of customers for his wild desert honey. Among others, he harvests and sells catclaw, mesquite, fairyduster and buckwheat honey. In addition, customers have a choice of sweet honeycombs, bees’ wax candles and organic skin cream.
Fred Terry, Oracle’s very own Singing Beekeeper.
At local schools and across the border with Mexico, Freddy is also known as “The Singing Beekeeper.” He has a vast repertoire of Spanish/English songs for children. Singing these songs together, accompanied by guitar music, makes for a unique method of teaching the two languages.
Terry played a prominent part in the movie “Beyond Honey” that premiered a couple of years ago locally at the Loft. This film covers beekeeping practices on three different continents: The Americas, Europe and Asia.
Beekeeping is an art and an obligation toward maintaining the health of a hive. Many bees in this country are trucked long distances from one commercial enterprise to another without regard for their wellbeing. Bee deaths and hive collapse have been associated with different insecticides and pesticides and bode badly for the future of bees, and by association, humans beings. To quote Albert Einstein: “if the bee disappeared off the face of the Earth, man would only have four years left to live.”
Fred Terry Signature
Terry’s signature is simple and readable. The leftward slant indicates a reserved individual with a need for privacy. The pressure is associated with good energy and artistic talent that, in his case, finds expression in music.
It goes without saying that you never know who you meet when going to buy your organic grass- fed meats, free range eggs, delicious pastries and locally grown organic vegetables…these farmers have a lot of history and experience under their belt!
It is gratifying to see how Oracle is so well represented by fine individuals in the Tucson area!
Skylar Khan lives on a vortex in Oracle. She is a Master Graphoanalyst and has been contributing articles to The Oracle Towne Crier about personality traits revealed through Handwriting Analysis. Her book “Handwriting Rocks” is informative and entertaining. For more information, please visit HandwritingAuthority.com
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