A bit of buffalo makes it way to Antioch farmer's market

Ron Lester has been in the bison business for 37 years and he could not be more excited to make his first trip to the Antioch Farmers Market when it opens Thursday.

The 78-year-old farmer sells his buffalo meat exclusively at local markets and from the storefront on his 140-acre property just seven miles north of the border in Salem, Wis.

"The buffalo meat is very heart healthy," Lester said. "Doctors send people over to get it. It's healthier than skinless chicken."

Lester's stand will join local area farmers starting at 3 p.m. Thursday in the east municipal parking lot on Toff Avenue for the opening of the 2010 Antioch farmers market.

The market, which was first started in 2009, hopes to expand the range of goods offered. This year, it will add bison meat, fresh eggs, poultry, lamb and a few organic fish to go along with fresh produce, flowers, plants and breads.

"Last year we had a hugely successful year," said Shawn Roby, Antioch's special events supervisor. "When it comes to farmers markets, it's difficult if you don't have the residential base to support it."

Lester's Bison Farm decided to participate this year after being excluded from the Burlington market. The farm was excluded because Lester not only sells his locally raised buffalo, but imports salmon from Norway. Lester said Burlington decided to enforce a rule that products may not come from more than 75 miles away.

Antioch hopes people attending its night concert series, which begins Thursday at 7:30 p.m., will stop by the market before the show, Roby said.

"If everyone participates the right way, it will be successful," Lester said. "You need to give it the first couple weeks, but when people hear about it they will be there."