Lambs and Lettuce Festival

Circle M is a sustainable market farm about thirty minutes northwest of Monroe. The owner, Kriss Marion, has become well known for her blog on farm life. Honest, frank and frankly funny sometimes, the blog features everything from "pigwatch" for a birthing sow to CSA share updates.

Circle M offers CSA shares (though they are full for the 2009 season), sustainable meats, and Maid Marion woolen goods. If you want a taste of farm life itself, they will arrange for you to spend a day or two on their farm, working and learning.

If you would rather just come hang out on a farm for a while and see the animals and fields, consider attending their Lambs and Lettuces Festival tomorrow, Saturday. Many of our area market farmers know that people like to come out, visit and ask questions. The farmers enjoy it, as a general rule, but unexpected visits are hard to accommodate due to the realities of farm life and the work involved. For this reason, many of these farmers offer open houses days like the Lambs and Lettuces Festival. (Stay tuned for more information on an open house day at Inn Serendipity on July 11, coming in a future blog post.)

The festival begins at noon. Throughout the afternoon there will be demonstrations and activities. Learn about horse grooming or felting, watch a demonstration of shearing or spinning. MooGrass, a local bluegrass band, takes the stage about 4:30 pm, and there will be a community potluck dinner around 7, so bring your favorite local foods dish to pass. Stay for a bonfire and knitting circle after dinner as night falls. The stars look different out in the country, so come, sit and dance and enjoy an afternoon and evening on the farm.

The farm store will also be open. They offer yarns along with wool for felting and spinning. Bring the cooler along and pick up some sustainably raised meat.

Circle M is about 40 minutes southwest of Madison or about 45 minutes northwest of Monroe at 1784 County Road H, Blanchardville, WI. RSVP is not necessary, but feel free to call 608-523-4341 for directions or more information.