Bounty of Green County

I don't know about you, but I am eagerly anticipating the return of fresh local produce. Everything is turning green, and the plants are popping up all over the garden. This time of year means that the opening of the local farmers markets is just around the corner.

Monroe's Farmers Market opens next week, May 12. Open on Wednesdays from 2 until 5:30 and Saturdays from 8 until 1 pm, the Monroe Market is on the Downtown Square.

The market in Darlington is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am until 7 pm at the fair grounds.

The Paoli market opens in June, and takes place in the park on Wednesdays from 3 until 6 and Saturdays from 9 until 1.

Belleville's Farmer's Market opened last weekend. It is in the library park on Wednesdays from 2 to 6 and Saturdays from 8 until noon.

If you need something in between markets or something that you cannot find at a market, check out the Bounty of Green County list as well.

There are so many wonderful foods being made in our area, and buying directly from the producer is important on so many levels: money stays local, consumers can talk with the producer about what they are purchasing and how it was grown/created, and producers feel more accountable when they sell directly, so they provide a consistent, quality product.

Finally, a CSA with a local drop off point!

Oh yes, another local food post. You know me - love to buy local and buy direct! Good food is one of the joys of life.
It has been years since a CSA (community supported agriculture) has had a drop off point in or around Monroe. For those of you unfamiliar with what a CSA is, you purchase a share of the harvest from a local produce grower. These farmers grow vegetables on their area farm, and every week during the growing season, you receive a box of freshly picked, perfectly in season produce as your share of the harvest. These boxes are usually brought to a few central drop off points a specific times, and you must go there to pick up your produce. Locals who wanted to be members of a CSA have often had to go to Verona, Janesville, Beloit or elsewhere to pick up their food.

Wiser Farms Produce in Evansville will be doing a Monroe drop off point this year. Josh and Bekah are in their first year with their CSA, and they are only take 20 shares for this year's harvest. They are offering a 16 week season, getting their clients more of the summer harvest and less of the extended periods of greens that some CSAs with 20 week season seem to have. I spoke with Josh, and he said that so many people seem tired of greens by the time the summer produce comes around that he wanted to keep his season a little shorter.

A share for their 16 week season is $400, only $25 per week for a box filled with local, fresh produce. If you are looking for an easy way to eat more local foods or just want to make sure that you are eating more vegetables this summer, you can't get much easier than this. Pick up your box once a week and enjoy the fruits of someone else's labor.

They already have plants going in their hoophouses, and they will have bedding plants available (both vegetables and flowers).

Are you getting exciting about spring?

Local food producer want to know your opinions

We've talked about our friends up at Goosechaser Farm by Blanchardville frequently here on Cheese Country Realtors. Well, Stef and Andre have been busy developing a new offering, and they could use some input.

They have been developing their line of brats made from heritage pork, turkey, chicken and more. Trust me, these brats are worth trying. Created from Stef's custom spice blends and meat from animals raised naturally on Goosechaser Farm's patures, the brats are a truly local product. We have had the pleasure of enjoying some before, and we have become complete converts. Delish.

In order to better meet customer expectations when developing a new service, Stef has put together a short survey. In exchange for about the 3 minutes of your time necessary to answer the survey, you will be entered to win a year-long subscription to Goosechaser Farm's Brat of the Month Club. Take the Survey!

Things to Do Around Monroe

I should have posted some of these events a few days ago because there are some great things happening tonight!

~ The second Stirring the Pot picnic and discussion event takes place this evening on the lawn of the Monroe Arts Center. Chef demonstrations begin at 5:30. Bring your blanket, your dinner and enjoy watching Representative Brett Davis with his friends from Peppercorn Banquets as well as Chef Kate Thomas from BTC as they show us how to prepare some favorite dishes. Discussion will follow the cooking demonstrations, and stay for the live music.

~ Also this evening is the annual Pork Producers Dinner. This popular annual event moved to July this year, and it now takes place at SLICE. Tickets are $8 at the door, and serving starts at 5 pm.

~ The Young Professionals of Green County have a business showcase at Kookaburra's on Monroe's Downtown Square on Thursday evening. Laura will be demonstrating how to make some fun and easy summer appetizers and dinners along with Stef from Goose Chaser Farms. $10 per person.

~ Belleville hosts Bastille Day this Saturday. Who knew we celebrated that here in Green County? The day is full of family events: K-12 talent show, live music, fishing demonstrations and contest, quilt show, bike races, wine and cheese tasting and more. Stop by the Green County Humane Society area in Liberty Park to celebrate Bastille day fully - by liberating a pet and adopting it. Hey, we can be cheesy here in Green County, can't we?

~ Brodhead hosts Twilight in the Park on Sunday evening. This live music event in Veteran's Park is free for everyone. This week's featured act is Opan Jii playing jazz. There is also music at Toffler's in New Glarus on Saturday evening. Join them to hear the Kristy Larson Honky Tonk Trio.

~ The Stephenson County Fair is going on all weekend at the fairgrounds in Freeport. From 4-H judging to grandstand events and demolition derbies, all the classics are here. Are you up for something special? Participate in the American Barnstormers Flying Circus! Aviation enthusiasts have the opportunity to go up in a vintage bi-plane for ride. Go all out and sign up for the Stearman flight. This is a trainer plane, and for 30 minutes, the passenger will be able to fly. The pilot will handle take off and landing, but once in the air, the flying is up to you. No flying experience is required. Interested? Call 815-232-1078 to sign up.

~ Lena is host to wilderness survival skills workshop this Saturday. The focus is Nature Observation, Movement and Camouflage. Learn to how move in the woods without being seen or heard. All ages are welcome, contact the Lena Parks Department to register (815-990-0146).

~ Finish off a fun filled Freeport Saturday with Stargazing at Oakdale Nature Preserve. The Tricounty Astronomers will be at Oakdale at dusk to watch the night sky.

~ Next week, be sure to keep your calendar clear! It is Farm Technology Days (interesting even for cityfolk in my opinion), the Green County Fair, Fairy Tale Theatre performances, the youth triathlon, and Christmas in July on Monroe's Downtown Square. Can we get a couple more days in our weekend please??

~ Biking enthusiasts! There is still time to sign up for next week's Swiss Cheese and Spotted Cow bike tour. This event takes place from July 22 through July 26. Tour the gorgeous back roads of Green and Lafayette Counties as you travel from Mineral Point to New Glarus, Monroe, Galena and finally back to Mineral Point. All of these communities are well know and frequently mentioned in Midwest Living as places to go. Microbrews, local foods, wineries, art studios, bakeries, chocolates, cheeses, beautiful countryside and charming small communities await. You'll average about 60 miles a day over rolling terrain with stops in all of the best places. Participants rave about this tour and come in from all over the nation. Local bike riders, are you ready for a vacation in your backyard?

"Stirring the Pot"

This week starts the first of a three-part series of free community picnics. “Stirring the Pot: Dialogue, Discussion and Dinner in the Dairyland,” is sure to be an engaging and fun forum for area residents to gather and learn more about creating a healthy, green and sustainable local food system.

Come sit on the Monroe Arts Center lawn on a blanket and enjoying your picnic. Watch area chefs share secrets for cooking fresh, tasty dishes. Wander over to the MAC parking lot area enjoy local music and various activities to prompt discussion about food.

This first picnic on Wednesday, June 17 features a spring theme, with discussion focused on the theme “Roots and Seeds of Spring,” prompting discussion around how our food experiences and memories shape our attitudes today. On July 15, the second picnic will take place with a “Summer Abundance” theme. The final picnic is on August 19 and turns to fall harvest perspectives. National humanities experts Dr. Steve Stevenson and Kathy Ruf will be on hand to share their perspectives working in the areas of preserving family farms and encouraging local food systems.

The “Stirring the Pot” picnics all start at 5:30 pm, following the Wednesday Monroe Farmers’ Market. The upcoming June 17 event will kick-off with demonstrations by Blackhawk Technical College’s Chef Mark Olson, who will be demonstrating Goat Cheese and Oven-Dried Tomato Strudel showcasing local Green County raised and produced items. Steph Culberson of The Goosechaser Farm in Blanchardville will then share her technique and tips for making spätzli, the traditional Swiss egg noodle dish.

Please bring your own picnic and blanket or lawn chairs and help reduce waste at this event by bringing reusable dishware. The event will be held inside the Monroe Arts Center in case of rain. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer and help with these events, please contactCara Carper, UW-Extension (608-328-9441, cara.carper@ces.uwex.edu). No reservation is needed. For those with disabilities who need table seating, call Cara as well.

Local Foods + Business = Success

Food plays a large role in our lives here in Green County. Family farms grow food, raise animals and milk cows. Our many cheese factories create award winning cheese. CSAs and market farmers grow vegetables. Established businesses like Swiss Colony, Minhas Brewery and New Glarus Brewery distribute goods nationwide.

There is a new initiative beginning that has the goal of getting more of our local foods into local homes as well as helping people start the value-added food businesses they have always dreamed of, but never had the resources or support to begin. The group, sponsored by UW Extension, is currently doing a survey to assess demand for a community kitchen in order to secure funding.

If you currently have a small local food business, from jelly making to cake decorating, or if you dream of a business, please take a few minutes to fill out this short survey. Green County Community Kitchen Survey If you yourself do not have these dreams, but you know of someone in the area who has an amazing salsa, if your neighbor gives away batches of delicious kettle chips, if your cousin creates sublime fudge, please pass this along. Sometimes all it takes is a suggestion and some support for a business to grow out of a hobby.

The group is also promoting two events this spring and summer along the local foods and business theme. See Jane Grow is a workshop presented by local author, business owner and director of the Rural Women’s Project, Lisa Kivirist. The workshop is described as "bringing together various tools, resources and networking opportunities for women passionate about food and agriculture." See Jane Grow is free, but pre-registration is required. Contact Cara at UW Extension (328-9431) to register. This event takes place at Kookaburra's on Monroe's Square on the evening of April 30, and it is co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Blackhawk Technical College and Green County Development Corporation.

The Wisconsin Humanities Council has also given the group a grant to fund a three part potluck discussion series this June, July and August. Stirring the Pot: Dialogue, Discussion and Dinner in Dairyland will feature a cooking demonstration, potluck and topical discussion led by national local food leaders each month. Mark your calendar for June 17, July 15 and August 19. The family friendly events will bring together area farmers, chefs, educators and anyone who appreciates our area’s rich food and agriculture traditions.