yay for the Madison Farmer's Market

         I just read today that the Madison Dane County Farmer's Market is the largest producer-only farmer's market in the country.  This means that all of the items are produced locally by the vendor, no resale is allowed. I lived in Madison for nearly eight years and I always looked forward to the farmer's market. Especially when I moved downtown.  My roommate and I would wake up groggy Saturday mornings after working late at our restaurant jobs.  At the first corner of the Market we would purchase our iced coffees and then continue counter clockwise around the square (I have a friend whose father likes to go in the opposite direction, this is looked down upon by most locals).  The Market is held around the downtown Capitol Square which is also, I believe, the highest point in the city.   The market is four long city blocks of awesome produce, fresh honey, flowers AND the inside of the Capitol building serves as grounds for political, non-profit and public information booths, plus there are always petitions to be signed outside of the Capitol.  Across the street from the Market there is always an array of art vendors and carts selling iced coffees and pastries and street musicians.  The Madison Farmer's Market should be a stop on any family road trip this summer.  The heart of America has a lot to offer.  And don't forget to try some fresh (and squeaky) cheese curds, a Wisconsin delicacy!

For more info check out the web page:  www.madfarmmkt.org

until next time,

cheers,

nyks

farmer john and the CSA

I just finished watching the movie "The Real Dirt on Farmer John".  It is a great story of a family farm in Wisconsin and the ups and downs of Farmer John's life as he tries to keep the farm his father and uncle built afloat.  

  As I watched as Farmer John had to sell his farm land and equipment to larger farming operations that were shipping their food elsewhere made me think, if America is only getting fatter, why are so many small family owned farms going under?  I'm not naive, I know we import produce from other countries, I know that using pesticides makes for easier more productive farming.  What I don't understand is why more Americans, and more specifically, middle Americans aren't fighting for their farms.  I lived in Wisconsin for nearly eight years.  I lived in a suburb that used to be a farm.  And I watched the waistlines expand and the farms die.

   CSA, or Community Sustained Agriculture helps community members become directly connected to the source of their foods through supporting their local farms.  Membership prices vary throughout, the concept is each person buys a share, this works as a loan for the farm and a way to guarantee there will be crops.  Once a week the share holder may go and pick up their produce.  There are many CSAs in Western Massachusetts, including one at Hampshire College, that runs during the school year and an organic meat CSA in Easthampton.  

  To find a CSA in your area check out www.foodandfarm.org

  And don't forget to rent  "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" (from your LOCAL INDEPENDENT video store!!!)

cheers,

nyks