by jboullion | May 4, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Valley Stewardship Network:
A presentation by Ken Meter, Economist & President of the Crossroads Resource Center
Thursday, May 21st from 6:30-8:30 pm
Vernon Memorial Hospital
(new medical office building)
Community Conference Rooms A & B
Ken is the creator of “Finding Food in Farm Country” studies. He examines food systems and creates reports using hard economic data to demonstrate the importance of developing local, sustainable food systems. His reports have been adopted in 38 regions in 18 states. These reports have transformed the discussion of farm and food economics, and launched a national discussion on local foods as economic development. Ken has made over 150 presentations nationally on local food systems. He has conducted state-wide analyses in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Hawaii to document economic losses suffered in America’s farm communities. He paints a picture of local food systems that can inspire people to take action to improve their own economies. Read more about Ken’s work at www.crcworks.org/econ.html
The Southwest Wisconsin Local Farm & Food Economy Report was funded by the Valley Stewardship Network’s Food and Farm Initiative in a cooperative effort with Vernon Economic Development Association and the Crawford County UW Extension office.
We hope to see you all there!! There is no charge to attend but donations are encouraged. Local beverages and snacks will be served.
by jboullion | Feb 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Susan Troller in The Capital Times (Madison):
Snug Haven Farms’ spinach has been featured on the menu at upscale restaurants like L’Etoile, and this weekend, farmers Judy Hageman and Bill Warner will talk about their success at the 20th annual Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse.
Their class, which focuses on how to grow the dark green veggie in hoop houses, is just one of many planned for the conference, which runs from Thursday, Feb. 26, to Saturday, Feb. 28. The event is expected to draw more than 2,000 people from across the United States and a few foreign countries.
“This conference is the biggest one in the country for organic farmers, and it’s just a great experience, whether it’s your first time or you’ve been a part of it from the beginning,” said Hageman, who grows spinach in Belleville and regularly sells her produce at the Dane County Farmers’ Market. “There is so much hands-on information, and everyone is willing to share what they know. You just have light bulbs going off the whole time you’re there. The exhibits are terrific, and the food is magnificent, too.”
by jboullion | Feb 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story posted on Channel3000:
A Wisconsin grant program to foster sales of locally grown food has generated more than $2 in sales for every $1 given in grants.
That’s according to a new report from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
The department gave $225,000 worth of grants last year in its new Buy Local Buy Wisconsin program. Grant recipients reported nearly $584,000 in new sales in the program’s first six months.
The DATCP report said the grant recipients also reported sales to new customers who don’t usually buy from farms, such as hospitals and tourists.
by jboullion | Jan 21, 2009 | Uncategorized
The brochure for the conference says:
A regional conference aimed at bringing local farmers, community leaders, businesses and institutions together to explore the increasing demand for local and organic food and the opportunity for Sustainable Community Development in Northern Wisconsin.
by jboullion | Oct 17, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article by Karen Herzog and Lee Berquist in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Will Allen was cutting heads of lettuce in a farm field when his cell phone rang.
The caller told him to put down his knife. He had good news:
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, known for its annual award of “genius” grants, was giving Allen $500,000 — no strings attached.
Allen is not your typical farmer. He is the founder of Growing Power, a nonprofit farm in the middle of Milwaukee that raises fresh produce for underserved populations with high rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
The son of an illiterate laborer, Allen has been a leading figure in urban agriculture for a decade. Thanks to the growth of the local foods movement, and now the MacArthur fellowship, his approach of melding sustainable farming and mentoring kids is gaining broader attention.
At 6 feet 7 inches tall and 280 pounds, Allen is a former professional basketball player with the biceps of an NFL lineman.
He is not a table-pounder, but he is passionate about his long-held beliefs: Good food helps build healthy communities, and the costs of relying on food that travels long distances have become too great.
“You have to figure out how to grow food closer to where people live,” Allen, 59, said in an interview in his office crammed with boxes of yellow tomatoes and bags of greens.
“We are in a worldwide food crisis and worldwide energy crisis.”
