Impacting Change

When we first started taking over the old run-down homestead in the midst of the Chequamegon National Forest, the process was baby steps. A few chickens, a garden, then a couple of sheep and pigs. We had a dream of creating a new life for ourselves. As we grew to know the area and its people, that dream expanded to creating healthy, local choices for those who live in or visit the Northwoods.
Small steps, when given kind attention and rigor, can turn into big commitments. The Cable Farmer’s Market was just getting on its feet in its second summer when we joined. One summer turned into 15, with forged relationships with the other vendors and regular customers. I still have folks who lament that we’re no longer at the market! But bigger initiatives were on the horizon we couldn’t have foreseen at the time.
Noticing that Hayward had no farmer’s market, I sought advice from members of UW Extension and as the capstone piece of my Senior Girl Scout Gold Award launched a Monday local growers farmer’s market at the Sawyer County Fairgrounds in 2002. The Cable Farmer’s Market continues at the UCC church parking lot on Saturday mornings, and the Hayward Area Farmer’s Market also continues on HWY 63. Most recently, we offered advice for the crew launching a farmer’s market in Danbury. How exciting to see more venues wanting to connect their community members with fresh, local foods!
Back when we lived in the Madison area, Mom had a CSA membership with an area farm. I remember as a kid helping to pick eggplants beneath the shadow of the large rainwater catchment system. In 2007, we launched our own CSA program on our farm. Community Supported Agriculture facilitates a direct, season-long relationship between the small farmer and the family who will be eating the food she grows.