This summer, pull on your farm boots, wear your sun hat and kick back on the farm. You can even be a farmer for the afternoon! For three days and with five unique components and involving more than twenty farms, the SOIL SISTERS culinary event celebrates Wisconsin’s family farms and rural life in and around the farming communities of Monroe, Brodhead, New Glarus, and Blanchardville, Wisconsin, from August 2 to 4, 2019.Featured in Midwest Living, Modern Farmer and Living the Country Life, and the recipient of the 2019 Top Rural Development Initiative Awards from Wisconsin Rural Partners, SOIL SISTERS brings the national spotlight to the inspiring stories of Wisconsin women-owned family farms that produce food and fiber while stewarding the landscape. According to the latest Census of Agriculture, women represent approximately 35 percent of all producers in Wisconsin, an increase of 16 percent since the last census in 2012. To celebrate, Governor Tony Evers has proclaimed July 28 through August 4 officially “Wisconsin Women in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Week.”This award-winning annual event, now in its seventh year and the largest women farmer led tour event of its kind in the country, falls during “Wisconsin Women in Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Week” from July 29 to August 4, an official proclamation by Governor Tony Evers made to showcase the growth and impact of this movement in Wisconsin. According to the latest Census of Agriculture released in April, there are 38,509 female producers in Wisconsin, adding up to 35 percent of all producers in the state. That’s a whopping 16 percent increase in the number of female producers compared to the last 2012 census. Wisconsin has 1,334 organic farms, nearly doubling over the last ten years..“Come meet your farmers and learn about local, seasonal food and how we can all transform what’s on our plate,” explains Dela Ends of Scotch Hill Farm, a founding member of SOIL SISTERS since the event started seven years ago. “From heirloom tomatoes to pickles, sheep to solar energy, farmstay bed & breakfasts to beef, we soil sisters offer a unique diversity of farm experiences showcasing the summer’s bounty.” SOIL SISTERS is a venture of the Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation, in partnership with Renewing the Countryside and the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES).SOIL SISTERS provides a range of on-farm “green acres” immersive workshops, from preserving the harvest to cheesemaking as well as several opportunities to experience what it would be like to run your own farm. Dining events featuring items raised by the soil sisters include the Taste of Place at Cow & Quince restaurant, Farm to Table Dinner at Dorothy’s Range and a Pizza on the Farm fundraiser held at Inn Serendipity Farm and Bed & Breakfast. Additionally, restaurants feature specials throughout the weekend showcasing local ingredients.New in 2019 are two options of ticketed Bus Tour of Farms that provide the opportunity for a “behind the scenes” and intimate experience on three farms per tour. Additionally, day-long workshops will be offered that give a detailed learning opportunity in areas such as operating a pasture-based livestock ranch, launching a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm, running a farmstay bed and breakfast or powering your home or farm completely with renewable energy.“The Soil Sisters weekend celebrates women farmers pioneering new approaches to family farm businesses while honoring Wisconsin’s agricultural roots and encouraging new farms to launch,” explains April Prusia of Dorothy’s Range in Blanchardville, Wisconsin, who will be hosting a tour stop on the bus tour as well as the Farm-To-Table Dinner. “I’m excited about the Bus Tour option this year during which our Soil Sister team can share personal stories and enable visitors to experience what the collaborative, supportive spirit of local agriculture and land stewardship is all about.”The SOIL SISTERS event is a weekend celebration that includes:• In Her Boots: a day long, hands-on program for aspiring women farmers. Facilitated by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES); Friday, August 2; 10 am – 3 pm; ticketed event.• Taste of Place at Cow & Quince restaurant: Kick-off the weekend at this local food celebration; Friday, August 2; 6 pm – 8 pm. Order a la carte off menu items.• Green Acres Workshops: On-farm, hands-on fun and educational workshops; Friday, August 2 through Sunday, August 4; at various times and locations; ticketed events.• Farm to Table Dinner hosted by Dorothy’s Range with a sit-down dinner featuring heritage pork; Saturday, August 3; 4 pm – 8 pm; $92 per adult; ticketed event.• Pizza on the Farm fundraising meal hosted by Inn Serendipity Farm and Bed & Breakfast, featuring made-to-order personal pizzas with local, award-winning Emmi Roth cheeses and root beer floats; Saturday, August 3, 5 pm – 9 pm; $35 per adult; $10 per child ages 2 to 12; children under 2 free; ticketed event.• Bus Tour of Farms: Friday, August 2, 12:30 – 5:30 pm and Sunday, August 4, 12:30 – 5:30 pm; $60 per adult: $40 children (2-12); under 2 free if can sit on lap.• Dine Fine: Numerous participating restaurants feature menu specials. Friday, August 2 through Sunday, August 4; specials vary by participating restaurants.“Soil Sisters highlights a cross-section of women farmers, representing one of the fastest growing groups of new growers prioritizing small-scale, diversified, community-focused agriculture,” says Darin Von Ruden, President of the Wisconsin Farmers Union Board of Directors and the Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation.
About Pam Jahnke
Getting up at 2 in the morning might shock some of her listeners, but for Pam Jahnke, it’s part of the business. Born in Northeastern Wisconsin, Pam Jahnke grew up in agriculture. Raised on her family’s 200-acre dairy farm, she learned the “farm work ethic” first hand.
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