Support the Local Food Movement in Green
County
Green
County’s agricultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit can stimulate healthy
economic and community revitalization, vital to the quality of life now and for
future generations. The following gives
you an update on several new initiatives that facilitate positive collaborative
spirit under the local foods umbrella. All participation and ideas welcomed.
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Green
This facility would be for anyone who has a dream of producing and marketing a food product but lacks the space, equipment, financial resources or support of others to do it. A survey was conducted in April, 2009 provide an accurate assessment of potential community interest. There was tremendous response in both replies and community interest to this survey. Thee results were presented at a public community meeting on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 5:30 pm in the Amcore Bank Community Room. Thanks to all who attended. For those who couldn't make it: A copy of the Powerpoint is available online.
As a next step,small focus groups with potential kitchen users will be conducted June 8 and 9. Please contact Cara Carper/Green County UW Extension if you are interested in attending one of these sessions. (608-328-9441, cara.carper@ces.uwex.edu)
Additional media coverage on
the Green County Commercial Kitchen project:
“Strong response to kitchen survey” (Monroe Times, 5/11/09)
“Wanted: Local aspiring food
entrepreneurs” (Monroe Times, 4/3/09)
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Community Partners:
Green County Development Corporation
Monroe Farmer’s Market
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Stirring the Pot: Dialogue, Discussion and Dinner in the
Dairyland:
Dates: Wed. 6/17/09, Wed. 7/15/09, Wed. 8/19/09 (event follows Monroe Farmers’ Market)
5:30 pm
cooking demonstration; 6:00 pm picnic; 7:00 pm discussion
Location:
Thanks to a
grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council, this three-part community picnic supper series celebrates our agricultural roots and cultivates fresh
perspectives for a more sustainable future. Blending education, conversation
and connections, this free, family-friendly community event uniquely brings
together area farmers, chefs, educators and anyone who appreciates our area’s
rich food and agriculture traditions. Presenters include national local foods leaders, Dr. Steve Stevenson and
Kathy Ruhf and Lisa Kivirist.
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See Jane Grow: How Women Ecopreneurs are Leading
On April
30, 2009, over twenty local women entrepreneurs gathered at Kookaburra’s
Culinary Shop in Monroe for an interactive seminar addressesing the fact that
women-owned businesses are growing at twice the national rate and women
constitute one of the largest, fastest-growing group purchasing farms today. Conducted by Lisa Kivirist, co-author of
ECOpreneuring and director of the Rural Women’s Project, See Jane Grow brought
together various tools, resources and networking opportunities for women
passionate about food and agriculture. This free event was co-sponsored by Green County UW Extension , Monroe
Chamber of Commerce,
For a recap
on the
For
more on the Rural Women’s Project and the “See Jane Grow” seminar series: See Jane
Grow seminar series
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Questions? Contact Green County Buy Local Coalition:
Cara Carper,Community Resource
Development Educator
Green
County UW Extension
Phone:
608-328-9441 Email: cara.carper@ces.uwex.edu
Brenda Carus: brenda@monroearearealestate.com
Kristi Smith: kristi@kristismith.com
Lisa Kivirist: lisa@innserendipity.com
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