Thursday, April 30 6pm (Monroe) Free Seminar for Women-Owned Food and Agriculture-based Enterprises “See Jane Grow”

The event is co-sponsored by Green County UW-Extension, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Blackhawk Technical College and the Green County Development Corporation. The interactive seminar offers support to existing women ecopreneurs and those who hold dreams of launching their own business related to food and agriculture. The session will be held at Kookaburras (1609 10th Street, North Side of Monroe Square). A networking reception follows the seminar, featuring locally-produced foods by area women food artisans. The session is free but space is limited. Pre-registration is required through Cara Carper, UW-Extension (608-328-9441, e-mail: cara.carper@ces.uwex.edu)

Thursday, May 7 (Platteville) How To Create Lasting Positive Impressions!

Free event! This is an event designed to create awareness of Platteville’s new designation as the official gateway to Southwest Wisconsin by the Department of Tourism. You will learn about the importance of knowing about our attractions and events and communicating those to your customers. Presentation 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM or 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM. To RSVP for this Continuing Education event, call 608.348.8888

Continuing Ed Series Brochure.pdf

Food and farm data from Crawford, Vernon, Monroe, and Richland Counties

Ken Meter, Economist and President of the Crossroads Resource Center recently completed “An Update on the Southwest Wisconsin Local Farm and Food Economy,” a study of food and farm data from Crawford, Vernon, Monroe, and Richland Counties. Ken will meet with Crawford and Vernon County leaders on May 12 and the public on May 21 in Viroqua to discuss highlights from this report including: comprehensive economic and production data about the condition of the local farm and food economy, food consumption estimates, farm and production characteristics; acreage devoted to organic food production and value of commodities produced; and value of direct sales from farms to consumers. 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 Corporation and the Crawford County UW Extension office. To get a copy of this report or for more information about upcoming meetings please contact Laura Brown, Crawford County UW Extension, 608.326.0223.

First ever Local Fare Spring Marketplace Event Was a SUCCESS

During this first ever event, over 23 producer and business vendors shared information and samples of local foods and had the opportunity to sell products directly to the consumer. Over 250 regional citizens participated in the three hour event. Additional photos will be available for viewing shortly. An additional marketplace event is being planned in Dodgeville for this May (stay tuned for details) and for the fall and I hope will continue to grow in both the number of vendors and participants. If you would like assistance hosting a similar event in your area please contact April Fuhr at localfare@uwplatt.edu.

Dodgeville Farmers' Market Needs Vendors

Attention all producers, do you have extra goods to sell? Then the Dodgeville Farmers’ Market wants you!!

Vendors of all sorts are welcome to join us every Saturday from May – October, 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. Parking lot next to the Dodgeville Chamber. (338 N. Iowa St.)

If you are interested or know someone who is, please contact Bob Berglin at the Dodgeville Chamber (608.935.9200, bberglin@dodgeville.com).

The Local Fare Directory is HERE!!!

This April we obtained the first printing of the Local Fare Directory. The print directory contains the information of local food businesses in eight counties in southwest Wisconsin. This is the first of its kind for the region and includes producers and businesses like bakeries, cheese factories and others that grow, use, and make local products. There are 120 listings in the spring directory and we hope to include many more. We are considering an additional printing yet this summer, if you would like directories or would like to be a sponsor of this or future print directories please contact April Fuhr localfare@uwplatt.edu.

Green County Commercial Kitchen Survey

This survey will assess interest in creating a fully certified, commercially equipped kitchen available for use by both local growers and producers of food products, caterers, restaurants, chefs, special event food vendors, bakers, groups and organizations. The facility is 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. The survey is designed to provide an accurate assessment of potential community interest. Surveys may be completed on-line at www.gckitchen.org or by requesting a copy from Cara Carper, UW-Extension, at 608.328.9441, cara.carper@ces.uwex.edu.

Important Surveys

This survey has the potential to change lives, please fill it out, forward this information on to others and ask them to fill it out as well. Southwest Wisconsin needs their voice to be heard!

Do you have access to broadband? Do you need access?

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission is currently conducting a Broadband Customer Survey as part of a larger effort to deploy broadband in Wisconsin (and ultimately throughout the entire nation). The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides for grants to map and deploy broadband, especially to unserved and underserved areas.

By completing the survey, you can help yourself get adequate broadband sooner. Take the PSC survey and get on the map at http://psc.wi.gov/recoveryAct/sfBroadband.htm.

And...please share this with others. Make the voice from Southwest Wisconsin a STRONG one!

WED, MAY 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Platteville) "LIVING HEALTHY, SAVING MONEY AND GREENING UP AT HOME."

John Olig will be the speaker at this Sustain Grant County event. Location: The new Engineering Hall on the UW-Platteville campus, Room 115. (Parking available in Lot 25 across the street. Take Southwest Road, turning at greenhouse to access parking lot.) For info, e-mail Linda Bernhardt at bernhardt@uwplatt.edu.

FRI., MAY 15, 8 A.M. TO NOON (Dodgeville) COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSEMENT

The Iowa County Health Department is conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment meeting at the Dodger Bowl and wants input from a wide range of community members. To register (recommended), contact Kim Horst at 935-2810. Pre-surveys have identified health care costs, prescription drug costs, alcohol and other drug use, dental care, and obesity as major issues. Youth surveys indicated that their main health issues include: alcohol use, obesity, and lack of nutritional food.

Tuesday, May 5, 5pm (Platteville) 13th Annual Walk Down Main Event

We will be enjoying our Cinco de’ Mayo themed Mexican dinner at the Municipal Building in what is currently being used by the Platteville City Council. Los Amigo’s will be catering our meal, both a meat entre and vegetarian entrée will be offered, as well as dessert, beverages chips and dip. This marks the first time we have offered a themed dinner, all meals will be mild. James Hibbard, Wisconsin historian, from the University of Wisconsin Platteville, will be our keynote speaker. James will be speaking on “LOST” Platteville. Our history runs deeper than what we can see! We hope you will join us for “WALK DOWN MAIN” TRAVELING DINNER, Tuesday, May 5, 2009 tickets are $35. The dinner starts at 5:00pm. For reservations or more information please call Cheryl MacDowell, Executive Director Platteville Main Street Program at 608-348-4505.

Thursday 5/1 3:00 - 6:00 PM (Mineral Point) Annual Mineral Point High School FFA Plant Sale

Annual Mineral Point High School FFA Plant Sale,located in the Greenhouse in the Ag Building behind the high school. ITEMS TO BE SOLD: Vegetables, flowers, (flats & 4-packs,) geranium pots, & hanging baskets. Vegetables available for $10 a flat or $1.00 per four-pack: Bell peppers, habanero peppers, jalapeno peppers, Serrano chili peppers, red cabbage, cabbage, celebrity tomatoes, big beef tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, & strawberry plants. Flowers available for $18 per flat or $2 per four-pack: Impatiens, petunias, wave petunias, pansies, moss, roses, marigolds, snap dragons, asters, begonias, holly hocks, and double petunias. 4" geranium pots for $3, Hanging baskets for $10, Hanging baskets of million bells $15. Contact Mike Robinson at 987-3231 Ext. 380 for more information if needed.

Friday May 15 (Platteville) Welcome Center Luncheon and Ribbon Cutting