FarmAQ’s

What to Expect When Visiting a Farm

Being prepared when visiting a farm makes all the difference.  Make sure it’s a great experience by following our “Top 10 Tips” when visiting.

1. Call Ahead - Most important, contact the farm ahead of time to make sure they are open and have the crops you want to pick available. It's no fun to arrive excited to pick only to find out they are picked out or unexpectedly closed.
   
2. Go Early – Many crops, especially strawberries and blueberries, ripen daily and get picked out by late morning.  So plan on being their when the farm opens for best selection and easiest picking.  Going early also avoids the hot sun and heat.
   
3. Drinks and Snacks – Stay hydrated and beat the heat.  Many farms provide picnic tables so take advantage of them.  Bring your own snacks or purchase something onsite depending on the farm.
   
4. Dress Appropriately – You are going to be in a field.  There will be dirt, if not mud.  Boots or old shoes are recommended.
   
5. Mosquitos – Be prepared.  Bring deet along in case you are in an area where there are mosquitos. 
   
6. Prepare for the Sun – Sunscreen and wide brimmed hats are highly recommended. 
   
7. Payment – Make sure you know and understand how they price their produce.  Some charge by the container and others by the pound.  It’s usually best to bring cash, but check ahead if they accept check or credit.
   
8. Toilets – Most farms have porta potties, so if you aren’t a fan, “go” at home before heading to the field.
   
9. Know How to Pick – Know how to tell when the fruit is ripe and how to pick and then store it. Please walk in the aisles and be sure that your feet and knees to not damage the plants.
   
10. Handle and Store Properly – When you get home, spread the fruit out, pick out any damaged ones and follow the fruit-specific tips for storing.

Most Importantly Have Fun!  Many farms have playgrounds and other activities to enjoy while on your daytime adventure.  Allow time for your kids to enjoy these and they’ll want to go back again and again!

Strawberry Picking & Handling

Follow these tips when visiting a pick-your-own strawberry farm.

What is a Farmers Market? 

According to the Farmers Market Coalition, a farmers market is a public and recurring assembly of farmers or their representatives selling the food that they produced directly to consumers.  Farmers markets facilitate personal connections and bonds of mutual benefits between farmers, shoppers, and communities. By cutting out middlemen, farmers receive more of our food dollars and shoppers receive the freshest and most flavorful food in their area and local economies prosper. Each farmers market defines the term “local” according to the agriculture of its region and regularly communicates that definition to the public. Farmers markets also implement guidelines and operating rules that ensure the farmers market consists principally of farms selling directly to the public products that the farms have produced.

What is a CSA?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  CSA embodies the concept of connecting the farm, crops and farmer directly to the consumer.  When joining a CSA, you are purchasing a share, or portion, of the crops that the farm and farmer produce. Generally, you will receive a share weekly throughout the growing season to be picked up at the CSA farm or delivered to a pre-determined pick up site. The growing season and length of your share will vary depending on the farm and weather conditions. You will receive a wide variety of crops throughout the course of a growing season and as the seasons change, so do the crops you receive.  Some CSA farms also provide a weekly newsletter providing you information and potential recipes using the items in your weekly share. Each CSA is different so be sure to find the one that works best for you!

What is a Farm Stand? 

farm stand is located near a farm, or at a remote location, and is typically run and owned by one farmer. These are generally smaller stands that you’ll typically find in more rural areas, on roadsides and outside you-pick farms. In addition to seasonal produce, you might also find other treats like homemade preserves and pickles, honey, and baked goods. Some people prefer shopping at farm stands because the produce doesn’t travel far from the farm, so you can be sure you’re getting fruits and vegetables at their peak. And farmers often say that a farm stand is good for them as well—it allows them to sell their produce without spending extra time and money traveling. Many farm stands are open daily; others are open on the weekends.

Winning Wisconsin State Fair Recipes

Each year the WI Berry Growers Association sponsors a recipe category at the Wisconsin State Fair Recipe Contest to promote strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.  Enjoy some of these winning recipes!

Very Berry Crisp

4 cups rinsed ripe red raspberries
2 cups rinsed blueberries
½ cup unsalted butter
¾ cups flour, divided
½ cup roughly chopped and lightly toasted pecans
½ cup  rolled oats
½ cup brown sugar
3/8 cup white sugar
Pinch of salt
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.  For the topping melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat.  Add brown sugar and stir.  Remove pan from heat.  Add oats, pecans, ½ of a cup of flour and stir together.  For the filling combine the blueberries, raspberries, white sugar, and ¼ cup flour.  Put filling in stoneware dish and top with topping.  Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.  Bake at 425 for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 and bake for another 25 minutes or until topping is browned.

Berry-licious Summer Salad

1 ½ cups Romaine lettuce centers, thick spines removed, in pieces
2 cups Baby Spinach
½ cup Kale, in pieces
1 quart Wisconsin strawberries, washed, cored, and sliced
1 ping Wisconsin Blueberries, washed
1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
1 can 5 oz water chestnuts, drained and sliced

Combine lettuce, spinach, and kale in a large bowl.  Add sliced strawberries and blueberries.  Fold in water chestnuts and cheese.  Place in serving bowl and refrigerate.  Just prior to serving, pour salad dressing over salad.

Salad Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup Wisconsin honey
2 tsp poppy seed

Stir together mayonnaise, honey and poppy seed until well blended.  Refrigerate until serving.

Berry Delicious Salad

1 ½ heads Romaine hearts
1 small head of Frisse
1 cup blueberries
6 ounces each of red raspberries, golden raspberries, and blueberries
¾ cup toasted pecans

Dressing
3 tablespoons black raspberry vinegar
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
¾ cup sunflower oil
2 teaspoons Agave
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon bruised thyme leaves

Add dressing ingredients to a jar and shake to emulsify.  Gently wash Frisse, Romaine, and berries.  Layer lettuces and berries.  Top with toasted pecans and dress salad.  Serves 4.