l o c a 50l * o r g a n i c * p r e m i u m q u a l i t y * l o c a l * o r g a www.VolumeOne.org
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Outstanding in their field Field Road Flowers sustainably grows gorgeous blooms words by rebecca mennecke
T
he Chippewa Valley is a gorgeous place to live, and one local grower is dedicated to keeping it that way by using sustainable farming practices to encourage bountiful – and beautiful – blooms. Lacie Orysen, owner of Field Road Flowers, has always gardened with her mom and sisters, growing vegetables for as long as she can remember. “My gardens have always been my happy place,” she shared. After picking up the book Vegetables Love Flowers by Lisa Mason Ziegler, Orysen decided to add flowers to her vegetable garden. Growing flowers in a veggie garden is a good growing move, Orysen said, as flowers can help with pest control and attracting pollinators. “Little did I know how much we would love having flowers peppered throughout the rows of vegetables,” she said. “It made the process of weeding and harvesting that much more enjoyable, and the gardens that much more pleasing to look at.” In 2019, Orysen picked up another read – this time Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzekein. She thought, “Wow, flower farming? That sounds amazing. I bet I could do that.” That led her to start Field Road Flowers, a sustainably grown handpicked flower farm based in Fall Creek. The name – Field Road Flowers – is inspired by the field roads that criss-cross the farm she grew up on, which is where her flower garden is located. “I liked linking where I came from to where we are headed,” she said, “down a sometimes bumpy path to a fantastic adventure surrounded by God’s amazing creation.” All of Field Road Flowers’ blossoms are planted and harvested by hand. The family composts and uses natural fertilizers – including cow manure, green manure, and green compose –
to maintain and sustain the land they farm. They also use natural remedies for pests and diseases that may pop up. They also want to make supporting local florists – and nabbing gorgeous floral bouquets – possible. “Some of the most gorgeous flowers must be purchased locally, as they don’t travel well,” Orysen said. “We miss out on so many varieties when we primarily use imported flowers.” Orysen estimates that 80% of the cut flowers in the U.S. are imported. “When you get your flowers local,” she said, “you get extra vase life, which means more beauty and happiness in our lives. Why not enjoy what we can grow locally?” The mom of two boys, Orysen is inspired by the outdoors and reading books, though she garners most of her inspiration for her stunning bouquets from tutorial videos and eye-catching
BLOSSOMING BLOOMS. Field Road Flowers sustainably grows flowers. colors. “I search out the most unique flowers, colors, shapes I can find,” she said, “and use my ‘bouquet recipe’ to make sure I have all the ‘ingredients’ to put them together.” Field Road Flowers has a roadside farm stand just south of Fall Creek and offers market bouquets, buck-
ets of blooms, and arrangements for small events by appointment. They also offer a flower subscription this summer! Check them out at fieldroadflowers. com or on their Facebook page at facebook.com/FieldRoadFlowers.
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FARM TECH DAYS ARRIVES!
the long-awaited farm festival in eau claire county will feature attractions for country and city dwellers alike, july 20-22 Words by Tom Giffey
F
armers know better than most people how forces outside of our control can impact life. While society as a whole got a huge reminder of that fact via the pandemic, since time immemorial farmers have been at the mercy of the rain, the sun, and other uncontrollable forces of nature. And so it’s no surprise they acted quickly when the pandemic forced the cancelation of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days last year. Eric Rygg, president of Eau Claire’s Huntsinger Farms and Silver Spring Foods, was all set to host the massive, statewide agricultural event last summer when the pandemic hit. He recalled recently that he only had a day or two to decide whether to agree to host the event instead in 2021. Rescheduling was an easy decision: Years of planning had already gone
into bringing the traveling event to Eau Claire County for the first time in nearly 30 years. With more than 45,000 attendees and hundreds of exhibitors expected, the impact on the community and the region’s farms and agribusinesses would be huge. “My family is really honored to take advantage of the opportunity to host this show,” Rygg said. Like countless Wisconsinites, Rygg has deep roots – in this case, horseradish roots – in the state’s soil: In 1929, his great-grandfather, Ellis Huntsinger, founded what is now the world’s largest grower and processor of horseradish. Farm Technology Days – originally known as Farm Progress Days – began in 1954 as a way of educating farmers about how they could take advantage of electricity to improve their operations. Fast forward to 2021, where the host farm – just
south of Eau Claire on Highway 37 – gets more than 18% of its electricity from solar panels. The Solar Farm will be just one of bumper crop of attractions at Farm Technology Days, which will run July 20-22. The event isn’t just for farmers, of course, but for anyone curious about the impact of agriculture on our community and economy. There will be farm tours, a massive tent city, an area jam-packed with activities for kids, and an event stage where regional favorite singer/ songwriter Chris Kroeze will perform all three days. “We’ve got something for everyone and then some,” said Mike Gintner, chair of the Eau Claire County Executive Committee. “We’ve taken the extra year we’ve had to plan an even better show.” Among the many attractions are:
FARM TOURS. Attendees can take
a bus tour of the host farm (what better way to learn all the spicy facts about horseradish?) as well as nearby Nellie’s Holsteins (a fourthand fifth-generation dairy farm), and do a slow drive-by of Ferguson’s Orchards (a big ag tourism destination and one of the Midwest’s largest apple producers).
INNOVATION SQUARE. At the
center of the huge tent city of 480 exhibitors just down the road from the Huntsinger home farm visitors will find Innovation Square, which will feature displays from five of the biggest, most innovative agricultural operations in the region: Menomonie-based Chippewa Valley Bean Company, the largest grower and processor of kidney beans in the world; Eau Claire’s Ferguson’s Orchards, grower of 37 varieties of apples; Marieke Gouda, the national and international award-winning cheesemakers from Thorp; Superior Fresh of Hixton, the world’s largest aquaponic farm, which grows leafy greens and Atlantic Salmon; and, naturally, Silver Spring Foods itself.
YOUTH TENT AND CAREER DISCOVERY ZONE. “A jam-
packed tent that will entertain and educate kids of all ages and connect high school students to great training opportunities,” organizers say. And kids who complete an activity guide will earn a free scoop of Culver’s custard!
RURAL EVENT CENTER. This
stage will host performances by Kroeze and other musicians, as well as visits from Alice in Dairyland and Inga Witscher of Around the Farm Table, plus informational and educational sessions.
not horsing around Huntsinger Farms is the largest grower and processor of horseradish in the world. 52
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TONS OF TRACTORS. In addition to more than 200 older tractors and farm implements on display in the
heritage area, the event will host the Wisconsin FFA High School Tractor Driving Contest and a Pedal Push Tractor Pull each day (for kids and adults). If you’re looking for something with a little more horsepower, John Deere will be on hand providing the chance to ride and drive a variety of trucks, utility vehicles, and ATVs. Rygg emphasized that Farm Tech Days is for everyone in the Chippewa Valley – farmers, rural residents, and city dwellers alike. “We want people in the community to come out,” he said. “This is a way to support the community after a year of hardship.”
Wisconsin farm technology days When: July 20-22, 9am-4pm Where: Huntsinger Farms, W3020 Mitchell Road, Eau Claire Tickets: Single day, $10; threeday pass, $25; five-person family pack for a single day, $40. Learn More: wifarmtechdays.org
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Mondovi’s Farm to Fork
Pizza at Dancing Yarrow
(known locally as the “Hippie Farm”) recently introduced their latest event series, Campfire Conversations. The series aims to talk about agriculture, such as the Farm to Fork program pictured in these 2018 photos.
LIGHTING UP NEW COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS new farm-based series invites friends and neighbors for inspirational agricultural discussions Words by Keely Khoury | Photos by Rachel Worthing
M
ondovi’s Farm to Fork Pizza at Dancing Yarrow is excited to introduce its latest event series, Campfire Conversations. Held in partnership with the Eau Claire County Farmer’s Union on the second Sunday of every month, the evenings bring together people interested in exploring the local food movement, land regeneration, health, healing, and more. Beginning in June, two to three local experts will speak about their passions and projects before opening up the conversation for wider discussion. Yoga instructors, beekeepers, and farm owners Maria Bamonti and Tommy Folden were inspired by the connections they saw being made at the pizza nights they hosted last summer. “Until we are all talking about sustainability and regenerative living, there isn’t enough of us talking about it,” Bamonti said.
“Plus, farming can be lonely,” she continued. “There is always so much that comes up in a day and a season, so to have others to talk things through with and ask questions of is a huge opportunity to learn and build.” Campfire Conversations are an important part of the duo’s work to build a vibrant local food system that strengthens connections, helping to improve understanding of the links between food, the environment, and our health. Campfire Conversations run from 6-8pm on the second Sunday of every month from June to October, and are free to attend. Dancing Yarrow’s bar will be open to serve drinks and light snacks. Farm to Fork pizza nights are 5-9pm every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through Sept. 23. Learn more at facebook.com/dancingyarrow.
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KEEP IT FRESH: LISTINGS AND RESOURCES Compiled by James Johonnott
PICK YOUR OWN PRODUCE FARMS Augusta Blueberries E27020 E Branch Rd., Fairchild • augustablueberries.com Blueberries.
Blueberry Ridge Orchard E2795 Hageness
Rd., Eleva • facebook.com/blueberryridgeorchard Blueberries, apples, plums.
Bushel and a Peck Market 18444 County Hwy
OO, Chippewa Falls • BushelAndaPeckMarket. com Apples, raspberries, plums and on-site bakery with honey, jams, jellies and syrups.
Connell’s Family Orchard 19372 Co. Hwy
OO, Chippewa Falls • connellsfamilyorchard. com Cherries, blueberries, and apples. Store features pies, ice cream, caramel apples, jams, honeys, and salsa.
MoonRise Farm W2161 County Rd. KK, Nelson
• Facebook.com/MoonRiseFarmCSA Providing weekly deliveries of a diverse group of produce sustainably grown for a reasonable price. MoonRise Farm offers a variety of vegetables, herbs, and fresh-cut flowers that are naturally and sustainably grown for CSA members.
Solheim Market Garden • solheimwi.com A Sol-
heim Market Share costs $420/season and gets you a box of produce every week of the growing season. A full share is enough to help feed 2-3 people weekly. Pick up is Saturday morning or Thursday evening at The Coffee Grounds.
N6134 670th St, Menomonie • govinsmeatsandberries.com Strawberries and naturally raised beef, free-range chicken, and lamb.
Sunbow Farm W4620 Langdell Rd, Eau Claire
Grampa Glenn’s Organic Strawberries W11280
Cty Rd. B, Humbird • facebook.com/GrampaGlennsCertifiedOrganicStrawberries Certified organic strawberries.
Little Berry Farm W1832 Maple Rd., Eau Claire • littleberryfarmec.com Strawberries and raspberries grown without chemicals or sprays.
Mac’s Berries 10439 130th Ave., Bloomer • (715) 568-1672 Strawberries and pea pods.
Local & Regional CSAs Blue Ox Organics Wheeler • (715) 352-0717 •
blueoxorganics.com A reliable producer of whole lamb and winter produce. CSA membership features produce. This farm is looking to revitalize the land around it with sustainable farming practices. Call to arrange a visit.
Breezy Knoll Farm N14014 Fairview Road, Fair-
child • (715) 206-0517 • localharvest.org Receive a bountiful harvest of fresh, seasonal, locally grown produce and herbs every week. Also avail-
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cvproduce.com This 17-week CSA offers weekly free home delivery of eggs, meats, a wide variety of produce including broccoli, peppers, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, watermelon, corn, pumpkins, squash, herbs, heirloom tomatoes, and more.
Square Roots Farm E9985 W. Mallard Rd., Fall
Govin’s Meats & Berries
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Chippewa Valley Produce (715) 797-2719 •
Foster Farms Strawberries W. Robin Rd., Foster • facebook.com/FosterFarmsStrawberries Srawberries.
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able is a weekly share of 1 dozen large eggs.
Creek • squarerootsfarm.com Chemical-free vegetables are delivered from their farm directly to your door every week. The summer share is 6-12 different vegetables for 18 weeks. Each fall box contains roughly 30 pounds of root vegetables.
• sunbowfarm.com Serving the Chippewa Valley with fresh, local, green-grown produce, chicken, lamb, and certified organic herbs since 2003. Sunbow believes in connecting people to the land so all of their shares require an agreement to help at the farm. Members can help with planting, weeding, maintenance, and picking.
Thornfield 330th Ave., Menomonie • thornfield-
garden.com Twenty five acres of garden, field and woods where fruit, vegetables, honey and hops are produced as sustainably as possible. A source of very fresh, organically grown produce that tastes better than almost anything you can find at a store.
Together Farms W93 Norden Rd., Mondovi • to-
getherfarms.com Striving to raise the healthiest, happiest animals with lots of minerals and pasture, 100% grass-fed/finished beef, lamb, pasture pork, chicken, turkey, and duck. GMO-free and no MSG, nitrates, or other unpronounceable ingredients.
Winnowburrow Farm N9396 County Rd G,
Colfax • winnowburrow.com Winnowburrow is unique in that it strives too produce exclusively heirloom produce. CSA boxes include flowers, herbs, mushrooms, eggs from heritage breed chickens, and a wide assortment of nutrient-dense heirloom produce.
Visit Marieke Gouda 200 W Liberty Drive Thorp, WI
Tour the Farm
Cuddle the Calves
Eat at the Cafe
Shop for cheese and local items
Watch us handcraft our cheese
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HARVEST SCHEDULE Get your food when it was meant to be gotten! Make sure you’re buying your stuff in season! Don’t know when that is? Here’s a handy chart that should last you through the summer.
JUL
AUG
SEPT
OCT
A S PA R A G U S GREEN ONIONS RADISHES RHUBARB SPINACH LET TUCE B O K C H OY EDIBLE POD PEAS SNOW PEAS GARDEN PEAS Z U CC H I N I GREEN BEANS WA X B E A N S CUCUMBERS B R O CCO L I P OTATO E S MUSHROOMS BEETS C A R R OT S KOHLRABI C AU L I F LO W E R S W E E T CO R N TO M ATO E S S U M M E R S Q UA S H CABBAGE PEPPERS EGGPLANT M E LO N S DRY ONIONS W I N T E R S Q UA S H PUMPKINS
BERRIES
FRESH CUT DRIED S T R AW B E R R I E S RASPBERRIES B LU E B E R R I E S PEACHES BLACKBERRIES APPLES
OT H E R S
F LO W E R S
VEGGIES
JUN
FA R M F R E S H E G G S DAIRY PRODUC TS HONEY M E AT
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