MONROE — For three days and with five unique components and involving more than 20 farms, the Soil Sisters culinary event from Aug. 3 to 5 will celebrate Wisconsin’s family farms and rural life in and around the farming communities of Monroe, Brodhead, New Glarus and Blanchardville.
This 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 30 to Aug. 5, an official proclamation by Gov. Walker made to showcase the growth and impact of this movement in Wisconsin.
Recently featured in “Midwest Living,” “Modern Farmer” and “Living the Country Life” and the recipient of a 2018 Edible Madison Local Food Hero award, 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.
Soil Sisters is a venture of the Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation, in partnership with the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service and Renewing the Countryside.
Soil Sisters offers a range of on-farm “green acres” immersive workshops, from preserving the harvest to cheesemaking to a behind the scenes peek at what it would be like running your own farm.
Dining events featuring items raised by the Soil Sisters include the Taste of Place at Cow and Quince restaurant, Farm to Table Dinner at Dorothy’s Range and a Pizza on the Farm fundraiser held at Inn Serendipity. Additionally, restaurants feature specials throughout the weekend showcasing local ingredients.
During the Tour of Farms Aug. 5, five farms will offer free tours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vegetable farm recipes, grilled meats and other seasonal specialties will be offered at fundraising lunch stands during the Sunday Tour of Farms at Riemer Family Farm and Raleigh’s Hillside Farm, both in Brodhead.
The Soil Sisters event is a weekend celebration that includes:
♦ Green Acres: In Her Boots, a day long, hands-on program for aspiring women farmers. Facilitated by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES); from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3; ticketed event.
♦ Taste of Place at Cow and Quince restaurant: Kick-off the weekend at this local food celebration; from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 3; ticketed event.
♦ Green Acres Workshops: On-farm, hands-on fun and educational workshops; Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 5; at various times and locations; ticketed events.
♦ Farm to Table Dinner hosted by Dorothy’s Range with a sit-down dinner featuring heritage pork; from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 4; ticketed event.
♦ Pizza on the Farm fundraising meal hosted by Inn Serendipity, featuring made-to-order personal pizzas with local, award-winning Emmi Roth cheeses and root beer floats; from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; children under 2 free; ticketed event.
♦ Tour of Farms: Farm stands are open at five farms, sharing eggs, fresh produce, cut flowers and hand-crafted items; tours throughout the day with some farms offering special demonstrations or activities. Delicious fundraising lunch stands featuring farm-raised ingredients at Riemer Family Farm and Raleigh’s Hillside Farm. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 5; free event; food for purchase.
♦ Dine Fine: Numerous participating restaurants feature menu specials. Aug. 3 to Aug. 5; specials vary by participating restaurants.
Soil Sisters is made possible by the Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation, the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service and Renewing the Countryside. Additional sponsors or media partners include Edible Madison, Emmi Roth USA, Green County Tourism, Green County Economic Development Corporation, Adunate Word and Design, Cedar Crest Ice Cream, and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
