BELLEVILLE — The May chapter meeting for the Wisconsin Farmers Union South Central Chapter will take place from 5-7:30 p.m. on May 19 at Hop Garden, 6889 Canal Street, Belleville.

The discussion will involve agricultural tourism: What’s possible and to explore possibilities for additional on-farm income.  

Green County recently passed new zoning codes that allow for many new income streams from on-farm sales to events and more. The expert panel will include Sheila Everhart, Acting Executive Director of Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association who will give an overview at the state level of what various counties are up to while Green County Supervisor and Zoning Committee member Sue Nelson will review the changes in Green County’s codes that impact Agricultural Tourism and our economic development. 

Host Rich and Michele Joseph are leaders in the Agricultural Tourism movement in South Central Wisconsin. They grow a variety of hops and vegetables on their 20-acre farm. To monetize their crops, they founded Hop Garden Tap Room in Paoli, where they pour a nice variety of beers and use their produce at their Molina Taqueria also in Paoli. They will talk about their journey through various county zoning obstacles that they have overcome and those that still need to be overcome. 

Hop Garden will be providing their farm-to-table food and beverages for a $5 donation. Meeting open to members and nonmembers alike.

Contact the chapter at wfusouthcentral@gmail.com with any questions.