When I think about the holidays, I often ponder what to give my family and friends during this time of year. Are you looking for last minute holidays gifts? The Something Special from Wisconsin (SSfW) program has many options that are perfect for the gifting season. No matter who is on your holidays gifting list, there are many ways to find something special, while also supporting our local farmers and agribusinesses.

Since 1983, the SSfW program has been trademarked through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Keep an eye out for products bearing the SSfW logo. The oval-shaped logo with a red background and white and yellow lettering carries a meaningful message: when you see it, you can be assured at least 50 percent of the item’s ingredients, production, or processing has come from right here in Wisconsin. 

With nearly 450 businesses participating in the program, there is something for everyone ranging from handmade cutting boards, cheese, snack foods, sweets, seasonings, and more.

Give the gift of Wisconsin ginseng. Ginseng Extract from Wisconsin Grown Ginseng LLC is an all-natural American ginseng root extract and is a great way to naturally boost energy, improve focus and support healthy immune system function. Ginseng has many potential health benefits and Wisconsin Grown Ginseng has some great products to consider. Ginseng Root Extract can easily be added into beverages. With its unique bittersweet taste, it is best mixed with honey or some apple cider. Wisconsin Grown Ginseng LLC is located in Marathon County near Wausau. Learn more at WisconsinGrownGinseng.com/.

Waupaca’s Dancing Bear Apiary has offered pure, raw, unfiltered honey — straight from their own bees to your table — since 1976.They offer bottled raw honey, comb honey (which some say is the best tasting), Artisanal Crème Honey, and more. Honey can be used on its own, in tea, on cheese, and as a

substitute for sugar. Find out how you can get your hands on some of this terrific Wisconsin honey at MainStreet-MarketPlace.com/collections.

Do you have anyone on your holiday shopping list who loves tea? Urbal Tea, blended in Milwaukee, has tea flavor options for everyone. Urbal Tea focuses on functional medicine and is full of beneficial nutrients. Their tea is hand-blended in Wisconsin and packed inside organic plant-based tea bags. Find your next tea to try at UrbalHealth.com.  

Stuff stockings with chocolates from Driftless Chocolates made in Belleville. These handmade delicacies come in a variety of flavors like sea salt honey caramels (made with Wisconsin honey) and pecan caramels. These are packaged with the perfect amount to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. Browse the flavor selections at DriftlessChocolates.com.

These are only a few of the unique gift possibilities in the Something Special from Wisconsin program. By purchasing these products, you are not only supporting local Wisconsin businesses, you are keeping those dollars in Wisconsin Communities. 

To find more local holiday gifting ideas, visit www.SomethingSpecialWI.com. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

— Julia Nunes is Wisconsin’s 73rd Alice in Dairyland.