The cover of the 2012 Farm Fresh Atlas
If you are a farmer or local business that wants to attract more customers in the Milwaukee Metropolitan area, then the 2013 Farm Fresh Atlas of Southeastern Wisconsin is for you! The Atlas features local farmers and farmers’ markets.
“We are developing this Atlas to meet consumers’ renewed interest in choosing where their food comes from.†says Rose Skora with Kenosha/Racine Counties UW-Extension. “Consumers want the freshest, best-tasting and healthiest food available. Additionally, they want to help preserve farms as part of the local landscape. The Atlas will let people know where and how to buy directly from growers.â€
Even with all the backbreaking work that farmers have to do, sometimes the hardest thing they must face is marketing their products.
“The Farm Fresh Atlas of Southeastern Wisconsin is the primary advertising source for our small honey and bees wax operation,” said Lois Fulton of Old Corbett Road Apiary in Kenosha. “We are very pleased with the service and value that the Atlas provides. Surprisingly, we even had customers from northern Illinois find us by using the Atlas. The farmers’ market feature has also been valuable in directing customers to our Kenosha market. We applaud the Farm Fresh Atlas statewide as a supporter of the local sustainable food movement in Wisconsin.”
Farmers who sell directly to consumers, through on-farm sales, farm stands, farmers’ markets, CSA’s, or U-Pick operations or through other methods can be listed in the Atlas. Any food related business that also supports farmers such as cheese factories, food co-ops, restaurants, bakeries, meat processors and others can participate as a business sponsor. The cost to list a farm in the Atlas is $50. Businesses listings are $175. There will also be ad space available for businesses who would like that option. New this year is an early bird registration that ends Nov. 9. Costs go up slightly after that date. Final applications are due Dec. 12. Atlases will be available for distribution beginning in March of 2013. 80,000 Atlases will be printed and distributed in 2013 at farmers’ markets, through participating farms and businesses and through tourism and convention bureaus, public libraries, and events such as county fairs. Target counties include Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Dodge, Jefferson and Rock Counties. Additionally, farms outside of this area can be included if they sell their products within these target counties. All farm and businesses who list in the hard copy version will also have their information on the website, which is http:// www.farmfreshatlas.org/southeast/ . For more information, or to request application materials, contact Rose Skora, Agriculture Educator for Kenosha/Racine Counties UW-Extension at 262-857-1945, or rose.skora@ces.uwex.edu. Applications are also available on the website at http:// www.farmfreshatlas.org/southeast/.
