Annual Event Charts Sunny New Course on County-line Farm by Tony Ends
BRODHEAD – Tour the Farm Day is changed this year, featuring solar energy uses, alternative farm and income ideas and May Day fun at one location.
Nine area producers and four organizations will come to Scotch Hill Farm on Sunday, May 1, to take part in the free educational and family event.
Solar food drying, which hosts Dela and Tony Ends have been teaching on Farmer to Farmer volunteer assignments in Africa, is just one of the scheduled offerings.
The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at 910 Scotch Hill Road, about 3 miles northeast of Brodhead in Rock County.
Midwest Renewable Energy Association and North Wind Renewable Energy of Stevens Point will table information, featuring solar energy installation ideas.
North Wind, an associate Wisconsin Farmers Union member, has been a solar installer in Wisconsin since 2007. To date, it has installed nearly 200 solar electric systems in Wisconsin, approaching 2 megawatts of capacity.
“We’re grateful Brodhead Chamber of Commerce started Tour the Farm Day 8 years ago,” said Dela Ends, who shared organic vegetable crop production information annually in the tour.
“It’s gratifying to see the event this year find new direction, drawing in so many new family producers from Green and neighboring counties,” she said. “We want it to be a fun way for everyone to share what they do in their small farms and businesses with the public.”
Tour the Farm Day previously included a variety of farms in a circuit around the city. Wisconsin Farmers Union’s (WFU) new South Central Chapter has picked up and greatly enlarged the event, with the Ends family hosting in one location.
Producers in the chapter will share information on a variety of small business, farm-related and entrepreneurial topics. Families and children are welcome. They’ll connect with WFU members making products in their own food shed.
Jams, jellies, canned goods, maple syrup, meats, wool, eggs, spring greens, milk soap, beaded jewelry, alpaca products – all produced locally, are on the May Day agenda at Scotch Hill.
Coffee roasting and spinning demonstrations are planned, in addition to solar drying and preserving of vegetables and fruits. Anna Landmark will attend with her award-winning specialty cheeses.
Admission is free. The first 20 people attending will receive a free copy of “Renewing the Countryside Wisconsin,” a book that sells for $26.95.
A ploughman’s lunch, also May Pole activities for children, in an English tradition are planned. Donations for the lunch will benefit the chapter activities.
A cookie bar benefit sale will promote local WFU advocacy for cooperative and rural development. A bill before the state Legislature would legalize home and farmstead baked goods sales in direct transactions on a small scale.
An earlier bill on home canning and pickle making and sales was enacted into state law with WFU support 3 years ago. Educational books on preserving foods are on sale at the May 1 event.
Lower Sugar River Watershed and Green County Defending our Farmland will be on hand May 1 at Scotch Hill. They’ll inform the public about their work conserving and protecting local resources.
“Expanded involvement in what was formerly Tour the Farm Day,” Ends said, “is an expression of renewed engagement of local citizens in our community and its health.
“We’re pleased our farm of 22 years can serve as a connecting point for so much to learn, so much to enjoy. The goal is to help us all keep our region of Wisconsin a great place to live and work.”
Direct questions about the event to WFU chapter Secretary Dela Ends, by email or 608 897-4288.
A map and driving directions to the farm are at www.scotchhillfarm.com