Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Meet CSA farmers at Urban Ecology Center’s annual open house

- Carol Deptolla Contact dining critic Carol Deptolla at carol.deptolla@jrn.com or (414) 224-2841.

Here’s your chance to learn more about CSAs directly from the farmers who supply the produce, and about a CSF, too — communitys­upported fishery, that is.

The local-farmer open house returns to the east side Urban Ecology Center on Saturday with a dozen farmers from southeaste­rn Wisconsin on hand, as well as a representa­tive from Sitka Salmon Shares, a cooperativ­e of small-boat anglers who catch Alaskan fish.

Attendees will be able to order CSF and CSA (community-supported agricultur­e) boxes for the next season at the event.

The event is open to all. Admission is free, and the open house will have activities for children, who can explore how plants grow and how to grow vegetables, play farmthemed games, learn about pollinator­s and plant seedlings to take home.

The farmers at the open house use sustainabl­e growing methods, and Sitka anglers use sustainabl­e fishing methods.

Attendees can learn about produce and fish subscripti­on options offered by the farmers and anglers.

“Eating healthy doesn’t always mean it’s going to be expensive, and the open house will provide people with affordable options,” Meghan Forseth, branch manager at Riverside Park, said in announcing the event.

Attendees can check out several workshops while they’re at the open house:

CSA Basics — Learn how community-supported agricultur­e works and how to select a farm. 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Cooking demonstrat­ion with Simple Cafe — The demo will show how to cook with ingredient­s from farms. 12:15 p.m.

Cooking From Your CSA Box — Expect recipes for quick, healthful meals, tips and resources for cooking seasonally. 1:45 p.m.

Simple Cafe, a brunch restaurant on the east side and in Lake Geneva that gets ingredient­s from local producers, will sell lunch at the event.

The open house is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1500 E. Park Place, in Riverside Park.

 ?? COURTESY OF ERIN BLOODGOOD ?? The annual local farmer open house is Saturday at the east side Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Place.
COURTESY OF ERIN BLOODGOOD The annual local farmer open house is Saturday at the east side Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Place.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States