Farmers join in locally-grown talent show

Dancing farmers in Duluth and the promise of fresh greens in Solon Springs are local signs spring has sprung.

Area farmers have many talents. Some of them will be on display tonight during the “Farmers Take the Stage” event from 7-9 p.m. at Amazing Grace Bakery and Café in Canal Park. Audience members can expect music, skits, poetry and maybe even a soliloquy about chicken hugging.

“This year’s program once again promises to be a fun filled night of a talent variety as well as great fellowship,” said Michelle Cartier, president of the Lake Superior Sustainable Farming Association. The association, which lists 51 area farmers in its Superior Grown directory, supports sustainable farming systems in a 16-county region with innovation, demonstration and farmer-to-farmer networking.

“As an organization, we believe that sustainable, locally-grown food is not only healthier but also contributes to a better quality of life while having a positive effect on the local environment and community,” Cartier said.

The member-supported organization holds fundraisers like the talent show to generate revenue for programs — including field sessions, speakers and educational opportunities. A suggested donation for the show is $15 for adults and $10 for students. For more information on the association and the Superior Grown farmers director, visit the website at http://lssfa.org/.

Open market

A possible bumper crop of strawberries and new items such as edamame will be offered this summer at the Solon Springs Farmers Market. Although the weekly market closed down for the holidays, it reopened in February. Honey, homemade noodles, pastry filling, eggs and basic cold weather pantry items can be found at the market, which opens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Friday at the Solon Springs Community Center. But Arleen Schindler, who runs the market with her husband Jerry, said fresh items could start to appear next month.

“We have our fingers crossed for hopefully Easter with early asparagus, early greens and this followed by strawberries within a few weeks,” Schindler said. “We have some great bakers so in April they should have some great holiday sweets to offer.”

A number of seniors stop by each week to talk food with the folks at the farmers market.

“They are getting ready for some ‘fresh’ food, but understand the snow just left us,” Schindler said.

Grower friends have been keeping the Schindlers appraised on strawberry growth, claiming it will be a bumper crop this year.

“They were most likely looking under that garden cover again,” Schindler said.

The introduction of fresh salad greens and herbs should make spring in Solon very tasteful, she said.

Over the summer, visitors who stop by the market can expect fresh vegetables and fruit selections grown locally without chemicals. Local crafters also offer homemade goods for sale at the weekly market.

New items will be available this summer. The Solon Springs Garden Club, for example, plans to plant edamame, a type of soybean where the beans are eaten green. Schindler said she’s collecting recipes to hand out along with the new vegetable.

For more information or to sell your own produce, contact Schindler at (715) 378-4429 or email asnorthwoods@centurytel.net. Local growers are also featured in the Locally Grown Food and Fiber Director for Northwestern Wisconsin, which can be accessed through the Upper St. Croix Vitality website at http://upperstcroixvitality.org.

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