The last night of June was a beauty. Clear skies and calm winds after a week of rain. Lucky for me, I was able to spend the early evening at Zephyr Group Garden in Stoughton, Wisconsin. While the area is traditionally a dairy farm region of the state, John and Robin Greenler have successfully carved out an area for produce farming and have been part of Madison-area CSA movement since 1993.
Sitting between rows of produce and fruit trees John and Robin recounted the history of the Madison Community Supported Agriculture movement, and the transformation that their farm has taken over the years. Originally a 55 acre farm managed by John and Robin, the Zephyr Group Garden now consists of twelve families who share equally in maintaining just three acres of produce. The remaining land has been converted into a restored prairie.
It took more than five years for John and Robin to restore the native plants and even longer for the insects, birds, and animals to return. But on the calm evening, birds twittered and insects buzzed in the long grasses as John and Robin checked the progress of their garlic planted less than 50 yards away. It seemed like everything was right at home.
Behind the Scenes Dispatch by:
Lauren Knoche, a member of the EngageWisconsin team
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PARTICIPATE: Are you a Wisconsin resident who actively seeks to become self-sustainable? Are you attempting to make your life as green as possible, working to decrease your carbon imprint? Do you participate – on any level – in community gardens or Community Share Agriculture? If you can answer yes to any of the above and you’re willing to share your story, please contact Lauren Knoche via email – lauren.knoche@engagewisconsin.org – for more information.
SUSTAINABLE WISCONSIN is inspired by recent the POV documentary Food, Inc., as well as the current social trends of “sustainability” and “green living” shown through Wisconsin Public Television’s Wisconsin Foodie and In Wisconsin. This project will work to support the themes of sustainable agriculture discussed in these films by collecting stories from citizens working to make their lives and communities more “green.” Sustainable Wisconsin will focus on Community Supported Agriculture, Community Gardens, and Initiatives dedicated to making food in our state healthier and more sustainable. Sustainable Wisconsin also has a You & How To project, a participatory section which will share contributor’s and viewer’s opinions and “how to” advice on becoming more green.
