Posted: 08.04.2010

The "buy local" movement in Wisconsin has made farmers markets more vibrant then ever, but it's also led to some discourse in the industry.

Olivia Parry, Dane County Institutional Food Marketing Coordinator in Madison, told Pam Jahnke that because a group of Amish growers in Columbia county has relocated - the Badgerland Produce market has closed for 2010, with the hope of reopening next year.

Badgerland Produce, located in Montello, had been a consistent supplier of farm fresh produce for some of Parry's buyers, including schools, restuarants and county government facilities.  Parry tells Jahnke that most of their produce had originated on Amish farms around the area.  But this spring, those Amish growers decided to form their own farmers market location in Dalton.  Badgerland Produce board members decided that they could not supply ample amounts of fresh produce to sustain their regular buyers - so they suspended the 2010 season.  Parry says they group is hoping that some reorganization of the cooperative will allow them to reopen in their original location next year.

Meanwhile, the new Dalton location is doing big business according to Larry Wirth acts as auctioneer and coordinator for the new market.  He tells the WI Farm Report that the coop is exclusively owned by the Amish.  They decided they wanted their own market - which they own and run, but they do allow outside sellers to participate for a fee and announce who those outside sellers are during the sale.  All buyers are welcome.

Wirth says they're a great group to work with.  They've built a pole shed for the weekly sales that's about 160 X 80 - and full every week.  Because of the Amish concentration - 65-70 percent of the weekly produce comes from local Amish growers.  Wirth says the coop was only formed last fall, and his services were enlisted this spring. 

The Tri-County Coop in Dalton is holding weekly sale son Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Wirth says that they don't plan on continuing the market through the winter at this time.  He also noted that supplies of fresh produce are running very strong right now, and he hopes that demand keeps up.  "We'll know a lot more about what direction to go by next spring" Wirth says.

« back to news articles