We are pleased to announce that we have once again awarded funds to six new initiatives that extend our mission in Southwest Wisconsin and address the issues raised in our Rural Listening/Networking Sessions held in 2018. We evaluated the applications using the following criteria: the project 1) addresses a significant community issue; 2) outlines a thoughtful, innovative plan to confront the issue; 3) builds a network of individuals/groups to collaborate on the issue and 4) demonstrates energy and commitment to achieve stated goals. We were energized by our review of all the applications. They reaffirm the good efforts our networks are taking to create thriving rural communities in Southwest Wisconsin.
To see short descriptions of our 2022 Seed Money projects, please click here.
We are grateful to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, Compeer Financial and individual contributors for making this initiative possible. And we are grateful for all who are working to support our farmers and build vibrant rural communities in Southwest Wisconsin.
We celebrated the work of our 2021 Seed Money recipients on Friday, December 3, 2021 from 7:00-8:30 pm via Zoom. Roger Williams, UW-Extension Professor Emeritus and Network Board Member and Treasurer, started the evening with a brief update on Food, Faith and Farming Network. We then heard our 2021 Seed Money recipients' stories. They inspired us with their passion and commitment to building vibrant and sustainable rural communities. All who attended were reenergized as they heard about projects they had been unaware of and reconnected with others in their networks. All are looking forward to building new relationships with each other. The program left attendees with gratitude for the work being done and hope for the future.
Roger ended the evening with an aknowledgment of all of the good work shared by our presenters. He announced that we will again be offering Seed Money in 2022 thanks to the generous donations of the Sinsinawa Dominicans, Compeer Financial and our individual donors.
If you were unable to join us on December 3rd, you can access a recording of the event here.
In early 2018, Food, Faith and Farming Network held a series of listening/networking sessions with farmers and community members in Southwest Wisconsin. The sessions resulted in the Network establishing a Seed Money Initiative to support projects that address issues raised in the sessions. The number of projects and total amount of Seed Money distributed has steadily increased, growing from a total of $8,595 given to 6 programs in 2019 to a total of $12,700 to 10 projects in 2021. Descriptions of the projects we have supported since 2019 be found here.
We are grateful to all who are working in Southwest Wisconsin to support our farmers and build vibrant rural communities.
Jeff Wild, our Master Gardener, is the author of a recently published book, Forty Days with Jerry Apps. The book provides daily reflections on quotes from Jerry App’s prolific writings on growing up in rural Wisconsin. We are grateful to Jeff for generously donating 50% of the proceeds from the sale of the books to Food, Faith and Farming Network. Jeff hopes that “readers will find kernels of meaning in these meditations which will lead them to wonder, to explore, and to make connections in the time and place that they inhabit.” To order the book, go to www.littlecreekpress.com. To contact Jeff, email him at jtwild@gmail.com.
As the 2021-2022 Winter Market season comes to a close, we are thankful for the connections that were made, the support that was given and the fellowship we experienced at each event. It truly is a blessing to celebrate and enjoy the bounty of products sourced locally and sold at our markets by a variety of vendors.
As we look forward to next season, we challenge ourselves to find unique ways to support local farmers and producers, and to educate congregations and surrounding communities we work with on the importance of buying locally sourced and sustainably grown products. We invite you join us in this mission during our 2022-2023 season!
Interested in knowing more? Please contact Lynn Parkhurst, Milwaukee Area Winter Farmers Market Coordinator, at lynnparkhurstfffn@gmail.com.
It is with great pleasure that we announce the introduction of our Gardening Project. Master Gardener, Jeff Wild, retired pastor at Advent Lutheran on Madison’s West Side, has agreed to volunteer his time to foster the development of congregational gardens with Wisconsin faith communities. The goal of this project is to encourage faith communities to grow healthy produce for congregational members and for the wider community through local food pantries.
Establishing congregational gardens further benefits faith communities as they train and educate congregants in sustainable gardening techniques and deepen their relationships with each other. The hope is that through gardening projects congregants will nurture the relationship between the food they eat and their faith’s calling to care for God’s creation. We also encourage congregations to incorporate the principles learned through gardening into their mission statements.
Jeff Wild has a wealth of experience in developing gardens. He founded the Madison Christian Community Food Pantry Garden early on in his tenure as pastor at Advent Lutheran. The garden has grown to be one of the best congregational gardens in Wisconsin. Representing Food, Faith and Farming Network, Jeff will be visiting existing gardens to conduct in-depth listening sessions, offering consultation aimed at starting or improving gardening efforts, and gathering garden managers to share best practices and support each other.
He will also be compiling a list and map of congregational gardens in southern Wisconsin, conducting and sharing the results of a survey, and exploring ways to encourage collaboration between rural and urban congregations around gardening efforts.
If you would like to share the story of your congregation's gardening project, participate in the survey or consult with Jeff, contact him at jtwild@gmail.com.
