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Few events capture the summer season in southeastern Wisconsin like a farmers market does, with local farmers hawking the goods of their harvest to the tune of live music and freshly brewed coffee. Food vendors join in the fun, too, dishing up eats like crepes, pastries, tamales and meaty breakfast sandwiches for morning fare. Nearly every neighborhood now has a farmers market, making it easy to score in-season, locally grown produce. Don’t be shy in chatting up the farmers: many love to share their love for the land and the stories behind the edibles they harvest. This includes recipes—so you can feel comfortable cooking with kohlrabi for the first time, for example. Getting to know the farmers is the next best thing to visiting the farm, after all!
Wisconsin ranks number-two in the nation in its number of organic farms—second only to California, bigger in land mass and blessed with year-round growing weather—and this dedication shows. Most of the farmers you’ll meet at farmers markets, while they might not be certified-organic, believe in growing using sustainable methods (in other words, no pesticides or chemicals).
And if you hunger for a more in-depth farm experience, consider booking an elegant-but-rustic dinner on a Wisconsin farm this fall. Another way to get to know your local farmers is to sign up for a CSA, which is a community-supported agriculture project. Paying a flat fee at the beginning of the growing season (in spring) ensures you get a delivery of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables up until the month of November. To sweeten the deal, many local farms host events just for their CSA members—or you can always book a visit on your own, and be treated to a tour. Have a green thumb? By being a workshare volunteer at a local farm, this means you get free fruits and vegetables in exchange for your hard work.
TUESDAY
Where: 6501 W. National Ave., West Allis
When: noon-6 p.m.; May 3-Nov. 26, 2016
What: Fondy Market at Schlitz Park
Where: Schlitz Park, 1555 N. Rivercenter Drive, Milwaukee (downtown)
When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; June 28-Oct. 4, 2016
What: Thiensville Village Farmers Market
Where: Village Park, 250 Elm St., Thiensville
When: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; June 21-Oct. 25, 2016
WEDNESDAY
What: Westown Farmers Market
Where: Zeidler Union Square, 301 W. Michigan St., Milwaukee (downtown)
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; June 1-Oct. 26, 2016
Where: Marketplace Shopping Center, 9078 N. Green Bay Road, Brown Deer
When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; June 15-Oct. 26, 2016
What: Cudahy Farmers Market
Where: 3500 Library Drive, Cudahy
When: 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; June 15-Oct. 12, 2016
What: Elm Grove Village Market
Where: 13230 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove (Ray’s Auto Service)
When: 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; June 8-July 19, 2016
THURSDAY
Where: 130 W. Bruce St., Milwaukee (Walker’s Point)
When: 4 p.m.-8 p.m. (fourth Thursday of the month only); June-September
What: Walker Square Farmers Market
Where: Walker Square Park, South 9th and West Washington Streets (Walker’s Point)
When: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; June 4-Oct. 29, 2016
Where: Jackson Park, 3500 W. Forest Ave., Milwaukee (Jackson Park)
When: 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m.; June 9-Sept. 29, 2016
Where: 6501 W. National Ave., West Allis
When: noon-6 p.m.; May 3-Nov. 26, 2016
Where: South 11th Avenue and Milwaukee Avenue, South Milwaukee
When: 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; June 2-Oct. 13, 2016
What: Grafton Farmers Market
Where: Grafton High School, 1950 Washington St., Grafton
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; July 7-Aug. 25, 2016
FRIDAY
What: Cedarburg Farmers Market
Where: behind Cedarburg Cultural Center (on Mill Street), W62 N 546 Washington Ave., Cedarburg
When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; June 10-Oct. 14, 2016
SATURDAY
Where: South Shore Park, 2900 S. Shore Drive, Milwaukee (Bay View)
When: 8 a.m.-noon; June 18-Oct. 15, 2016
What: Cathedral Square Market
Where: 520 E. Wells St., Milwaukee (East Town)
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; June 4-Oct. 1, 2016 (no market on July 2 or 16)
What: Wauwatosa Farmers Market
Where: 7720 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa (near Little Red Store); at Hart Park Pavilion on Sept. 10, 2016, only
When: 8 a.m.-noon; June 4-Oct. 15, 2016
What: Whitefish Bay Farmers Market
Where: East Silver Spring Drive and North Berkeley Boulevard, Whitefish Bay
When: 8 a.m.-noon; July 9-Oct. 1, 2016
Where: 6501 W. National Ave., West Allis
When: 1 p.m.-6 p.m.; May 3-Nov. 26, 2016
Where: 4550 S. Brust Ave., St. Francis
When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; June 18-Oct. 29, 2016
Where: East St. Paul Avenue and Broadway Avenue, Milwaukee (Historic Third Ward)
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; June 4-Sept. 24, 2016
What: Greendale Open Market
Where: Broad Street Village Center, between Northway and Schoolway in downtown Greendale
When: 8 a.m.-noon; June 25, July 9 & 23, Aug. 6, 20 & 27, Sept. 10, 17 & 24, Oct. 8
Where: 6th Street and Howard Avenue, in the community gardens, Milwaukee (South Side)
When: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; June 11-Oct. 15, 2016
What: Fox Point Farmers Market
Where: Stormonth School, 7300 N. Lombardy Road, Fox Point
When: 8 a.m.-noon; June 18-Oct. 15, 2016
SUNDAY
Where: Garden Park, 821 E. Locust St., Milwaukee (Riverwest)
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; June 19-Oct. 16, 2016
What: Shorewood Farmers Market
Where: Lake Bluff Elementary School, 1600 E. Lake Bluff Blvd., Shorewood
When: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; June 19-Oct. 23, 2016
What: Walker Square Farmers Market
Where: Walker Square Park, South 9th and West Washington Streets (Walker’s Point)
When: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; June 4-Oct. 29, 2016
Where: Enderis Park, between Chambers and Locust and 70th and 72nd Streets, Milwaukee (West Side)
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; June 19-Sept. 25, 2016
Where: Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; May 8-Oct. 30, 2016
What: Saukville Farmers Market
Where: Veterans Park, 639 E. Green Bay Ave., Saukville
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; June 19-Oct. 30, 2016
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