Throughout the years on Garden Goodies, we have tried to showcase the wide variety of food that is grown in Wisconsin, not only in my garden but also in the gardens and fields of the farmers all around the area. We have profiled everything from big crops like potatoes (just last week) to things as unique as pineapple.
I have done my best to encourage people to learn about agriculture and try gardening out themselves, but nothing I have done compares to the great work being done at the Food and Farm Exploration Center in Plover. Their staff maintains a great learning center for kids and adults alike. Their numerous interactive exhibits are fun and educational at the same time.
Demonstration Carrots at Food and Farm
Unbeknownst to some, they also maintain a greenhouse and demonstration gardens and fields. The food they harvest is used in the cafe on the premises, which makes the food so much more delicious. This week on Garden Goodies, we spoke with Liz Wetzel, the horticultural coordinator at Food and Farm, about some of the food they grow and the educational opportunities they provide.
Food and Farm provides growing tips for plants such as Lavender (and many others)
During a typical tour of Food and Farm, you will see many different vegetables in their greenhouse and demonstration garden in various stages of development. If you have never seen some of your favorite vegetables growing, this is a great place to see and learn what it takes to generate a successful crop. Some of the tour might involve a hands-on experience like pulling a carrot out of the ground and seeing what the full plant looks like.
Justin visits the Food and Farm Exploration Center to learn more about their greenhouse operation
While I was there visiting, they also had some tips for growing pollinators and ornamentals. Lavender is a plant that a lot of people would like to grow in this area, but most varieties will not survive our cold winters, so precautions and/or other propagation strategies need to be employed – view the video for more.
The Food and Farm Exploration Center also has a cafe where they use their own vegetables as ingredients. They recently held a cooking class where they shared a recipe for beet burgers with a green bean sauce. It is easy to make once you have all of the ingredients. All you need to do is mix the ingredients in a food processor or blender and then cook the beet burgers. Below are the two recipes. Enjoy.
Justin and Brad try the beet/bean burgers and the green goddess sauce/dip
Beet and bean burger recipe
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