University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
University Relations and Communications, 715-346-3046, Fax 715-346-2042, www.uwsp.edu/news
A collaborative effort by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s School of Health Promotion and Human Development (HPHD), the Golden Sands Resource Conservation and Development Council and area farmers is partnering to produce the first-ever Central Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas.
The atlas is based on popular Farm Fresh Atlases developed in other parts of the state and will be available in spring 2006. When completed, the atlas will be distributed at farmers’ markets, public libraries, farms, co-ops, and other area businesses at no cost.
According to Jasia Steinmetz, associate professor in HPHD, the atlas will be a roadmap to great tasting, nutritious food grown close to home and will contain information about locally grown fruits, vegetables, meats and other foods grown in Portage, Adams, Juneau, Marathon, Marquette, Monroe, and Wood counties. The farms and businesses to be listed in the atlas are recognized leaders in protecting land and water resources, treating animals with care and respect, and providing safe working conditions for employees. “Buying locally grown, sustainable foods supports many local small farms, the local economy, saves energy with reduced transportation costs, and is good for you,” said Steinmetz.
If you are a farmer or business owner practicing or supporting sustainable agriculture and would like to be listed in the Central Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas, or would like to learn more about this subject, contact Bill Ebert at Golden Sands RC&D on the Web at www.goldensandsrcd.org or by phone at (715) 343 6214.
