Jenna's Fieldtrip to the Dane County Indoor Farmer's Market
Jenna Vine
C & I 371
April 5, 2009

1. Dane County Farmer's Market (Indoor)

2. Planning: 
       a. Connect with the Dane County Community Farmer's Market website. http://www.dcfm.org/
       b. Since this is a community wide event I did not contact anyone before attending; however, bringing a whole class or large group of student may serve as a purpose to contact the market manager. 
                                                i.            Larry Johnson, the Market Manager, by telephone at (608) 455-1999 or email at [email protected].

       c. Cost: There is no need to purchase anything from the market; however, buying things supports local vendors.
       d. Content Areas: 
                                                   i.            Social Studies—farming, economics, culture, traditions.

                                                     ii.            Science—growing techniques, what it means to be organic

                                                       iii.            Math—exchange of money, counting

                                                       iv.            Arts—art materials at market, students taking pictures (documentation)

                                                        v.            Physical Education—out for a walk

Description of field trip site:
      a. I attended the indoor farmer's market on Saturday April 28th, 2009. The indoor market is open just one more weekend and then the outdoor market opens on April 18th, 2009. It will run Saturday's from 6:30AM – 2PM around the Capitol Square, and Wednesday afternoons from 8:30AM-2PM near Monona Terrace.
     b. The indoor market offers a breakfast from 8:30-11AM.
     c. There are many other markets around Dane County which might be located closer to your school.


Evaluation of field trip:
      a. This field trip entailed a bike ride to the Senior Center. I arrived at about 10 AM and it was packed. There were people waiting in line for the breakfast, tables were full of people eating, and vendors were busy talking and helping people shop.
      b. In total there were roughly15-20 vendors selling anything from spinach, cheese, beef, herbs, soaps, honey, breads, cookies, and much more. 
      c. The most positive thing about my fieldtrip was the conversations I had with vendors. I arrived prepared with some questions I wanted to ask a few vendors:
                       i.            What is your method of growing? 
                                                      

                         1.  I asked this to the Spinach farmer. He told me that he grew this spinach organically in a greenhouse. When it gets warmer, his outdoor spinach will be ready by roughly April 18th.

                       ii.            How large is your farm?

                  2.      I asked this a man named Willy from the Blue Monte Farm near Blue Hills. He said his farm was small, just his family. He expanded and told me that he ages some of his cheese in a "cave" which he build underground. He gets the milk from a different local farm.

                             iii.            Do you have any opportunities for visitors/students to your farm?

               3.      The Silly Yak Bakery welcomes students. They make whole wheat breads and treats and also produce gluten-free products 2 days per week. Call and ask for Holly to plan a student trip. (608) 833-5965 and email: [email protected]
 Location of Silly Yak Bakery:7866 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53717