LaValle Farmers Market

Meeting held with primary vendors: John Wagner, Buelah Kinney, Debbie Dood, Rueben Baungarten and Linda Gillen was held on 14 Mar 2010 at 2pm at Hartje's.  Highlights of meeting and decisions made

• Objective is to promote local foods and the farmers and families that grow or purchase them.  The market is also encouraging individual crafters to give the market a try.
• Market manager will remain Linda Gillen (608-985-8009, gillenfarm@mwt.net)
• Dates of the market will be May 8, 2010 to October
• Hours of opperation:  every Saturday from 7:30am to 1pm or products sold out
• Vendor fee:  $50 for the season or $10 for each Saturday. 
• Venue will remain same as last year - Hartje Farm Home and Sport (gas station) in La Valle on HWY 58/33.  At the main entrance to the store.
• No fixed stalls - we are still small enough to work on a first come first pick of space.
• Vendors are expected to get own licenses, certificates, etc. to legally sell at the market.  The Market Manager has contact lists available.
• All vendors recommended to have own awning to protect self and goods from weather.
• All vendors are encouraged to provide products that are locally produced or made.  Exceptions are to be taken up with the Market Manager.
• New Amish bakery planned for 2010.
• Article placed in Reedsburg Independent was printed 3-18-2010.
• We agreed to remain flexible and to get as much advertising out as possible.
• Advertising will be in the form of: flyers, Indy/Advantage adds, Country Gazette Farmers' Market, 2 sandwich boards placed in La Valle, and article placed in Lake Redstone Homeowners Newsletter and others.
• The passage of the temporary "pickle" bill was discussed.  This will be a big boon to the vendors now that they can sell home processed "acid" goods in the form of pickles, relishes, tomatoes, salsas, jams and jellies.  Individuals need to label their goods as home processed and list ingredients on the jar.  They can sell up to $5000 worth in 2010.  We may see other items (bakery and candy) allowed in 2011 with the passage of the full bill.

Everyone is excited about the new season and are looking to see friends from last season and to invite new customers and buyers to check us out this year.  I will have a table in place with information about Sauk County Master Gardener program as well as having my own produce stand.

As always if there are questions, you can contact me at gillenfarm@mwt.net or at my phone 608-985-8009.

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