News and Vendor Bios
Thank you to all the wonderful musicians playing at the market this summer! We have great performances in store. Music runs from 10am-12pm each Sunday, weather permitting. Listen to the tunes while strolling the market or grab a seat to relax and enjoy the show!
October 2024 Lineup:
6 - Deliberate Vibrations
13 - Ken Wheaton
20 - Beni Vaganov
We love celebrating the market all year long with merch! Grab your market sticker, totes, or greeting cards from the market info booth. All of our merch is designed locally and are a great way to show your love for the market. Our market info booth accepts cash or PayPal/Venmo for purchases.
You can also purchase a NEW market t-shirt or sweatshirt online through our Bonfire site. Using Bonfire for shirt sales is convenient, efficient, and much easier on our market crew! Instead of guessing what styles and sizes the community wants and dealing with storage, we set up this easy to use online store. Simply visit the site, choose which logo, style, color, and size you want, order, and it will get shipped directly to you!
We kept costs as low as possible so you can rep the market without breaking the bank. Bonfire takes a small percentage of each sale and any leftover profit goes towards supporting market operations.
If you have questions, ideas, or suggestions please contact us!
Thank you to all the wonderful musicians playing at the market this summer! We have great performances in store. Music runs from 10am-12pm each Sunday, weather permitting. Listen to the tunes while strolling the market or grab a seat to relax and enjoy the show!
With one-of-a-kind flavors, naturally packed with vitamins and minerals, Lucca and Livvy promises nitrogen-infused beverages perfect for any occasion. We sat down with co-owner and licensee Courtney McCarty to learn more about how Lucca and Livvy is making a splash in the Madison beverage market.
Originally founded in Dallas, Texas in 2016, this small business has found its way across Madison, with a vast collection of premium, nitro-infused beverages, including teas, juices and cold brew coffees, all delivered in their signature Lucca and Livvy bicycle.
With unique flavor combinations such as calamansi, passion fruit and lemon and ginger, all infused with nitrogen “straight from the tap,” these cold pressed drinks have been popping up across Madison, including farmers markets, night markets and special events.
“We get a lot of guests who haven’t tried these flavors since they were a child. And since it’s nitrogen-infused, you don’t normally get that in a nonalcoholic option. But the delivery method is in a bicycle. I think that’s super cool. It turns into more of an experience,” Courtney said.
This is only the beginning for the brand, who is looking to embed itself further into the Madison community and across the Midwest, with hopes of expanding into Milwaukee soon. They also are expanding growth options by licensing bikes as new business opportunities for similarly-minded entrepreneurs.
“We’ve established a really nice base, but we want to try new flavors, local to the Midwest, if there is enough interest,” Courtney said, “We want to take this to the next level.”
For Courtney, her proudest accomplishment so far with Lucca and Livvy has been receiving such a positive reception from their product and distribution model, right from the start.
“Just having started out the way we did. We had a large interest even before we launched in Madison, and we worked really hard getting our name out to different organizations. They have talked to us constantly about getting our names out, so we were getting business before we were a business,” she said.
Another accomplishment has been the innovation they’ve brought to the Madison beverage market, from their distribution model to their style of crafting healthy drinks without compromising taste.
“We found in the beverage market, there has been a lot of marketing around premium cocktails, not really premium beverages that aren’t loaded with sugars or a bunch of junk,” Courtney said. “We want to deliver a healthy option.”
You can find Lucca and LIvvy yourself at special events across Madison, including the Monroe Street Farmers Market, as well as contacting them to appear at your next private event via their website: https://www.llbeverages.com/. You can also find them on Instagram @luccaandlivvy.
Be sure to check out Lucca and Livvy at the Monroe Street Farmers Markets Sundays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Edgewood High School parking lot.
Loyal customers of the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market will know our vendor of the week Xiong’s Tasty Produce, and to know this vendor is to love them and their products. Xiong’s Tasty Produce was one of the first vendors to join the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market, and throughout the years, Maria Vue, co-owner of Xiong’s Tasty Produce, has seen the market not only grow, but also thrive.
Xiong’s Tasty Produce is a small, family-owned business. Currently owned by Maria’s immediate family and her in-laws, they were inspired by their ancestors and extended family members who were passionate about farming and gardening. The name of the business comes from Maria’s husband's last name, and the “tasty” element has to do with the quality of the produce the business both values and offers. Starting out at a small farmer’s market in the Madison area due to excess produce after they began gardening, Xiong’s Tasty Produce has grown right alongside the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market, earning itself a group of great, loyal customers.
“Whenever I am gone, usually for only one week out of the year, our regular customers always ask about my whereabouts and look out for me. I think since we have been at the market for so long, we have built up a group of amazing regular customers who support us week after week,” Maria stated.
The Monroe Street Farmer’s Market is very special to Maria and Xiong’s Tasty Produce, not just because they have been selling at the market since the very beginning, but also because Sunday at the market is the business's most successful day of sales. Even though Xiong’s Tasty Produce is also a vendor at the Dane County Farmer’s Market, which is much larger than the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market, the business shockingly does significantly better on Sunday mornings than any other day of the week. Maria emphasized this by explaining that while they typically have three people working at the Dane County Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings, they have six people working at their stand every Sunday on Monroe Street.
Xiong’s Tasty Produce offers a variety of fresh products at these markets such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, raspberries, herbs, and more. Though, their most popular product is snap peas. They are unique to Xiong’s Tasty Produce because they typically have them early on in June, and they stay consistent throughout the market season as Maria and her family members continue to plant them.
“It’s a vegetable that both young and old people really enjoy. You can never go wrong with them, which is why we sell so many,” Maria explained.
It’s no surprise that Xiong’s Tasty Produce is one of the most popular and well known vendors at the market, their products are refreshing and delicious, and the owners are kind and friendly. It was clear while speaking with Maria that she was very grateful for the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market and the devoted customers it has provided their business.
“I want to personally thank all of our regular customers. We appreciate the people who come out and support us every week. Seeing people and interacting with customers is my favorite part about my job,” Maria said.
Make sure to stop by the market this Sunday to check out Xiong’s Tasty Produce and say hi to Maria and her family. Just think about all of the new and fun fall recipes you can make using some of the products Xiong’s Tasty Produce has to offer. We hope to see you all there!
Janet Chen, owner and operator of Mad Maiden, is introducing Madison to the next best thing: shrubs, also known as drinking vinegars.
Shrubs are concentrated fruit and vinegar syrups used to add a flavor boost in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Just add one part shrubs to five parts juice, tonic, sparkling or still water or any other beverage, and you’ve got an innovative, refreshing drink.
Originally popularized in the 17th and 18th century as a way to preserve produce and as an alcohol additive, this fruit-infused vinegar drink is making a comeback as a healthier alternative to juices and sodas and as a splash of sophistication in the average cocktail.
Chen is working to expand this trend into the Madison area with her innovative flavors of shrubs, such as cranberry, honey ginger and her seasonal variety, all of which have their own unique personalities, according to her.
“I talk about the flavors like they have personalities,” she said, “Cranberry is very self-centered, because gin has juniper berry, orange or lemon peel, tonic cranberry juice, very matchy-matchy. Honey is strong but versatile; it plays with fruit or ginger. Seasonal is classic, like a farm putting stuff away, a little diluted. There’s a classic person, self-centered and a more versatile person.”
Janet Chen initially founded Mad Maiden to incorporate her homesteading background to create a new product to help limit food waste and bring an innovative twist to the beverage market.
With the popularity of other fermented drinks, such as kombucha and wine, Chen hopes to capitalize on this trend while bringing her own flair by creating small batches of shrubs with locally-sourced ingredients from nearby Wisconsin farms and orchards.
“Infusing vinegar is like making tinctures and salves with wildcrafted fruit and herbs. It is creative, hands-on, and connects us to the Earth,” Chen says, “Plus drinking vinegars are a great way to use food that would otherwise be wasted.”
What makes Mad Maiden so unique isn’t only her inventive product, but rather the care she brings to selecting quality, homegrown ingredients. She cites one of her proudest moments being able to incorporate plums from her friend’s 30-year-old plum tree, adding a personal touch to her product.
Chen said, “It’s not a scalable product, but it's a personal and unusual fruit. It’s a proud moment to take. That year, with that orchard, he planted plums thirty years ago, and they produced for the first time in 2013. That’s a long time, for thirty years to produce three times. It was a proud moment. It’s not a usual business practice, but it’s a really unique opportunity.”
Currently, you can find Mad Maiden shrubs in a variety of local Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago and Minnesota grocery stores, along with ordering online at https://www.madmaidenshrub.com/
You can also meet Janet and try a sample of her shrubs each Sunday at the Monroe Street Farmers Market at the Edgewood High School parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
One of our newest vendors at the Monroe Street Farmers Market has everyone talking and excited about a healthier lifestyle. Lauren Montelbano is the owner of The Vibrant Veg, a local vegan food business that offers a variety of services to those interested in eating more consciously, shedding a few pounds, building muscle, or saving time.
Montelbano has been a vegan for eight years and has witnessed first hand the positive effects it can have on an individual’s health. It is her hope to share that with other people through her products and services at The Vibrant Veg.
Not only did the vegan lifestyle inspire Lauren to create The Vibrant Veg, but she was also passionate about shifting away from the restaurant business model after being employed as a chef for a cafe in the Madison area. She aspired to work on her own terms and was interested in private sector duties such as serving as a personal chef or holding pop-up events.
“I enjoy that I am my own boss. But at the same time, I love that no one day is ever the same. I have a lot of things that I do and so my days and weeks are always changing,” Montelbano stated.
Although The Vibrant Veg is new to the market this season, the market is not new to Montelbano as she used to live in the area and attend the market as a customer. Additionally, Lauren’s sister serves on the board of our market. While speaking with her, Montelbano raved about the approachable and friendly environment of the Monroe Street Farmers Market, emphasizing the support and kindness of the other vendors in attendance.
The Monroe Street Famers Market is the only market The Vibrant Veg attends, the majority of their business and services taking place through their website at https://www.thevibrantveg.com. Their delicious and fresh pressed juices are a best seller at the market, while The Vibrant Veg weekly meal service is their most popular feature that takes place exclusively through their website.
“If anybody is looking to better their health through plant based foods, we are always there for people in the form of nutritional consults, cooking classes, or our meal program which makes it very easy for people to do,” Montelbano explained.
Be sure to visit The Vibrant Veg website to learn more about the incredible services they provide, as well as stopping by their stand at the market any Sunday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Edgewood parking lot to grab a refreshing juice or tasty energy ball!
An original vendor at the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market, Morren Orchard has been around for nearly every season since the market was started in 2015. Although farming is not something Henry Morren, farmer at Morren Orchard, originally thought he would do for the rest of his life, it’s a pratice that was always in the back of his mind and something that is in his blood as he grew up on a farm in western Michigan.
Morren Orchard is run by Henry Morren and his wife, Lisa Fishman, and despite the fact that his childhood farm functions at a much larger scale, Morren Orchard has evolved since it’s beginning in 1999 into something very similar to the farm he grew up on. Their orchard features apple, plum, peach, and pear trees, and using organic methods they also grow delicious grapes, blueberries, pink and red currants, and a select range of French and other melons.
Along with produce, Henry described a unique product of Morren Orchard’s and often their most popular selling item, cider. It is cold-pressed, unpasteurized, and rich with flavors from traditional cider apples such as Winesap, Grimes Golden, Baldwin, and many more. Henry enjoys crafting the cider and explained that although they try to make sufficient amounts for the duration of the market, the difficulty is when it sells out too early.
Morren Orchard is not only a popular vendor at the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market, but also the Dane County Farmer’s Market and the Eastside Farmer’s Market. On occasion, they also sell fresh vegetables and fruit to restaurants and cafes in the Madison area such as Bradbury’s Coffee. Henry values the size of the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market as he feels it allows him to frequently see the same people and create close connections to those customers.
“The Monroe Street Farmer’s Market really lends itself to that mix of vendors and customers having both a commercial relationship and also a human relationship. It’s more than just passing off your money,” Henry explained.
Not only does Henry enjoy connecting with people, but another aspect he loves about his work at Morren Orchard is the independence that it allows one to have. There is a rewarding nature in knowing that farming also demands a certain discipline; no one is telling you what to do, so everything you create is from your own initiative and ambition.
Henry and his wife cherish the support they have received over the years at the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market and all of the people who stop by their stand. Be sure to come out this Sunday anytime from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Edgewood High School parking lot to say hi and check out some of Morren Orchard’s delicious products!
“We appreciate people’s trust in us to grow food for them and their families. And that appreciation is truly sincere,” Henry stated.
Although new to the Monroe Street Farmers Market this season, Working Draft Beer Company has quickly become a customer favorite. Wisconsinites do love their beer after all. That is something Ryan Browne, Co-Owner of Working Draft, values about his business. He wants to connect people to good beer, and he appreciates when people are just as passionate about high-quality beer as he is.
The taproom at the Working Draft location in Madison was designed specifically so that employees could be there to witness people enjoying the beer. In fact, the majority of the beer at Working Draft goes in a pint glass and over the bar to someone. It is the heart of the company, where the brewhouse, the food, and the people all come together to make Working Draft unique. Browne compares the taproom to home brewing, which is how he originally got started in this industry.
“The most joy I got from it [home brewing] was sharing a batch of beer with people. It’s that impetus for gathering people, and that’s what we wanted Working Draft to be,” Browne stated.
Because Working Draft is a small brewery that values a local, neighborhood centric feel, the Monroe Street Farmers Market was the perfect place for Working Draft to go to expand their reach in the Madison area. Getting to champion the products that Working Draft makes at settings such as the market is one of Browne’s favorite parts about his job.
“When people are at the market, they are taking their time to learn about the beer. They look at the cans, ask about the style of the beers and what they taste like, and I could do that all day. I love that type of engagement,” Browne said.
Although there are some beers Working Draft likes to keep on stand by, such as their number one selling beer Pulp Culture which is a hazy IPA, Browne related the brewing company to that of a farm. He emphasized how the seasonality of produce on a farm is similar to the change and turn over in their beer line-up.
“We’re a small brewery. We can and try to provide as much variety as possible, and the great thing about that is we are able to bring in a lot of different styles of beer, but they don’t necessarily stick around all season,” Browne explained.
The Working Draft taproom has been open since March 2018 and has been a huge hit in the Madison community. To learn more about Working Draft’s products, taproom, or practices, visit their website at https://www.workingdraftbeer.com/home-1 and don’t forget to stop by their stand at the market for local, deliciously crafted beer any Sunday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Edgewood High School parking lot!
After a years-long break from ceramics, Priscilla Lentini has dusted off her passion for pottery with Pottery by Priscilla, her locally-run ceramics brand that specializes in handmade, wheel-thrown works of art.
While Priscilla creates a variety of ceramic pieces, including pots, magnets and bowls, she primarily focuses on making mugs, which have proven to be her favorite pieces to make.
“You start making something new, but the clay in your hands starts to show what it wants to be. Usually, that’s a mug,” she says.
Priscilla has a special connection to the mugs that she makes, though, and she hopes that her customers find their favorite mug in her shop.
“I find mugs to be personal and special, where you are maybe drinking a cup of coffee on your porch, or it’s a snowy evening drinking hot cocoa or tea,” she says, “They’re very comforting and special to a lot of people. I like making special and unique items that people can hold. It’s functional art that’s handmade with care.”
Priscilla Lentini’s passion for ceramics began in high school, where she fell in love with the craft in her ceramics class. She continued to hone in on her craft throughout college and beyond, wherever she could find a kiln.
“I really enjoyed the creative aspect of having functional artwork. I had an amazing pottery instructor-- it was my all-time favorite class. I took pottery at my local community college, and then I did pottery in my spare time,” she says, “My university had a pottery wheel and kiln in the basement dorm, so I was able to do it then. I had a bit of a hiatus after moving to Wisconsin, but it’s been absolutely great getting my hands dirty again.”
Pottery by Priscilla began in June 2020 as a way for Priscilla to rediscover her passion for ceramics and create functional art for her family and friends, but she’s expanded to sell her works online and across farmers’ markets and craft fairs in the Madison area.
When asked what inspired her to begin Pottery by Priscilla, Priscilla admits that it was “mostly because I needed to get rid of it. I can only have so many mugs in my own cupboards.”
Priscilla’s side hobby quickly grew, however. After experiencing such positive reception to her pieces, she decided to share her works past her own circle of friends and family. What started as a passion project has expanded to an up-and-coming small business.
Priscilla cites her proudest accomplishment with Pottery by Priscilla as her repeat customers, especially those who share in the same passion and excitement she has for her ceramic works and are coming back again and again.
“When I first got repeat customers, it was very satisfying, very gratifying recognizing that no one was buying them out of pity or because they know me, but that they really loved the first mug so they bought another,” she says.
In the future, Priscilla hopes to expand even more, turning her side hobby into a full-time business. You can find Priscilla’s works on her website, Etsy shop, Facebook or Instagram. You can also find her at the Monroe Street Farmers’ Market every month, and twice a month starting in the fall.
Once a novelty, vegan alternatives to popular dairy products are now commonplace, but the real difficulty is creating a product that people not only want to try, but come back to again and again. That’s the challenge that Ellen Coatney, founder Fifth Scoop, faced when she set out to create her line of plant-based ice cream.
A standard pint of ice cream contains four scoops, but Ellen’s goal was to keep her customers hooked so they’d come back for more, hence the name Fifth Scoop.
“It’s really easy to get vegans to try a new product, but a lot of vegan ice cream is underwhelming. They buy one pint and don’t get another,” Ellen said, “I want to create a brand where they like it so much, they come back.”
Fifth Scoop is Ellen’s solution to that problem, with a variety of plant-based frozen desserts that promise “flavors with flair,” such as Strawberry Shortcake and Lemonmellow, that don’t just appeal to vegans, but for all those who want to expand their ice cream preferences.
While Ellen was initially inspired to create Fifth Scoop after listening to a vegan friend’s struggle to find delicious vegan ice cream, it did not end there. As she began researching the environmental impact of the dairy and meat industry, she grew even more passionate about her craft.
“That’s what cemented this as something I was passionate about, not just for people who can’t eat dairy, but for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint,” she said.
Ellen’s passion for the environment and her commitment to high-quality products can be shared with every pint of Fifth Scoop, where “sustainable meets delicious,” according to their website.
Fans of Fifth Scoop can look forward to even more from the brand, as Ellen has been experimenting with a variety of constantly changing flavors and products to bring her vision to life. Recently, she has been working on expanding her product line to include birthday cakes, custom orders and more.
Since creating Fifth Scoop last spring, Ellen has said her proudest achievement to date has been coming to farmers’ markets and getting to know her customers directly.
“I think my proudest accomplishment was coming to the market and meeting my customers face-to-face, being able to hear from them directly and give out samples. It’s given people the chance to get to know me, especially from repeat customers,” she said.
Ellen has become a familiar face at the market this season with her well-loved Peach Pie and Buckeye flavors, alongside her underrated Coconut Vanilla flavor, which she promises pairs especially well in root beer floats.
Be sure to come down to the Monroe Street Farmers’ Market Sundays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to meet Ellen Coatney, learn more about Fifth Scoop and even try a sample or two!
After working as a floral designer for 35 years, to now being retired and crafting beautiful mosaics, fused glass pieces, house signs, and working frequently in her own greenhouse, creativity is nothing new to Gina McSherry.
Owner and sole designer at Pretty Pots N Pieces, Gina took a class in both mosaics and fused glass before retiring and immediately fell in love. It is something she knew instantly was what she wanted to pursue in the next chapter of her life. Combining her degree knowledge in horticulture to these passions, Gina’s husband built her a greenhouse on their property. In her greenhouse, she grows herbs, succulents, lavender, green plants, and air plants. Additionally, she uses all organic soils and fertilizers when working in her greenhouse. Gina enjoys incorporating herbs with her mosaic pots and fused glass products.
“I thought it would be a good idea for people to have nice art and then be able to have something in the pot that they could use and eat,” Gina explained.
Gina reflected on how although all these hobbies have come together to form the perfect work combination for her, it is as if she runs three separate businesses because the plants, the mosaics, and the fused glass each require their own time and intricate attention.
Not only does she sell her pieces at the Monroe Street Farmers Market and different markets around the area, Gina also participates in art shows and has both a personal website and an Etsy site to sell her unique art.
“I really do love the Monroe Street Farmers Market. The customers there are so welcoming and really like my mosaic pots, my art, and the plants and herbs,” Gina stated when reflecting on what drew her to the Monroe Street Farmers Market.
Gina’s most popular items are her flower stakes due to their vibrant and sparkly colors. The bullseye glass that Gina uses in her fusing is the reason for the beautiful, bright colors of these pieces. These products are often sold out when she attends art shows.
Gina loves the business she has created for herself, and although it is hard work, it is incredibly rewarding. Thinking about her favorite part of what she does, there are multiple things Gina mentioned such as the ability and freedom of being in business for herself, and the connections she makes with customers when they admire and appreciate her work.
“The creative process of making the mosaics and the fused glass is also something I really enjoy,” Gina added.
We encourage you to check out more of Gina’s work on her website https://prettypotsnpieces.com, and contact her if you are interested in picking out a piece of glass or a specific herb for a mosaic pot. Gina allows customers to come to her home and pick out items based on their unique interests. And as always, come visit Gina and her beautiful art at the Monroe Street Farmers Market every Sunday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Edgewood parking lot!
For Forrest Voedisch, creating high-quality, beautiful jewelry comes second only to making sure her customers feel their very best in what she’s created, and at Metric Forrest Studio, that’s exactly what she’s done.
A new addition to the Monroe Street Farmers’ Market, Metric Forrest Studio is a Madison-based jewelry brand that specializes in handcrafted jewelry. Their website promises, “Our collections tell their own story, each inspired by our mission to create beautiful jewelry for your everyday.”
Since 2019, Forrest Voedisch, owner and operator of Metric Forrest Studio, has transformed her jewelry brand to become a favorite in the Madison area and beyond. Their mission is simple: create well-loved jewelry that complements any outfit and empowers each wearer to take on the day.
“Our intention with our business is to create a beautiful quality product, but it’s also to help people feel really good about what they’re wearing, to find go-to pieces,” Forrest says.
Metric Forrest Studio features two distinct brands, Imagine and Eclectic Earth, both of which are hand-crafted and designed in-studio by Forrest and her dedicated staff. The Imagine line features boho, natural designs that use hand-carved copper, brass, gold and silver, while the Eclectic Earth features a more “dazzling look,” with gemstones and hand-etched metals. Each item is handmade, one-at-a-time to ensure perfection in every piece.
“I learned along the way the reason that people buy a certain product,” Forrest says, “They buy it because of the way it makes them feel. I do believe that crystals and things like that make us feel good, and I want to show that.”
Throughout both Metric Forrest Studio collections, and with new designs coming this summer, Forrest’s passion for her craft is clear, with high-quality pieces that are meticulously crafted right in her Madison studio.
There’s a lot more to be excited about in the future, too. Forrest hopes to build a retail store in the Madison area, create custom designs and release even more collections, experimenting with innovative, new designs.
And if there’s one thing that you can count on from the brand, it’s that Forrest will always have exciting new ideas to bring her vision to life.
“It’s unique that we have two large brands. And so a lot of jewelry companies only have one signature look, and most of their jewelry is really similar, so that’s what’s cool about our brand,” said Forrest, “There’s a lot I’m excited about in the future.”
Outside of the Monroe Street Farmers’ Market, you can shop Metric Forrest Studio on their website , select Whole Foods and other natural food stores across the country, or stop by Library Mall in downtown Madison on Fridays to meet Forrest and check out her new bicycle cart.
Metric Forrest Studio reminds us what’s so special about the vendors at the Monroe Street Farmers’ Market, the dedication to their craft and sharing their passion with local community members.
Come meet Forrest and check out Metric Forrest Studio at the market this Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at Edgewood High School!
The Monroe Street Farmers’ Market (MSFM) is a vibrant outdoor market operating in the parking lot of Edgewood High School. MSFM strives to provide a diverse offering of local produce, handmade artisanal goods, breakfast and lunch items, live music, and free family-friendly activities every Sunday from early May through late October.
MSFM is recruiting a social media/marketing intern for the 2021 market season who is passionate about the local food economy. Please see internship responsibilities and additional information below.
RESPONSIBILITIES
● Collect information and photos from vendors and sponsors for use in social media posts
● Assist with writing copy for e-newsletters
● Update event descriptions on MSFM website
● Brainstorm and implement social media campaign ideas to grow the market’s reach and engagement
● Help organize activities at the market
● Assist with outreach to local press/media
● Monitor the market’s social media channels for user questions/comments
● Other marketing/communications duties as defined by the market’s board of directors
REQUIREMENTS
You would be a great fit for this internship if you:
● Are passionate about our local farmers’ market community
● Are interested in marketing and social media
● Are detailed oriented
● Have strong organizational and planning skills
● Have strong writing skills, ideally via social media/online communications for another organization/group/company
● Take initiative and are willing to come to the table with your own ideas
● Are creative, enthusiastic, and tech savvy (familiarity with Trello is a plus)
● Are able to work independently as well as collaboratively
A LITTLE MORE INFO
MSFM is seeking an intern for the 2021 Monroe Street Farmers’ Market season, beginning in March/April and lasting through early November. The internship requires roughly two to three hours of work per week. Hours are generally very flexible, with the exception of a recurring meeting with the board’s marketing subcommittee, which can be held in-person or via video chat. Most communication is handled via Trello and email. If college credit is not redeemable, then an hourly wage will be determined by the MSFM board of directors. This internship is also a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in building their portfolios/resumes by making an impact in their local community.
HOW TO APPLY
Go to this form and:
● Fill out your contact information
● Add a cover letter
● Upload your resume
● Demonstrate your writing skills by composing three example Facebook posts (2-3 sentences per post) promoting the MSFM.
Applications will be accepted until May 15, 2021 (extended). We will be reviewing the applications on a rolling basis and the position will ideally be filled as soon as possible. Please send any questions to manager@monroestreetfarmersmarket.org. Thank you for your interest and consideration!
Dan and Jenny Curtin of Swiss Frau Farm are not only seasoned veterans of the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market but of their unique craft as well.
If you’ve ever stopped by their table at the market in search of a bar of handmade soap or lotion, you might’ve had the lucky chance to peek at the beautiful photos of the farm and the Swiss dairy goats that make their handmade soaps so special.
Photo courtesy of Dan Curtin
Born on a dairy farm in Waukon Iowa, it seems only fitting that Dan now runs one of his own in Dodge County, Wisconsin on Iowa Road. Jenny, Dan’s wife, is a Wisconsin native from Mount Horeb who brings over 40 years of experience in soap-making to the farm. Dan and Jenny’s journey began with a herding dog named Indigo and a handful of farm animals including geese and sheep.
“Jenny would give the command for the dog and the sheep would move before the dog did!” Dan explained, “So then we sold the sheep and we ended up buying some Toggenburg dairy goats from a good friend of Jennifer’s. And that was the beginning.”
Photo courtesy of Dan Curtin
The couple moved to the farm in 2009 and have been busy ever since. Today, Swiss Frau Farm is home to a big happy family of 18 Swiss Saanen and Toggenburg dairy goats.
“All the milkers wear Swiss bells, and Jenny makes everything in an 1850s homestead house” Dan shared.
Photo courtesy of Dan Curtin
Jenny, the mastermind behind many of Swiss Frau Farm’s products, makes everything–from soaps, hand creams, and even the label art on the products. She has developed many of the products herself using natural ingredients like coconut oil, lanolin, and beeswax.
“I have a few beehives and we sell our honey,” Dan added, “So that's one way that I engage young people, a lot of kids come to buy honey sticks. It’s really cute to have kids come up.”
Photo courtesy of Dan Curtin
Swiss Frau Farm was of the first vendors at the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market back in 2012. Since then, Dan and Jenny have built a busy schedule that brings them to four different farmer’s markets a week, attracting customers from all over the state.
Beyond establishing a popular presence at a variety of markets, Swiss Frau Farm has participated for nearly a decade at several special events including Madison’s Blessed Sacrament Christmas Market, German Christmas Market, and the indoor Port Washington Farmer’s Market during the winter.
“We probably do around 120+ events a year,” explained Dan.
Photo courtesy of Dan Curtin
As the business and products have evolved, Dan has ventured around the country to make a name for Swiss Frau Farm at shows in Minneapolis, Cleveland, Atlanta, and even Lakeland, Florida.
When he’s not on the road sharing the farm’s wonderful soaps or fun stories about the goats, Dan works in industrial sales.
Dan and Jenny raised 3 kids, 2 of whom are now Madison residents themselves. They finally sent their youngest son off to college before moving to the farm and pursuing their passion.
“I like to tell young parents that there is life after kids,” Dan chuckled.
Photo courtesy of Dan Curtin
Swiss Frau Farm’s 24 varieties of soap rotate seasonally, typically featuring lilac in the spring, cranberry in the fall, and blackberry sage during the winter. The extremely popular lavender soaps never seem to go out of season, though.
“I used to think, well, somebody buys one bar of soap. That’s no big deal. But a lot of times they’ll buy a bar of soap and they’ll really like it, and we have a customer for a long time,” Dan explained.
Apart from the market being a place to sell soap, share stories, and meet customers, the MSFM community has allowed Dan and Jenny to build relationships that go beyond the Sunday morning get-togethers at Edgewood High School.
“I love the other vendors, they’re super friendly,” Dan shared. He has gotten to know many fellow vendors, including Annemarie Maitri from Bloom Bake Shop, through gatherings over the years and even sells at a booth next to Cher’s Garden at another farmer’s market.
Photo courtesy of Dan Curtin
“It’s nice to get to know people. Goat milk soap is a bit of a specialty product, and I just enjoy being there,” Dan said. “I really enjoy meeting the customers. It’s not uncommon for people to come up and say to me, ‘you’re the only reason I came here today, to buy soap’. Which is very encouraging.”
If you make it to the final market weekend before the season’s end, don’t miss out on a bar of lavender soap and a friendly smile from Dan or Jenny. You might even get to hear a story about a Swiss goat, too!
Don’t miss the last market of the season! Visit the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Edgewood High School.
