Rooted

The early signs of autumn are beginning to arrive at our farms! We've been harvesting apples, pears, and the first of the salad greens, said goodbye to our cucumber vines, and started planting cover crops for the end of the season. But the summer produce isn't done yet--we're also still harvesting tomatoes, peppers, and other summer favorites!

It's our last Farm to School Friday (for now, at least), as Allison and Erica's beekeeping class comes to an end with their honey harvest 🍯

From Allison: "Working in Farm to School, I always want to learn about and participate in local food production so I can better understand the time, work, and care that go into producing our food. Learning beekeeping with Erica was especially fun, as we could “talk shop” while learning together. We brought home 24 quarts of honey, 12 each! Thank you to our wonderful instructors, Patrick and Matt, and to the Farley Center Beekeeping Program!"

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

Next Thursday, September 24th is our final Garden Night of the summer! The September Garden Night is in partnership with Bandit Tacos and Coffee--the Bandit team will be on-site, using the wood fired oven to serve fresh tacos on handmade tortillas! All Bandit food sales directly benefit Rooted. Join us at Troy for food, live music, farm walks, guided kids’ activities, and community.
Event details: https://rootedwi.org/event/troy-garden-nights-4/

Did you know you can grow rice in Wisconsin? Even with our short summers, our growers at Anderson Farm Park Garden have been growing a short stalk, early ripening rice variety. Anderson Farm Park Garden is one of our large plot gardens for emerging farmers and community gardeners who are looking for more acreage--providing land access and garden support from Rooted's Community Gardens team.

We had the best time at Farm to School Aid. THANK YOU to everyone who came, danced, listened, celebrated, and supported school gardens with us!

A big thanks to the bands, food and drink vendors who made the day so special:
The Currach Irish Quadtet
Mane Thompson
Kitty Butler
Dan Walkner Band

Banzo
Justveggiez 100% Vegan
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Co.
Delta Beer Lab
Working Draft Beer Company

4 bands
3 food trucks
2 breweries
1 DAY AWAY!

Join us and a few hundred of your friends and fellow school garden supporters TOMORROW, Saturday September 12th, at Troy Farm and Gardens.

FARM TO SCHOOL AID 2026 - See you soon!
https://rootedwi.org/youth-education/farm-to-school-aid

Farm to School Aid: read all about it!
https://madison365.com/rooteds-farm-to-school-aid-returns-sept-12-to-support-hands-on-garden-education-at-madison-public-schools/

Get Repost App • Madison365 The free, family-friendly event will feature live music, kids’ activities, local food and craft beer, with donations supporting Rooted’s Farm to School programming, which connects schools with local food, farming and gardening. Madison365’s A. David Dahmer reports at Madison365.org.

And they're off! Bike Forward has hit the road to raise funds for Farm to School Aid. Thank you riders! Bike Forward WI

Thank you to TruStage for generously sponsoring Farm to School Aid! TruStage is a committed partner of Rooted's garden education programs, and a champion of youth success across Madison. We appreciate their support of Rooted and all they do for the greater community. Thank you TruStage!

Our friends at Bike Forward WI are getting ready to ride on September 12th--and one great way you can spread the word and help them raise funds for Farm to School is by checking out their merch store! Bike Forward apparel is available now through the end of the month, and the money they raise supports Rooted's Farm to School fundraiser. We're so excited to cheer them on their ride in just a few days as we work to reach our goal together!
Bike Forward store: https://bikeforward26.itemorder.com/shop/home/