Completed Project Report


Southeast Wisconsin Farm and Food Network (SWFFN): The Farmer/Chef Connection

  • Award Amount: $40,000
  • Regional Center: North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2006 Value Added Enterprises/Farm Diversification Grants
  • Project Director:
  • Email: rose.skora@ces.uwex.edu
  • Organization: UW Cooperative Extension, Kenosha and Racine Counties

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Project Overview

Urban sprawl and higher production costs are placing farmers in Southeast Wisconsin under extreme economic pressure. One way to help local farmers is to foster an alternative market for high quality, locally grown products. A survey conducted by SWFFN in 2004 determined that 76% of responding chefs and restaurant owners are willing to buy locally grown food products at premium prices. A similar survey of farmers indicated that they would be interested in selling products to restaurants. Both farmers and chefs need education and guidance to help them understand this potential market.

Through one-on-one consultations, workshops and the development of publications, we targeted a 5 county area (Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha) to educate both farmers and chefs about buying and selling farm products to each other. Working with farmers and chefs who were new to the concept was difficult. Those already engaged in the process became more engaged.

Number of Participants: 156

Outcomes

Project Steps

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

There are no promotional materials available for this project.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

There are no educational materials available for this project.

REPORTS & EVALUATIONS

There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.

DELIVERY AREA

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INDIVIDUAL STORIES / EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS / QUOTES