Weekend Shenanigans: Slow Food Marathon County Field Days

I haven't done a weekend shenanigans post in, like, forever, so let's take a quick glance at how D and I spent (a portion of) our weekend, shall we? Last week D and I randomly ended up in the Wausau Starbucks (gee, I hate when that happens...) after an early evening drive to test how long it would take to get to that town from some property we were considering. 

Long story short, whilst waiting for my frappuccino, I noticed a flyer for Slow Food Marathon County Field Days and I was instantly intrigued. Several farms in the Marathon County area (all located just outside of Merrill, WI) were hosting open houses on Saturday where visitors could take tours of each property and get a behind-the-scenes look at relatively small-scale sustainable and organic farming. Five farms and one cheese shop were a part of the tour; we made it to four different farms but had to head back north for an evening engagement before we could hit up the fifth farm. (Admittedly, I was sad to miss out on the wood-fired pizza offered at Stoney Acres Farm - but I think there's a good chance we'll make it to one of their Friday night Pizza on the Farm events before the summer is out.)

Since D and I are looking to purchase a bit of acreage suitable for agriculture, our visit to these different farms served as a bit of a fact-finding mission. In addition to growing our own produce, D is interested in raising some livestock (chickens (broilers and layers), maybe some pigs, and perhaps a goat or two) -- though I'm a little nervous I'll become a bit too attached to all the little guys (see below for some cute farm critters). We don't have any plans to do anything other than raise food for ourselves; our farm visits taught us that running a farm is definitely not easy work (duh). 

Below are a few photos from the farms we visited. It was really interesting learning about all the different methods used, and it was great seeing how much care is taken with their livestock and the pride the farmers take in sustainably managing their land and animals. Many of the farms we visited sell their products at the farmers market in Wausau -- glad to know I have another place to go to find sustainably raised organic meats and produce in the area!

GrasWerka Farm

10806 9th Lane

Hamburg, WI

  {Berkshire piggy}

{Red Rangers}

{Cows}

{Laying ladies}

DanCin' Hills Farm
421 County F
Hamburg, WI

{Apple orchard}

{Goats}

Half Moon Hill Farm
625 County A
Hamburg, WI

{Sheep}

{Ducks}

{Newly planted berries}

Ninepatch Farm
10849 3rd Lane
Hamburg, WI

{Carrots just pulled from the ground}

(Hoop house tomatoes}

{Fields}