Organic farming in Wisconsin...? (Madison, La Crosse: co-ops, houses, job market)

[KsStorm]

We are wanting to move north of Kansas, where the summers aren't so brutal, & one of the areas we are considering in Wisconsin. Looking to learn more about the landscape,people,culture,etc. Want to move somewhere rural & run a small organic farm,eventually. Needs to be near lots of trees, water,etc... any ideas? Thanks for any advice/experiences you can share!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by KsStorm

We are wanting to move north of Kansas, where the summers aren't so brutal, & one of the areas we are considering in Wisconsin. Looking to learn more about the landscape,people,culture,etc. Want to move somewhere rural & run a small organic farm,eventually. Needs to be near lots of trees, water,etc... any ideas? Thanks for any advice/experiences you can share!

The Driftless Region in the SW 1/3 of the state is your best bet. I would focus on the Viroqua area, that is where a good number of organic farms and co-ops are along with being in the vicinity of the company Organic Valley. High quality farmland is more expensive compared to the far SW fringe of the Midwest.

[KsStorm]

Thanks, I had actually just found out about that area (just beginning to look into WI, mind you) & it looks gorgeous, just what we are looking for. What is the job market like? Schools? My youngest son has mild cerebral palsy & is visually impaired (not totally blind however) so schools and decent medical care are important, as well.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by KsStorm

Thanks, I had actually just found out about that area (just beginning to look into WI, mind you) & it looks gorgeous, just what we are looking for. What is the job market like? Schools? My youngest son has mild cerebral palsy & is visually impaired (not totally blind however) so schools and decent medical care are important, as well.

I don't know much about schools in that area, although it is quite rural with a sizable Amish population as well. Educational attainment statistics are higher just to the north in the La Crosse area, also home to a branch of the University of Wisconsin. Areas south and east of La Crosse tend to be quite rural and more bluffy, agricultural land mostly in valley areas.

[TrueTimbers]

Pretty tough to break in to market down their.

Try up north.

[cheese plate]

Originally Posted by TrueTimbers

Pretty tough to break in to market down their.

Try up north.

^ Totally wrong

You can barely farm up north, and there's a collective organic farming boom in the Driftless.

SW WI Driftless is the second-largest organic farming area in the country (after CA), a perfect match for the OP. As mentioned, local company Organic Valley is the largest organic farmer cooperative in the world. It's as remote and arguably more beautiful than up north, as well. Most valleys, and there are valleys everywhere, have small trout streams, but there are no natural lakes in the region. You do have the Mississippi and Kickapoo and Wisconsin rivers. It varies, but generally you will see more trees in this region the further you get from the Illinois border. Generally, it's a mix of trees & farmland.

If you're worried about education, Viroqua, while only 4300 people live there, has Montessori and many out-sized amenities for a a town its size. Whenever we pass within an hour of Viroqua, we side-trip it just to eat at Driftless Cafe. However, I don't know much about medical care (La Crosse is big enough and not far away, or you could just position yourself closer to La Crosse). You can try a reasonable distance from Madison, but that's the most expensive part of the region.

The job market, however, is generally not very good throughout the Driftless.

[TrueTimbers]

Originally Posted by cheese plate

^ Totally wrong

You can barely farm up north, and there's a collective organic farming boom in the Driftless.

SW WI Driftless is the second-largest organic farming area in the country (after CA), a perfect match for the OP. As mentioned, local company Organic Valley is the largest organic farmer cooperative in the world. It's as remote and arguably more beautiful than up north, as well. Most valleys, and there are valleys everywhere, have small trout streams, but there are no natural lakes in the region. You do have the Mississippi and Kickapoo and Wisconsin rivers. It varies, but generally you will see more trees in this region the further you get from the Illinois border. Generally, it's a mix of trees & farmland.

If you're worried about education, Viroqua, while only 4300 people live there, has Montessori and many out-sized amenities for a a town its size. Whenever we pass within an hour of Viroqua, we side-trip it just to eat at Driftless Cafe. However, I don't know much about medical care (La Crosse is big enough and not far away, or you could just position yourself closer to La Crosse). You can try a reasonable distance from Madison, but that's the most expensive part of the region.

The job market, however, is generally not very good throughout the Driftless.

So you a farmer? Tried to get a stand at the Madison market lately?

More compition is not better.. Somewhere with less compition is better. Sure as heck you can farm up north.. Plenty of hungry wealthy tourists and markets that want more farmers.. In the south the markets are full up.. New farmers can not get in with profitable crops.

I bet you are not a market farmer. Right¿????????

Modern market farming is not Mr green jeans. Compost and hoop houses and you can grow vegetables anywhere... Hello. Market economics... Supply and demand. ...
Sorry I 100% do not think you have a clue of what you are talking about.. Just some farm market customer.. That thinks it is all kombala.

[KsStorm]

*Note to self* :Farmers want to discourage competition moving in.

[bluecarebear]

No. TrueTimbers is telling the truth. I live in PA. I can't tell you how many people I have witnessed try to make a living out of the markets. Most fail. The rest use the income as supplementary and have full time jobs.

Farming has become oversaturated. Here, besides the markets, are produce stands in small parking lots and resident's yards. Gardener's have permanent stands set up with veggies and jars. Because of this and other factors, some of the farmers markets are closing or cutting way back.

Also, the fact that you use the word "organic" is a sign as to how unfamiliar you are to the market. That term isn't used here. Most don't use the label organic because of the cost and hassle from the government. There are Amish on every corner. "Organic" isn't going to impress anyone so most farmers don't even bother getting the certification.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the Amish. Not sure how big they are in WI but people flock to them first as customers. It doesn't matter how great your produce is, if customers see a Amish stand, then they are stopping.

[KsStorm]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

No. TrueTimbers is telling the truth. I live in PA. I can't tell you how many people I have witnessed try to make a living out of the markets. Most fail. The rest use the income as supplementary and have full time jobs.

Farming has become oversaturated. Here, besides the markets, are produce stands in small parking lots and resident's yards. Gardener's have permanent stands set up with veggies and jars. Because of this and other factors, some of the farmers markets are closing or cutting way back.

Also, the fact that you use the word "organic" is a sign as to how unfamiliar you are to the market. That term isn't used here. Most don't use the label organic because of the cost and hassle from the government. There are Amish on every corner. "Organic" isn't going to impress anyone so most farmers don't even bother getting the certification.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the Amish. Not sure how big they are in WI but people flock to them first as customers. It doesn't matter how great your produce is, if customers see a Amish stand, then they are stopping.

Um, wow. I "use the word organic" not to "impress" anyone, but to signify that pesticides/herbicides aren't used. Who is talking about PA? I'm thinking this attitude from these posters stems from lack of success & fear of competition. Sad.