L'Etoile is a fine dining restaurant established in 1976 by Chef Odessa Piper. Our seasonal menus are inspired by the Midwest region and are rendered with a French influence.

"One of the many rewards farming has given me, is watching as the ingredients we worked so hard to cultivate on the farm are lovingly prepared into stellar meals at restaurants like L'Etoile."  — Kristen Kordet, Blue Moon Farm

Information About Wisconsin Farmers

Farm Fresh Atlas

The Farm Fresh Atlas lists farms that sell their products directly to customers. You can search their farm listings three different ways: via an alphabetical listing by farm, a farm map, or a listing by product.

Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition (MACSAC)

MACSAC promotes and supports local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms that provide organically grown produce to people throughout southern Wisconsin. MACSAC coordinates community and grower education programs about the benefits of locally, sustainably grown foods and operates the Partner Shares Program which raises funds to subsidize CSA memberships for households on a limited income. The MACSAC web site provides information about Community Supported Agriculture shares, featuring an expanded farm list, new interactive map, drop site listings, and a comparison of share and payment options, that help you find a farm that fits you and your family's needs.

Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB)

Chef Tory Miller was recently asked to be one of two Wisconsin Cheese Ambassadors for 2007 by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. WMMB is funded by dairy producers to promote all things dairy including milk, artisanal cheese, butter, yogurt, etc. WMMB offers membership, educational materials, newsletters, recipes, and scores of information on Wisconsin dairy products.

L'Etoile Farmers

About Our Farmers

Featured on this Season’s Menu

Artesian Farm Trout • Black Earth Valley Mushrooms • Bleu Mont Dairy Artisan Cheeses and Garlic • Duck from Blue Valley Gardens Potatoes from Butter Mountain Capri Farm Goat Cheese Carr Valley Artisan Cheeses • Lamb from Crawford Farm • Crave Brothers Artisan Cheeses • Driftless Organics Potatoes and Sweet Onions Fantôme Farm Fresh Chèvre • Fountain Prairie Farm Scottish Highland Beef • Future Fruit Apples • Garden to Be Micro Greens • Grass is Greener Lamb and Chicken Harmony Valley Crosnes and Golden Turnips • Sheep's Milk Cheese from Hidden Springs • Hook's Cheddar and Blue Cheeses • Jones' Valley Farm Potatoes 100 % Fair Trade and Organic "L'Etoile Blend" Coffee from Just Coffee Cooperative • LaQuercia Proscuitto • Radishes from Luna Circle • Kohlrabi, Daikon and Cabbage from Mammoth Produce • New Century Farm Organic Eggs • Gouda Cheese from Penterman Farm • Ray's Hickory Nuts • Delicata Squash from Ridgeland Harvest • Artisan Cheese from Roth Käse • Shooting Star Farm Greens, Beets and Turnips • Snug Haven Arugula, Spinach and Put-by Tomatoes • Uplands Cheese Company Pleasant Ridge Reserve • West Star Farm Herbs, Onions, and Salsify • Weston's Farm Antique Apples Willow Creek Farm Purebred Berkshire Pork

 

Frequently Featured on our Menus

A B C D E F G H J K L M N O P R S T U V W

A

Rainbow Trout from Artesian Trout Farm in Westfield.
The Artesian Trout Farm offers dressed, boned and smoked fresh rainbow trout raised on natural feed.

 

back to "About Our Farmers"


L'Etoile Farmers

 

B

Tart Door County Cherries from Barnard Farms in Egg Harbor.
A Wisconsin Berry Grower Member, James Barnard produces some remarkable fruit on his farm.

Sweet Corn from The Bee Charmer in Brooklyn.
Mary Celley specializes in white honey and organically raised produce and her sweet corn is one of the sweetest you'll ever taste! Her raspberries and strawberries are also produced organically.

Biersach Hickory Nut Heaven in Columbus.
After retirement Robert & Audrey Biersach found they had time to comb the woods for the biggest of the hickory nuts. When they realized there was a market for the tasty morsels, they decided to share their love for the art of preparing them for the Dane County Farmers Market. They meticulously sort and clean the nuts after they are cracked, one-at-a-time in a vise and picked out of the hard shells with a pick. The nuts are fresh for the fall market. Because of the time involved in the process, they are not able to get them all ready for the Market, so they will have nut meats to sell well into the New Year.

Salad Greens from Black Earth Valley in Black Earth.
Dan Deneen from Black Earth Valley produces remarkable vegetables, like asparagus, beans, beets, cucumbers, greens, lettuce, okra, onions, green onions, peas (snaps/pods), peppers, potatoes, radishes, spinach, winter squash, summer squash and tomatoes. Although he is not certified organic, he does follow sustainable, organic growing practices. You can find the Black Earth Valley stand at the Westside Community Market on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Artisan Cow's Milk Cheeses from Bleu Mont Dairy in Blue Mounds.
Willi Lehner explains that Bleu Mont Dairy has its roots in Switzerland, where Willi's dad learned the art of cheese making. He came to Wisconsin in 1954 and quickly became head cheesemaker in Mt. Horeb and he passed on his trade to his children. Willi began working along side his dad at a very young age and slowly gleaned the subtleties of what it takes to make great cheese. Bleu Mont Dairy maintains this connection to the past by staying small enough to not lose sight of quality over quantity. The best cheeses at Bleu Mont are made using "certified organic" milk; they make their most flavorful aged cheeses in October and November when the milk is the richest. Willi is one of the Wisconsin Artisan Cheesemakers who was featured in the Public Television Documentary with Chef Tory called "Living on the Wedge". You can find Bleu Mont Dairy's stand at the Westside Community Market on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Spinach and Heirloom Vegetables from Blue Moon Farm in Town of Dunn. Blue Moon is a community farm run by Kristin Kordet, who is also a fabulous member of L'Etoile's restaurant serving staff! Blue Moon Farm offers a wide variety of beautiful, sustainably grown produce. It is located just 8 miles south of Madison's capitol, nestled between woodland areas, restored prairies, and the shores of Lake Waubesa. You can find Blue Moon's produce Tuesdays at the Eastside Farmers Market on Ingersoll St. and Saturdays at the Westside Community Market on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Asparagus from Blue Valley Gardens in Blue Mounds.
“Food is a vice and it is one of my favorites. When I was going back to school in 1975 at UW-Madison, I was deciding what to do. When I saw fruit and vegetable production offered under the Ag School's Department of Horticulture, I was sold. I worked at several other farms selling at the Dane County Farmers Market until we got our own place going in 1984. We are certified and maintain a strong organic outlook and goal of raising all our own produce and poultry. Our products are a reflection of our commitment to allowing our customers to enjoy the best quality organic produce and poultry possible. That level of good feeling can continue when they display those same vegetables, fruits and meats at the table.”
—Matt Smith, Blue Valley Gardens

Radishes from Blue Skies Farm in Brooklyn.
Blue Skies Farm has been certified organic since 1995. On their 2-1/2 acres, they grow red, yellow and orange raspberries, heirloom and European vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. They are open for U-Pick in August and September. You can stop by the Blue Skies Stand at the Eastside Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings from 4-7 p.m. on Ingersoll Street.

Fingerling Potatoes from Butter Mountain in Richland Center.
John Aue and Jane Mussey began selling potatoes at the Dane County Farmers Market in 1993. At that time, there were few growers supplying multiple organic potato varieties at the Market, so given their love of growing potatoes, they were happy to meet that need! Stop by their certified organic stand on Saturdays to try some of their delicious varieties.

back to "About Our Farmers"

L'Etoile Farmers

C

Organic Farmstead Feta from Capri Cheese in Blue River.
Felix Thalhammer started raising and milking goats by necessity nine years ago, when their infant son was allergic to cow's milk. Felix's Swiss roots told him he should use this goat's milk to make cheese himself. He was further inspired by cheesemaking courses at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a family trip to Switzerland in 1998, where they saw the rich traditions of seasonal cheese-making. This is very much a one-man operation, from cheese-making, aging, and selling at the Dane County Farmers' Market. (Well, to be entirely accurate, Leif is starting to be a big help!) Felix and Leif are proud of their Swiss heritage and their blue cheesemaker's shirts sport the blue gentian flower traditionally associated with Swiss dairying.

Berries, Grapes and Apples from Carandale Farm in Oregon.
Dale and Cindy Secher began growing apples, strawberries, grapes and raspberries fulltime in 1976 and Carandale Farm is still green and growing 30 years later. In fact, Carandale Farm is the largest and longest established "Pick-Your-Own" farm in Dane County.   Besides selling produce from their farm, the Secher's attend the Dane County Farmer's Market.  In the fall, they also supply apples weekly to several school lunch programs.  An unusual outlet for their apples is the University of Wisconsin-Madison Primate Center. Chimpanzees and monkeys there enjoy 12 bushels of Carandale apples a week!

Edible Flowers and Herbs from Carpenters' Farm in Fort Atkinson.
For more than a quarter of a century, Quentin & Mary Carpenter have been raising pesticide and herbicide-free vegetables, fruit, flowers, herbs and plants. They also raise lamb and poultry. You can see their produce for yourselves at the Dane County Farmers' Market on Saturdays.

Artisan Cheeses from Carr Valley Cheese in LaValle.
Owned and operated by the Cook family, Carr Valley Cheese Company is over one-hundred years old and to this day remains one of Wisconsin's traditional cheese plants, famous for making cheese the old-fashioned way. From traditional classics like expertly aged Cheddar to award-winning American Originals like Cocoa Cardona and Gran Canaria, their skilled cheesemakers turn milk delivered fresh from local dairy farms into more than 50 delicious cheese varieties.

Angus and Jersey Beef from Cates Family Farm in Spring Green.
The Cates Family Farmstead has been in their family for nearly 40 years, and has produced beef on its pastures for over 100 years. Their Angus and Jersey steers are raised “free range” (grass-fed), and without growth hormones or antibiotics. Steers are 100% grass finished spring though autumn; corn is fed at finishing in the winter. Flavor and tenderness are enhanced through the "aging" process prior to packaging. Their beef has less excess fat than conventional feedlot-finished beef, and research is now showing that grass-fed beef and dairy products are significantly higher in naturally occurring compounds which help the body to prevent cancer and heart disease. Their beef is a delicious and healthy product and it is available as steaks, roasts, lean ground beef, summer sausage, beef sticks or jerky; and delivered to your door with a smile! Dick and Kim Cates also donate a portion of their proceeds to childhood cancer research, natural resource stewardship and citizen efforts to fight hunger in Wisconsin.

Bison and Maple Syrup from Cherokee Farms in Colby.
This 440-acre bison farm, located in central Wisconsin, began as an alternative to dairy farming and is now a successful bison business. The purchase of their first bison was in 1989, Cherokee Bison Farms is now home to over 250 head of pure-bred American Bison. Their animals are all naturally raised, without growth hormones, chemicals, antibiotics or feed additives. The bison are on a rotational pasture system, with supplemental hay and other roughage supplied in our winter months. Cherokee Bison Farms can be found at the Dane County Farmers Market April through November.

Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese in Waterloo.
Charles, George, Thomas, and Mark Crave were raised on a 40 cow dairy farm near Beloit, Wisconsin; they began farming together in 1978 in Mount Horeb, milking 57 cows on a rented farm.  Over the years, they grew to become a 600 cow dairy farm and added a 6,000 square foot cheese factory using their own high quality milk to produce specialty cheeses.  Their cheeses are crafted with great care, using old world techniques.  Their two licensed cheesemakers combine over 45 years of cheesemaking experience.  Their cheese factory is integrated from crops to cows, cows to cheese. 

Lamb from Crawford Farm in New Glarus.
Crawford Farm, operated by Janie and Andy Crawford, is renowned in the world of cuisine for providing excellent lamb. Raised organically, Crawford lamb is served at a short list of high-class restaurants in Madison and Chicago.

Salad Greens and Arugula from Creekside Farm in Prairie du Chien. Creekside Farm resides upon 40 acres in beautiful Southwestern Wisconsin. It is filled with steep hills and valleys or "coulees." Chris Fenendael and Mark Kupper have been operating Creekside Farm for eight years. At Creekside Farm you will find herbs, asparagus, strawberries, scallions, radishes, turnips, potatoes, summer squash, beans, okra, pumpkins, acorn and butternut squash. Arugula, baby salad greens, cut flowers and heirloom tomato sets are their specialties. At the Dane County Farmers Market on Saturdays, their colorful cut flower bouquets and the smell of their sweet strawberries draw attention from shoppers. Mark says the strawberries smell so sweet he can pick them in the dark!

back to "About Our Farmers"

L'Etoile Farmers
Shooting Star Farm Frisee

 

D

Sweet Potatoes from Don's Produce in Arena.
Don's parents began operating a roadside market in the Arena area in the early 1960s. Don then followed suit and began his own business in 1971, while he was still in high school. Today, Don's Produce operates a hydroponic greenhouse that grows a variety of vegetables including tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn, radishes, spinach and onions. Don's produce is available at the Westside Community Market on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Potatoes from Driftless Organics in Soldiers Grove
Joshua and Noah Engel are certified organic growers who produce marvelous potatoes, among other crops. Their potatoes are frequently on our menus for L'Etoile and Café Soleil and you can find their produce at the Dane County Farmers Market on Saturdays and at the Westside Community Market on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

back to "About Our Farmers"

E

Apples and Pears from Ela Orchard in Rochester.
In 1920 Bob Willard's grandfather bought the land that is currently home to Ela Orchard. In 1978 he and his cousin Edwin became official active partners –the 3rd generation working this particular piece of land. Edwin and his family still live and work at the orchard as does Bob’s wife, Jane and his two children. There are apple trees at Ela Orchard that were planted in the 1940’s and are still producing. Currently there are 20 acres of apples with 1200 trees producing 35 different varieties of apples and a few different kinds of pears, including the coveted Moonglow Pear. Apple varieties range from the older Snows and Russets to “standards” such as Red and Golden Delicious to newer scab resistant varieties like the Gala, Liberty and Jonafree. Ela Orchard often pick the apples later in season than most orchards, increasing the flavor of the apples.

back to "About Our Farmers"

L'Etoile Farmers
Anne from Fantôme Farm

 

F

Chèvre from Fantôme Farm in Ridgeway.
Anne Topham and Judy Borree started Fantôme Farm on a ridge in the driftless area of southwestern Wisconsin. It is a small farm with a milk house for the goats and a cheese factory where cheeses are made by hand. Their award-winning farmstead goat cheese (or chèvre) is made fresh with milk from their own goats in a gentle by-hand process that enhances the rich flavor of their milk into exquisite cheeses. Anne and Judy enjoy selling their cheese directly to customers at the Dane County Farmers Market and they like the similarity to the traditional way farmers in France market their goat cheese.

Provolone from Farmer John's in Spring Green.
The Farmer John operation in Spring Green began with the first Farmer John at the turn of the century. Currently Farmer John the Fourth is 10 years old and very much involved in the farming operation. At Farmer John's, they specialize in selling and producing Italian Cheese from their dairy farm. Their Italian Cheese, Parmesian, Romano, Asiago and Provolone are all aged and flavorful. They also have fresh eggs, chickens, pigs and Farmer John IV always has special projects ... this year's project is peacocks. You can stop by the Farmer Johns stand at the Eastside Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings from 4-7 p.m. on Ingersoll Street or at the Hilldale Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Highland Beef, naturally–raised at Fountain Prairie Farm in Fall River. John and Dorothy Priske raise registered Highland cattle naturally, without growth hormones or antibiotics in their feed. The cattle are free to roam their lush pastures, directly harvesting the sun's energy to produce lean, flavorful beef. Small amounts of grain are added to the steers' diet to increase marbling in the meat. As members of the Quality Highland Beef Program, their steers are processed at the age of 14 - 36 months, and the meat is allowed to age for a minimum of 14 days (although they prefer to allow 21 days). The Priskes began selling their Highland cattle at the Dane County Farmers' Market in 1987; you can still find them there every Saturday from late April to early November on Carroll Street in Madison, across from the Grace Episcopal Church.

Heirloom Vegetables from Maryellen & Roger Frey in Middleton.
Maryellen and Roger follow organic practices on their land in Middleton growing a wide variety of heirloom vegetables like asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), corn (Indian), cucumbers, garlic, gourds, greens, kohlrabi, lettuce, mushrooms, green onions, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, rhubarb, spinach, winter squash, summer squash, and tomatoes. You can also find lots of fruit like cherries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, currants, elderberries, cantaloupe, and watermelon at their stand at the Dane County Farmers Market.

Pears and Apples from Future Fruit Farm in Ridgeway.
Future Fruit Farm is a certified organic family farm located on the beautiful ridges overlooking the Wisconsin River Valley. Bob, Ellen and Selena Lane have chosen to specialize in and grow old-time and exotic varieties of fruit on their farm. The unusual and delicious apples and pears that they produce are harder to grow, but well worth the effort! For over twenty-four years the Lanes have been testing varieties of apples, pears, and plums, attempting to perfect organic fruit growing methods and meet the challenges of climatic pressures. The Lanes value supporting local food supplies and their family farm is dedicated to sustainable agriculture. They begin harvesting fruit in late July and continue harvesting through October. You can find Future Fruit at the Dane County Farmer's Market, at Madison, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis natural food stores and Co-ops, and at the finest restaurants in Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

back to "About Our Farmers"

L'Etoile Farmers
Snug Haven Chickens

 

G

Micro-greens, Mint & Flowers from Garden to Be in Mount Horeb.
Garden To Be Community Farm is located in the beautiful hills of Primrose Township, between Mt. Horeb and New Glarus. Scott Williams and April Yancer grow 3 acres of specialty vegetables for CSA Members, Madison restaurants, DCFM, Eastside Market and Home Grown Wisconsin in this picturesque setting. 2006 marks the first year that they are regular vendors at the Saturday Dane County Farmers Market. All of our products are certified Naturally Grown, an alternative to the USDA Organic certification, you can learn more aobut this certification by visiting their stand. They use very little machinery on the farm, which is only 30 minutes from the Market as they strive for energy efficiency in contributing to a localized food system.

Honey and Candles from Gentle Breeze Honey in Mount Horeb.
Owner, Eugene Woller, has been producing pure, natural, unfiltered Gentle Breeze Honey since 1965. The primary source of their honey is white clover, alfalfa and basswood grown on Wisconsin's finest family-owned dairy farms. Gentle Breze Honey markets pure, fancy white clover honey in a variety of sizes ranging from half-pints to five pounds. Bulk honey orders are also available upon request. Their specialty item is the old-fashioned honey comb that Grandma remembers eating as a kid! A by-product of the honey production is bee's wax. Gentle Breeze Honey has utilized this resource in the production of lovely hand-made candles in a wide variety of styles and sizes. Pure bee's wax candles burn brightly with a delightful frangrance. They burn longer and cleaner than paraffin wax and seldom drip. Gentle Breeze also markets pure bee's waax in one-pound blocks. Check them out at the Dane County Farmers' Market where West Washington Avenue meets the Capitol Square!

Wild Plums from Gentlemen Farmers in Rio.
Dennis Haug raises a variety of vegetables and fruit on his farm in Rio, Wisconsin. Although the farm is not certified organic, he does follow organic growing standards.

Organic mushrooms from Gourmet’s Delight in Eden.
Rich & John Floyd have been farming mushrooms with their families for 24 years. Together these brothers have mastered the art of growing chemical-free mushrooms, a significant feat in the produce world. Gourmet’s Delight raises their mushrooms in an indoor facility of about 20,000 square feet (not quite one and one-half football fields). Their wonderful mushrooms can be found at the Dane County Farmers' Market on Saturdays.

Lamb from Grass is Greener in Monroe. This picturesque 130-acre farm is nestled in the hills of Southwestern Wisconsin and is run by Rich Horbaczewski and Jackie Gennett. They moved from the city in 2003 to run a sustainable organic farm raising lamb, chickens, eggs, various produce, and cut flowers. You can find their produce at the Dane County Farmers Market and the Northside Farmers Market.

back to "About Our Farmers"


L'Etoile Farmers
West Star Farm

H

Ramps and Rhubarb from Harmony Valley Farm in Viroqua.
Harmony Valley is a family owned, diversified farm with over 30 years of experience producing high quality, organic vegetables and berries. Harmony Valley is located in an isolated valley in southwestern Wisconsin. Each Saturday from May to November you can find them at the Dane County Farmers Market, located on Mifflin Street, between Wisconsin and Pinckney. In addition, Harmony Valley Farm offers a CSA program, a weekly newsletter, and special events at the farm.

Heck's Market in Arena.
Gary & Cheryl Heck started Heck's Market in 1972 as a retail produce stand. Since then, they have put in a line of groceries and a greenhouse for their own plants and for retail plant sales. Pumpkins are their specialty. They display between 8,000 and 10,000 pumpkins on their farm from the third week in September through October. Heck's market grows a full line of fresh market produce with sweet corn, melons, strawberries, tomatotes and pumpkins.

Squash and Pumpkins from Hermanson Pumpkin Patch.
If autumn conjures up thoughts of pumpkins, squash, Indian corn and gourds, Hermanson Pumpkin Patch is one place you'll want to visit. They have 32 varieties of pumpkins of all colors and sizes. You are welcome to pick your own pumpkin if you like, just pull a wagon into the field to pick, or choose a pumpkin in the yard. They also have small animals to view. They are located in Edgerton and are open the fourth week of September and all of October, 9am-6pm.

Edible Flowers and Herbs from Hickory Hill Farm in Loganville.
Hickory Hill Farm has belonged to the Kruse family since 1892. Harold and Carla, and son Richard, grow all their greens, herbs, flowers, heirloom tomatoes, potatoes, and other vegetables organically and are approved by Natural Foods Associates of Wisconsin. One of Richard's 4-H projects brought a new taste to Hickory Hill Farms' selection, and you'll often find his red maple syrup next to the vegetables at the Dane County Farmers' Market.

Marieke Gouda from Holland's Family Farm in Thorp. Rolf and Marieke Penterman emigrated from the Netherlands in 2002 to pursue their dreams of dairy farming and cheese making. Their Marieke Gouda is unique in that it is aged. Aging gouda is not common practice and it gives their Marieke Gouda a more complex sweet and nutty flavor. In 2007, Marieke won Best of Class in the Open Class for Flavored Semi-soft Cheeses at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest.

Aged Cheddar and Blue Cheese from Hook's Cheese Company in Mineral Point. In 1970, Tony Hook began apprenticing at a small cheese factory in Barnevel and got his cheesemaker's license in 1972. Tony and Julie formed Hook's Cheese Company and began producing cheese in 1976. Their cheeses are made with milk from several small dairy farms around Mineral Point, Wisconsin that all raise their cows sustainably and without BGH. Best known for its blues, colby and aged cheddar cheeses, Hook's is currently storing an impressive 600,000 pounds of aging cheese.

back to "About Our Farmers"

L'Etoile Farmers
Mary from Carpenters' Farm

 

J

Pastured poultry from JenEhr Family Farm in Sun Prairie.
Kay Jensen and Paul Erhart run JenEhr Family Farm, a diversified organic fruit and vegetable farm with additional land devoted to pastured chickens and turkeys. They raise 15 acres of organic vegetables, have three hoophouses for season extension and finish nearly 10,000 pastured poultry and 400 heritage turkeys. JenEhr produce and poultry are available through their CSA program, Madison and Milwaukee Farmers' Markets and several great restuarants in the midwest. They are located 17 miles east of Madison's Capitol Square. Paul and Kay provide great on farm opportunities from strawberry picking to weekly CSA box pick up and farm tours. Look for the JenEhr stand at the Westside Community Market on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Jones Valley Farm is owned and operated by Jean and Michael Martin. Their farm is nestled in picturesque Jones Valley near Spring Green, Wisconsin. On their own, Jean and Michael produce an array of vegetables and fruit including artichokes, broccoli romanesco, brussels sprouts, cardoon, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, cipollini, cucumbers, eggplant, escarole, fava beans, garlic, greens, haricot verts, lettuce, okra, potatoes, radicchio, rapini, squash, tomatoes, turnips, strawberries, and watermelon that they sell at the Dane County Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Jones Valley Farm is certified organic by Midwest Organic Services Association.

“L’Etoile Blend” Coffee from Just Coffee is L'Etoile's own proprietary blends of fresh roasted, 100 % fair trade, organically certified, shade grown coffees which are roasted fresh daily at Madison's own Just Coffee Cooperative! "Just Coffee Co-op's mission is to work with small grower cooperatives in true partnership, using the language and mechanics of market economics to turn the market on its ear. We source the finest green coffee on earth, air-roast it to perfection, and to deliver the highest quality beans proving to our customers that a better model can also deliver higher quality products." The world's finest coffees demand an artisan's skill to bring out their individual character and complex flavors.

back to "About Our Farmers"

K

Krinke's Farm Market in Reeseville.
Krinke's was established in 1972 by DuWayne and Melva Krinke. They specialize in rabbits and poultry: chickens, Muscovy ducks, and turkeys. They are also well known for their popcorn!

back to "About Our Farmers"

L'Etoile Farmers
John from Fountain Prairie Farm chatting with Chef Tory

 

L

Lange Farm Meats in Platteville.
Rich Lange raises and sells certified organic beef, pork, chicken and turkey. Lange Farm provides individual cuts, sides or quarters of beef and pork. They are state inspected and certified organic through Oregon Tilth. Their livestock are all raised with access to pasture and sunlight. They do not use herbicides or pesticides on their fields, or antibiotics or hormones on any livestock.

Blueberries from Lefebers Farm in Cassville.
David and Ruth Lefeber run this farm in Cassville. Their fruit is especially remarkable, especially the blueberries and raspberries. They also grow watermelons, pumpkins, winter squash, tomatoes, gourds, and cut flowers. You can find them at the Dane County Farmers Market on Saturdays.

Farmstead Cheese from Love Tree Farm in Grantsburg.
LoveTree Farmstead Cheese produces some of the world's finest and most unique sheep cheese and dry-aged "European" style grass fed organic lamb. It was established in 1986 in the Trade Lake area of northern Wisconsin. Since their environment is not the safest for sheep production, they utilize the services of sheep guardian dogs which allow their livestock to graze in secure surroundings without upsetting the natural order of their wild counterparts. LoveTree is organically farmed with 130 acres devoted to grazing lands and 70 acres devoted to wildlife habitat. The goal at LoveTree is to be able to exist in a harmonious nature with their environment through proper stewardship of the land and their livestock. They have been farming in this manner for the past 19 years, and feel that it benefits not just their immediate family, but the local community as well.

Sweet Corn from Luck's Produce in Randolph.
Dan and Lorrie Luck specialize in raising sweet corn and fall decorative items. They raise the best tasting sweet corn varieties available; top quality corn has been the secret to their success. They hand pick all of their corn and before the customer sees it, the corn will have been hand sorted twice. Nothing but the best from the field ever makes it to their display at the Dane County Farmers Market. Gourds, squash and all sizes of pumpkins are also available.

Heirloom Produce from Luna Circle Farm in Rio.
Tricia Bross believes in walking lightly on the earth and so Luna Circle Farm is dedicated to the ideal of small-scale agriculture that fosters respect for the land that feeds us. Luna Circle Farm raises about 40 different vegetables and herbs, and all of the produce is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Techniques such as rotating crops, using live mulches, growing cover crops, providing beneficial insect habitats, and saving their own seeds help move them toward a self-sustaining farm ecosystem. Luna Circle Farm can be found at the Dane County Farmers Market on Saturdays, on Mifflin Street, just a few stands from the corner of Mifflin and Pinckney Streets.

back to "About Our Farmers"

L'Etoile Farmers
Sue from Willow Creek

 

M

Pheasants from MacFarlane Pheasants in Janesville.
Bill and Phoebe MacFarlane own and operate MacFarlane Pheasants. Since their founding in 1929, they have grown to be the largest pheasant farm in North America.

Romanesco Broccoli, Cabbage and Cauliflower from Mammoth Produce in Randolph. Ed and Diane Westra grew into the market business slowly, starting young with a tractor and a road corner. After they were married in 1976, they started to go to the Dane County Farmers' Market, when it was still being held in front of the City/County Building., with peppers, cabbage, and sweet corn. They have since stopped raising sweet corn, but have added broccoli, cauliflower and eggplant. They changed their name from Ed's Produce to Mammoth Produce to reflect the finding of Wooly Mammoth bones on their farm in 1989 while digging an irrigation pond.

Strawberries and Melons from Morren Fruits and Vegetables in Orfordville. This small family farm is operated by Henry & Lisa Morren who are committed to sustainable agriculture. All of their produce meets or exceeds regional and national organic standards. Their many vegetables include delicious varieties of fresh potatoes, Asian eggplant and French green beans. Their many fruits include apples, cherries, grapes, melons, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries and straberries. They can be found at the Dane County Farmers Market on Saturdays and at the Eastside Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings from 4-7 p.m. on Ingersoll Street.

Cottage Cheese from Murphy Farms in Soldiers Grove.
Tom and Sally Murphy joined the Dane County Farmers Market in 1994 with the hope of trying to save their sixth generation farm. The Market has been a real lifesaver for their farm. Their fresh cheese curds, line of cheddar cheeses and fresh made cottage cheese are very popular at markte. In 1999, they also added a bakery to the farm. Sally's love for baking and experience in the bakery business resulted in their ability to offer fresh baked products along with their cheese products. Sally makes everything herself and all of it is from scratch. She uses real butter and eggs in all of her products. There are 13 different kinds of nut breads. All are loaded with lots of fruits and nuts. We have wonderful muffins that you can actually find filled with fruit. Our bars are made just like you would make them at home and are made with no artificial ingredients. Look for the Murphy Family Farm stand at the Westside Community Market on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

back to "About Our Farmers"

N

Organic Eggs* from Dean Dickel’s New Century Farm in Shullsberg.
New Century Farm started with just a handful of customers and now sells their eggs to more than 20 stores and restaurants. Dean manages the seven-acre operation with the help of his wife Mary and their two children.

Beef from Northwood Farm in Wonewoc.
Jim and Rebecca Goodman operate Northwood Farm, along with Jim's brother Francis Goodman. The farm is located in Wonewoc, northwest of Madison in Sauk County, and raises beef cattle. Their cattle are fed homegrown forage and pastured pending the season. They are certified organic, and are not fed antibiotics, GMOs, or animal by-products. Jim and Rebecca have been vendors at the Dane County Farmers' Market for eight years, you can find them on the West Mifflin side of the sqaure on Saturday mornings.

back to "About Our Farmers"

 

L'Etoile Farmers
Bob from Ela Orchard

O

Organic Beef Tenderloin from Organic Valley in LaFarge.
Organic Prairie is the new brand name for the organic meat from this cooperative of family farms.

back to "About Our Farmers"

P

Watercress and Hungarian Peppers from Pederson Produce in Stoughton. The Pederson family has been participating in the Dane County Farmers Market for 24 years. Pederson Produce was started by the Pederson's son, who always seemed to have a green thumb. The entire family is involved in the operation, including two of the Pederson grandchildren. You should stop by the market in late-May to early-June to visit the Pederson family stand and pick up some of their organic peppers, watercress and fresh honey.

Daikon, Beets, Shallots, and Spinach from Primrose Community Farm in Middleton. Primrose Community Farm started in 2005 and has been growing a plethora of vegetables ever since. They are committed to using sustainable agricultural practices including developing ecological principles in managing their five acre farm. "We don't really find a need for [synthetic chemicals] as we have found that our diverse system of producing many different types of crops as well as maintaining the health of the soil is the key aspect to farming successfully." You can find Primrose Community Farm produce at the Westside Community Market or by joining their CSA.

back to "About Our Farmers"

R

Heirloom Vegetables and Herbs from Rainbow's End in Beaver Dam. Sue and Todd Gronholz started Rainbow' End in 1993 and have been growing ever since. Their herb plants and fresh-cut herbs are available at the Dane County Farmers Market and at some grocery stores in town. Due to thier small size, they have chosen not to become organically certified, however, they do follow the organic growing standards for everything they produce.

Ray's Hickory Nuts from Ray & Virgelia Pamperin in Juneau.
Available at the Dane County Farmer’s Market, Ray's Green Market began in 1979 after Ray and Virgelia retired from dairy farming and built their home on 2 acres of land outside of Juneau, Wisconsin. Ray specializes in native Wisconsin nuts gathered in the fall and cracked throughout the year. Hickory Nuts are the best of the locally grown nuts, being both delicious and readily available.

Pesto from Renaissance Farm in Spring Green.
Renaissance Farm is a family-owned grower, producer and manufacturer of organic herbs and vegetables based in Spring Green. Known best for their gourmet pestos, Renaissance Farm, Inc. also makes delectable bakery items, which are now sold under the "Village Bakery" name. Renaissance Farm works with land that is certified organic by the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) and all of their farming techniques are in accordance as well. Renaissance Farm was founded in 1984 by Mark and Mary Olson, when Mark's passion for pesto got the best of him. He wanted to take his organic homegrown herbs from field to table; hence his line of all natural pesto was born.

Award-winning specialty cheeses from Roth Käse in Monroe. A few L'Etoile favorites include Roth Käse Buttermilk Blue, Roth's Private Reserve, and Gran Queso.  Roth Käse uses the freshest local milk to craft their cheeses.  Additionally, their commitment to excellence has earned Roth Käse cheeses over 100 awards in regional, national and international competitions over the past decade. You can visit their unique chalet factory to get a first hand look at their extraordinary cheesemaking process!

back to "About Our Farmers"

L'Etoile Farmers
Harmony Valley Farm Stand


S

Salad Greens and Heirloom Tomatoes from Shooting Star Farm in Mineral Point. Rink DaVee and Jenny Bonde grow wonderful heirloom vegetables, herbs and berries on their Certified Naturally Grown farm. If you are looking to try some of their produce, you can find their farm stand at the Eastside Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m on Ingersoll Street.

Spinach and Put-By Tomatoes from Snug Haven Farm in Belleville.
Snug Haven is owned and run by Judy Hageman and Bill Warner, who have been vendors at the Dane County Farmers Market since 1989. Bill Warner insists that February spinach is the best of the year. His motto: "Let it freeze!" Warner credits the spinach's stunning sweetness and lack of bitterness with the regular freezings it receives each night. He also admits that the farm's soil contributes its bit, suggesting that other growers are unlikely to match Snug Haven Farm's flavor.

Raspberries from Sow Little Farm in Madison.
Sow Little Farm produces fresh raspberries from early May through December for chefs and raspberry connoisseurs in Madison and its surrounding communities. Terry and Michael grow the raspberries in hoophouses using organic practices. No pesticides or herbicides are used, therefore it is not necessary to wash the berries. This allows the berries to attain their highest quality. All of their varieties are fantastically flavorful. Join their email list for notification of when berries are available.

Stenrud Greenhouse was started by Lynn and Phil Bednarek and Lynn has been selling at the Dane County Farmer's Market for over 20 years. Stenrud Greenhouse offers a wide variety of products. In the spring, you'll find many varieties of bedding plants, vegetable plants, and some perenials such as hostas and daisies. As we come in to summer, you'll find fresh flower bouquets and fresh produce. As summer progresses, we harvest our everlastings and start to bring the dried arrangements that have been so popular over the years. Some of our produce includes Haricots Verts (specialty French fillet green beans), as well as many other types of beans, potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, grape and cherry tomatoes, soybeans, peas, several types of onions, fantastic leeks, fennel, zucchini, cucumbers, sweet and hot peppers, celeriac, swiss chard, rutabaga, and the list goes on. Our everlasting arrangements contain only materials we grow ourselves and all produce is Wisconsin grown!

Berries from Sylvan Disch in Monticello, WI.
Sylvan and Avis Disch run this farm in Monticello following organic growing standards. Their lovely produce can be found at the Dane County Farmers Market on Saturdays and the abundance is obvious. A stop at their stand and you will see the many varieties or fruit and vegetables, flowers and plants that they grow.

back to "About Our Farmers"

L'Etoile Farmers
Judy from Snug Haven

T

Heirloom Vegetables from Tipi Produce in Evansville.
Tipi Produce grows 35 acres of certified organic vegetables. Their diverse crops include red peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn, melons, strawberries, lettuce, snap peas, carrots & more. Look for their produce in natural food stores and coops in Madison and Milwaukee.

Heirloom Vegetables from Tomato Mountain in Brooklyn.
Tomato Mountain Farm is a 12-acre certified organic farm located 20 miles south of Madison, Wisconsin. Chris Covelli and Christa Barfknecht grow a large variety of vegetables, greens, herbs, and berries ranging from basic staples to heirlooms and specialties. You can find their farm stand at the Westside Community Market on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Hazelnuts from Trufflebert Farms in Eugene, Oregon. For more the two decades the staff at Trufflebert Farms have been producing award-winning hazelnuts without the use of pesticides. They are 100% certified organic. Trufflebert Farms' philosophy relies on treating the earth and their hazelnut trees with the utmost care to ensure that people are getting a 100% natural hazelnut product that tastes fantastic!

back to "About Our Farmers"

U

Pleasant Ridge Reserve from Uplands Cheese Company in Dodgeville. Uplands Cheese is owned and operated by two families: Mike and Carol Gingrich and Dan and Jeanne Patenaude. They formed Uplands Cheese together to produce and distribute a unique cheese that they developed using centuries-old techniques that originated in the alpine provinces of France. Pleasant Ridge Reserve is that artisanal cheese made from the non-pasteurized milk of a single herd of Wisconsin cows fed and managed using natural, "old world" practices. Their cows graze lush pastures from early spring through fall; the resulting milk has better nutritional value and more varied and subtle flavors that are expressed in the delicate flavor profile of Pleasant Ridge Reserve cheese. Pleasant Ridge Reserve has received numerous prestigious awards. Most recently it was awarded Best of Show at the 2005 American Cheese Society conference, an accolade it won for the second time, having been awarded Best of Show in 2001 as well. Additionally, Pleasant Ridge Reserve was named U.S. Champion at the 2003 U.S. Championship cheese contest. Pleasant Ridge Reserve is the only cheese to ever win both national competitions.

back to "About Our Farmers"

L'Etoile Farmers
Rink from Shooting Star Farm

 

V

Tomatoes from Voss Organics in Madison.
Located on Madison’s north side, Voss Organics runs on the passion of Mark and Michelle Voss who are committed to growing heirloom tomatoes by whatever means necessary! The Vosses grow tomatoes in their hoop-house and on approximately 3,000 square feet of their own MOSA-certified organic lawn; their heirloom seedlings and tomatoes benefit from a healthy, local growing cycle and an unusually short trip to the Madison markets. By re-engineering the use of the front and back yards, this city farm uses a plan designed to take full advantage of growing vertically to make up for a lack of horizontal space.

back to "About Our Farmers"

W

Salsify from West Star Farm in Madison.
West Star Farm specializes in growing a wide array of organic plants, herbs, vegetables and flowers; their main focus is the quality of all of their products.  West Star Farm sells to markets, grocers and restaurants all around the Midwest.  You can occassionally find them at the Dane County Farmers Market on the Capitol Square and at the Hilldale Farmers Market throughout the growing season. Customers are also always welcome to visit and buy directly from the farm.

Apples from Weston's Antique Apple Orchards in New Berlin. Weston's Orchards, the oldest active orchard in Waukesha, were established in 1935 by Harvey and Alice Weston. The family-operated orchards have supplied the public with historic apple varieties for over 60 years. The orchards cover 16 acres with more than 700 trees and over 100 varieties with dates varying from the Calville Blanc d'Hiver (1598), Gravenstien (1600) to the Wolf River (1881) and Pink Pearl(1944). Weston's Orchards work to conserve these antique apple vaieties from extinction. The Old Church apple, for example, is grown solely on their farm.

Willow Creek Farm Purebred Berkshire Pork raised by the Rengers in Loganville. Tony and Sue Renger and their three children live in the Baraboo Hills of southwestern Wisconsin, close to urban and rural customers who appreciate the Rengers’ humane pig husbandry. Their Willow Creek Farm (WCF) products are sold to chefs in Madison, at farmers markets, and in small town delicatessens. At Willow Creek Farm, "we strive to form a relationship with consumers in order to make the food system more local, safe, and sustainable. We feel that by raising our hogs humanely and in a sustainable manner we are working with the natural rhythm of the seasons and the land. Growing the corn and wheat straw on our land and returning manure to the fields for fertilizer creates a circle of fertility that we believe is one of the foundations of good husbandry, both of our hogs and our land." -Tony and Sue Renger

back to "About Our Farmers"

back to top

L'Etoile Farmers
George from West Star Farm