These Pumpkins Will Give You 'Pumpkin' to Talk About

local giant gourd grower starts a community of giant pumpkin growers, one pumpkin at a time

The first giant pumpkin that shannon engel ever grew was classified as a “squash” because it was looking a little too green. “From that day on,” he said, “I vowed I would never grow an ugly pumpkin again.” ...

The Glass Orchard Is Exactly What It Sounds Like

Nestled on the south side of Eau Claire on four acres of land is The Glass Orchard. Owners Jon Chapman and Dawn Passineau bought the property in 2017 with plans to open a glass studio. They both have an ...

What’s the Buzz?

local beekeepers keep bees in business

According to Don Hauser, the president of the Chippewa Valley Beekeepers Association, the Chippewa Valley is a “sweet spot” for beekeepers, since folks ...

Planting a Community

a bird’s eye view of a local community garden & the people that make it grow

Gardening in a porch pot can be satisfying and yield an acceptable harvest, but there’s nothing like sinking your hands into the earth itself, sowing seeds, and watching green things ...

Winter Storage for Garden Vegetables

creative ways to keep your harvest fresh for months

One of the joys of summer is walking through the garden in late afternoon and planning the evening meal around whichever produce is ready to pick. With September’s shorter daylight and cooling temperatures ...

You Can Pickle That?

adventures beyond the cucumber

We’ve enjoyed another bounteous summer, but as the chill settles in and fall brings farmers market season to a close, it’s time to consider ways to get the most out of the remaining fall produce. Pickling is a centuries-old technique for preserving foods that involves submerging foods in vinegar ...

Raise a Glass at Oktoberfest

2018 Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest is right around the corner

Time to dust off that lederhosen! The 2018 Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest is right around the corner. This year’s celebration is packed with exciting activities centered on traditional German music, food, and ...

7 Wild Plants to Put on Your Table This Fall

our wild guide to seasonal foraging

Jim Schwiebert’s coworkers put up their guard when he approaches, lest he offer them a taste of something he scrounged up from his yard, on a trail, or from the garden behind their offices at Beaver Creek Reserve ...

Apple Season

birds, bees, and neighbor kids are all after the fruit of the fall

The Cortland apples are turning red. Some will be wormy since I raise them without pesticides. My treatment is an empty gallon milk or water bottle with a small hole cut out near the top. I mix cider vinegar, brown sugar, water ...

If You Plan It, You Can Can It

find trustworthy sources to prepare for food preservation season

When it comes to flavor and taste, few things compare to home-canned produce fresh from the garden. The home canning and preserving season is now upon us, so it’s time to get your gear and recipes ready ...