About Lafayette County, WI

Argyle has a cutting edge program in their schools nowadays, the Argyle Integrated Environmental Studies program. As a fundraiser, the students are currently doing their annual Native Plant Sale. Proceeds go towards new scientific equipment, greenhouse supplies, curriculum and field trips.

The students have harvested over fifty varieties of native seeds this fall during their fieldwork. They will be planting these seeds and raising the seedlings in their greenhouse over winter. You can purchase single species trays, custom trays and collection trays. Each tray has 32 healthy plants in 2 inch pots and will cover 50 to 100 square feet of garden space.

See Species Available

There is an order form link from the species page or contact Les Bieneman to order. Ready-made collections will cover many options: Tall Grass Prairie, Woodland Edge, Rain Garden, Butterfly Garden, and Rock Garden.

Native plants require significantly less care than non-native species, and they attractive native species of birds, butterflies and animals.

If you are still looking for something fun and different to do this weekend, may I suggest tomorrow's Lambs and Lettuces Festival at Circle M Farm?

Circle M is a sustainable market farm about thirty minutes northwest of Monroe. The owner, Kriss Marion, has become well known for her blog on farm life. Honest, frank and frankly funny sometimes, the blog features everything from "pigwatch" for a birthing sow to CSA share updates.

Circle M offers CSA shares (though they are full for the 2009 season), sustainable meats, and Maid Marion woolen goods. If you want a taste of farm life itself, they will arrange for you to spend a day or two on their farm, working and learning.

If you would rather just come hang out on a farm for a while and see the animals and fields, consider attending their Lambs and Lettuces Festival tomorrow, Saturday. Many of our area market farmers know that people like to come out, visit and ask questions. The farmers enjoy it, as a general rule, but unexpected visits are hard to accommodate due to the realities of farm life and the work involved. For this reason, many of these farmers offer open houses days like the Lambs and Lettuces Festival. (Stay tuned for more information on an open house day at Inn Serendipity on July 11, coming in a future blog post.)

The festival begins at noon. Throughout the afternoon there will be demonstrations and activities. Learn about horse grooming or felting, watch a demonstration of shearing or spinning. MooGrass, a local bluegrass band, takes the stage about 4:30 pm, and there will be a community potluck dinner around 7, so bring your favorite local foods dish to pass. Stay for a bonfire and knitting circle after dinner as night falls. The stars look different out in the country, so come, sit and dance and enjoy an afternoon and evening on the farm.

The farm store will also be open. They offer yarns along with wool for felting and spinning. Bring the cooler along and pick up some sustainably raised meat.

Circle M is about 40 minutes southwest of Madison or about 45 minutes northwest of Monroe at 1784 County Road H, Blanchardville, WI. RSVP is not necessary, but feel free to call 608-523-4341 for directions or more information.

Good times don't need to cost anything, and Lambs and Lettuces is a free festival. Donations are accepted if you wish, but Circle M is also giving back with a 10% discount on their meats in the farm store. Come and spend some time in an old fashioned way - talking with people and enjoying the outdoors. Community is a good thing.

Welcome to South Wayne!

Population approx. 500

The Village of South Wayne, located in the southeast corner of the County, was originally named Collins, in the 1880s, after the local railroad superintendent. Since there was another Collins in the state, the Village's name was changed to South Wayne, in honor of the Revolutionary War hero and minister "Mad" Anthony Wayne, with the "South" added to distinguish it from the community of Wayne in northeast Wisconsin. The Township around the Village was called "Lost Township" because the official government survey was lost on its way from the U.S. Land Office.

The railroad that was vital to the creation of South Wayne has now been replaced with a recreational trail that brings thousands of visitors to the Village year round. A mile or so west of the Village is the memorial marker that commemorates the Spafford Creek Massacre, where Sauk Indians killed four men in the 1832 Black Hawk War.

The town's sleepy look belies the hustle and bustle of commerce and recreation.

This is the k-12 South Wayne schools

Downtown South Wayne

Veteran's Memorial Park

From Scott Larson of Towne Square Realty in Monroe, Wisconsin

“Your Realtor of the Region”

E- Mail scott@greencountyhomeguide.com

On the web at http//:www.greencountyhomeguide.com

I think you will be surprised how affordable the Dairyland is,

so come to my land of cows and plows and visit for a day, but stay for a lifetime