Around the Farm Table

Inga welcomes a new batch of baby chicks to the farm and learns how to make dandelion wine. She travels to Wisconsin author Michael Perry’s house to collect eggs from his rented hens, then cooks up a soufflé for her book party guests.

A group of farmers stops by to see the progress of Inga’s pastures. Inga heads off to turn her milk into cheese with her father, then visits Fromagination in Madison to deliver a truckle of the cheese. Next it’s off to Baldwin and Silver Bison Ranch for a roast, which she cooks into pasture picnic sandwiches for her guests.

Inga and Joe get a chance to get away from the farm and go camping “up north.” Inga explores the countryside with wild food expert Sam Thayer to gather ingredients for lunch. She discovers a sheep dairy along the way and gets a taste of their sheep’s milk gelato.

Farm dogs are good for lots of things. In winter, Inga’s farm dog Carlos gets to pull her around the countryside on her skis to gather ingredients for a Wisconsin chili. Inga skis into Bull Brook Keep in Clear Lake to learn the ins and outs of grass-fed beef farming and bread making. She also stops at Keppers Pottery and Produce in Turtle Lake to see what a winter CSA looks like.

It’s fair season and Inga can’t wait to grill some pizzas for the kids who are showing cows. First stop is at Copper Kettle Farm for homegrown garlic, and then it’s over to the Boerson Farm for fresh CSA vegetables.

Inga is invited to visit Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa to learn about saving seeds, but first she stops by 45th Parallel Distillery in New Richmond to pick up Wisconsin-grown vodka, which she plans on pairing with the delicious heirloom tomatoes at Seed Savers for a local twist on the Bloody Mary.

The Viking game Kubb has taken Wisconsin by storm. Inga and Joe invite some Kubbers to the farm for a tailgate party. Inga heads off for hazelnuts at New Forest Farm to make veggie burgers. She then stops by Valkyrie Brewing Company in Dallas, Wisconsin for Viking beer.

Since they had to milk on Christmas Day, Inga and Joe invite other folks who had to work for a Boxing Day party at the farm. Before the party can begin, they need to attend to a down cow named Abbey. A cow chiropractor joins Inga to give Abbey an adjustment. Then Inga snowshoes to The Cider Farm in Iowa County for a taste of apple brandy. Back at the farm she makes a figgy pudding for her guests.