The “Vegetable of the Year” is a riff on the “one book, one community” concept that many communities have adopted to boost community literacy. Uniting the community around growing a different vegetable each year is one way to boost community health because it encourages people to share growing tips, recipes, and enthusiasm about growing a single vegetable.

The Cable Community Farm is pleased to announce that the Vegetable of the Year for 2023 will be…lettuce! Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is one of the oldest known vegetables, developed from L. serriola, a wild plant around the Mediterranean region used as a medicinal herb as far back as 4500 BC. These cool weather plants are one of the easiest, fastest and earliest crops home gardeners can enjoy. Health benefits vary by variety, but lettuce is generally known for being vitamin-rich (particularly in Vitamin A), promoting sleep and eye health, and improving hydration. 

This year’s variety “Allstar Gourmet”, is a blend of selected varieties of reds and greens that provide loft, interesting texture, good shelf life, and fancy appearance. Free packets of seed will be available at local businesses and given to all of the elementary students at the Drummond Area School District. Fun facts, activities, and workshops will be promoted throughout the year.

As she has each year, Mimi Crandall, a local artist, has created a beautiful pastel painting entitled “Gourmet Lettuce with an Abstract Touch.” Mimi shares: “This pastel painting reflects an overall pattern which gives it its abstract quality. The painting started with complimentary colors in an exuberant underpainting of water color. The details of the many colors, textures, and shapes of the leaves found in the gourmet lettuce mix, the 2023 vegetable of the year, create the next layer of detail. The finished painting does read as a wonderful bowl of lettuce to enjoy.”For more information and to keep current with growing tips and recipes for lettuce, “like” the Cable Community Farm on Facebook or contact the Cable Community Farm at cablecommunityfarmwi@gmail.com or 1-715-539-6287.

It has become tradition for volunteers representing the Cable Community Farm to help out at “the greatest show on snow.” This opportunity not only supports an awesome community event, but helps support the Farm as the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation makes a donation to our organization based on the number of representatives we have volunteering.

WHAT: Volunteer to help with “Start Line Logistics”
WHEN: Saturday, February 25, 2023 – 6:30 am to 11 am
WHERE: Birkie start in Cable (parking by Telemark)
HOW: click on this link: I want to be a Start Venue Steward!

WHAT: Fat Bike Birkie Green Sustainability Crew
WHEN: Saturday, March 11, 2023 – 11 am to 3 pm
WHERE: Birkie start in Cable (parking by Telemark)
HOW: click on this link: I want to assist with Fat Bike Birkie!

Scroll down to where you see either “Start Line Logistics” or “Birkie Green Sustainability Crew” and check the box of the opportunity you’d like to join, then keep scrolling down and fill in the required information. When prompted to enter your organizational affiliation, enter “Cable Community Farm”.

You’ll receive a confirmation email. As the date gets closer, you’ll get more information about parking passes, etc.

One year ago, I could not have predicted the major transitions that were in store for the Cable Community Farm in 2022. It has been truly inspiring to witness the outpouring of love and support the farm has received from every donor, volunteer, community partner, and our new property owners. Looking ahead, I look forward to celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Cable Community Farm and its mission to grow food & build community in 2023.Read the complete 2022 Annual Report!