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About this project

My first book, Seasonal Markets of the Heartland, will be published in spring of 2011, just in time to kick off the farmers market season. With the great news (a book contract!) came the squishy feeling that the modest advance will not cover my research expenses.

By the end of 2009 I'll travel to eight states: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri. Which means a fun (and, yes, educational) road trip but also gas, meals and lodging, plus an illustrated map of my road trip route to use in the book.

Thus, I'm inviting kindred spirits to share the fun. Your contribution will support my efforts to educate people about the many facets of local food production.

So fire up the GPS and join the road trip!

We'll meet young farmers just getting started, families who have been farming on the same land for generations and organizers who volunteer to make everything happen . . . very early in the morning. We'll get to know farmstead cheese makers, artisan bakers, organic vegetable growers who work urban lots and producers who raise animals on pasture. And naturally we'll detour for heirloom orchards and roadside stands.

I've begun the field trip and have already visited markets in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. Here are some brief posts about research trips so far:

Photos of Indiana growers:
http://www.rustickitchen.com/blog/...

A roadside market in Saugatuck, Michigan
http://www.rustickitchen.com/blog/...

The Market at the Square in Urbana, Illinois
http://www.rustickitchen.com/blog/...

All backers will receive a shout out on my blog, but I know that's not why you're supporting me. You're supporting me because you feel the same enthusiasm for local food and family farmers. Thus, I've designed the thank-you gifts in the spirit of celebrating fresh, local food, serving up cooking classes and farm-themed note cards, and the chance to name a tree or five or six at my weekend farm. I hope you'll join my food adventure. And in the meantime, please send along your own favorite farmers markets in the Heartland.

12
Backers
$1,050
pledged of $950 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding Successful

This project successfully raised its funding goal on December 1, 2009.

Pledge $10 or more

My eternal gratitude and a shout out on my Rustic Kitchen blog, plus a plug for your own blog/project/favorite site via a link: http://www.rustickitchen.com/blog/?page_id=9

Backer 4 BACKERs

Pledge $50 or more

A blog thanks, plus a set of four hand-crafted note cards featuring my photos. You can select from a set of barns, trees, farm animals, fruits and vegetables, or home-cooked desserts.

Backer 2 BACKERs

Pledge $100 or more

LIMITED REWARD     4 of 6 remaining

Naming rights one of the first trees in my own small but growing orchard. You'll have a choice between seckel pear, two Idareds or three unknown apple varieties initially planted by birds but transplanted and lovingly cared for. Plus an invitation to visit your tree if you find yourself in Fennville, Michigan. Homemade ginger ale included as you gaze at your tree from the red Adirondack chair.

Backer 2 BACKERs

Pledge $200 or more

Three-course lunch and hands-on cooking class for two people in my kitchen, either at the Chicago loft or the Fennville, Michigan farm, where we can sit at the picnic table if weather permits.

Backer 2 BACKERs

Pledge $500 or more

LIMITED REWARD     1 of 1 remaining

Naming rights to the magnificent maple at Pinecone Meadow Farm, Fennville, Michigan, plus an invitation to lunch if you visit your tree. Here's a photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21937670@N08/3038092217/in/set-72157605784501901/

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Project By

Janine3

Janine MacLachlan

Straightpin Chicago, IL

Janine MacLachlan is a food writer, photographer and farm groupie. Her journey of food discovery began as the family cookie baker and continued as she attended culinary school and later opened the Rustic Kitchen cooking school to focus on simple farmstand cooking.