Who.....

In the past few years, I have met some truly amazing and groundbreaking people.........

WILL ALLEN may be the greatest evangelist Milwaukee has to offer regardless of the topic. Anyone who has spent anytime with Will, or the many volunteers at GrowingPower, will leave their meeting wanting to roll-up their sleeves and willing to join the cause.

GRETCHEN MEAD began the grassroots movement known to one and all as the Victory Garden Initiative. Her tirelessness and perpetual smile leads hundreds of like minded individuals to do some amazing things simply because she posed the question..."Why Not ?".

JAMES GODSIL is truly one of a kind, and most definitely, the über passionate ambassador of all his beliefs and none of these more important to him than that of Sweet Water Organics.

DR. ELSE ANKEL who had the vision and foresight to create the UrbanEcology Center.

KATHY PAPINEAU, ANNE STEINBERG, MARTHA DAVIS KIPCAK and all the wonderful people associated with Slow Food of Southeast Wisconsin who were some of the first persons to carry the torch in the promotion of eating locally, eating healthy and respecting mother earth.

MATT RAY an educator at Fernwood Montessori who is teaching our future generation of leaders in the areas of ecology, as well as social awareness, with the school's fully functioning aquaponics system and greenhouse.

SUSAN BENCE is a WUWM reporter who balances the dire environmental forecasts commonly heard with enthusiastic and positive environmental success stories often overlooked by other broadcasters.

MIKE & PAULETTE FLYNN are husband and wife. Mike heads a private-sector, commercial agricultural business and Paulette is the director of the not for profit Wisconsin based SHARE. Together, they demonstrate how the 'green movement' will truly succeed only if persons from both sectors work harmoniously towards a common goal.

UWEX's Dennis Lukaszewski, Jan Alba, Linda Reynolds, et al who have graciously provided me a chance to start a business and who will continually aid me throughout the learning process.

They, and a host of others who I have embarrassingly omitted, have inspired me more than words can demonstrate.

I thank them one and all !!!

What.....

     Green Kuisine Microgreens came about from my desire to enjoy local, freshly grown produce.
     I wanted to see something alive and growing in December or January. I wanted to eat something fresh and flavorful in February or March. And, I didn't want to create an artificial environment that necessitated depleting the earth of any more resources or to use any synthetic products or chemicals.
     Yes, I enjoy my summer time harvests this time of year thanks to lots of pickled, frozen or root-cellared items. I grew them, canned them, stored them and I eat them. But, I also wanted to see and eat something green and vibrant during the gray, overcast skies of a Wisconsin winter.
     All this led to the creation of Green Kuisine Microgreeens.
     Green Kuisine Microgreens are grown using four simple items: 1) Organic, Non-GMO seeds. 2) A soil-less mixture of renewable items such as coconut coir and or Green Kuisine vermicompost. 3) Water. 4) Reusable and recyclable growing trays.
     There are no pesticides or fertilizers of any kind used to grow Green Kuisine Microgreens.
     I was all set to roll out this company with a soft introduction this winter. My field studies were completed and my products were aligned following some consumer testing.
     Then, the idea to include a working, local, urban farm entered my already cluttered brain. I began to picture it to be a logical, summer extension to the ideals of Green Kuisine Microgreens. All in all, it did seem like a great idea.
     So, I put off the launch date of Green Kuisine Microgreens and began to plan for the larger launch of Green Kuisine Microgreens and Urban MicroFarm.
     Look for more information of our grand rollout in the next few months !

Where.....

     Surprisingly, that question was the simplest to answer.
     First, the MicroFarm should be very close so the additional carbon footprint generated from the workers (me) would be very small. Secondly, and just as important, the MicroFarm needed to be very close so the products would be at their ultimate color, flavor, freshness and nutritional value when they reached the customers (you).
     I am a garden plot renter through the Milwaukee County UW-Extension's Wauwatosa community garden. Two years ago, an unheated, high tunnel, hoop house was constructed within a very large working garden. The plans were to develop the site into a working farm and CSA program by a dedicated gardener named of Nicole Capizzi. I was saddened to see her move out of state just as she had begun such an endeavor. [Nicole is currently operating Amaranth Urban Farm near Seattle, WA.]
     Well, the MicroFarm became available just as my personal awareness and transformation was taking place. Plus, it fulfilled my two primary desires of my dream location.
     I am ecstatic to say that the Green Kuisine MicroFarm will be based right here in Wauwatosa !!!
     Freshly picked produce, Asparagus to Zucchini, is just minutes away from your family's kitchen table !!!

When.....

     Our first season will begin in just a few months !
     I have spent the last few weeks reading through stacks upon stacks of seed catalogues. Please don't fret for me as I find this as exciting and engrossing as others may find reading the latest New York Times best seller.
     My desire is to find that perfect mix. Of course the Green Kuisine MicroFarm will include the 'must have' staples such as beans, carrots, tomatoes peppers, etc. But why not grow some unusual or unheard of options such as Asian beans, round carrots, pea-sized tomatoes, peppers of every color, etc.
     My hope is that this mix will make eating healthy, locally produced vegetables and fruits something the entire family can enjoy.
     I know of two foot-stomping, vegetable hating tots who became part of the vegetable-loving converted just because one day they had to try one of my purple carrots.
     The grand rollout is rapidly approaching.  Look for more information about Green Kuisine Microgreens and Urban MicroFarm in the very near future.

Why.....

Clearly we need to become more aware !
 
Aware of how our food was grown and prepared. 

Aware of how our food arrives to the dinner table.

Aware of the stress and harm we are placing upon our planet.

And most importantly, aware of what simple changes we can make in our daily routines to improve our lives and the lives of future generations.