Butterflies: This is a Miracle Too
Plus an update on the Froggy Meadow fundraiser and the weekend's market schedule
Butterflies are Free
Over the past few weeks, we’ve posted photos from our gardener friend Gerry Williamson about the birth cycle of butterflies, from tiny eggs on a milkweed leaf to caterpillar to metamorphosis into beautiful Monarchs. As you can see in the above photo, the story has a very happy ending.
(The green pods hanging from the enclosure are the chrysalises from which these beauties emerged.)
This process is one of the most profound of nature’s miracles. And if you want to enjoy butterflies in your yard, Gerry has a simple message for you.
Video Boosts Fundraiser for Froggy Meadow Farm
Wednesday’s newsletter featured the story about Jerry Boone, whose Froggy Meadow Farm in Beloit, Wisconsin has been struck by devastating drought conditions. Jerry, a familiar friend to shoppers at Green City Market’s Lincoln Park flagship location, lost all of his spring crops and is at risk of losing his whole year.
He was even contemplating retiring until a group of leading Chicago chefs, to whom Jerry sells his beautiful produce, persuaded him to allow them to launch a GoFundMe campaign to raise the money he needs to have a much deeper well and supporting systems installed.
Our local food community is always incredibly generous and within a day a substantial amount of money has been raised, but much more is still needed to cover the very high costs of the remediations Jerry needs.
Click the first button below to make a donation and the second button to watch a video from Chef Devon Quinn of eden restaurant about his sourcing from Froggy Meadow Farm and why we should make a donation to help Jerry carry on his farming pursuits. Devon is a member of the chef coalition behind the campaign, which also includes Jason Hammel, Lula Cafe… Sarah Stegner, Prairie Grass Cafe… John Shields, Smyth and The Loyalist… Oliver Poilevey, Obélix… Ethan Pikas, Cellar Door Provisions… Cesar Murillo, North Pond… and Jodi Fyfe, The Paramount Group.
This Weekend’s Farmers Market Schedule
A small logistical change: Since there are now several Friday famers markets open for the season, I am going to publish the Weekend Farmers Market Schedule on Thursdays.