THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL EVENT! SEE YOU IN 2023!

 

Sixteen years ago, FairShare CSA Coalition organized the first Bike the Barns, a day of biking, farm tours, and gourmet food. Proceeds from the ride benefited FairShare’s Partner Shares Program, which helps low-income families afford farm-fresh veggies.

We wanted to make this amazing day of on-farm fun accessible to everyone. So, in 2017 we launched the first annual Bus the Barns to provide a non-cycling option. As a Bus the Barns rider, you get to enjoy the same farm tours, gourmet local food, and live music, plus special on-farm activities designed just for you! Join us as we bike and bus to ensure food for every family.

WHAT IS BUS THE BARNS?

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT 2023 COMING SOON!

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We are busily putting together a great ride for next year, filled with food, community, music, farms, activities, and more! Check back for more detailed event information in the new year, and make sure to mark your calendars for June 1st when registration opens!

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REGISTRATION INCLUDES: 

• Food: breakfast, snack stops, lunch, and after party meal + drink tickets

• 3 farm stops with curated activities at each stop

• Live music

• Participant Gift Bag

• Bus transportation and tour guide

Please note: activities, such as farm tours, may require participants to walk across uneven ground. It is not recommended for individuals with limited mobility.

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Have questions?

Join the Bus the Barns Facebook event!

Call FairShare at (608) 226-0300 or email bikethebarns@csacoalition.org.

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Thank you to our generous sponsors:

THE ACTIVITIES

Bus the Barns participants enjoy the same food, farm tours, and music as Bike the Barns riders - plus special curated interactive activities at each farm stop. Each activity is specifically chosen to highlight the unique nature of the three farm stops, allowing our bus riders to become more fully engaged with each farm. From hands-on activities like taste testing, to hearing from guest speakers who are experts in their fields, the on-farm activities are one of the biggest highlights of the Bus the Barns experience.

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SAMPLE BUS ACTIVITIES FROM 2022: 

Cooking Demonstration by Chef Lily Kilfoy
Savor the last few traces of summer with Chef Lily’s delicious gazpacho recipe! The Kids Chef will be leading a cooking demonstration teaching one of many ways to utilize those summer veggies. Learn more about the medley of local produce and enjoy a kick start to soup season. 

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Local Honey Tasting & Pollinator Walk

The well-being of bees has been a growing concern in recent years. A number of cities across Wisconsin have taken action against the decline of these pollinators  with 'No Mow May' projects in acknowledgment of the impact they have on local agriculture. Farley Center Beekeepers, Patrick Norby & Matt Kersten, will be joining us to talk about all things bees! Explore what a healthy pollination habitat looks like and enjoy a local honey tasting provided by Edible Madison.

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Nature Sketch Art Activity by Driftless Curiosity

Take home a reminder of the beautiful fields of LoveFood Farm courtesy of Driftless Curiosity School! Artist Kyle Richards will lead a nature sketch tutorial for you to capture one of the breath-taking views you will have during Bus the Barns. Let your creative side thrive and create a Bus the Barns keepsake! 

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THE FOOD

2022 SAMPLE MENU

The Bus the Barns menu is seasonal, local, and fresh, and the food is sourced almost entirely from FairShare’s organic farms. Madison-area restaurants and caterers will prepare the meals. Bike the Barns offers vegetarian options, but, while we will try, we cannot guarantee gluten-free, vegan, or non-dairy options.

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Breakfast Snack​

• Blueberry lemon or chocolate chip scones (Batch Bakehouse)

• Coffee (Just Coffee)

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Vitruvian Farm Snack

• Bruschetta (Vibrant Veg)

• Cider (Future Fruit Farm)

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Parisi Family Farm Snack

• Tamales (El Sabor de Puebla)

• Iced herbal tea (Four Elements)​

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Sprouting Acres Snack

• Sea salt or curry garlic potato chips & dip (Slide Gourmet Potato Chips)

• Ginger pear & blueberry basil kombucha (Rude Brew Kombucha)​

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Lovefood Lunch

• Chicken tinga or Zucchini/Squash tacos, Tex Mex rice, Beet salad with spring mix & chimichurri (Tex Tubb's Taco Palace) 

• Iced coffee floats (Just Coffee & Calliope Ice Cream)

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After Party Tasting Menu (Participants get food and drink tickets to "spend" on items of their choice!)

• Caribbean chicken meatballs with salad & pickled veggies or Vegan Love Coconut stew with rice (Mango Man)

• Veggie-stuffed tofu or Curry chicken with sticky rice (Madame Chu)

• Local Cheese & Meat Board or Vegetarian Board with Fruit & Nuts (Madison Cheese Boards) 

• Zucchini Cake with Apple Compote or Glazed Bacon with Cabbage & Beet Slaw, Corn Scallion Bread (Ugly Apple)

• Maple Spice Cookie Sandwiches or Cookies & Cream Cupcakes (Black Squirrel Bake Shop)

• Mini-donuts or Mini-cinnamon rolls (Level 5 Donuts)

• Wine (provided by American Wine Project)

• Beer (Working Draft Beer Company)

The money raised through Bike and Bus the Barns supports The Partner Shares Program, which helps low-income families afford farm-fresh veggies. We are riding to ensure fresh food for every family!

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In 2019, Bike and Bus the Barns raised more than $40,000 in pledges to help low-income families access fresh food from a local farm through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Over the last two years, requests for assistance have reached an unprecedented level as families have been impacted by the pandemic and, more recently, rising food costs and inflation. Our fundraiser riders help ensure that this program, which provides crucial support to families, is able to meet the increased need in our community in accessing fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables. 

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We’ll help you create a personal or team fundraising webpage after you register. Riders are always surprised by how easy (and fun!) it is to meet the fundraising minimum. And you can win some really great prizes throughout the summer!

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HOW YOU CAN HELP

1. BE A FUNDRAISER RIDER, or

2. DONATE TO A BIKE OR BUS THE BARNS RIDER

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You don’t need to know a rider to be able to donate through our Bike the Barns cause page

HOW TO FUNDRAISE

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SPREAD THE WORD

Send an email, share your Fundraising Page on Facebook, or mail out postcards! Tell your network about why you are riding in Bus the Barns and how they can help feed families.

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KNOW THE CAUSE

Partner Shares helps over 200 low-income families afford fresh, organic food, as well as the ability to pay with SNAP benefits. When you ride or donate, you help families access fresh, local food.

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SHARE THE IMPACT

$35 provides one week of fresh veggies to a low-income family household.

$70 brings one month of farm-fresh food to a family.

$135 helps feed a family for 9 weeks this summer.

$350 supports one household for an entire growing season!

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CHECK OUT OUR FUNDRAISING TOOLKIT 

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FUNDRAISING PRIZES

Fundraising levels are cumulative, and prizes will be awarded in September. But keep an eye out for extra fundraising prize challenges throughout the summer for even more chances to win awesome prizes!

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$150

PAMPER PACKAGE

Celebrate your fundraising success with a little help from Davines and this Mini Self-Care Pack. Their eco-friendly products will bring the perfect amount of pampering into your life! The package includes: WE STAND for regeneration Shampoo and Body Wash, Dedy hand soaps, solid shampoo bars with solid shampoo cases, and a Davines tote bag. 

$250

KEEP ON PEDALING

For those who can’t get enough BTB, we’ve got you covered.Enjoy your 2023 Bike or Bus the Barns registration on us, and keep riding to feed families in your community.

$500

LOCAVORES' DELIGHT

Locavores delight in this bounty of expertly crafted goods highlighting the best of our regional artisans! From salty to sweet, there's something for everyone in these Local Food Packs.

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$1,000

RIDER'S CHOICE

You've raised some serious funds to connect familes to fresh food. Now let us thank you by presenting you with a choice between some seriously awesome prizes!

Options include: Choice of a Schwinn electric bike, Choice of a Schwinn bike trailer, Deluxe Bike Picnic Set, Pasture & Plenty Meal Kit, a one-night stay at Circle M Farm.

GET INVOLVED

BE PART OF THE FUN

FairShare CSA Coalition is a small team – we couldn’t pull off this grand event without our amazing community of volunteers and supporters!

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Perks of volunteering include:

-Helping ensure food for every family!

-Spending a day outdoors with food + farm enthusiasts

-Receive a custom Bike the Barns swag item and gourmet, farm-fresh food at the event

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VOLUNTEER ROLES

Though Bus the Barns is a single day event, there are many ways to volunteer before, during, or after the ride.

Volunteers assist with:

1) Marking the route

2) Stuffing rider bags and helping with pre-registration

3) Farm stop logistics

4) Food & beverage preparation & service

5) Participating on the rider support teams, and more!

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Volunteer sign-up will be available in spring of 2023! 

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VOLUNTEER WITH A GROUP

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If you or your organization would like to support this spectacular event by volunteering as a group, please complete the volunteer signup form or send questions to tess@csacoalition.org.

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We will contact you with details on signing up for specific day-of-event tasks closer to the day of the ride.

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