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Volunteer helping during the event

volunteer

Bus riders participating in a cider pressing activity

register

Bikers passing a field of flowers

fundraising

Bus riders on a farm tour

the tour

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*save the date*

 SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 

the tour

fundraise

registration closed

volunteer

what is bus the barnS?

Bus the Barns is a companion event to FairShare's Bike the Barns, an amazing day of accessible on-farm fun. As a Bus the Barns rider, you get to enjoy the same farm tours, gourmet local food and beverage, and live music as our Bike the Barns riders, plus special on-farm activities designed just for you!

 

Proceeds from the ride benefit our Partner Shares Program, which helps low-income households afford farm-fresh veggies.

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Join us as we bike and bus to ensure food for everyone. Registration for 2025 's event opens June 1, 2025. 

*more information*

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The 7th Annual Bus the Barns will start and end at Lake Farm Park in Madison, WI. â€‹

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*schedule of the day*

  • Breakfast and participant check in

  • Gather at bus for introductions and load up

  • The day: 3 farm stops with food, beverage, music, and ​​delightful on-farm fun!

  • Bus returns to Lake Farm Park

  • After Party at Lake Farm Park!

*registration includes*

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

  • 3 farm stops with curated activities at each stop

  • Live music

  • Participant Gift Bag and rider item

  • 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?

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

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the activitieS

Bus the Barns participants enjoy the same food and beverage, 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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*2024 example bus activities*

Veggie Taste Testing

Enjoy the freshness of the farm! Explore the tastes, textures, and variations of tomatoes with the UW-Madison Urban and Regional Food System Lab. Get a sneak peak of soon to be released varieties including slicer, saladette and cherry tomatoes.

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Vegetable Art

Join artist Katie Schofield and make a print to take home using vegetables! Participants will use a variety of veggies to create a design on paper and explore vegetables in a whole new way.

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Nixtamalization Demonstration

Tortilleria Zepeda will be showcasing a live demo of nixtamalization. They will start by describing what nixtamalization is, the historical importance in MesoAmerican and Native American cultures and why it's an important practice in food production today. They will show step by step how it is done and what specific characteristics to observe during the process and corn selection.

the food

The Bus the Barns menu is seasonal, local, and fresh, and the food is sourced largely from FairShare’s organic farms. Madison-area restaurants and caterers prepare the meals and provide locally produced craft beverages. Bike the Barns offers vegetarian options, but, while we will try, we cannot guarantee gluten-free, vegan, or non-dairy options across all farm stops. ​

 

Each year is a new and exciting menu from local chefs, featuring items from area farms! This is a sample menu from last year's event - we will update once the menu for 2025 is complete! 

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*2024 sample menu*

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 Breakfast Snack 

  • French Toast, Everything, Plain Bagels (Barrett's Bagels) - vegan

  • Gluten-free mini coffee cake bars (Bloom Bakeshop) - gluten-free

  • Assorted fruit

  • Coffee (Just Coffee)

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 Tipi Produce Farm Snack 

  • Biscuit Breakfast Sandwiches (Seven Acre Dairy) - vegetarian available

  • Hibiscus orange or Ginger pear Kombucha (Rude Brew Kombucha)

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 Water Stop Snack  

  • Watermelon (Tipi Produce)

  • GoMacro protein bars - vegan, gluten-free

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 Winterfell Acres Lunch 

  • Chicken or tofu Bánh mìen sandwich; cucumber salad (Little Palace) - vegan, gluten-free option available​

  • Cold brew coffee floats (Just Coffee & Frozen Local Ice Cream)

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 Still Point Flower Farm Snack 

  • Rainbow Crunch Salad with Fresh Herbs and Edible Flowers (Vibrant Veg) - vegan, gluten-free

  • Iced Hibiscus Lemonade, Spiced Apple hot black tea, or Vanilla Chai rooibos hot tea (Telsaan Tea)

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 Yowela Farms Snack  

  • Indigenous corn salsa (Dan Cornelius) - vegan, gluten-free

  • Cucumber-Melon Mint Cooler & Elderberry, Apple, Sage & Honey Spritzer (Edible Madison) 

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 After Party Tasting Menu  (Participants get food (2 savory, one sweet) and drink tickets to "spend" on items of their choice!)

  • Ground Beef or Zucchini & Squash Tacos (Tex Tubb's Taco Palace)  - vegan available

  • Sausage or Veggies with grits (TradeRoots Kitchen) - gluten free, vegetarian available

  • Charcuterbobs; Caprese Skewers (Tricky Foods) - gluten free & vegetarian available

  • Chicken Korma Curry; Veggie samosas (Afghan Kabul Cuisine)

  • Sweet Corn Panna Cotta with Blackberries & Caramel Corn; Apple Crisp (The Baked Lab)

  • Cookie sandwiches (Heirloom Bakery) - vegan

  • Wine (provided by American Wine Project)

  • Beer (Working Draft Beer Company)

  • WiscoPop & Sprecher soda​​​​​​​​

fundraising

Bike the Barns is FairShare’s largest fundraiser. The money raised through Bike the Barns and Bus the Barns supports The Partner Shares Program, which helps low-income families gain affordable access to farm-fresh veggies. Each year, hundreds of bikers, bus riders, volunteers, and farmers come together during this special day to eat, drink, and pedal together in the name of fresh food access. 

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*the cause*

 

Fresh, high quality produce has become more difficult to access as households with limited budgets feel the strain of rising costs. The Partner Shares Program makes farm-fresh food accessible and affordable. 

​*the goal*

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Fundraising through Bike the Barns is the Partner Shares Program’s largest source of funding. We hope to raise $50,000 this year to provide critical financial support to families struggling to access fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables.

*how you can help*

 

Your fundraising efforts go directly toward ensuring households have a consistent supply of nutritious food through CSA. Set up a fundraising page, or make a donation to a fundraiser rider to help all families access farm-fresh food!

*what does it mean to be a fundraising rider?*

We’ll help you set up your fundraising page and provide you with tools, resources, and templates to get you on your way to helping families eat delicious veggies. 

 

Fundraising begins the day registration opens, and riders can continue to raise funds up until the day of the ride. Share your page online, ask folks to write a check, or do a mile pledge. Every dollar makes a difference, and the more you share your fundraising story, the more money you can raise in support of fresh food for every family! 

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Or make a direct donation to the Partner Shares Program here.

*why should I set up a fundraising page?*

In addition to the feeling of doing good in your community and helping feed your neighbors, fundraiser riders also get: 

  • A commemorative Bike the Barns sticker

  • The chance to earn sweet prizes and gear with our fundraising challenges

  • Support from us to help you reach your goal! 

fundraising prizes

Fundraising prizes will be announced as they are confirmed.


REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON JUNE 1, 2025

 SIGN UP TO GET NOTIFIED 

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! ​

Smiling faces at the registration table
Participants enjoying a farm tour
Volunteer handing out locally sourced beverage at a farm stop

​*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 beth@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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