Silver Sage Farm and Flowers: Cultivating Community with Help from the Grow Local Food Fund
Silver Sage Farm and Flowers in Port Wing, WI, is a place where flowers bloom, vegetables thrive, and community roots run deep. Owned by Mary and managed by Heather, this small but mighty farm has been a beacon of sustainability and local food production for decades.
During the pandemic, when many businesses were forced to close, Silver Sage stayed open—thanks to its essential role in growing food and sprouting plants as starters for people’s gardens. “Everybody learned how to garden and now they’ve kept it up,” Mary shared. The farm became a lifeline for many, offering fresh produce and a sense of connection during uncertain times. And it continues to provide similar nourishment to its community through to today.
One of the farm’s biggest assets is its greenhouse system, which allows for early planting and extended growing seasons. From late January through spring, Silver Sage starts buzzing with activity—starting crops that will eventually fill market tables and CSA boxes. The greenhouses are equipped with motorized shutters, thermostats, and fans that help regulate temperature and airflow, even during Wisconsin’s unpredictable weather.
Thanks to a grant from the Grow Local Food Fund, Silver Sage was able to make critical upgrades to its infrastructure. The automatic ventilation system allows the greenhouses’ temperature to be adjusted without someone physically monitoring the temperature 24/7 and being there to do make manual adjustments to the greenhouses, like rolling up and down its sides to control the temperature.
“It’s a big timesaver,” Mary said. She added that it gives their small team more flexibility, allowing them to leave the farm if needed, instead of someone always needing to be on hand to help control the temperature.
Beyond the greenhouses, Silver Sage is a strong believer in sustainable farming. Mary uses permanent mulch, grass clippings, and even sawdust to enrich the soil and deter pests. She’ll also rotate soil instead of crops, creating natural barriers to protect her plants.
Heather, who manages the farm’s social media and helps run the Cornucopia Farmers Market, noted that Silver Sage is now the anchor vendor after other growers stepped away. The farm continues to seek new partnerships and expand its reach, always with an eye toward community and sustainability.
With support from the Grow Local Food Fund, Mary and Heather are able to grow and sell their food to the community more efficiently, which is better for the community. When you round up for GIVE!, a portion of your donation goes to support the Grow Local Food Fund, and our regional farms and food producers, like Silver Sage. Thank you for rounding up!
Learn more about Silver Sage by visiting their website, or follow them on social media at https://www.facebook.com/silversagefarm.