Can lettuce make a bouquet? I vote yes, after receiving the most beautiful, bountiful selection of Wisconsin-raised romaine from Anthony Roth of Roth Fresh Farms this week. Take a look at the picture
for evidence that this produce is gorgeous enough to be a holiday table centerpiece. Remarkably, it tastes even better than it looks. And with proper care and storage it will last in the refrig for a
couple of weeks.

It’s kind of amazing to contemplate Wisconsin farmers figuring out ways to grow great food, year ‘round.

Consider Anthony and his wife, Sarah, who are managing partners of an innovative aquaculture (www.rothfreshfarms.com) effort in Boscobel, Wisconsin. They’re simultaneously raising romaine lettuce along with tilapia, all through our harsh, north-country winters.

The Roths are part of a pioneering group of young, imaginative farmers, committed to producing fresh food for local markets. When Anthony first stopped in at CLUCK a couple of weeks ago, we had a
great time talking about how gardening and back yard chickens can be a highly compatible enterprise, and how many people are trying to shorten the distance from farm or garden to table in all kinds of
ways.

Of course, Anthony and Sarah are taking this to a very sophisticated level with their business. As always, success in a farm venture like this requires the usual quota of long hours and hard work. But it also demands fresh, smart ideas about how to combine water, nutrients, plants and animals so they can work together in efficient, harmonious, sustainable ways. It’s exciting when the results are as delicious, and as beautiful, as the lettuce crop that the Roths are harvesting. And, I’m already looking forward to the day when Roth Fresh Farms will be selling their tilapia, too.