Maker’s Spotlight: Female Founders

Everyday women around the world are doing something sensational. Because March is Women’s History Month, all month long we will be celebrating the inspirational women we partner with because of their dedication to their craft and the kind of hard work the makes dreams come true!

First and foremost, we recognize Wendy Monroe, co-founder of our organic farm. We are grateful for her passion for educating children, growing a better food system, and connecting people to land that grows their food.

Full Circle

Wendy Munroe

Wendy’s family had a strong connection to food and family, and her love for flora and fauna deepened in spending every waking moment out of doors. Wendy graduated from University of Wisconsin, Madison where she met her husband, Andrew, with a BA in Geography and a minor in Wetland Ecology.

She and Andrew started our Full Circle farm together in 1996. She has a passion for children and their connection to the local food system as most of her days are spent on the farm, in the fields and in the classroom. Wendy serves as the Farm Experience Director and writes the Farm News, hosts farm tours and serves as the company spokesperson.

La Vie Rustic

Georgeanne Brennan, founder and owner of La Vie Rustic, had the privilege of living in rural Provence and learning not only the ways of growing a potager, making cheese, and gathering wild herbs, but the pleasures of doing so. Today, she continues to live, as much as possible, the way she learned to in Provence, living with the rhythm of the seasons in a sustainable way, cooking from her garden, gathering herbs, making jams and preserves, and in general, enjoying the small pleasures of each day.

Many of the La Vie Rustic products are produced right on her small farm with the help of a small staff. Whenever possible, they have used local artisans to create the products, from the letterpress-printed seed packets to the handcrafted sickles.

Brennan loves bringing the things she loves to anyone who wishes to practice a sustainable lifestyle producing and caring for their own food, even if only a small part of it. Her hope is that you find motivation in living and supporting a sustainable lifestyle too.

Just Jan’s

After a twenty-year career in the film industry, Jan Hogrewe was ready for her second act. As a life-long food lover, and cookbook aficionado, Jan didn’t have to search very long to discover her new career.

Jan’s kids were tired of eating figs, and she was tired of seeing them go to waste. Determined to find a way to use them all, she started making jam. From those humble beginnings Just Jan’s was founded. Today Just Jan’s is a full line of gourmet fruit spreads and foods, made from recipes created by Jan, and without artificial ingredients or preservatives.

In creating her spreads, Jan has been guided by her love of food and ingredients, refusing to compromise on quality or flavor. The result is a line of spreads and curds that are all natural, preservative free, and 14% lower in sugar than traditional jams and jellies.

eos Chocolates

Catherine von Ruden’s creative journey began with the realization that she could contribute to overall healthy diets by making treats using less sugar. For all who want to enjoy sweetness on a daily basis, she offers products that are healthier and rich in flavor.

Having grown up in Switzerland with a love for all things natural, and also with a passion for creating desserts and treats, she turned to her roots and started working with chocolate as well as almonds grown on the family’s farm in California.

Named for Eos, the goddess of dawn, eos chocolates are meant to satisfy chocolate lovers bite-by-bite, guiltless pleasure guaranteed. eos chocolates are all made with fair-trade, organic or sustainably farmed ingredients.

Bee’s Wrap

Bee’s Wrap was founded by Sarah Kaeck, a mother of three who has been, by turns, an avid gardener, milker of goats, keeper of chickens, and seamstress. Bee’s Wrap started with a question facing many families and home cooks: How could we eliminate plastics in our kitchen in favor of a healthier, more sustainable way to store our food?

What she discovered is a lost tradition made new again. By infusing organic cotton with beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin, she created a washable, reusable, durable, and compostable alternative to plastic wrap for sustainable food storage.

How To Support Women-Owned Businesses by Adding Their Products to Your Delivery:

Full Circle members – head on over to our online Farm Stand Market to customize your upcoming delivery. Market is open from noon on Thursday until 10 pm on your cutoff date. After you confirm your produce items, click the orange button “Confirm and Continue To Other Farm Products” to add farm products to your delivery.

Not part of our farm family? Find out if we deliver to your neighborhood.