Fair trade fair, forums this winter

Shop with a conscience at the Plowshare Center

Annemarie Bold
Staff Writer

The Plowshare Center is a business that sells handmade merchandise, while promoting environmental friendliness. Located in downtown Waukesha, this store is hidden cozily near the Divino Gelato Café. The business provides both crafted gifts and education.

This year, the Plowshare Center contributed their time and information to Carroll University’s Fair Trade Fair. They shared their celebration of works contributed by artisans from around the globe.

On Feb. 5, Plowshare will offer another forum at Carroll. They are calling it “The Human Face of the Environment: We Are the Earth.” Panelists will be there to open and support a discussion about ways in which we can all help our environment and each other.

“We love coming to Carroll because our forums have a great mix in the audience. Our forums encourage multi-generational discussions,” Sally Michalko, president of the Plowshare Center, said.

Michalko explained that the Plowshare Center sells products from over thirty countries. Their fair trade basis consists of building relationships with artisans who sell their work through them. Businesses like the Plowshare Center offer steady income to those in less fortunate situations with families to support. Women and men are paid equally in terms of the art they contribute to and sell from plowshare. The steady income also assists families in other countries who must pay for their children to go to school.

“Plowshare is a good place to shop with a conscious,” Michalko said.

Students at Carroll University are warmly welcomed into the Plowshare Center. Students can find beautiful accessories, journals and even instruments.

“I like all of the unique merchandise there. My favorite items to look at are the handcrafted instruments,” junior Julia Roeder said.

Roeder continued to explain that she would recommend this store to anyone who has a love for anything fun and unique.

Representatives from the Plowshare Center visited Carroll a few weeks ago. They had a table that displayed some of the merchandise they sell. Carroll students appeared to be intrigued by the handmade goods. On display, there were journals made with recycled paper, handcrafted and hand painted sculptures, as well as instruments.

Similarly to last year, this year the Plowshare Center has reached out to Carroll University. Last year, they provided a forum that encouraged members of the Carroll and Waukesha communities to discuss ways to better communities, our social problems, and ourselves.