Cultivating Connection: A Season of Growth
Welcome to our Fall 2026 impact update! Whether you clicked over from our donor email or found us directly on our website, we are so glad you are here.
When we look back on this past year, our team is continually amazed by how our community shows up for agricultural education. From welcoming record-breaking crowds to our U-Pick harvest events and hosting a sold-out golf outing to celebrating inspiring female leaders making a difference in Wisconsin agriculture, it has been a deeply rewarding season of growth.
Behind every milestone—from the over $380,000 raised at our major events to the 84,229 pounds of fresh produce harvested in our fields—is a dedicated network of supporters, volunteers, and partners like you. Creating a space where people can gather, learn, and grow together builds a profound appreciation for the hard work that feeds our communities.
Keep reading for the full breakdown and photo highlights of how your generosity powered an extraordinary season of impact across our center and fields!
Celebrating Major Impact Events: Over $380,000 Raised for Ag Education
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our corporate sponsors, community leaders, and individual donors, our three major event initiatives raised over $380,000 this year to advance agricultural literacy, workforce awareness, and hands-on STEM education at Food + Farm Exploration Center!
Rooted in Gratitude 2026 Recap
We are profoundly grateful to share the final results from our inaugural Rooted in Gratitude fundraising event! Together, our community raised over $320,000 to fund immersive educational programs and agricultural outreach across Wisconsin.
In alignment with the FAO UN International Year of the Woman Farmer, the evening provided an inspiring platform to recognize 13 outstanding nominees and honor 7 exceptional female leaders whose contributions continue to shape and strengthen Wisconsin agriculture.
We extend our deepest congratulations to our 2026 Rooted in Gratitude Honorees:
Heidi Slinkman
Jill Albanese
Jill Makovec
Dianne Somers
Sara Stelter
Wendy Alsum-Dykstra
Heidi Alsum-Randall
Save the Date: Please mark your calendars and join us for our next Rooted in Gratitude celebration on Friday, December 3, 2027!
Thank You to Our Rooted in Gratitude Sponsors
An evening of this scale is only possible through the dedicated support of our sponsors and partners:
Harvest Champion: Alacrity Wealth Advisors (Ameriprise Financial)
Innovator Sponsors: Al & Kim Wondzell, Heartland Farms, Inc., Seneca Foods Foundation, Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association Promotions Committee
Cultivator Sponsors: Joe & Cindy Kinsella & Progressive Ag
Ag Advocate Sponsor: Prevail Bank
Grower Sponsor: Alsum Farms & Produce
Seedling Sponsors: BMO, CoVantage Credit Union, E-Con Electric, Inc., Mike & Kathy Gasik, Old National Bank, Paper City Savings Bank, Volm Companies, Wisconsin Agri-Women, Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board
Sprout Sponsors: Ellingson Companies, Dan & Julie Merk, Ruder Ware, Simplicity Credit Union, Streich Equipment Co., Inc., Gerald & Dorothy Volm Foundation, Inc.
Seed Sponsors: General Beverage, Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc. (IFSI), M3 Insurance
In-Kind & Beverage Partners: General Beverage (Table Wine), Daisy Lounge (Wine Pull Wine), JR Liquor, Sky Club Supper Club, and True Harvest Bourbon (Spirits Donated By)
Farm to Fairway Golf Outing Recap
Our first-ever, annual Farm to Fairway Golf Fundraiser was a smashing success! Blessed with beautiful weather, a sold-out field of 37 foursomes took to the greens at our Farm to Fairway Golf Outing, raising over $51,000 for agricultural literacy!
Golfers enjoyed a day filled with friendly competition and unique agricultural twists, including putting a potato with a real cornstalk.
Thank You to Our Farm to Fairway Sponsors
We are deeply grateful to the organizations that stepped up to make this outing such a success:
Presenting Sponsor: Pointe Precision
Dinner Sponsors: Central Door Solutions & Compeer Financial
Lunch Sponsors: EAU & Midwest Food Products Association (MWFPA)
Ball Sponsor: Baker Tilly
Beverage Cart Sponsors: E-Con Electric & Findorff
Raffle Table Sponsor: PSOL Technology
Cart Sponsors: Alacrity Wealth Advisors, Hooper Corporation, & Wildcard Corp
Occupied Hole Sponsors: AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Ellingson Companies, Key Savings Bank, Noble Community Clinics, Prevail Bank, Schierl Tire & Auto Service, Solarus, Stevens Point Brewery, Vista Financial Strategies
Putting Green Sponsors: Edward Jones, M3 Insurance, Thrivent – Joshua Anderson
Basic Hole Sponsors: Bushmans', Didion, MetLife, Okray Family Farms, UWSP Football, Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA)
Double Your Impact Before December 31st
Curious how you can make an extraordinary impact before the end of the year? Your year-end support just went twice as far!
Through December 31st, a generous donor will match all eligible year-end gifts dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000. Every dollar you give will have twice the power to cultivate curiosity and connect learners to agriculture.
U-Pick Harvest Recap: Record-Breaking Community Connections
Our Demonstration Fields experienced another record-breaking year! Across 11 total U-Pick events—our largest season to date—we welcomed 5,082 community members to experience harvesting their own fresh produce firsthand.
Together, we grew 84,229 pounds of food, introducing a brand-new crop this season: cabbage! None of this would have been possible without our incredible volunteers, who donated 270 hours of their time and expertise alongside wonderful community partners, including the UWSP Football Team, National Junior Honor Society Students, and local Boy Scout Troops.
Hear From Our Visitors & Community Partners
"The events are well-organized, with extra fun activities for children. My grandchildren thoroughly enjoyed picking potatoes, and it provided a wonderful experience for city children to see firsthand where their food originates." — Sue D., Visitor
"Thank you for providing these events, allowing area residents to gather fresh vegetables for nutritious meals and teach young children where produce is grown." — Rick L., Visitor
"Thank you for the produce delivered to our program this fall, including squash, sweet corn, and potatoes. Our congregate diners at the Lincoln Center thoroughly enjoyed the fresh sweet corn, and we look forward to featuring the squash and potatoes in upcoming meals. As you know, our central kitchen prepares meals for rural home-delivered meal recipients and congregate diners throughout the region. It is always fantastic when we can feature local produce. Thank you again!" — Rochelle D., Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
Thank You to Our U-Pick Sponsors & Partners
Our U-Pick harvest events remain accessible to the public thanks to these generous supporters:
Sponsors: WOW – WE CARE CHARITY, INC. | Marshfield Clinic Health System | Findorff | Festival Foods
Equipment Partner: Thank you to John Deere for providing the essential equipment needed to maintain our grounds and demonstration fields throughout the season.
Want to explore everything we grew this season and try some farm-fresh recipes? Read through this year's U-Pick Harvest Blogs to celebrate Wisconsin's iconic focus crops!
Looking Ahead to 2027
As we look toward 2027, we are working hard to expand our educational programs, connect agricultural learning with future career pathways, and create even more hands-on opportunities for people to experience agriculture firsthand.
There are so many ways to be part of what’s ahead:
We look forward to working alongside you to find new ways to learn, connect, and make a difference together!