Education News — Spring 2026
2025 Education Impact: Growing Together
At Food + Farm Exploration Center, our mission is to educate current and future generations about agricultural innovation and sustainability. We are proud to share that in 2025, we continued to expand our reach and create an educationally impactful link for future ag enthusiasts to the world of food and farming.
2025 by the Numbers
Total Learners: 15,525 reached on-site & across the community
Field Trips: 192 visits with 7,840 students (4K–12th Grade)
School Outreach: 122 visits reaching 3,969 learners in classrooms
Community Classes: 76 hands-on sessions with 1,620 participants
On-Site Lessons: 13 standards-based programs for 4K–12th Grade
Agricultural Tours: 12 experiences with 164 minds expanded
Summer Camps: 5 experiential programs with 82 youth explorers
Educator Trainings: 6 sessions with 221 attendees empowered
Collegiate Impact: 300 students attended the National Soil Judging Competition Career Fair
Tot Time: 8 months of foundational skill building for 73 toddlers
Teacher Satisfaction: 95.5% return rate with a 4.9 out of 5 rating
Community Harvest: 77,109 lbs of produce gathered at U-Pick events
Educator Feedback
We are honored that field trip teachers rated their experience a 4.9 out of 5, with 95.5% of schools stating they would return. Want to share these highlights with your administration or school board?
2025 Community Partner of the Year: Boys & Girls Club of Portage County
Food + Farm Exploration Center is deeply honored to be named the 2025 Community Partner of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County. This recognition reflects the deep collaboration between our teams to provide local youth with meaningful agricultural experiences.
"Receiving this award was very rewarding," says Education Director Bobbi Kubish. "As someone who saw firsthand how the club serves as a resource for local families, this partnership is a natural fit. Between field trips, afterschool programs, career camps, and educational kits, it is a win-win for our community. I am proud of our entire team, with extra kudos to Jenn Scott for leading the charge."
The Boys & Girls Club shared that the award reflects the "tremendous support and collaboration" shown by the Center, noting, "Your commitment to our youth truly makes a difference, and we are so grateful for all you do!"
New Resources
Ag Quarterly – Beetroot
Looking for a way to add some "color" to your next science or nutrition lesson? Our latest Ag Quarterly focuses on the humble yet mighty beetroot.
Did you know?
Edible from Top to Bottom: Beetroots are unique because every part of the plant—from the root to the leafy greens—is edible.
Out of This World: They were even used as "space food" during the Apollo-Soyuz mission!
Heart Healthy: High in nitrates and fiber, they are a powerhouse for heart health.
Summer 2026 Camp Preview
It’s never too early to start planning for summer! Whether your students are interested in the engineering of farm gear or the science of snacks, our 2026 camp lineup has something for every explorer. Click the links below to view details for each workshop:
Little Pollinators, Big Jobs: Discover the busy world of bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators along with their impact on Wisconsin farms.
Taste of the USA – Culinary Road Trip: A delicious journey across American agriculture covering culture, traditions, and flavors.
Simple Machines + Smart Design: Hands-on physics through the lens of modern farm technology where campers will take home a one-of-a-kind creation.
Science on a Plate: Deep dives into food chemistry and kitchen lab experiments blending science and creativity.
Expand Ag Knowledge in Your Classroom
Looking to bring the farm directly to your students? Beyond field trips, Food + Farm Exploration Center offers a variety of ways to deepen agricultural understanding right in your own classroom.
Outreach Kits: Our hands-on kits come packed with everything you need to lead a deep-dive agricultural lesson.
Field Trip Planning: It’s never too early to get on the calendar to secure the date that works best for your class!
Educator Resources: Access our full digital library of crop fact sheets and lesson plans.