Greenhouse Grand Opening
Growing the Future of Agricultural Learning
On Thursday, October 2, 2025, Food + Farm Exploration Center celebrated the grand opening of the Greenhouse—our newest permanent exhibit and a powerful new space for hands-on agricultural learning. Surrounded by partners, volunteers, and supporters who helped bring this vision to life, we marked an exciting milestone in our mission to connect people of all ages with where food comes from.
The Greenhouse was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Carol and Dick Okray, whose commitment to agriculture, education, and community will impact learners for generations to come. With support from the Portage County Business Council, we marked the moment with an official ribbon cutting, welcoming guests into a space designed to showcase the science, technology, and innovation behind modern food production.
A Celebration Rooted in Community
The afternoon was filled with conversation, discovery, and celebration. Guests enjoyed guided tours of the greenhouse, exploring the plants growing and learning how controlled environments support production agriculture. Our team highlighted hands-on learning opportunities that will allow students and visitors to see crops at every stage of their life cycle and better understand what it takes to bring food from seed to harvest.
We were fortunate to enjoy perfect fall weather, which allowed guests to take in expansive views of our demonstration farm fields while enjoying an incredible spread prepared by our Culinary and Events Team. Adding to the festive atmosphere, Jordan Bain provided live music throughout the event, and the day’s moments were beautifully captured by Natasha Grace Photography, preserving the joy, pride, and collaboration that defined the day.
Words That Marked the Moment
During opening remarks, Food + Farm Exploration Center Founder and Board President Dick Pavelski reflected on the importance of the greenhouse as the Center’s 61st exhibit and its role in deepening connections between consumers and farmers. He shared milestones from the Center’s first 22 months—including approaching 100,000 visitors, welcoming nearly 4,000 community members this summer, and giving away close to 80,000 pounds of fresh produce—underscoring the growing impact of Food + Farm in Wisconsin.
Executive Director Alexandria Behrend emphasized that the greenhouse is far more than a structure—it is a living classroom. With new plantings every 21 days, visitors will be able to observe Wisconsin focus crops at every stage of growth while learning about agricultural innovation, sustainability, and the careers that support our food system. She also recognized the many volunteers who dedicated countless hours to building grow tables, installing irrigation systems, and bringing the greenhouse to life.
A Moment of Reflection
After the celebration quieted, Greenhouse & Exhibit Coordinator Liz Wetzel reflected on what the day—and the space—meant:
“After most guests had left the grand opening, I finally took a deep breath beneath the glow of the LED lights and reflected on everything it took to bring this greenhouse to life—the tours, the research, the headaches, the learning, the volunteer support, and the partnerships. In that quiet moment, a profound sense of warmth and amazement washed over me. We really did something special here.”
Looking Ahead
The Greenhouse is now open to members and guests as part of general admission, and we’re just getting started. This space will continue to evolve with new plantings, educational programming, workshops, and special drop-in activities designed to deepen understanding of production agriculture and the science behind our food system.
We invite you to visit often, explore how the greenhouse changes with the seasons, and dig into the innovation that helps bring food from field to fork. We’re excited to welcome our members into this space to learn something new—or warm up during the colder months—anytime with their free, unlimited access.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this milestone possible. Together, we’re growing something truly meaningful.