Announcing the Inaugural Rooted in Gratitude Fundraiser
Celebrating Our Roots
At Food + Farm Exploration Center, everything we do is rooted in a simple belief: connecting people to the story of agriculture enriches lives and strengthens communities. This fall, we are bringing that connection to life through a new annual tradition
Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 17, 2026, for our inaugural premier annual gathering: Rooted in Gratitude (RIG).
Imagine an extraordinary autumn evening filled with warm community connection, incredible locally sourced food, interactive entertainment, and powerful storytelling. Guests will enjoy an unforgettable night at Food + Farm complete with a chef-crafted farm-to-table dinner, live culinary demonstrations, incredible wine and spirit pulls, and an exclusive silent auction filled with unique local items and experiences.
Bringing together community leaders, agricultural champions, and dedicated supporters, Rooted in Gratitude is an evening dedicated to celebrating the stories, innovations, and tireless work that sustain our world. Proceeds raised during this vital evening directly support our hands-on educational programs, classroom outreach, and immersive learning experiences at Food + Farm, ensuring the next generation understands where their food comes from.
Honoring Wisconsin’s Agricultural Trailblazers
A central highlight of our Rooted in Gratitude celebration is recognizing the leaders who shape, elevate, and sustain Wisconsin agriculture. In alignment with the global celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, this year’s inaugural nominations focused specifically on honoring outstanding women across Wisconsin agriculture whose extraordinary leadership, innovation, and stewardship inspire us all.
We are thrilled to announce the seven Wisconsin women who are the 2026 Rooted in Gratitude Award Honorees:
Heidi Slinkman | Ag Education Champion
Organization: Gaynor Cranberry Company & Cranberry Learning Inc. (Wood County)
About the Honoree: As Business Manager for her family’s 150-year-old cranberry operation and Vice President of Cranberry Learning Inc., Heidi has dedicated her career to agricultural advocacy. Through leadership roles across state and national grower organizations, she excels at weaving the story of cranberries into community conversations, sparking curiosity and deep appreciation for Wisconsin’s iconic harvest.
Jill Albanese | Ag-Innovator
Organization: Wisconsin State Fair (Milwaukee County)
About the Honoree: Over more than two decades with the Wisconsin State Fair, Jill has created transformative public programs like the Century Farm Program and the Wisconsin Products Pavilion. Her innovative work connects over a million annual fairgoers directly to farm families, commodity groups, and Wisconsin’s rich rural heritage.
Jill Makovec | Community Catalyst
Organization: Learfield / Brownfield Ag News & WI Radio Network (Dane / Grant & Iowa Counties)
About the Honoree: Raised on her family's farm near Muscoda, Jill has spent her career connecting consumers and producers through agricultural communications, advocacy, and youth mentorship. A former Alice in Dairyland and Fairest of the Fair, Jill continuously gives back—mentoring young women through the Association of Women in Agriculture (AWA), serving the fair industry, and managing her family’s century farm, where she converted her father’s childhood home into a vacation rental to connect guests with working farm life.
Be Part of Wisconsin’s Ag History!
Celebrating success is best done together. Secure your seat at the table for an extraordinary evening of fine dining, inspirational stories, and community impact.
Dianne Somers | Legacy Leader
Organization: Plover River Farms Alliance (Portage County)
About the Honoree: Co-owner of Plover River Farms Alliance alongside her husband, Nick, Dianne has devoted over five decades to advancing Wisconsin agriculture through farming, environmental stewardship, and leadership. A founding member and former President of the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary, she co-founded the annual Spud Bowl scholarship fundraiser and co-chaired the campaign committee to establish the Food + Farm Exploration Center. Honored with induction into the WPVGA Hall of Fame, Dianne is widely revered as a dedicated mentor who brings people together to support the next generation of agriculture.
Sara Stelter | Sustainability Steward
Organization: Stelter Farms (Waushara County)
About the Honoree: Sole operator of a 900-acre crop and beef farm, Sara is a passionate advocate for soil health, cover cropping, and contour farming in sandy soils. A respected voice locally and nationally, she serves as an inspiring role model for female farmers and farmer-driven research.
Our two Emerging Ag Leader honorees were submitted as a joint nomination! As daughters of former WPVGA and National Potato Council President Larry Alsum, sisters Wendy Dykstra and Heidi Randall serve as co-COOs at Alsum Farms & Produce and have made history as the first women to preside over two of Wisconsin’s premier potato industry boards.
Wendy Dykstra | Emerging Ag Leader
Organization: Alsum Farms & Produce (Columbia County)
About the Honoree: Wendy serves as the first female President of the WPVGA Board of Directors, Wendy drives meaningful progress across the potato industry. Her leadership on national boards and commitment to environmental stewardship through the Healthy Grown Program make her a vital leader for the future.
Heidi Randall | Emerging Ag Leader
Organization: Alsum Farms & Produce (Columbia County)
About the Honoree: Heidi became the first woman to serve as President of the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board in its 50-year history. With over 15 years on industry promotion committees, she is widely respected for building consensus and advocating for sustainable farming practices.
Powered by Our Partners
We could not bring this milestone celebration to life—or empower the next generation with agricultural knowledge—without our incredible sponsors. Their investment not only powers this memorable evening, but directly fuels our hands-on educational mission throughout the entire year. We are immensely grateful to our inaugural Rooted in Gratitude 2026 sponsors:
Harvest Champion: Alacrity Wealth Advisors
Innovators: Heartland Farms, Seneca Foods Foundation, & WPVGA Promotions
Cultivator: Joe & Cindy Kinsella & ProgressiveAg Systems
Ag Advocate: Prevail Bank
Seedlings: CoVantage Credit Union, Mike & Kathy Gasik, Volm Companies, Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, & Wisconsin Agri Women
Sprouts: Ellingson Companies, Gerald & Dorothy Volm Foundation, Inc., & Simplicity Credit Union
Seeds: General Beverage & M3 Insurance
Interested in joining this distinguished group of supporters? Learn more about the benefits of becoming a sponsor on our Rooted in Gratitude Sponsorship Page.
Be Part of the Celebration
Whether you are deeply rooted in the Wisconsin agricultural industry or simply passionate about great food, education, and community growth, Rooted in Gratitude offers a truly special evening for everyone:
Indulge in a Farm-to-Table Feast: Savor an exquisite, seasonally inspired dinner highlighting fresh Wisconsin ingredients.
Experience Cooking Demos: Watch expert chefs bring agricultural story-telling to life in our state-of-the-art Kitchen Lab.
Try Your Luck: Participate in our exciting Wine & Spirit Pulls to take home premium, hard-to-find bottles.
Bid & Win: Score exclusive local travel packages, tailored experiences, and artisan items in our Silent Auction.
Make History: Be a part of our very first annual fundraiser and support transformative agricultural education for thousands of school children across the state!
Tickets are strictly limited for this milestone celebration—reserve your seat at the table before it sells out!
