Field Trips
Cultivating Curiosity and Agricultural Literacy
Welcome to the premier destination for agricultural STEM education in Central Wisconsin. At Food + Farm Exploration Center, we transform traditional field trips into immersive, hands-on learning adventures. Our programs are designed to align with educational standards while sparking a lifelong interest in the science, technology, and people who sustain our world.
What We Offer
Curriculum-Aligned Programs: Tailored to specific grade levels and subject areas.
Hands-On Exploration: Interactive engagement with our exhibits, four demonstration farm fields, and educational Greenhouse.
Specialized Learning: Experiences designed to resonate with all age levels and learning styles.
Educator Resources: Comprehensive pre-visit and post-visit resources to extend the lesson into the classroom.
Customizable Add-Ons: Optional lessons and specialized activities.
Field Trip Options for Groups
School and Youth Groups
Give your students an incredible opportunity to connect with agriculture in an entirely new way. From exploring why Wisconsin soils grow the best potatoes to seeing the "field-to-fork" journey in action, these trips bring the classroom to life.
Summer Field Trips
Keep the learning growing all summer long with programs specifically tailored for camps and seasonal youth groups. Please review the guide prior to submitting your field trip request.
Homeschool Groups
We offer specialized guidelines crafted specifically for the unique needs of homeschool families and cooperatives. Please review the Homeschool Guide before submitting your request.
Girl Scout Badge & Patch Programs
We are proud to partner with the Girl Scouts to offer programs where girls can earn badges in STEM and Life Skills while exploring our Center.
Exploration for Every Learner
We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all students. To help prepare your group for their visit, we offer specialized resources to ensure every child feels comfortable and confident during their exploration.
Sensory-Friendly Environment
Our 61 interactive exhibits and four acres of demonstration fields offer a variety of engagement levels. We also provide noise-canceling headphones and a dedicated wellness room.
Field Trip Social Narrative
Prepare your students for a successful visit with our Social Narrative. This visual guide is designed to help students—particularly those with autism or sensory sensitivities—understand what to expect during their time at Food + Farm Exploration Center, from arrival to exploration.
Field Trip Program Options
Choose the experience that best fits your curriculum. All field trips are designed to foster critical thinking and agricultural literacy.
Self-Guided Open Exploration
Allow your students to lead the way through our world-class exhibit halls. This option gives students the freedom to interact with 61 high-tech exhibits at their own pace, discovering the "field-to-fork" journey through play and inquiry.
Dig-In Experiences
Want additional programming for your group? Add a Dig-In experience! These facilitated workshops encourage learning through materials and tools, props, demonstrations and group interaction. Dig-Ins are 45- 60 minutes in length, suitable for groups of 60 or less participants, and available as an add-on to any field trip. Review your Dig-In options in the Field Trip Guide.
Pop-In Experiences
Pop-In experiences provide added programming that is more self-guided. A Food + Farm facilitator leads a short lesson and overview of the content and then allows students to complete the activity at their own pace. Pop-Ins are 20-30 minutes in length, suitable for groups of 60 or more participants, and available as an add-on to any field trip. Review your Pop-In options in the Field Trip Guide.
Before and After Your Field Trip
To help you prepare your students and reinforce their learning, we have designed several interactive learning experiences.
Lesson Plans: Connection to Ag
Use our standards-based lesson plans to teach your students how agriculture impacts their daily lives.
In-Classroom Outreach
Invite a Food + Farm Exploration Center education team member to your classroom! Our outreach visits offer interactive programs that introduce students to the wonderful world of agricultural innovation before they even step foot on our campus. Request an outreach visit today!
Farming For The Future Foundation Field Trip Grant
The Farming For The Future Foundation is generously sponsoring grants to help students discover the Center. Recognizing that transportation costs can be a barrier to exploration, this grant covers up to $1,000 of costs related to transporting students to Food + Farm Exploration Center.
Priority is given to schools demonstrating financial need (Title 1 or high percentage of free/reduced lunch). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis while funding is available.
Ready to Grow? Book Your Field Trip
Field trip dates fill up quickly! Please complete the online request form for the option that best fits your group, and a member of the education team will reach out to finalize your itinerary.
Feel free to review our FAQs if you have additional questions. Submitting a request form is the best way to start the process but you can also contact us via email at education@fftf.us or phone at 715-303-3276.
Looking for More Learning Options & Other Ways to Visit?
If a traditional on-site field trip isn’t the right fit for your group right now, Food + Farm Exploration Center offers several additional ways to engage with agricultural education and host memorable gatherings.
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Educational Resources
Bring the farm to your classroom or home. Support your students with standards-aligned lesson plans, interactive STEM kits, and literacy resources designed to cultivate curiosity and agricultural literacy wherever you are.
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Group Tours
Planning an outing for a social club, professional association, or travel group? Our customized group tour packages provide an in-depth look at the technology and people behind our food systems right here in Plover, Wisconsin.
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Culinary Sessions
Connect through the power of food. Our chef-led culinary experiences in our state-of-the-art kitchen labs are perfect for everything from hands-on corporate team building to creative collaborations and social celebrations.
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Private Event Spaces
Host your next milestone in a world-class setting. We offer flexible, modern venues in Central Wisconsin that are perfect for professional meetings, conferences, weddings, and birthday parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Pricing is based on the number of students and chaperones attending along with any add-ons like Dig-Ins or Pop-Ins. Please refer to the Field Trip Guide for your group for current student and chaperone rates.
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To ensure a safe and engaging experience, we recommend specific adult-to-student ratios based on grade level. Teachers, required aides and bus drivers are always admitted free of charge. You can find the specific ratio requirements in the Field Trip Guide for your group.
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Yes! We have both indoor and outdoor picnic areas available for groups. Because space is limited, lunch times must be coordinated with our education team during the booking process. We can provide lunch at an additional cost. You’ll find those details in the field trip guide.
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Payment is due in one lump sum upon arrival on the day of your visit. We accept checks, credit cards, or cash. Please see our guide for full details on our cancellation and billing policies.
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Of course! We'll work together on your itinerary to allow time for shopping or to order something from the café. The gift shop features many educational and fun items under $10 such as t-shirts, souvenirs, and local Wisconsin products.