A Summer Full Of Activity!
A BIG heartfelt “Thank You” to everyone that came out for our first annual Member Appreciation Picnic on Saturday, June 15th. The staff at the Food + Farm Exploration Center served up chips, brats, hot dogs and hamburgers as well as the “almost world famous” giant chocolate chip cookies, made in house by our Colorful Plate Cafe staff.
Also happening in July - we are running a ticket conversion promotion. If you visited the center in July, stop back in and apply your admission ticket towards a membership! This conversion can only be done at the exploration center, so stop back in, grab another giant cookie from the cafe, and purchase your membership.
You asked…we listened! Due to popular demand, we’ve added a new membership level, the Family Flex Membership! This membership allows for 3 adults and up to 4 household children under the age of 18. The Family Flex Membership is the perfect way to add on a family babysitter, nanny, or caregiver!
Volunteers Needed
Do you like to give back to the community? Do you have a few extra hours a week where you’re looking for something meaningful to do? Look no further than the Food + Farm Exploration Center! We have a place for you! There are many areas where we can use volunteers.
One upcoming area of need is in our Demonstration Fields. Any unpicked produce this year will need to be harvested and put into totes. That excess produce will go to our community partner Central Rivers Farmshed where they will clean, package and distribute the produce to local food pantries.
Tractor Safety Course
Twenty-one students enrolled in our inaugural Safe Tractor and Machinery Certificate Program held at the Food + Farm Exploration Center. This program was generously sponsored by Mike Biadasz Farm Safety & Education Memorial Fund, Wisconsin Custom Operators, Zinda Insurance Group, Feltz Dairy Store, National Farm Medicine Center, and Riesterer & Schnell.
Students were instructed by Tomorrow River High School Agriculture Teacher, Katie Loehrke, F+FEC Education Program Manager, Brittany Marquard, and F+FEC Exhibit Tech and Education Intern, Brooke Mallek.
Every day more than 30 children (under the age of 18) are seriously injured in an agricultural-related incident. One child death happens approximately every three days with the leading factor of fatal injuries being tractors.
During the one-week program, students were trained on safe operation of farm machinery and hazards on the farm, with the goal of preventing fatal injuries and accidents. The course wrapped up with a driving practicum, demonstrating the skills they learned over the duration of the course. Special thanks to Jenny Blenker, Aspirus Trauma Coordinator, and Hazel Packer, Amherst EMS, for training participants on hands-only CPR and Stop the Bleed, as well as Ken Feltz of Feltz Dairy Store for a behind the scenes farm tour.
Demonstration Field Update and U-Pick Forecast
Do you like free food? Even with the plentiful rain and wet field conditions, the peas, green beans, sweet corn, potatoes and cucumbers are growing! Please watch your email or follow our Facebook page for announcements on upcoming U-Pick events.
U-Pick events are open to the public and offer you the chance to come out to our demonstration fields, get your hands dirty, pick some locally grown produce with your own hands and take it all home to enjoy…for FREE!
Anything remaining after the U-Pick events will be harvested and sent to local food pantries thanks to a partnership with Central Rivers Farmshed and the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin.
Our first U-Pick events are planned to begin the middle of August.
Education doesn’t stop for the summer - here’s what’s happening!
Our dedicated education staff has a full schedule of activities for the entire family! Drop-in programming, MSTC culinary classes, a teacher professional development day, summer mini-camps, teens & tweens night out, and the United Way Summer Sizzle are all examples to show we have something for everyone!
Drop-In Programming: Tuesday through Friday 10-11am for general admission visitors. Activities: agricultural literacy and crafts, Art in Ag, STEM activities, Fun Food Friday’s.
Teacher Professional Development Day: Tuesday, August 20 from 9am - 1pm
Summer mini-camps: July 22-26 - The World of Pollinators for grades 2-5, Kids in the Kitchen for grades 6-9.
Teens and Tweens Night Out: July 18 - learn about Wisconsin cherries and make a black forest cake. Coming up in August: learn about the versatile zucchini!
United Way Summer Sizzle: held July 16th. Local author, Lisl Detlefsen, read two of her books, interacted with guests and signed copies of her books for attendees. The Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association SPUDMOBILE set up in our parking lot for a bonus experience!
Adult Education series continues:
Ag After Hours: 4th Tuesday of the month @ 5:30pm
Common Ground Coffee Chats: the 1st Friday of the month @ 8am
Mid-State Culinary Classes: July 31 is Beer Tasting and Food Pairings, August 6 is Summer Wine and Margherita Flatbread, August 24 is Summer Garden Bounty.
Become a Member
In addition to year-round free admission and invitations to member-only events, members of the Food + Farm Exploration Center receive discounts on select educational programs and workshops hosted by the exploration center!
Sign up for a membership TODAY and enjoy the savings on our upcoming educational offerings at explorefoodandfarm.org/membership.
Plan Your Next Visit
Start planning your next visit to the Food + Farm Exploration Center! With over 60 interactive, hands-on exhibits throughout the building, there is something for everyone.
Buy your tickets in advance at explorefoodandfarm.org/tickets