Through our partnership with CREATE Portage County and Paint the County, we were able to get this incredible mural in our café created by Amy Zaremba of Zaremba Art.

Kathleen O’Leary is the Transition and Culture Strategist for the Food + Farm Exploration Center and Farming for the Future Foundation.

She looks forward to “being involved in the incredible project that is based on passion and the profound need to educate people of all ages on the importance of modern agriculture and how your food really gets to your table.”

Food + Farm Exploration Center Interim Executive Director Kathleen O’Leary today encouraged members of the Joint Finance Committee to add an additional $10 million in funding in the 2023-2025 Capital Budget to move the Exploration Center one step closer to completion and opening in 2023. 

More than 200 farmers traveled to Madison today for Ag Day at the Capitol to meet with Wisconsin legislators about issues of importance to the state’s agriculture industry, including asking for additional financial support for the Food + Farm Exploration Center currently under construction in Plover. 

Brittany Marquard joined the Food + Farm Exploration Center team as the Program and Visitor Experience Manager.

Marquard joins the team with more than 13 years experience in the agricultural education field.

Just three months after breaking ground, the Food + Farm Exploration Center set the final structural steel beam on Friday.

“We’re part of a small group of people who are responsible for helping feed the world and that's invigorating,” said Dave Staroscik, a manufacturing engineer with Reinke Manufacturing Co., Inc. “You don’t normally think about that, but we really do have an impact on feeding the world.”

“Our philosophy is to go to the farmers,” Schommer said. “A big part of my job is being on the farm.” Schommer’s job is to help secure financial assistance. As an agricultural loan officer, she specifically helps people working within the agricultural industry.

“There's a lot of information out there that I'm constantly gathering, and it’s amazing how much I learn every single day,” said Joe Kertzman, an agricultural journalist and Managing Editor of the Badger Common’Tater.

“Anytime a farmer has concerns about what they have going, we investigate, follow up and troubleshoot for them.”

With a mission of shortening the distance between the general public and the food they eat, Farming for the Future Foundation officially broke ground on the Food + Farm Exploration Center.   

Though not always destined for food science, Seneca Food Corporation Director of Tech Service Kimberly Challoner loves her career.

It is always something new and different. It's not just sitting in a spot for 8 hours doing the same thing.”

“Every meteorology person has a storm that they remember that got them into weather,” said Mark Holley, Chief Meteorologist at News Channel 7 WSAW-TV in Wausau, Wis.

Farmers and growers in Central Wisconsin rely on Holley’s forecasts to help guide scheduling decisions.

Farming for the Future Foundation is proud to announce the launch of our educational curriculum pilot program. Education Program Manager Jenn Scott said the lessons are designed to help students realize their own connection to agriculture and expand upon it.

Board of Director Michelle Peariso is no stranger to agriculture. Her family has been farming since before she was born. “As every farm kid knows, if your parents farm, the family farms,” Peariso said.

“I feel like I truly have a purpose in providing the world with, in my case, potato chips, but ultimately providing people with food and nourishment,” said Lynn Leahy, a research agronomist.

“Without tires, farmers can’t go anywhere,” said Paul Seehafer, Commercial and Farm Tire Technician with Schierl Tire.

“I would say I am the eyes and the ears for farmers.” Meet Kelly Verhaalen, a Crop Management Specialist.

Despite the myths surrounding canned vegetables, they can be more nutritious than fresh vegetables in some cases.