Food + Farm Exploration Center

06/13/2026

Bags packed (including our aprons)—we're taking a culinary road trip across America! 🗺️🧑‍🍳

If you have a young chef in grades 6–12 who loves to get creative in the kitchen, you’ll want to move fast on this one. Registrations are filling up incredibly quickly for our upcoming Taste of the USA Summer Camp, and we only have a few select spots remaining before we hit our 24-student capacity limit!

Running daily from Monday, July 20th through Friday, July 24th (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM), this hands-on camp explores the incredible flavors, local traditions, and diverse histories that shape our country's regional cuisine.

What your camper will experience:
🍳 Hands-On Skills: They'll master kitchen safety, knife skills, and essential cooking techniques in our high-tech Kitchen Lab.
🌮 A Regional Menu: From cozy Southern comfort foods and classic Northeast dishes to vibrant Southwest spices and West Coast fresh fare, they will prepare and taste iconic recipes every single day.
🌾 Field-to-Fork Science: Campers won't just cook—they'll discover the agricultural roots behind their favorite regional ingredients.

Parent Perk: This is a drop-off camp! Parents are not required to stay or supervise on-site, meaning your teens get to build independent kitchen confidence while you tackle your morning to-do list—or relax with a book and cup coffee at the Colorful Plate Café ☕

Registration officially closes on Monday, July 06, 2026, but our spots will likely sell out long before then. Treat your student to an unforgettable week of culture, cooking, and community!

👇 Secure one of our last remaining kitchen stations today:
www.explorefoodandfarm.org/events/summer-camp-taste-usa-2026

06/12/2026

Looking for a meeting space that inspires productivity and leaves a lasting impression? 💼✨📈

Whether you are hosting an intimate executive retreat, a high-stakes board meeting, or a collaborative team strategy session, our Executive Board Room at Food + Farm Exploration Center is built for your business.

We have designed a modern, professional corporate space right off I-39 in Plover that takes the stress out of your meeting logistics, allowing you to focus entirely on your agenda.

What sets our Executive Board Room apart:
🔵 Spacious & Modern: 880 square feet of beautifully designed space that comfortably seats up to 24 guests.
🔵 Seamless Technology: Full A/V capabilities and a built-in sound system with a dedicated microphone to ensure your presentations are flawless.
🔵 Convenient Power Access: Built-in table power outlets make charging devices easy and efficient for every attendee.
🔵 On-Site Hospitality: Features a dedicated, built-in food and beverage service counter, perfect for morning coffee service, working lunches, or afternoon refreshments.

Plus, you can seamlessly elevate your corporate event with premium farm-to-table catering from our team, or add a private group tour of our 61 hands-on exhibits to give your attendees a memorable break during the day.

Swipe through the carousel to tour the layout and see the top features! ➡️

👇 View our full corporate rental guide and request a customized quote for your next session:
www.explorefoodandfarm.org/meetings

06/12/2026

Taking the Checkered Flag! 🏁✅ The answer to our pollinator trivia question is… D) 35%! Nearly 35% of global food crops and 3/4 of the world's flowering plants rely entirely on animal pollinators. In fact, it's estimated that one out of every three bites of food we eat depends directly on them! 🤯

From apples and cherries to Wisconsin cranberries, pollinators are vital. They don't just help crops grow; they actually enhance the quality of produce—resulting in larger, better-shaped, more flavorful fruits and vegetables with a longer shelf life. Honeybees alone support an estimated $18-27 billion in US crop yields every year, which is why some beekeepers travel the entire country moving from field to field as crops flower! 🚚💨

Want to shift gears and learn how to support these heavy-lifting insect teams right in your own backyard? Make a pit stop at Food + Farm Exploration Center next weekend!

They are hosting a hands-on Native Plant & Pollinator Workshop on Sunday, June 14th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. You'll work with their education team to build a custom pollinator-friendly planter to take home, learn how farmers plant wildflower buffer zones to help their farm ecosystems, and find out how to attract these beneficial bugs to your own garden. 🛠️🌻

Congratulations to our ticket winner Lisa Byard! 🏆

🔗 Register for the workshop here: www.explorefoodandfarm.org/events/native-plant-pollinator-workshop-2026

06/12/2026

We love hosting United Way of Portage County for their annual Summer Sizzle program every year, and we can’t wait to see our favorite reading buddies back on campus! 📚✨

Today is actually the perfect day to announce this year's stop, because we are celebrating a massive holiday trifecta: International Day of Play, Sweet Corn Day, and National Corn on the Cob Day! 🌽🎉 To celebrate, rumor has it that our favorite mascot, Sunny Sweetcorn, will be making another special appearance.

Join us for a free morning of stories, healthy snacks, and hands-on agricultural STEM activities led by our education team. Click the link below for full event details! 👇

📍 Full Details: https://explorefoodandfarm.org/events/united-way-summer-sizzle-2026

06/11/2026

Our Wisconsin focus crops go great with dairy! Veggies and a delicious creamy dip. Cranberries with a tasty cheesecake. Celebrate all Wisconsin agriculture offers our state and come on over to Plover for Feltz Family Farms and Dairy Store June Dairy Day celebration!

⏰ ONE WEEK TO GO! ⏰

Portage County June Dairy Day is almost here! Join us Saturday, June 13 from 10 AM – 1 PM at Feltz Family Farms & Dairy Store for:

🚜 Guided farm tours
🐄 Petting zoo
🧀 FREE cheese samples
🥪 FREE grilled cheese sandwiches
🍦 FREE ice cream
🧒 Kids activities

Bring your family, invite your friends, and help us celebrate June Dairy Month!

📍 Feltz Family Farms and Dairy Store
📅 Saturday, June 13
⏰ 10am-1pm

We can’t wait to see you there!

06/10/2026

It's a Golden Sands Speedway race week so you know what that means!

Fuel your brain for a chance to win! 🏁🐝🌱

We’re back with our partners at Food + Farm Exploration Center to bring you another "fast" fact about modern agriculture! To celebrate, we’re giving away free admission to Food + Farm Exploration Center to one lucky fan who clocks the correct trivia answer.

This week, we're talking about one of the hardest working crews in agriculture: pollinators!

The Question: What percentage of global food crops rely on animal pollinators like bees, birds, and insects? 🏎️💨

A) 5%

B) 15%

C) 25%

D) 35%

(Hint: Think about how many bites of your favorite fruits, vegetables, and even your morning coffee need a little help to grow! 🍎☕️)

How to Enter: 📩 Slide into the DMs! Send a Direct Message to our account with your answer (A, B, C, or D) to be entered to win.

Winner's Circle: We’ll pick a winner from the correct entries to head to Plover, Wisconsin and check out their 61 world-class exhibits firsthand. Drop your guess in our DMs now! 👇

06/10/2026

Want to join a passionate team that's redefining how our community connects with agriculture? We’re hiring! 🚜✨💼

At Food + Farm Exploration Center, our team works every day to spark curiosity, celebrate local growers, and create unforgettable experiences for our guests. If you’re looking for a rewarding role where your work directly impacts our community, we would love to meet you!

We currently have two fantastic openings on our team:
💼 Event Sales Manager (Full-Time): Are you a hospitality pro who loves turning big visions into reality? We're looking for a dynamic manager to oversee our facility rentals—from corporate meetings to gorgeous weddings. You’ll handle everything from sales and inquiry tours to coordinating top-tier catering and managing day-of logistics for our clients.
🍳☕Café Barista & Cook (Part-Time): Love craft coffee, fresh food, and great customer service? Join the team at the Colorful Plate Café! This role splits time between crafting specialty beverages and preparing our simple, fresh, seasonal menu items. Perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, friendly kitchen environment.

No matter the role, you'll be working in a beautiful, modern space alongside a supportive team dedicated to our nonprofit educational mission.

👇 Learn more about our benefits, view the full job descriptions, and apply today:
www.explorefoodandfarm.org/careers

06/08/2026

Introducing our new favorite saying..."You're a schnitzel!" thanks to Wisconsin Foodie 🎙️👨‍🍳

That’s exactly what host Luke Zahm said to our very own Chef Davey when Wisconsin Foodie came to visit! Now, it's your turn to head into the Kitchen Lab and learn the secret behind the dish that stole the show.

On Saturday, August 1st, we are bringing back our Pork Schnitzel & Agrodolce Cooking Class! To be completely transparent, this exact class has sold out every single time we have offered it, so you’ll want to jump on tickets early.

Step behind the scenes to master the art of the perfect, crispy pan-fried pork schnitzel. You'll learn the technical skills behind balancing a vibrant, sweet-and-tangy traditional Italian Agrodolce sauce, explore professional plating techniques, and dig into the field-to-fork journey of how these incredible ingredients go from Wisconsin fields to your plate.

The Quick Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🎟️ Cost: $45 per person (Members save 10%!)
🧑‍🍳 Age: Designed for adults (21+ to enjoy alcoholic pairings)
⏳ Deadline: Registration closes Wednesday, July 29th, unless it sells out sooner.

Grab a friend or make it a unique date night, and come cook a TV-featured masterpiece with us!

👇 Watch the episode clip for inspiration and secure your station before they're gone: www.explorefoodandfarm.org/events/pork-schnitzel-agrodolce-wisconsin-foodie-august-2026

06/06/2026

Free admission for Dads, 16 flavors of award-winning ice cream, and a gift shop sale? Mark your calendars! 🍦🎁🚜

We are kicking off the summer season on Saturday, June 20th with a King Cone Ice Cream Social from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and we’re celebrating with an early tribute to Father's Day!

Here are the big details you need to know:
🍦 The Main Event: The award-winning King Cone trailer will be on site serving up 16 delicious flavors.
🌿 Marvelous Mint Experience: Mint is one of our specialty Wisconsin Focus crops! To highlight this incredible part of our state's agriculture (did you know WI ranks 5th in the nation for mint oil production?), King Cone is featuring a custom mint menu, including Oreo Grasshopper and homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches.
🎟️ Free Admission for Dads: Dads get entirely free admission to the center all day on June 20th so you can explore our 61 interactive, hands-on exhibits together.
🛍️ Father’s Day Gift Shop Special: Don't wait until the 20th to shop! Our gift shop sale is live right now through June 20th. Take 10% off select gifts for dads—and members can stack their discounts to save a total of 20%!

Make a morning of it:
🍳 Stop by Colorful Plate Café all weekend long from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM for a fantastic patio brunch.
🔬 Enjoy special educational activities from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday June 20th to learn how Wisconsin mint oil winds up in millions of tubes of toothpaste and packs of gum! 🪥

Swipe through the carousel to preview of all you'll enjoy when you join us! ➡️

👇 Get all the details and plan your visit here:
www.explorefoodandfarm.org/events/king-cone-ice-cream-mint-celebration-2026

06/05/2026

Want to get your business in front of our local community—for just $200? 🏌️‍♂️💼🌾

This August, we are launching a brand-new annual summer tradition: the Inaugural Farm to Fairway Golf Outing! Taking place on Wednesday, August 5th at Ridges Golf Course & Banquet Facility, this signature tournament brings together area businesses, local leaders, and supporters for a high-energy day of networking, community, and field-to-fork impact.

Several of our major giving options have already been secured, but we have plenty of $200 Hole Sponsorships left! This is the perfect, budget-friendly opportunity for small businesses, local shops, and community organizations to market your brand, show your local pride, and get your logo placed directly on the course.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, every single dollar raised directly funds our mission to provide hands-on agricultural and STEM education to kids and families across our region.

⛳️ Want to play, too? Golfer spots are strictly limited to 36 foursomes and are filling up fast. Your $125 individual registration or $500 foursome package includes your green fees, cart, on-course lunch, and a full post-event reception and dinner.

Put your marketing dollars toward a great cause and help us plant the seeds for future generations! 🌲🌱

👇 Claim your hole sponsorship or grab one of our remaining team spots: www.explorefoodandfarm.org/farm-to-fairway-golf-outing