Gather Wisconsin Connects People to Local Farming

By Blake Jackson

Gather Wisconsin is an initiative by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau that brings together food, family, and farming in a simple, engaging way. Launched in 2023, the program helps connect consumers with the people who grow and raise the food they eat.

At the centre of this initiative is GatherWisconsin.com, a website offering recipes, blog posts, and tips for better food choices. The content is organized under three key pillars: Food, Family, and Farming.

The Food pillar teaches families how to buy, prepare, and store food wisely. It explains food labels and shares how consumers can support local farmers—whether buying from a market or grocery store. Recipes also highlight local Wisconsin produce and dairy.

The Family section encourages sustainability at home. An interactive map provides simple tips to help families live greener and understand how their choices can help the environment and support agriculture.

The Farming pillar introduces readers to real farmers. Families can submit questions and receive answers from volunteer farmers. There’s also a "Leaders of the Land" monthly spotlight featuring farmers practicing sustainability, all shown on an interactive map.

Beyond the website, Gather Wisconsin includes a 24-page magazine sent to over 40,000 households. Volunteers also share the magazine at state events. The campaign even reached the Wisconsin State Fair through sponsored milk cups and booth activities.

In 2024, every county district received a resource kit to promote the campaign locally. Webinars, training, and workshops help Farm Bureau members stay involved and share these resources effectively.

The program’s innovative approach earned it the 2025 New Horizon Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation. This award honours outstanding new programs by state Farm Bureaus.

As Wisconsin Farm Bureau noted, “Gather Wisconsin aligns as one cohesive, trusted voice to support the initiative’s three pillars: ‘Food,’ ‘Family’ and ‘Farming.’”

Photo Credit: wisconsin-farm-bureau