By Blake Jackson
Farmworkers are invited to attend the upcoming Free School for Farmworkers session on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The online event will feature D and Maggie from Rock Steady Farm, who will share insights from their 10 years of experience running a worker-owned cooperative farm in upstate New York.
Using Rock Steady Farm as a case study, the presenters will explore the motivations behind starting a cooperative, the values that shape their work culture, and the key internal documents and resources that have supported their journey.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how cooperatives operate, along with practical advice for those interested in pursuing similar models.
D and Maggie will also discuss the challenges they’ve faced, breaking down common misconceptions about worker cooperatives and offering honest reflections on what it truly takes to start or join one. The workshop is designed for both beginner and experienced farmworkers who may not yet have experience in worker co-ops.
The session will be facilitated in English, with simultaneous Spanish interpretation by Cooperativa Brujúlas, and closed captioning will be available.
The event is co-hosted by Not Our Farm, UW-Extension, and the FairShare CSA Coalition. Participation is open only to farmworkers, including interns, apprentices, cooperative members, and aspiring farmworkers.
For more information, contact Sarah Janes Ugoretz at sarah.janesugoretz@wisc.edu or call 608-234-1561. Attendance is free and conducted via Zoom.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-alexeyrumyantsev
Categories: Wisconsin, Education