By Blake Jackson
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) and the Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover, Wisconsin, have established a new partnership aimed at expanding educational opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. The collaboration combines classroom learning with real-world agricultural experiences, helping participants gain a deeper understanding of food systems, sustainability, and innovation.
The Food + Farm Exploration Center is a nonprofit educational facility that connects visitors with local agriculture while promoting awareness of food production, environmental sustainability, and technological advancements within the agricultural sector. Through the partnership, UWSP students and employees will receive free general admission to the center and discounts on membership programs.
The collaboration aligns closely with many university disciplines, including natural resources, environmental science, biology, agriculture, nutrition, education, business, hospitality, museum studies, and nonprofit management. By working together, both organizations aim to create meaningful educational experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom settings.
Students will benefit from course-based learning opportunities, internships, practicum placements, faculty-led field trips, and professional networking experiences. These activities are designed to help students build practical skills while exploring potential career paths in agriculture and related industries.
The partnership will also support faculty innovation by encouraging collaboration on educational programs, guest lectures, public events, and interdisciplinary studies. University instructors will have additional resources for integrating agricultural topics into their coursework and providing students with hands-on learning opportunities.
To celebrate the new partnership, UWSP and the Food + Farm Exploration Center will host a community harvest event. Participants will have the opportunity to harvest potatoes, including both commercial varieties and potatoes developed through a University of Wisconsin breeding program. Members of the UWSP football team will also take part in the event as volunteers.
“This partnership creates meaningful opportunities for UW-Stevens Point students and faculty to experience firsthand why Wisconsin is one of the nation’s agricultural leaders while connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences,” said Alexandria Behrend, executive director of Food + Farm Exploration Center. “By helping students better understand the innovation, diversity and economic impact of Wisconsin agriculture, we’re also introducing them to the many rewarding career opportunities the industry offers. Together, we’re helping build the next generation of talent that will support Wisconsin agriculture for years to come.”
“As a local partner, Food + Farm offers our students exposure to regional agriculture and its resources, sustainable practices, career exploration, professional networking and a welcoming space for interdisciplinary study,” said UWSP Chancellor Robert Brinkmann. “Our faculty will be able to integrate classroom and fieldwork and collaborate for guest lectures and public programs, connecting with members of our community.”
The partnership highlights a shared commitment to education, community engagement, and agricultural awareness. By combining academic learning with practical experiences, the initiative will help prepare students for future careers while strengthening connections between higher education and Wisconsin’s agricultural industry.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Wisconsin, Education