PLOVER, Wis. — The Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover is a more than 50,000 square-foot interactive museum in central Wisconsin that showcases the state’s rich agricultural history and innovative developments in farming.
On a recent field trip, students from the Point of Discovery School in Stevens Point visited the new facility.
The Food + Farm Exploration Center’s Education Program Manager Brittany Marquard taught a class where she challenged the students to make electricity using a light bulb and battery.
“We are teaching the basics of what a circuit is,” said Marquard. “Simple circuits using batteries and connecting them up.”
Marquard said the lesson applies to agriculture.
“They really don’t know the whole farm to table story, so how does it (food) start in the ground, how does it get to the grocery store,” said Marquard. “They just know food is at the grocery store, so we are really trying to bridge that connection through these opportunities at the center.”
Student Thomas Oksiuta made a farming connection at another museum exhibit that allowed him to shift the shape of land. He talked about what he learned.
“How water can affect stuff,” said Oksiuta. “It can be bad and good in ways. Water erosion is never good, but you do need water for your plants, so it’s very cool. Another thing is just [learning about] the community of farmers and what it is like to be in a tractor too.”
Andy Reitz, the executive director of The Food + Farm Exploration Center, said he loves showing kids the interactive tractor exhibit.
He said the goal of the center is twofold: to reconnect society to agriculture and farmers, and to attract more young people to the industry.
“We want to try to encourage workforce development and encourage a career path in agriculture because we don’t have enough people going into that space right now, and there are some interesting careers, very high-tech careers that are far beyond the old-time stereotype of driving an old tractor, a pitchfork, blue jeans and coveralls,” said Reitz.
Marquard said she had pride after seeing the students turn on their light bulbs.
“Just making sure my students, my community and those who I have a chance to interact with are informed citizens,” said Marquard. “So, knowing where their food is coming from, being aware of it, making informed choices when it comes to their health and their nutrition.”
Marquard said she is excited to keep teaching and hopes to see more people come from all over to learn about farming and agriculture, huge and ever-changing parts of Wisconsin’s economy.