Kristine Hansen - Wisconsin Farms and Farmers Markets: Tours, Trails and Attractions

Based in Milwaukees Bay View neighborhood, Kristine Hansen is a nationally recognized food, drinks and travel author with articles about Wisconsins cheese published on Travel + Leisures website as well as on Fodors.com , CheeseProfessor.com and Shondaland.com , Shonda Rhimes lifestyle site. Her articles have also appeared on ArchitecturalDigest.com and in TIMEmagazine, Midwest Livingmagazine and Milwaukee Magazine. She is the author of Wisconsin Cheese Cookbook: Creamy, Cheesy, Sweet, and Savory Recipes from the States Best Creameries.

It is not uncommon for new owners of farms to move to Wisconsin from another state, drawn in by the incredible resourcesboth financially and emotionallyto live out their farm dreams. Here are a few examples of people who are here to help.

uwmadisonawa.org

A student-run organization on campus with about one hundred female membersand five hundred alumni who serve as mentors in agricultural careersthat started in 1973. The association also keeps a house on campus for twenty-four members and hosts professional agricultural events (also for members).

608-836-8820; wisconsindairy.org

Based in Madison, this farmer-owned non-profit (since its 1983 debut) markets dairy productsincluding cheese, milk, yogurt, and buttercrafted at family-owned creameries and helps to ensure their financial future through global recognition campaigns so the farmers can do what they do best: farm.

608-260-0900; familyfarmers.org

With an eye on reforming our countrys food system so the one-hundred-mile diet is no longer a trend, but a way of life, and all food is grown sustainably with regards to animal welfare and farm-worker rights, this Madison-based, national grassroots non-profit was founded in 1999.

262-642-3303; michaelfields.org

Based in East Troy, this teaching-based non-profit hosts interns from around the world to kickstart their farming careers and was founded in 1984 by Ruth Zinniker and Christopher and Martina Mann. The organization also lobbies on behalf of farmers, in Wisconsin and beyond.

888-90-MOSES; mosesorganic.org

An annual MOSES organic-farming conference each February presents workshops led by farmers and serves to share information among Heartland farmers striving to grow food without the use of chemicals.

soilsisters.wixsite.com

Founded by Inn Serendipity co-owner Lisa Kivirist, this networking group for female farmers in Southwestern Wisconsin hosts a weekend of tours, meals, and activities at female-owned area farms (first full weekend in August) and is a program within Renewing the Countryside (a non-profit).

608-235-5925; wiagtourism.com

Banding together, the members goal is encouraging travelers to explore, eat, enjoy, and sleep at farms and agricultural destinations in Wisconsin. In September, the association hosts Porkfest Farmers Market: a day of crafts, brats, and roast-pork dinners to raise funds for area food pantries.

920-478-4277; wisconsinapplegrowers.org

Representing apple orchards and those involved in processing apples as fruit or cider, the website publishes a directory of orchards open to the public.

608-235-5925; wiberries.org

Dedicated to promoting and supporting the growing of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries throughout Wisconsin, its members are both commercial farmers and hobbyist gardeners, and the purpose is to be a voice for the berry industry in Wisconsin.

608-286-1001; wischeesemakersassn.org

Serving dairy processors and industry-supply partners around the US, the organization dates to 1891 and hosts the annual US and World Championship Cheese Contests, always in Wisconsin.