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Home » Blog » News » Rooted in Gratitude: Honoring Women Behind Wisconsin’s Farming Legacy
August 12, 2026

Rooted in Gratitude: Honoring Women Behind Wisconsin’s Farming Legacy

July 31, 2026

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Rooted in Gratitude: Honoring Women Behind Wisconsin’s Farming Legacy

Food + Farm Exploration Center Names Inaugural ‘Rooted in Gratitude’ Honorees

This special award shows gratitude to exceptional women whose leadership, innovation, and dedication shape Wisconsin agriculture.

Event Details & Fundraising Mission

The Center will host its signature annual fundraising event and recognition ceremony on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Plover, Wisconsin.

  • Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026

  • Location: Food + Farm Exploration Center | 3400 Innovation Drive, Plover, WI 54467

  • Purpose: Raise funds for hands-on agricultural education while honoring local agricultural leaders.

This evening offers far more than a typical fundraising dinner. Instead, it brings the community together to invest in the future of food education. Attendees will enjoy an elegant farm-to-table dining experience, inspiring stories, an auction, and the official awards ceremony.

Most importantly, event proceeds directly support hands-on learning programs. These initiatives include:

  • Interactive museum exhibits and demonstration fields

  • Culinary education and school field trips

  • Community outreach and accessible agricultural programs

In alignment with the International Year of the Woman Farmer, this year’s ceremony highlights leaders who inspire future generations.

Meet the 2026 Rooted in Gratitude Honorees

These recognition categories reflect the diverse ways women strengthen local agriculture—from hands-on education to lifelong service.

Award CategoryHonoreeOrganization / County
Ag Education ChampionHeidi SlinkmanGaynor Cranberry Company & Cranberry Learning Inc. (Wood County)
Ag InnovatorJill AlbaneseWisconsin State Fair (Milwaukee County)
Community CatalystJill MakovecLearfield / Brownfield Ag News & WI Radio Network (Dane & Grant)
Legacy LeaderDianne SomersPlover River Farms Alliance (Portage County)
Sustainability StewardSara StelterStelter Farms (Waushara County)
Emerging Ag LeadersWendy Dykstra & Heidi RandallAlsum Farms & Produce (Columbia County)

Tickets are now on sale. Learn more and reserve your seats at:
https://explorefoodandfarm.org/rooted-in-gratitude

Filed Under: Ag Life in the 715, Agribusiness, Education, News Tagged With: Alsum Farms and Produce, Dianne Somers, Food + Farm Exploration Center, Gaynor Cranberry Company, Heidi Randall, Heidi Slinkman, International Year of the Woman Farmer, Jill Albanese, Jill Makovec, Plover, Plover River Farms Alliance, Rooted in Gratitude, Sara Stelter, Stelter Farms, Wendy Dykstra, wisconsin state fair

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About Pam Jahnke

Getting up at 2 in the morning might shock some of her listeners, but for Pam Jahnke, it’s part of the business. Born in Northeastern Wisconsin, Pam Jahnke grew up in agriculture. Raised on her family’s 200-acre dairy farm, she learned the “farm work ethic” first hand.

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