- We're checking out the exhibits at Farm Wisconsin
and digging in
to learn more about agriculture in our state.
Traveling from field to fork
through the ABCs of Wisconsin produce,
Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center
has so much to do and see.
I met up with Patty Lehn, Executive Director,
to find out more.
- We all consume agriculture.
We obviously all eat.
But only 2% of us are involved
in the industry of agriculture. - Really, only 2%?
- Only 2%, yet 100% of us consume, right?
So, our goal here is to teach people
about where their food comes from
so that they better understand
and appreciate Wisconsin agriculture.
I think we have just a holistic approach
here at Farm Wisconsin.
We want people to have the experience.
We give them information.
We have the 'wow!' of the birthing barn,
and I'm so glad you got to experience
the whole 'wow' factor of the birthing barn today.
And then, we have our cafe and our conference center,
and our store that really bring that experience full circle.
- I love that.
I understand, too, that there are some elements
of the center that change over time.
- Yeah, I know you saw our goats today.
- I met Kevin, yes. [Angela laughs]
- Isn't he cute? - I am in love.
- And that's a perfect example of the partnerships
that we've been nurturing here.
We bring the consumers here
and we're trying to bring in the experts.
So having a goat farmer come in and share
their cute animals is one example.
Just wanting to celebrate all that's Wisconsin agriculture
and the unique aspects of it
that you wouldn't quite think of on your own.
- It's essentially creating an agricultural hub.
What is your favorite part about spreading that message?
- Oh, you know what,
you just asking me that just gave me goosebumps!
My favorite part of spreading that message
is just seeing the wonder
within the eyes of our visitors.
Just about 20 minutes ago,
somebody stopped me in the hallway
and just said, "This place is amazing."
We don't expect people to come and say,
"Hey, I wanna learn."
We want them to have an experience
and they will learn and better appreciate.
- Absolutely, and I can relate to that visitor comment,
because I think I have a very narrow concept
up 'til today, of what farming consists of and what it means.
So, I think this helps expand
our general understanding of that.
I set out on a mission to taste Wisconsin-made ice cream
and explore as much as I could
about agriculture in our state.