Gather Wisconsin Invites Consumers to Learn More About Food and Farmers

Looking to connect consumers with the farmers growing and raising their families’ food, Wisconsin Farm Bureau in 2023 launched Gather Wisconsin, which includes a website, GatherWisconsin.com, with blog posts and recipes, as well as an annual print magazine and several member activities across the state.

In creating Gather Wisconsin’s resources and educational material, Wisconsin Farm Bureau collaborated with many of the state’s commodity groups and agricultural organizations, aligning as one cohesive, trusted voice to support the initiative’s three pillars: “Food,” “Family” and “Farming.”

Gather Wisconsin’s Food pillar highlights how food is selected, prepared, cooked and stored. In addition, this section of the website provides unbiased information about food labels and food choice and shares how families can support farmers, whether they are buying produce directly from a grower at a farmers market or picking up a pound of ground beef from the grocery store. The recipes in the Food pillar showcase Wisconsin commodities and products.

The Family pillar focuses on how food is experienced in the home and features an interactive “Sustainability at Home” map offering tips and tricks to help consumers reach their own sustainability goals in the home and share the responsibility with farmers to protect natural resources.

The Farming pillar allows consumers to get to know the farmers behind the food in various ways. Consumers can submit their questions for a volunteer farmer to answer. The “Leaders of the Land” monthly profile introduces consumers to Farm Bureau members who are champions in sustainability. The profiles are included in an interactive map.

Beyond the website, Gather Wisconsin also produces a 24-page magazine delivered to more than 40,000 associate membership households, with additional copies shared by Farm Bureau volunteers at events across the state.

Gather Wisconsin’s continued expansion included sponsorship of the cups at the Wisconsin State Fair Foundation’s Milk House. The cup design featured Gather Wisconsin’s social media and website information, including a QR code linking directly to the website – and an opportunity to vote on your favorite Milk House milk flavor and sign up for the Gather Wisconsin e-newsletter.

The sponsorship also included billboard signage at the state fair and a one-day event booth staffed by Farm Bureau members who offered a variety of activities and giveaways.

County Farm Bureaus are increasingly involved in sharing Gather Wisconsin’s offerings. Last year, every district in the state was equipped with a Gather Wisconsin resource kit to assist them in utilizing the resources in their programming. Additionally, webinars, workshops and training opportunities are presented to members to keep their engagement high and effective.

New Horizon Award

Gather Wisconsin garnered Wisconsin Farm Bureau a 2025 New Horizon Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The award, which honors state Farm Bureaus with the most innovative new programs, is presented annually at the AFBF Convention.