By Blake Jackson
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UW-Stevens Point) and the Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover, Wisconsin, have established a partnership designed to expand educational, professional and hands-on opportunities for university students and employees.
The collaboration provides UW-Stevens Point students and employees with free general admission to the center, along with opportunities for academic programs, internships, field experiences and faculty collaboration.
The UW-Stevens Point Foundation is supporting Food + Farm, a nonprofit educational organization focused on helping people understand local food systems, sustainability and agricultural innovation.
The partnership complements university programs in agriculture, natural resources, environmental science, biology, nutrition, education, business, hospitality, museum studies and nonprofit management.
The collaboration will allow faculty to incorporate Food + Farm resources into courses and provide students with internships and practicum experiences. It is also intended to support student recruitment and retention while creating opportunities for faculty to develop innovative educational activities.
The two organizations highlighted the partnership during the U-Pick Harvest from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the Food + Farm Exploration Center, 3400 Innovation Drive in Plover.
Participants can harvest yellow potatoes supplied by The Little Potato Co. and a red-skin, yellow-flesh potato variety developed through a UW breeding program.
Members of the Pointer football team will assist with the event. The harvest schedule may change because of crop conditions and weather.
Throughout the year, UW-Stevens Point students and employees will receive free general admission and a $100 discount on membership options. Additional activities include course-based learning, faculty-led field trips, program coordination, and evaluation.
“This partnership creates meaningful opportunities for UW-Stevens Point students and faculty to experience firsthand why Wisconsin is one of the nation’s agricultural leaders while connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences,” said Alexandria Behrend, executive director of Food + Farm Exploration Center.
“As a local partner, Food + Farm offers our students exposure to regional agriculture and its resources, sustainable practices, career exploration, professional networking and a welcoming space for interdisciplinary study,” said UWSP Chancellor Robert Brinkmann.
Photo Credit: university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point
Categories: Wisconsin, Business, Education