For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS —  The public is invited to help celebrate and see the progress at The School at Altenburg’s Farm Strawberry Summer Celebration on Wednesday, June 21 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.at Altenburg’s Farm, 7020 Plover Road, Wisconsin Rapids.

A brief presentation is scheduled for noon to update the public on the School’s newly established board of directors, its farm director, fundraising efforts, and future plans for the School. Enjoy a strawberry sundae social and learn more about this unique effort. Members of the board will be at event to answer questions and share their vision for the School going forward.

Harold Altenburg’s wish is to have Altenburg’s Farm continue to benefit the community beyond his lifetime. With his passion for youth and their development, his vision of forming a not-for-profit farm school is becoming reality. The goal of the school is to help young people develop life skills through on-farm learning; the farm will also continue to provide the products and activities the community has enjoyed for so many years. In April, The School at Altenburg’s Farm became a registered non-profit.

Board Chair Brad Kremer noted, “The youth are our future. By taking care of them now we are taking care of our future.”

Over the past two years, Incourage worked with Harold Altenburg and a team of experts to provide input, strategize, and help in the planning and development of The School at Altenburg’s Farm. From now until June 30, 2017, Incourage will match contributions up to $25,000 to The School at Altenburg’s Farm through the Ruth B. and Hartley B. Barker Memorial Fund for Youth.

This will be to support start-up expenses for The School to develop ag-related life skills. To contribute to The School at Altenburg’s Farm, go to https://incouragecf.org/give/give-online/. In addition, picking and purchasing strawberries at Altenburg’s will support farm and school operations. Strawberry picking begins June 8. Call 715.421.2943 for more details about picking.