By Rapids City Times staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – As longtime community farm, Altenburg’s Farm closes its doors, the school established there will continue, but under a new name.

Altenburg’s Farm announced in a Facebook post: “Our 55th and last strawberry season will end at 7 pm on Tuesday, July 9. Thank you for your friendship and support over the years!”

Harold Altenburg, 86, bought the 40-acre farm in 1964, and has cultivated strawberries, pumpkins, corn, and other crops for the community. The business has also offered corn mazes, sleigh rides, and other family entertainment.

In Jan. 2017, as Altenburg began looking toward retirement, he worked with Incourage on a concept to provide an educational opportunity for local youth.

 “A place where work and learning become one — a place where you’re part of a team; a place where you put your hands and put your head to work,” said Harold Altenburg, he said in a presentation.

The concept was to allow students, ages 14-19, to earn college credits toward an agriculture degree, right there on the farm. The School at Altenburg’s Farm, now its own nonprofit, developed on that concept.

Though the farm is closing, the school will continue under a new name – Central Wisconsin School of Agriculture – operating in alternate community sites.

For more information, visit https://incouragecf.org/lead/school-altenburgs-farm.