Food + Farm Exploration Center announces inaugural Rooted in Gratitude honorees, celebrating Wisconsin women in agriculture

PLOVER – Food + Farm Exploration Center is proud to announce the inaugural Rooted in Gratitude honorees, celebrating exceptional women whose leadership, innovation and dedication have helped shape Wisconsin agriculture. The women will be honored during Rooted in Gratitude, the Center’s signature annual fundraising event and inaugural recognition ceremony, on Thursday, September 17 from 5:30-9 p.m. at Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover. The evening will raise support for hands-on agricultural education while celebrating the remarkable women who continue to strengthen Wisconsin’s agricultural community.
More than a fundraising dinner, Rooted in Gratitude brings the community together to celebrate the people behind Wisconsin agriculture while investing in the future of agricultural education. Guests will enjoy an elegant farm-to-table dining experience, inspiring stories, the inaugural recognition ceremony, an auction and opportunities to directly support the center’s mission of connecting people of all ages to the journey of food from field to fork.
Proceeds from the evening support hands-on educational experiences including school field trips, outreach programs, culinary education, demonstration fields, interactive exhibits and accessible learning opportunities that inspire curiosity about agriculture.
In recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, this year’s inaugural recognition ceremony celebrates women whose leadership and service continue to strengthen Wisconsin agriculture and inspire future generations.

2026 Rooted in Gratitude Honorees

The recognition categories reflect the many ways women strengthen Wisconsin agriculture—from education and innovation to sustainability, community leadership and lifelong service.
Ag Education Champion: Heidi Slinkman, Gaynor Cranberry Company & Cranberry Learning Inc., Wood County.
Ag Innovator: Jill Albanese, Wisconsin State Fair, Milwaukee County.
Community Catalyst: Jill Makovec, Learfield/Brownfield Ag News & Wisconsin Radio Network, Dane & Grant Counties.
Legacy Leader: Dianne Somers, Plover River Farms Alliance, Portage County.

Sustainability Steward: Sara Stelter, Stelter Farms, Waushara County.
Emerging Ag Leaders (Joint Honorees): Wendy Dykstra and Heidi Randall, Alsum Farms & Produce, Columbia County.
“The women we are recognizing have each strengthened Wisconsin agriculture in meaningful and lasting ways,” said Amy Wiernik, donor development director for Food + Farm Exploration Center. “Rooted in Gratitude is an opportunity to celebrate their extraordinary contributions, express our appreciation for the people who shape our agricultural community and invest in educational experiences that will inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.”
Tickets are now on sale. Learn more and reserve your seats at www.explorefoodandfarm.org/rooted-in-gratitude.