MANITOWOC, WI–Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center celebrates its seventh anniversary with a three-day event Thursday, July 24, through Saturday, July 26. The center is offering not only free youth admission to kids ages eighteen and under, but many unique experiences throughout the three days, thanks to a grant from The West Foundation.
 
Visitors can enjoy special agricultural activities from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day. On all three days, attendees can try a hands-on honey-themed activity led by Wisconsin Honey Queen Emily Sydow, pet horses from Crossfire Ranch, sample Wisconsin cheeses, check out a piece of equipment from Riesterer and Schnell, experiment with unusual ice cream toppings, and explore interactive sensory tables.
 
Miller Implement returns for a second year with its popular Bobcat toys, allowing young visitors the opportunity to hop on and take a ride. Guests can also enter a pork raffle for a chance to win half a hog. Tickets are $10 each, and the winner will be drawn on Monday, July 28.
 
“Our anniversary provides a great opportunity to celebrate the successes of the past year and look ahead with optimism,” says Patty Lehn, Farm Wisconsin’s executive director. “This year, we are celebrating record growth in our general public audiences, our community connections, the additions to our café, and several spectacular private events.”

Lehn is particularly grateful to The West Foundation grant supporting year’s anniversary celebration. With the foundation’s support, the center was able to promote the event to a wider geographic area. Seehafer Broadcasting and Miller Implement are additional event supporters.
 
Daily activities:
Thursday, July 24
In addition to Crossfire Ranch horses, cheese sampling, ice cream topping tasting, Bobcat toy rides, pork raffle ticket sales, sensory tables, and John Deere equipment:

• Watch a live cheese judging and grading demonstration at 10:00 a.m., led by an expert from Masters Gallery Foods.
• Alpacas Molly and Penelope will be on site for petting and photo opportunities, courtesy of Manitowoc County 4-H.
• Explore soil science and discover how fast corn grows with Country Visions.

• Meet, greet, and have fun with special mascot guests, including Scoopie from Culver’s and Sarge from Sargento, from 10:00 a.m. until noon.
• Cuddle with animals from a visiting petting zoo.
• Visit Wisconsin Beef Council’s staff and play their protein Plinko game to learn how beef fuels the body.
• Craig Dillon, from Seehafer Broadcasting will host a live remote and do prize giveaways during that same time frame.

• Cuddle with animals from a visiting petting zoo.
• Meet Wisconsin’s newly crowned Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow and take part in her special agriculture activity.
• Enjoy refreshing cups of sweet and tart lemonade available for purchase throughout the day.