Gathering Ground is expanding its programming and facilities in the Washington Island community.
The nonprofit acquired the 40-acre Aznoe Farm in May. The historic farm provides additional farmland and infrastructure for Gathering Ground, necessary for the new and expanded initiatives.
Gathering Ground’s new initiatives will grow upon its Ground School, weekly farmers’ market, community garden, and events such as the Farm & Field Bike Tour and the Island Garden Tour.
“The Aznoe Farm acquisition immeasurably strengthens our ability to carry out these missions in a more impactful and, we hope, inspiring way,” says Executive Director Alessandra Rolffs.
Farming
Building off the Lakeview farm’s chestnut orchard and vineyard, Gathering Ground has already planted new vegetable crops at Aznoe Farm, such as squash, onions, and garlic, to help address food insecurity in Door County.
“We’ve started discussions with the food pantries of the county, including Washington Island, to make these vegetables available to help mitigate the serious cutbacks in federal food support that are threatening the food security of a significant number of Door County residents,” says Farm Manager Russell Rolffs.
Gathering Ground also plans to become certified as fully organic.
Education & Community Engagement
Through its Ground School summer internship program for college students and field trips for K-12 students, Gathering Ground has already established itself as an “outdoor classroom.” Now, with the expanded infrastructure at Aznoe Farm, it can expand its capabilities to provide lifelong learning for people of all ages.
As early as this fall, Gathering Ground will offer workshops and experiences to Island residents and visitors tied to the land. These will include Folk School workshops such as field-to-kitchen classes and home composting workshops. Book clubs, cooking classes, and seminars on agricultural topics are all under consideration for future events.
“We will continue to offer the successful farmers market and community garden that already serve island residents and visitors,” says Alessandra Rolffs.
With the housing provided by Aznoe Farm, Gathering Ground plans to increase the size of its Ground School summer internship program for college students starting in 2026. Looking ahead, Gathering Ground hopes to develop an apprenticeship program for adults with some farming background who are interested in learning first-hand how to embark on a career in agriculture.
