Food + Farm Exploration Center, a nonprofit education facility, is now enrolling students in five hands-on summer programs designed to introduce children and teens to agriculture, food science, engineering and culinary exploration through hands-on learning experiences.
The programs, offered between June and August 2026, serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade and take place throughout Food + Farm Exploration Center’s interactive learning spaces, including the Kitchen Lab, greenhouse, outdoor farm fields and Makerspace.
Participants will explore Wisconsin agriculture through hands-on experiences in cooking, engineering, pollinator science, food chemistry and creative problem-solving.
2026 Summer Program Schedule
Little Pollinators, Big Jobs
Dates: June 22–26, 2026 | 12:30–3:30 p.m. | Ages: Kindergarten–Grade 2
Participants explore the role of pollinators — including bees, butterflies and birds — in Wisconsin agriculture through outdoor observation, hands-on activities and habitat projects.
Registration closes June 8.
Seeds of Success: Agriculture Careers
Dates: July 9, 2026 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Ages: Entering Grades 7–9
Developed in collaboration with Mid-State Technical College, this one-day program introduces students to modern agricultural careers through hands-on STEM experiences and interactive learning.
Participants will rotate through activities focused on:
- Agronomy
- Food Science
- Equipment Technology
- Drone Technology
Students will work with real-world agricultural tools and technology while learning how science, engineering, data and problem-solving are shaping today’s agriculture industry.
Activities include exploring soil health and crop science, learning how food products are developed and tested, troubleshooting agricultural equipment, and discovering how drones are used for field scouting and crop data collection.
Registration closes June 25.
Taste of the USA: A Culinary Road Trip
Dates: July 20–24, 2026 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | Ages: Grades 6–12
Participants prepare dishes representing regional American food traditions while learning kitchen skills, food safety and ingredient sourcing.
Registration closes July 6.
Simple Machines + Smart Design
Dates: August 3–7, 2026 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | Ages: Grades 3–6
Participants take apart common objects to learn how machines work while building projects using reused materials and creative problem-solving.
Registration closes July 20.
Science on a Plate
Dates: August 17–21, 2026 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Ages: Grades 2–5
This full-day program explores food chemistry through cooking activities focused on how heat, acid and fermentation affect ingredients. Lunch and snacks are provided.
Registration closes August 3.
Program Details
All camps are drop-off programs. Half-day sessions include a snack, while the full-day session includes lunch and snacks. The center can accommodate dietary restrictions, and families are encouraged to contact staff following registration.
All sessions take place at Food + Farm Exploration Center, 3400 Innovation Drive, Plover, WI 54467.
