MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers last week visited communities across the state to celebrate Wisconsin’s fall agricultural tourism season and the industry’s role as a key economic driver for tourism, farm families, and communities in Wisconsin. Gov. Evers proclaimed Sept. 19 through Oct. 31, 2024, as Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Fall Season. A copy of the governor’s proclamation is available here.
“Our agricultural and tourism economies are a proud part of our state’s heritage and tradition, and I’ve been excited to travel across Wisconsin highlighting how these two critical industries come together and connect the dots during the fall agricultural tourism season,” said Gov. Evers. “Agricultural tourism is a celebration of so much Wisconsin has to offer—from corn mazes and pumpkin patches to apple picking, harvest festivals, and everything in between—while helping support local communities, businesses, workers, and families in every corner of the state.”
On Mon., Sept. 30, Gov. Evers kicked off the week, joined by Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers, with a visit to Lake Nokomis Cranberries in Eagle River. While there, the governor and secretary met with owner Dave Zawitowski and his family and took a tour of their winery and gift shop. Dave highlighted how their business shifted to incorporate tourism aspects such as the cranberry bog bus tours and their annual Cranberry Fest on the farm. Afterward, they went on one of their infamous cranberry bog bus tours and heard about the fall harvest season. Photos of the visit are available here and here.
To continue the day, the governor and secretary visited Sabamba Alpaca Ranch and Bed and Breakfast in De Pere. During the visit, the governor and secretary were led by the owners, Tom and Sally Schmidt, on a tour of the farm. The governor was able to meet newborn alpacas and went on a walk with an older alpaca named Scooby Doo. To conclude the visit, the governor and secretary visited the gift shop stocked with alpaca products. Photos of the visit are available here and here.
Finally, the governor and secretary visited Swan’s Pumpkin Farm in Franksville. While there, the governor and secretary were led by the owners, Ken and Jolynn Swan, on a tour of the farm, where they saw their pumpkin patch, corn maze, and petting zoo. To finish off the tour, the governor was able to assist in the farm bakery, making both apple cider doughnuts and caramel apples with staff at the farm. Photos of the visit are available here and here.
On Tues., Oct. 1, Gov. Evers, joined by Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski, attended the World Dairy Expo in Madison. The governor and secretary were able to meet some of the many attendees, including an international delegation from Indonesia, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, U.S. Dairy Export Council staff, FFA State Officers, and Agricultural Youth Council alumni. Afterward, the governor and secretary were able to walk through the barns and trade show. A photo of the visit is available here.
Afterward, the governor went on to visit Footjoy Farm and Brewery in Cashton, where he was joined by State Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) and State Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) and greeted by owner Chad Forsberg and staff. To start the visit, the governor was led on a tour of the brewery. Afterward, the governor and Chad made and enjoyed a brie, apple, bacon, and mushroom pizza in the restaurant kitchen with ingredients sourced from the farm and local area. Photos of the visit are available here and here.
Finally, to conclude the day, Gov. Evers visited Stoney Acres Pizza Farm in Athens. While there, the governor met with owner Tony Schultz and took a tour of the property, highlighting their Certified Organic operation, as well as the seasonal vegetables they use for their farm pizza nights. Afterward, the governor and Tony made a wood-fired pizza with ingredients from the farm and were able to enjoy it in the farm’s beer hall. Photos of the visit are available here and here.
On Thurs., Oct. 3, to conclude his Agricultural Tourism visits, Gov. Evers visited New Life Lavender Farm in Baraboo. The governor, joined by State Rep. Dave Considine (D-Baraboo), and members of the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce, were greeted by farm co-owners Laura and Aron McReynolds. The governor was then taken on a hayride through the lavender fields and had the opportunity to harvest a bouquet. To end his tour of the farm, the governor, as well as others on the visit, enjoyed a scoop of their lavender ice cream made on the farm. Photos of the visit are available here and here.
Home to more than 58,000 farms on 13.8 million acres of land, Wisconsin’s agricultural industry is a critical component of the state’s overall economic success, providing 435,700 jobs—nearly 12 percent of the state’s total workforce—and generating $104.8 billion annually to the statewide economy. Especially during the fall season, Wisconsin’s agricultural industry also generates millions of dollars for the state’s tourism industry by offering visitors outdoor, family-friendly, and experiential farm-based entertainment such as farm-to-table events, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, harvest festivals, farm stays, and more.
In 2023, Wisconsin’s tourism industry had a record-breaking year, generating $25 billion in total economic impact and surpassing the previous record year of $23.7 billion set in 2022. Additionally, the travel and tourism industry supported more than 178,000 part-time and full-time jobs across various sectors of the industry and generated $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue.
Gov. Evers has made investing in Wisconsin’s agricultural and tourism industries cornerstone efforts of his administration, and throughout his visits during the week, he celebrated how agricultural tourism not only encourages Wisconsinites and out-of-state visitors to explore and celebrate all Wisconsin has to offer but also the industry’s role as a vital component to the economic health of local communities, businesses, and workers in every corner of the state.
