Our Mission
Farmshed’s mission is to grow a resilient local food economy.
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We partner with family and cooperatively owned farms and local food businesses throughout the region to:
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Ensure everyone in our community can choose healthy and delicious food.
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Provide fun ways to enjoy food grown in central Wisconsin throughout the year.
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Demonstrate growing practices that are good for our water and soil.
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Launch new businesses, and encourage all businesses to source ingredients locally.
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Our goals are two-fold:
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1) Expand our programs to ensure everyone in our community can choose healthy locally grown food.
2) Ensure more farm-to-table farms and small food based businesses thrive in central Wisconsin.
OUR TEAM
Our small but mighty non-profit team is made up of our Executive Director, Kitchen Manager, Growing Collective Coordinator, Kitchen Tech, Media Manager, Interns, our Board of Directors, and many dedicated, hardworking volunteers.
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Madeleine Kinscher
Media Manager
2022 annual report
Click image to read our 2022 annual report.
Board of Directors
Ashley Chrisinger
I didn’t grow up on a farm and I’m not great at growing my own food. But I’ve always been very food focused, and I chose a food-focused career. I want to share a brief story about why I joined Farmshed’s board 5 years ago:
At the start of the pandemic, my family and I were living in Chicago. It was different there, March 2020, than it was here. Our schools and daycares were closed right away. Outside parks were closed, walking paths were closed. Our grocery stores had smaller floorplans than the ones here in Portage County, which meant they had to limit the number of customers inside at one time. We formed lines outside that wrapped around city blocks, each person spaced 6 feet apart from their neighbor. Stores had difficulty keeping the most popular items in stock, and we just had to do without, or try again at another store, after another 30-60min wait in line.
I had small kids at home that I didn’t dare bring to the store with me. It was hard to find the time to get away, and I dreaded those trips to the grocery store.
My CSA boxes were a saving grace during this time. They delivered, they didn’t have shortages, they mitigated my food anxiety during this global uncertainty. I will never not have a CSA membership again.
Later in 2020, my family and I moved back to Portage County, and I joined Farmshed’s board.
Heather Kelm
Heather Kelm brings hands-on agricultural experience, along with strong organizational and coordination skills, to the Farmshed Board of Directors. She runs Wild Oak Acres, her homestead, where she manages livestock, grows an organic garden, handles planning and community outreach. She has also worked on organic farms supporting day-to-day operations and community efforts. Professionally, she has a background in marketing coordination and administration and enjoys managing projects from start to finish by bringing people, timelines, and resources together. Heather is passionate about food equity, supporting local growers, and building resilient local food systems.
Kevin McAdam
Kevin McAdam brings hard work and dedication to Central Rivers Farmshed. Originally from New York, he has lived, worked and gone to schools throughout the United States before coming to Central Wisconsin. His background in economics and long work history in this field allows him to bring valuable insight to Farmshed as a developing organization. Additionally, he has been a dedicated volunteer throughout his life on boards of education, social service committees assisting refugees, Habitat for Humanity, and becoming President of Recovery Club, a space for people in recovery from addiction. His commitment to serving his community and vast financial knowledge will supplement Farmshed greatly.
