MFAI Annual Field Day, Flour Chain Demo, and Spike-to-Fork Pancake Lunch!

MFAI's 2025 Field Day will feature a final tour of the North Farm, where MFAI has rented land and conducted trials for 15 years. The Institute is moving operations to their Pickeral Lake Road Farm in 2026. Come learn about MFAI's current work and future plans, while exploring trial fields, checking out equipment, and learning about the flour chain during our cleaning and milling demonstration. Stay for a terrific locally sourced breakfast for lunch, featuring Fields Best Small Batch Grains in pancakes and waffles.

"As usual, this will be a bunch of nerds watching crops grow and kicking tires," promises Dr. Nicole Tautges, MFAI Research Director, who will lead the day. "Then we'll get up some Kernza pancakes for lunch with locally sourced butter and maple syrup."

We will gather at the equipment shed for greetings and coffee, then we will enjoy a stroll through a leafy lane to the research plots. Participants will get to choose from four stations in three time slots with MFAI Staff:

Dr. Esther S. Durairaj, MFAI Education Director will present on MFAI 's alternative crops research, including hemp and pearl millet. Learn about warm-season rotation extension opportunities and ask Esther about lower-latitude crops that could be adapted for use here.

Chuck Anderas, MFAI Policy Director will give an overview of MFAI 's policy program, including our work with the WI Grazing Coalition and how farmers can access more support for conservation management practices through policy advocacy.

Christine Johnson, MFAI Farmer Education Coordinator will share briefly on MFAI's robust farmer networks - WiWiC, MUAN, SHARE and 2501. This station will be a roundtable to discuss needs that farmers have and how we can build more responsive systems of support for holistic farm viability. Come prepared for a thoughtful and engaged conversation. 

Dr. Mrill Ingram, MFAI Action Research Scientist will present findings from the past five years of the Wisconsin Cover Crop Data Network, a participatory reserach project growing expertise on cover cropping across Wisconsin.

Dr. Nicole Tautges, MFAI Research Director will host a Kernza station in front of MFAI 's five year old Kernza stand. Come talk about the dream of perennial cropping systems and see a golden oldie Kernza stand that is not at all past its  prime. There just might be food samples here.

After the stations, participants will reconvene at the equipment shed to experience the flour chain, from the grain spike to the fork. Dr. Tautges and Research Technician Nolan Burkard will perform a grain cleaning, milling, sifting, and baking demo. Then, we'll dig in to breakfast for lunch!

Bring forks, mugs, boots, and a can-learn attitude.

This event is free but we ask that you pre-register so we can plan lunch.

Driving Directions

The North Farm is just east of the intersection of Bowers Rd and Hwy ES. Take I-43 to the Bowers Rd exit, go north about 3 miles, and then turn right on Hwy ES. You will see field day signs within 1000 ft to the east of the intersection.

Questions?

Call Dr. Nicole Taugtes at 509-432-6489

About Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI)

MFAI is a non-profit organization that has been cultivating resiliency through research, education, and policy work since 1984. With a broad coalition of public and private partners, The Institute supports farmers, food systems and communities in the Upper Midwest and beyond through a range of programs and initiatives. We believe agriculture can sustain both human and ecosystem health, while advancing food security, independence, and justice. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for news and events.