“Wisconsin Farm to Table Dinner” set for September in Fort Atkinson area

Wisconsin Farm to Table announces the second annual Farm to Table Dinner and Fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 at the Hoard’s Dairyman Farm just north of Fort Atkinson, Wis.

This elegant dining experience is designed to bring consumers and farmers together to explore the world of agriculture, focusing on animal care, environmental practices and the safe and pure food products we consume at our dinner tables throughout the year.

Wisconsin agriculture will be discovered through a unique on-farm culinary experience. Guests may explore the taste of Wisconsin’s agricultural diversity from prestigious cheeses, wines, beef and beyond.

“Our family and staff are quite excited that our farm was chosen to help showcase the diversity and flavors of the food produced on Wisconsin’s farms,” commented Brian Knox for the Hoard’s Dairyman Farm. “They’ve picked a beautiful time of the year to enjoy some of the area’s many seasonal, and varied, food bounties and a great, innovative, local chef to prepare them. It should be a fun, educational, and relaxing time for everyone who attends.”

The evening’s creations will be prepared and presented by local chef and self-proclaimed “farm kid,” Tyler Sailsbery. Chef Sailsbery is the head chef and owner of The Black Sheep in Whitewater, Wis., where he works with local farmers to craft unique dishes, packed with fresh ingredients and divine flavors. In February 2015, Tyler also began working as the executive chef and general manager for Fin & Hooves, located inside the Whitewater Country Club. The atmosphere at Fin and Hooves is casual and fun, with a menu focused on local beef and fresh seafood.

The historic Hoard’s Dairyman Farm, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of Interior in 1977, showcases a Guernsey and Jersey dairy cattle herd. This local dairy farm will be an exquisite location for the evening’s farm tour, cocktail hour and dining experience.

Originally purchased in 1899 by W.D. Hoard who was Wisconsin’s 16th governor, the Hoard’s Dairyman Farm began as 100 acres located on the north edge of Fort Atkinson. The farm has grown to have nearly 400 acres of cropland owned with another 480 rented. The Hoard’s Dairyman Farm’s milk is shipped to Torkelson’s Cheese Company at Lena, Ill., where it is made into Muenster and other cheeses.

Wisconsin’s long-standing agricultural history, coupled with this historical dairy farm, serve as a prime location to bring together consumers and farmers from around the region. A farm tour is scheduled at 5:00 p.m., followed by a cocktail hour and live music entertainment at 6:00 p.m., and concluding the evening’s program with a catered dinner at 7:00 p.m.

To secure your ticket and for more information, visit www.wifarmtotable.com or call event contact, Kari Kuehl, at (262) 203-4016, or email wifarmtotable@gmail.com. The event is open to the public and specifically influential people in the surrounding region that are interested in learning more about agriculture and where their food originates. The event is limited to the first 100 guests.

Wisconsin Farm to Table was established in 2013 to offer an on-farm experience, with farm tour, elegant dinner and to encourage dialogue between those interested in agriculture and where their food originates. Money raised from annual event is donated to a local non-for-profit of the host farm’s choice.