[JANESVILLE, WI] – The Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association is celebrating innovation, dedication, and excellence by nominating four outstanding organizations for 2025 Governor’s Tourism Awards. These nominations highlight the transformative impact of agricultural tourism across the state, showcasing their contributions to economic growth and visitor experiences.
- Skelly’s Farm Market – Nominated for the Innovation Award, Skelly’s implemented groundbreaking use of technology to enhance the visitor experience. A pioneer in corn maze design since 1998, Scott Skelly has continuously pushed the boundaries of visitor engagement. In 2022, Skelly developed a cutting-edge mobile app that integrates smartphone-based gaming with the corn maze experience, transforming traditional farm attractions into interactive, video-like adventures. By 2024, Skelly and his wife Laura further advanced the app to include multi-level challenges and the nation’s only known escape room within a corn maze. Skelly’s Farm Market is a model of how technology can drive tourism, strengthen rural economies, and ensure farm sustainability. Their innovations attract tens of thousands of visitors annually, making the farm a deserving nominee for this prestigious award.
- Food + Farm Exploration Center – Nominated for the Bright IDEA Award, the Food + Farm Exploration Center is committed to providing exceptional inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility in tourism. This interactive destination ensures accessibility through innovative features like an ADA-compliant Ag Simulator, a wellness room for individuals with sensory sensitivities, which allow visitors of all abilities to experience farming firsthand. Additional accessibility enhancements include wheelchair-accessible exhibits, Braille signage, cane strikes, adjustable-height tables, and expanded ADA-compliant spaces. The center has made a significant community impact through initiatives like free U-Pick Harvest events (donating 5,500 lbs. of produce), field trip grants for underserved students, and collaborations with ADRC and ODC to create adaptive cooking activities for seniors and individuals with disabilities. As a Museums for All partner, F+FEC offers discounted admission to families receiving SNAP benefits, further removing financial barriers to access. By setting a new standard for inclusive agritourism, F+FEC strengthens Wisconsin’s reputation as an innovative, welcoming destination.
- Busy Barn Farm Adventures – Recognized with a nomination for the Rising Star Award, owners Mitch and Afton Krysiak have transformed Busy Barn Farm Adventures into one of Jefferson County’s top agricultural tourism destinations, attracting over 30,000 visitors annually and generating substantial economic impact and room tax revenue. Transitioning from careers in firefighting and education, they purchased the farm in 2022 and became first-time owners and operators of this tourism venue. Through strategic marketing and rebranding, they have positioned Busy Barn Farm Adventures as a must-visit destination, significantly increasing tourism in Fort Atkinson and Jefferson County. Their educational initiatives have brought over 4,500 students to the farm for hands-on agricultural learning experiences. They also actively support community engagement, hosting local proms, food pantry fundraisers, and private tours for future agriculture students. Their innovative programming, including Winter on the Farm, has drawn hundreds of visitors from urban Milwaukee and northern Illinois, boosting regional tourism. Their event venue, The Gathering Barn, has hosted 98 events since August 2022, further increasing local economic benefits. As active members of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association, they share best practices and mentor other tourism businesses. By preserving farmland, creating memorable farm experiences, and strengthening Wisconsin’s agricultural heritage, Afton and Mitch exemplify rising stars in agritourism.
- Green Bay Packers 2025 NFL Draft Team – The Green Bay Packers 2025 NFL Draft Team has been nominated for the Service Excellence Award for their exceptional efforts in community engagement, including their sponsorship and promotion of Wisconsin’s corn mazes as part of the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft. Their creative marketing initiatives have not only built excitement for the draft but also supported local agricultural tourism, small businesses, and tourism revenue across the state. Working in collaboration with Discover Green Bay and local agricultural partners; Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Gather Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association, the team played a key role in promoting NFL-themed corn mazes across Wisconsin, bringing together football fans and farm visitors for a unique fall experience. These mazes attracted thousands of visitors, driving economic impact to rural communities while reinforcing the Packers’ deep connection to Wisconsin’s heritage. In addition to the corn maze initiatives, the team’s strategic efforts in securing the draft are projected to bring 250,000 attendees and generate $94 million in statewide economic impact, with $20 million directly benefiting Green Bay. Their work has positioned Green Bay as a top-tier event destination while keeping Wisconsin’s agricultural traditions at the forefront of fan engagement. By blending football, tourism, and agritourism, the Packers Draft Team has elevated Wisconsin’s visibility on a national scale, ensuring that both urban and rural communities benefit from this historic event. Their dedication to community driven tourism makes them a deserving recipient of the Governor’s Service Excellence Award.
“These nominees exemplify the spirit of Wisconsin tourism—bringing fresh ideas, exceptional service, and unforgettable experiences to visitors,” WATA Executive Director Sheila Everhart said. “Their contributions drive economic growth and solidify our state’s reputation as a top-tier agricultural tourism destination.”
Agricultural Tourism plays a vital role in Wisconsin’s economy, blending the state’s rich farming traditions with unique visitor experiences.
“Agricultural tourism is more than just a weekend visit to the farm—it’s a key economic driver that supports local businesses, educates visitors about our farming heritage, and strengthens rural communities,” Everhart said. Destinations and organizations like Skelly’s Farm Market, Busy Barn Farm Adventures, the Food + Farm Exploration Center and the Green Bay Packer’s Draft team highlight the importance of agriculture in shaping Wisconsin’s identity while providing hands-on experiences that resonate with visitors.
“With growing interest in authentic farm experiences, these nominees are leading the way in making Wisconsin a top destination for agricultural tourism,” she said.
Winners of the 2025 Governor’s Tourism Awards will be announced at the Wisconsin Governors Conference on Tourism dinner on March 11.
About Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association
The Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association promotes and preserves the rural lifestyle, fosters partnership opportunities within the ag-tourism community, and provides tools which encourage sustainable economic growth while creating awareness of Wisconsin agriculture.
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