Janesville, WI, January 2026 — “Hundreds of Wisconsin farms open their gates to visitors every year for two major reasons — to meet public demand, and to diversity and increase farm income,” said Sheila Everhart, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association (WATA). “Today, we are very pleased to recognize four Wisconsin legislators who work to encourage state wide economic and business climates that promote agricultural tourism on working farms.” The recipients of the 2025 Friends of WATA Awards are: Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit), Senator André Jacque (R-New Franklin), Senator Rob Hutton (R- Brookfield), Senator Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond), Representative Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit), Representative Jenna Jacobson (D-Oregon) and Representative Duke Tucker (R-Grantsburg).
Like virtually every farm across our nation, Wisconsin farms are challenged by ever-increasing input and financing costs, rising land prices, higher water costs, dramatically fluctuating markets, scare labor, and unpredictable weather. “Our farms are always looking for revenue opportunities that stabilize and increase income. Agricultural tourism is an economic strategy that works to preserve agricultural land, family operations, and boost the economies of rural communities,” said Everhart.
“The seven legislators who received awards this year understand and forward policies and discussions that will help family farms remain strong contributors to their rural communities and to the state,” said Everhart.
According to the USDA 2022 Agricultural Census, just 1.2 percent of America is directly involved in cultivating land, managing timber, or raising livestock for food, fiber and construction. At the same time, there is growing public interest to walk on farmland, enjoy on-farm adventures, taste real food, and shake the hand that feeds them.
“Farmers are eager to meet this demand, and to benefit from the much-needed revenue visitors can generate,” said Everhart. “It’s a win-win situation, and we are very appreciative of the work these legislators are doing to encourage agricultural tourism in Wisconsin.”
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ABOUT WISCONSIN AGRICULTURAL TOURISM ASSOCIATION
Established in 1993, WATA provides its members with marketing, education, networking and public policy service on the local and state level. WATA advocates for agricultural tourism as a practical and effective economic engine for farmers and rural communities.
WATA member farms vary widely in size and in the activities offered throughout the seasons, from petting zoos featuring farm babies in the spring, to fruit picking and flowers all summer, to corn mazes, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and Halloween rides in the late fall, to Christmas trees and sleigh rides in the winter. Visit wiagtourism.com for additional information and to find agricultural tourism destinations.
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