Grassroots Effort Looking at Challenges of Farm Transitions in Wisconsin

August 13, 2025 | Spring Green, WI

Tom Mosgaller, representing Farmer Veteran Coalition of Wisconsin, spearheaded a group of local agriculture community members for a Farm Transition brainstorming session. This group came together to better understand the farm transition landscape in Wisconsin and its impact on rural life.

Farmer Angel Network board members Dorothy Harms and Christy Updike participated to represent family farmers they work with going through transitions.

The group gathered to understand the root causes around the challenges of family farm transitions to determine if there is a desire, vision and power to impact any of these areas from a grassroots effort. Those at the table had a desire to continue the conversation and bring a few more perspectives together in September. Stay tuned as we identify areas of focus based on the framework for community change.

The Savanna Institute generously hosted the event at their beautiful, calming Elderflower Retreat at Hillside Pastures outside of Spring Green. The group even got to observe the rotational grazed beef cattle move to their next paddock.

We are thankful to the core team coordinating this discussion and focus on this important challenge to our local farming community.

• Tom Mosgaller – Author Pulling Together: A Handbook for Community Change and representing Farmer Veteran Coalition of Wisconsin

• Christy Updike – Transformation Program Manager, Sauk Prairie Healthcare and Board Member Farmer Angel Network

• Katie Wersan – Senior Director, Impact & Engagement, Savanna Institute

• Joy Kirkpatrick – Farm Succession Outreach Specialist, University of Wisconsin – Madison Division of Extension

Photos Courtesy of Christy Updike, Joy Kirkpatrick, Michelle Ramirez-White and Tom Mosgaller