Mid-State Technical College will host its 49th Annual Farm Tour, presented by Fox City Builders, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The long-running event brings together farmers, agribusiness professionals, students and community members for a hands-on day focused on applied research, practical decision-making and real-world agricultural practices. 

Designed to showcase agriculture as it is practiced today, the Mid-State Farm Tour emphasizes data-driven insights, shared experience and collaboration among producers, educators and industry partners. The tour is open to current and former students, farm families, agribusiness partners, educators and anyone interested in agriculture.

“For 49 years, the Farm Tour has brought people together to showcase innovation in agriculture and learn from one another across the industry,” said Dr. Alex Lendved, dean of the Marshfield Campus and School of Applied Technology. “It’s a practical, boots-on-the-ground event where producers, students and industry partners can see ideas in action and have real conversations about what works.”

Participants will travel by bus to multiple tour stops, engaging directly with producers and subject-matter experts. Each stop highlights practices that can be applied on working farms, with time built in for questions, discussion and peer learning.

The tour will include a field presentation at the Marshfield Agricultural Research Station, a nationally recognized center for applied agricultural research focused on crop production, soil health, water quality and sustainable farming practices.

Featured presenters include:

• Adam Abel – State Grazing Lands Specialist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
  Abel will share insights on grazing systems and forage management, with a focus on grazing cropland, cover crops and regenerative agriculture practices that support pasture productivity while promoting long-term land and resource stewardship.
• Jamie Patton – State Agronomist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
  Patton will highlight simple, in-field assessments producers can use to monitor changes in soil health within grazing systems, emphasizing practical evaluation tools that fit into day-to-day farm management.

The tour will also visit Elusive Hill Dairy in Loyal, Wisconsin, offering a look at modern dairy technology and facility design. The operation recently completed construction of a BouMatic 72-cow rotary milking parlor designed to improve efficiency, cow flow and daily labor management.

The expanded facility includes a new freestall barn and a 515-cow holding area, with breezeways connecting key operational areas to support smooth movement of cows and employees. Dedicated tanker bays, office and employee spaces, and well-designed pump rooms support reliable daily operations while allowing flexibility for future growth. 

Lunch will be followed by a keynote address from Jamie Patton, whose remarks will focus on current trends and practical applications in soil health and regenerative agriculture. In her role as state agronomist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Patton provides technical guidance to farmers, agency partners and industry professionals across Wisconsin. Her background includes education and research roles with Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

This year’s Farm Tour has been recognized nationally as an Outreach and Dissemination project by the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement (C2A3) and is supported in part by C2A3 Outreach and Dissemination funding. As part of this recognition, the event will be shared nationally through C2A3 social media channels, highlighting Mid-State’s applied approach to agriculture education and outreach.

Thanks to the support of generous sponsors, the Farm Tour continues to be offered at a registration cost of just $10. Seating is limited, and early registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, visit mstc.edu/farmtour.