Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center

Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center

Bringing agriculture and community together

For most people, agriculture is part of everyday life, but the process behind producing food often remains out of sight.

Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center was created to change that.

Located along Interstate 43 in Manitowoc County, WI, the facility was envisioned as a destination where visitors could experience modern agriculture firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of the people, technology and processes that support food production. The challenge was creating a building capable of serving many purposes at once: educational center, event venue, agricultural showcase and community gathering place.

Working with Bayland Buildings, a Varco Pruden^™ Builder, Farm Wisconsin developed a facility designed around those goals. The result is a 10,000-square-foot Discovery Center that welcomes visitors from across Wisconsin and beyond while serving as a year-round resource for education and engagement.

Rather than focusing solely on exhibits, the project was designed to create experiences. Interactive displays, agricultural demonstrations and hands-on learning opportunities help visitors connect with the realities of modern farming while creating a stronger understanding of the industry's impact on everyday life.

Designed around experience

Flexibility was essential from the beginning.

The facility needed to support school groups, industry events, community gatherings and educational programming, often within the same day. Large open spaces allow exhibits and events to adapt to changing needs while creating an environment that remains welcoming to a wide range of audiences.

The center's location adjacent to a working dairy farm strengthens that connection. Visitors can observe agricultural operations firsthand and gain a better understanding of the technology, stewardship and innovation involved in modern food production. The building serves as both an educational resource and a gateway to experiences taking place beyond its walls.

This integration of learning and real-world agriculture reflects a practical approach to education. Rather than simply telling visitors about farming, the center allows them to see it in action.

The facility also includes meeting and event spaces that support industry gatherings, community programs and private events. These flexible areas help extend the building's value beyond tourism and education, creating opportunities for broader community engagement throughout the year.

Supporting wisconsin's agricultural story

The center was developed with a larger purpose in mind: helping tell the story of Wisconsin agriculture.

As one of the state's leading industries, agriculture plays a significant role in local economies and communities. Yet many consumers have limited exposure to modern farming practices. Farm Wisconsin provides a place where those conversations can happen in a meaningful and accessible way.

The building supports that mission by creating an environment where education, exploration and engagement can occur side by side. Exhibits highlight agricultural innovation while hands-on experiences encourage visitors to ask questions and learn directly from industry professionals.

That flexibility mirrors the Varco Pruden approach to building solutions. Every project begins with understanding how a facility will be used and what outcomes it needs to support. In this case, the objective was creating a destination capable of serving students, families, agricultural organizations and community groups within a single coordinated environment.

The completed Discovery Center demonstrates how a building can support more than one function. It can educate, connect and inspire.

Today, Farm Wisconsin continues to welcome visitors from across the region, helping bridge the gap between consumers and agriculture while providing a gathering place for community and industry alike.

For Farm Wisconsin, the facility represents an investment in education and outreach. For the project team, it demonstrates how collaboration and flexible building solutions can create spaces designed around people and purpose.

The result is a destination that supports learning, strengthens connections and helps tell the story of agriculture for future generations.