Hunger Task Force Farm
The Farm
The Hunger Task Force Farm is a unique 208-acre farm in the suburb of Franklin. During the growing season, The Farm infuses half a million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables into our food bank’s supply, enhancing the nutrition of those who normally rely on canned or nonperishable foods. Hunger Task Force Farmers grow a variety of different produce, including peppers, tomatoes, corn, watermelon, beans, spinach, greens, broccoli, cauliflower, apples, pears and more. Last year, Hunger Task Force delivered more than 9 million pounds of food to serve Milwaukee’s hungry residents.
The Farm grows a wide variety of crops to ensure hungry families have access to culturally appropriate foods, rounding out pantry food options with fresh produce rarely found on pantry shelves. Our pear and apple orchards stretch across 12 acres of land and produce 30,000 pounds of fruit each harvest season. Typically, four unique crops are harvested and prepared for delivery each day.
Harley-Davidson has been a strong supporter of the Hunger Task Force Farm since 2012, when it was established as a Signature Program. In 2021, Harley-Davidson announced that the company would support critical work at The Farm for another three years!
History
A farmer named Edmund Carman purchased 160 acres of farmland in 1839, creating the Carman family dairy farm and homestead (before Wisconsin was even a state!). The Burwood Stock Farm then purchased the property from the Carman’s in 1930 and subsequently sold it in 1946, when the Milwaukee County House of Corrections Work Farm was established.
In 2012, Hunger Task Force signed a historic, 30-year lease with Milwaukee County Parks that allows Hunger Task Force farmers to operate more than 200 acres of farmland and natural areas. Today, more than 25 different varieties of fruits and vegetables are grown each season to feed children, seniors and families in our community.
Powered by Harley-Davidson
The Hunger Task Force Farm practices sustainable agriculture to ensure the health of the land and of the community we serve. From crop rotation and drip irrigation to integrated pest management to beekeeping and cover cropping, these sustainable practices allow us to grow a bountiful yield each year for our food pantry network and ensure that The Farm will be productive for generations.
Nutrition Education
We don’t just feed kids—we also teach them about healthy eating! During the school year, the Hunger Task Force Child Nutrition Educator travels to local Milwaukee Public Schools teaching nutrition education to low-income kids. The children also take regular field trips to The Farm, where they gain valuable, hands-on experience working in the school garden and demonstration kitchen.
Interested in bringing a children’s group out to The Farm? Contact us at [email protected].
Volunteering
Adopt-a-Crop!
The Adopt-A-Crop program is an opportunity to take your support of The Farm to the next level. From planting sweet corn to pollinating crops, the Hunger Task Force Farm relies on the generosity of the community to continue providing healthy, fresh food to hungry Milwaukee families.
• $25: Supplies 45 lbs of sweet corn to a local food pantry
• $50: Grows 100 heads of lettuce for local families in need
• $100: Provides 50 lbs of green beans to local seniors
•$250: Sponsors an acre’s worth of pepper seed
FARM NEWS & FEATURES:
Hunger Task Force and Milwaukee County Parks Innovative Partnership to Reduce Food Insecurity in Milwaukee
By: Wisconsin Public Radio Guy Smith, executive director of the Milwaukee County Parks, and Matt King, associate director and incoming CEO of Hunger Task Force, discussed the nearly 20-year partnership between the organizations to tackle hunger and promote...
Empowering Women Leaders at the Hunger Task Force Farm: Celebrating Our Sarah’s on International Women’s Day
This International Women's Day, we're doubling the impact of "Sarahs" at the Hunger Task Force Farm. Let's celebrate the remarkable leadership of not one but two outstanding women, Sarah Bressler, Farm Manager and Sarah Christman, Farm Produce Manager, who are...
Guy Smith is Helping Plant Seeds of Change: Hunger Task Force and Milwaukee County Park’s Win-Win Partnership
50 Faces. 50 Stories. 50 Years of Fighting Hunger. Hunger Task Force is proud to be Milwaukee's only Free & Local food bank and Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader. In celebration of our 50th Anniversary, Hunger Task Force is highlighting “50 Faces of Ending Hunger,”...
Hunger Task Force Farm – Small Acres, Big Productivity
By: Mid-West Farm Report, Madison – podcast Good soil practices are paying financial dividends for farmers in some states in the upper Midwest, and Wisconsin may soon join in. Bob Bosold talks to Jack Cornell with the United Soybean Board about Farmers for Soil...
Winter at The Farm: A Season of Planning and Preparation
As the winter cold envelops the Hunger Task Force Farm, the farm's essential work continues undeterred in the chilly Wisconsin climate. Behind the scenes, there's a flurry of activity and thoughtful planning that keeps the farm in full swing, even when the fields lie...
Drought, Determination, and Dignity: How The Farm Overcame a Dry Season to Feed the Hungry
The 2023 growing season at the Hunger Task Force Farm brought both successes and challenges, highlighting the resilience and determination of the farm staff and the generosity of the community. The Farm is an integral part of Hunger Task Force’s mission to feed...
Hunger Task Force Receives $100,000 Kubota Hometown Proud Grant, Asks for Local Community Votes for Chance to Double Its Winnings
Cast Your Vote for the 2023 Community Choice Award Winner, Now Through August 14, 2023For the third consecutive year, Kubota Tractor Corporation has named five winners in its annual Kubota Hometown Proud Grant Program. This year, the company is especially proud to...
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. As an anti-hunger organization, Hunger Task Force commits to hiring staff with an array of skills, talents and the cultural competence to best serve our diverse community. Hunger...
What’s Buzzing at The Farm?
Honeybees play a critical role in agriculture. They pollinate crops and increase yields – honey is just a sweet bonus! At The Farm, it's no different. Hunger Task Force manages eight honeybee hives to boost crop production, pollinating the 24 different crops that we...
Baird continues tradition of service during annual Baird Gives Back Week
Baird has been a supporter of Hunger Task Force for nearly 30 years. Founded in in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Baird is an employee-owned financial services company providing individuals, families and organizations with trusted advice and services to build financial...
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. This month, Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the addition of three new faces to our Food, Farm and Development teams. We are thrilled to welcome Afi, Chris and Shahree to...
Hunger Task Force Farm 2021 Harvest Report now available online
2021 was a record-breaking year at The Farm. Over 500,000 lbs of locally-grown fruits and vegetables were harvested and distributed to Milwaukee's hungry. Hunger Task Force believes every person has a right to healthy food obtained with dignity and is committed to...
Friedens Operations Manager uses past work experience at Hunger Task Force to amplify impact at pantry sites
Located in the lower level of Hope House, an emergency shelter and rehousing facility, the Friedens Community Ministries food pantry aims to end hunger, working to ensure people can access the food they desperately need. Friedens operates a group of food pantries...
With the 2021 harvest season coming to a close, Hunger Task Force plans ahead at The Farm
A persistent issue facing all anti-hunger organizations is access to fresh produce. However, for Milwaukee, the Hunger Task Force Farm is a substantial source of fruits and vegetables for the local network of emergency food pantries and meal programs. The Farm has...
Additional harvest volunteers needed at Hunger Task Force Farm
As September approaches, harvest is in full swing at the Hunger Task Force Farm, and Hunger Task Force needs extra volunteers to get the job done. Located in Franklin, WI, The Farm engages 5,500 volunteers throughout a typical season, from planning to harvest. With...
Support the Hunger Task Force Farm – Volunteer. Tour. Give.
There are plenty of ways to support the Hunger Task Force Farm! Located in the suburb of Franklin, The Farm grows a wide variety of items to ensure hungry families have access to Free & Local produce. Consider taking a tour, volunteering your time or supporting...
Sarah Wisniewski & Kyle Koch of The Hunger Task Force Farm Feed A Community
Written by: Ben Covell, Farm Aid Guest Blogger “What sets this farm apart from others is the idea that the sole purpose of this farm is to help, feed, and provide healthy, nutritious, and fresh produce to local families who don’t have access to that kind of food,”...