Stella Gardens and Farm at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a certified organic, hands-on training farm that instructs students in vegetable production. The Garden Student Program offers agricultural education and experience with a community purpose. The goal of the program is to teach practical skills for garden, farm and horticultural vocations.
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Public policy education program

The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute works to reform government policy to support agriculture that is good for the environment, public health and rural and urban communities.
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Crop research

Currently our research is focused on three main areas: developing and testing biodynamic methods, studying organic matter and root health, and breeding high quality corn for sustainable farming.
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Farming systems

This program area implements research findings from Michael Fields' efforts as well as those of the Wisconsin Integrated Farming Systems Trials, now in the fifteenth year. Our target audience is grain and livestock producers, agriculture professionals and beginning farmers. Our 570-acre "outdoor classroom" provides demonstration of profitable farming practices that have positive impacts on air, water and wildlife quality. Crop rotation, ground cover, nutrient trading with local dairies, boarder strips and alternative crops are some of the practices demonstrated.
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Food systems

Food systems programs strive to foster a healthy regional food system by coordinating grassroots efforts in infrastructure development, educating consumers to increase agricultural literacy and regional food demand, building farmer capacity to supply regional markets and networking with other organizations to encourage new paradigms of economic thought. We are currently developing a food system initiative that engages farmers, consumers, chefs, institutions, businesses and other organizations altogether in our region. MFAI encourages and provides support to regional producers by increasing awareness and educating consumers on local food systems.
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