Register for Workshops

Our new season of workshops is up and ready for registration. We will hold six classes covering topics from starting seeds, managing weeds, compost, irrigation, and gardening with native plants. 

Farm and Field Bike Tour

Join us for our fourth annual Island Farm and Field Bike Tour — History Edition. We will visit 7 sites around the Island and hear from farmers and residents about Island Agriculture — today and yesterday. Registration includes lunch and Island Orchard Cider cider tasting.

Dinner in the Vineyard

Join us August 16, at 4 pm, for our fifth annual Dinner in the Vineyard, a fundraiser for Gathering Ground’s programs. Set under white tents in in our vineyard, the dinner is a feast for all the senses. Tour the gardens, vineyards, and orchards. Enjoy the produce of Island farms. Bid on treasures at our silent auction. Meet neighbors from near and far. 

Accepting Ground School Applications

“Gathering Ground has re-ignited my passion for the Earth. This internship was just what I needed at this point in my college career.”

Join Ground School for a summer of paid farm work, topical seminars & hands-on experience in regenerative agriculture on Washington Island, WI.

Farmers Market 2024

Farmers Market 2024 will start Memorial Day weekend. Do you want to join the market next year as vendor? Contact us to learn more.

About Us

Gathering Ground blends agriculture and conservation on its 38 acre working and teaching farm. With a vision for thriving communities connected to the environment and their food through work and play, we focus on sustainable farming practices with our diverse fruit and nut orchards and vineyards. We promote biodiversity, offer community composting, and support local farms through our Farmers’ Market. We host educational programs like Ground School and workshops and events for learners of all ages. The Grounds are open for walking tours and picnics. Join us in Planting for the Future!

Donate

Volunteer

How on Earth should we live?

Here at Gathering Ground, we’re deeply engaged in the work of answering this question.

It is clear now more than ever that the world is facing an ecological crisis, and that the only way to turn back the tide is to radically reimagine our relationship with the land that sustains us.

Our 38 acre farm on Washington Island, in Wisconsin’s Door County, serves as our living laboratory. The island is a self contained ecosystem, which makes it the perfect home for our experiments in community-based sustainable farming, education and conservation.

Join us in planting for the future.

How on Earth should we live?

Here at Gathering Ground, we’re deeply engaged in the work of answering this question.

It is clear now more than ever that the world is facing an ecological crisis, and that the only way to turn back the tide is to radically reimagine our relationship with the land that sustains us.

Our 38 acre farm on Washington Island, in Wisconsin’s Door County, serves as our living laboratory. The island is a self contained ecosystem, which makes it the perfect home for our experiments in community-based sustainable farming, education and conservation.

Join us in planting for the future.

How on Earth should we live?

Here at Gathering Ground, we’re deeply engaged in the work of answering this question.

It is clear now more than ever that the world is facing an ecological crisis, and that the only way to turn back the tide is to radically reimagine our relationship with the land that sustains us.

Our 38 acre farm on Washington Island, in Wisconsin’s Door County, serves as our living laboratory. The island is a self contained ecosystem, which makes it the perfect home for our experiments in community-based sustainable farming, education and conservation.

Join us in planting for the future.

How on Earth should we live?

Here at Gathering Ground, we’re deeply engaged in the work of answering this question.

It is clear now more than ever that the world is facing an ecological crisis, and that the only way to turn back the tide is to radically reimagine our relationship with the land that sustains us.

Our 38 acre farm on Washington Island, in Wisconsin’s Door County, serves as our living laboratory. The island is a self contained ecosystem, which makes it the perfect home for our experiments in community-based sustainable farming, education and conservation.

Join us in planting for the future.

How on Earth should we live?

Here at Gathering Ground, we’re deeply engaged in the work of answering this question.

It is clear now more than ever that the world is facing an ecological crisis, and that the only way to turn back the tide is to radically reimagine our relationship with the land that sustains us.

Our 40 acre farm on remote Washington Island, in Wisconsin’s Door County, serves as our living laboratory. The island is a self contained ecosystem, which makes it the perfect home for our experiments in community-based sustainable farming, education and conservation.

Join us in planting for the future.

How on Earth should we live?

Here at Gathering Ground, we’re deeply engaged in the work of answering this question.

It is clear now more than ever that the world is facing an ecological crisis, and that the only way to turn back the tide is to radically reimagine our relationship with the land that sustains us.

Our 38 acre farm on Washington Island, in Wisconsin’s Door County, serves as our living laboratory. The island is a self contained ecosystem, which makes it the perfect home for our experiments in community-based sustainable farming, education and conservation.

Join us in planting for the future.

How on Earth should we live?

Here at Gathering Ground, we’re deeply engaged in the work of answering this question.

It is clear now more than ever that the world is facing an ecological crisis, and that the only way to turn back the tide is to radically reimagine our relationship with the land that sustains us.

Our 38 acre farm on Washington Island, in Wisconsin’s Door County, serves as our living laboratory. The island is a self contained ecosystem, which makes it the perfect home for our experiments in community-based sustainable farming, education and conservation.

Join us in planting for the future.

How on Earth should we live?

Here at Gathering Ground, we’re deeply engaged in the work of answering this question.

It is clear now more than ever that the world is facing an ecological crisis, and that the only way to turn back the tide is to radically reimagine our relationship with the land that sustains us.

Our 38 acre farm on Washington Island, in Wisconsin’s Door County, serves as our living laboratory. The island is a self contained ecosystem, which makes it the perfect home for our experiments in community-based sustainable farming, education and conservation.

Join us in planting for the future.

How on Earth should we live?

Here at Gathering Ground, we’re deeply engaged in the work of answering this question.

It is clear now more than ever that the world is facing an ecological crisis, and that the only way to turn back the tide is to radically reimagine our relationship with the land that sustains us.

Our 38 acre farm on Washington Island, in Wisconsin’s Door County, serves as our living laboratory. The island is a self contained ecosystem, which makes it the perfect home for our experiments in community-based sustainable farming, education and conservation.

Join us in planting for the future.

How on Earth should we live?

Here at Gathering Ground, we’re deeply engaged in the work of answering this question.

It is clear now more than ever that the world is facing an ecological crisis, and that the only way to turn back the tide is to radically reimagine our relationship with the land that sustains us.

Our 38 acre farm on Washington Island, in Wisconsin’s Door County, serves as our living laboratory. The island is a self contained ecosystem, which makes it the perfect home for our experiments in community-based sustainable farming, education and conservation.

Join us in planting for the future.

How on Earth should we live?

Here at Gathering Ground, we’re deeply engaged in the work of answering this question.

It is clear now more than ever that the world is facing an ecological crisis, and that the only way to turn back the tide is to radically reimagine our relationship with the land that sustains us.

Our 38 acre farm on Washington Island, in Wisconsin’s Door County, serves as our living laboratory. The island is a self contained ecosystem, which makes it the perfect home for our experiments in community-based sustainable farming, education and conservation.

Join us in planting for the future.

Take a virtual trip to our Washington Island farm, and hear more from the founders about what motivates them to learn from its soil.

Watch this video overview of our property, featuring footage from our annual Dinner in the Vineyard fundraiser. Hear from Russell and Alessandra Rolffs about what inspired them to start the foundation, and what they envision for its future.

Video production by Dusan Harminc of Stumptown Media.

News From the Farm

Dinner in the Vineyard 2024

Dinner in the Vineyard 2024

Join us August 16, at 4 pm, for our fifth annual Dinner in the Vineyard, a fundraiser for Gathering Ground’s programs.  With chef Mauricio Martinez, of DC Fresh Chefs, we will celebrate the season with a delicious locally-sourced five course meal, including wine and...

read more
Farm and Field Bike Tour 2024

Farm and Field Bike Tour 2024

Join us for our fourth annual Island Farm and Field Bike Tour -- History Edition. We will visit 7 sites around the Island and hear from farmers and residents about Island Agriculture -- today and yesterday. Registration includes lunch and Island Orchard Cider cider...

read more
Registration for 2024 Workshops

Registration for 2024 Workshops

Sign up deadline: April 16.  May 30 at 9:30 am at Gathering Ground. Join us for a workshop where you how to install and use a drip irrigation system for your home garden. Participants will go home with their own irrigation kit. Registration for this class will close...

read more

They say that the best time to plant a fruit tree is thirty years ago. Well, the second best time is now.

- Russell Rolffs

President and Farm Manager

Our Partners & Sponsors

Door County Community Foundation logo
Plantra logo
Stumptown Media logo
Nicolet National Bank logo
John C. Bock Foundation logo
walmart-foundation-logo
washington-island-ferry-line-logo

We are so grateful for the support we receive from our partners and sponsors. Do you have a company or organization that’s dedicated to promoting and investing in sustainable agriculture? Contact us for more info.