On Saturday, June 6, 54 cyclists converged on Botham Vineyards for the 12^th annual Ride to Farm. This event is a fundraiser for the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers (WSBDF). Housed in the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and Farm and Industry Short Course, this school trains, mentors and supports Wisconsin’s next generation of dairy and livestock farmers.

Ride to Farm participants and friends raised $14,000 for WSBDF student scholarships and internships, and long-term support of the school through its endowment at the UW Foundation. Our top fundraising business teams included American Transmission Company and Organic Valley. Our “friends and family” team raising the most money—Cows and Goats—included CALS students and staff. Top individual fundraiser Allison Dungan won a Trek bike.

The riders enjoyed a scenic route through Iowa County with stops at two grass-based farms: the Heisner Farm and Fantome Farm. Louise Hemstead, Chief Operating Officer of Organic Valley, provided the morning send-off for the riders. The day ended with a celebration and awards ceremony, hosted by 66^th Alice in Dairyland Teyanna Loether, at Botham Vineyards.

Thank you to all of the sponsors, riders and volunteers who made this event a success. A complete list of Ride to Farm sponsors is available at ridetofarm.dojiggy.com. We hope to see everyone at Ride to Farm 2016!

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