A place where people gather together to celebrate, learn about, and practice regenerative agriculture

Gathering Ground educates youth and adults in sustainable agriculture and promotes economic development through agriculture, and strengthens the health of individuals, the community, and the environment. 

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Why ‘Gathering Ground’?

We like to think of Gathering Ground as both a noun as a verb. Gathering Ground is a place — 35 beautiful acres comprised of vineyard, a school garden, woods, and a lot of potential. It is a place community members gather together. Work together. Celebrate together. Learn together.

We also think of Gathering Ground as a verb:

Working to gain momentum, build interest toward the common goal of making Washington Island a place where sustainable agriculture thrives.  We work to build excitement and financial development around sustainable farming.

And Gathering Ground also refers to the literal ground — to the building of healthy soils. We are working with tree roots, microbes, organic matter, water, and worms to gather together healthy soil to help grow good food.

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Get Involved

Volunteer.

Be happy, be outdoors! We will start weekly work parties (social distancing style) in the community orchards and vineyard on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:30-12 starting June 29, 2020 and can also arrange for family/group volunteer parties at alternative times. 

If you’d like to get outside and join us for some social-distancing volunteer projects in our community vineyard and orchards, please contact us for more details or just show up! 

Newsletter.

Sign up here for the Gathering Ground newsletter to stay in the know about what’s happening at Gathering Ground and the Farmers Market.

Donate.

Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Gathering Ground at 2162 Swenson Road Washington Island, WI 54246 or donate online.

We appreciate your support. A generous community got Gathering Ground started and only with the help of generous people like you will we be able to fulfill our mission. Thank you!

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Blog: Gather Round

Gather Round is our blog dedicated to sharing news about Gathering Ground’s activities, promoting sustainable agriculture and growing community on Washington Island!

Community Compost

Posted on by Alessandra

Beginning in July, our community compost program will be up and running. Our goal is to recycle the kitchen and yard waste from Island households and businesses, up to the holding capacity of our structure, diverting the waste from being dumped and carted off-island. All while producing black soil to enrich our gardens and orchards.

Mass Trapping of Rose Chafers on Washington Island, WI

Posted on by Alessandra

The last few years have been very trying for many gardeners on Washington Island due to massive numbers of rose chafers. We have been researching methods of organic and biological control at Gathering Ground, methods that go beyond the standard conventional controls, such as the use of carbaryl based pesticides (read more about this group … Continue reading Mass Trapping of Rose Chafers on Washington Island, WI →

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Washington Island Farmers Market

Gathering Ground is proud to host the new Washington Island Farmers Market.

What:

You can find Island-grown fresh produce and flowers, honey, delectable baked goods, and crafts, like jewelry, purses, candles and more!

COVID-19 precautions: Social distancing etiquette will be in place. Please wear a mask.

When:

Saturdays 9 am to 12pm

Where:

On Main Road south of KK’s on Washington Island. Look for signs, tents, tables!

Who:

Local growers and makers. If you are interested in participating and selling your local Island goods, contact us.

D. Marie Jewelry

Hoot Blossom Farm

Folk Tree Farm 

Island Edibles

Island Harvest

and others!

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Contact Us

Got comments, questions, or stories? We’d love to hear from you.  We are particularly looking for stories about farming on Washington Island. If you have any stories you’d like to share, please contact us!

You can email us at hello (at) gatheringgroundwi (dot) org or fill out this form.