The Farm

Since 2004, Hunger Task Force has operated a 150 acre historic work farm in Franklin, Wisconsin. This farm produces over 300,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables every year that are delivered free of charge to the hungry in Milwaukee.  This year, we’re purchasing new tractors, transplanters and equipment so we can farm 130 acres of land. Here’s just a sample of what we’re growing:

Major Crops Planted
Corn • Green Beans • Apples • Pears • Watermelon • Squash • Cucumbers • Asparagus • Bell Peppers • Cantaloupe • Zucchini • Broccoli • Cabbage • Pumpkins

But the farm is much, much more than just tractors, vegetables and fruit; it’s also an environmental reserve. Hunger Task Force dedicates 25 acres of land for a tree nursery. We have over 5,300 trees planted here that fill county parks throughout the year:

Nursery Trees
Spruce • Pine • Fir • Poplars • Maple • Oak • Walnut

And while the farm may not have traditional Wisconsin cows, we do have something that might surprise you: fish and bees! An award-winning fish hatchery is housed in a large red barn that has over 40,000 bluegills, walleye, perch and trout. An apiary just behind the barn has nine beehives that produce over 100 pounds of honey every year. These “non-traditional” farm animals play an important role by stocking the lagoons in county parks and by pollinating the crops that feed Milwaukee’s hungry.

Read on to learn more about the history of this one of a kind agricultural wonder!

Interested in supporting the Farm and Fish Hatchery? You can make donations right here to help us keep the healthy produce coming!