Sun Day—Madison: FREE Concert & Celebration of All Things Solar
Valerie Stull, Rachel Gurney, Michael Bell, and Marisa Lanker
September 21, 2025 was Sun Day—the first nationwide celebration of all the wonders the Sun brings us, and how we can harness its power to build a more renewable and regenerative world. Think roof-top solar, agrivoltaics, carbon sequestration, energy-sparing crops, wind power, healthier soils, heat pumps, and more!
Through science, art, music, and collaboration, Sun Day—Madison aimed to inspire public engagement with these wondrous gifts. Held at Westmorland Park (4114 Tokay Blvd, Madison, WI 53711) from 1 to 5 PM, Sun Day—Madison was a family-friendly FREE concert and festival that educated and entertained, while bringing the community together for celebration.
Attendees enjoyed LIVE MUSIC, face painting and other kids’ activities, food from local vendors, solar demos, and interactive booths. Performances were by Tsuzamen, Tani Diakite & the Afrofunkstars, and more!
Sun Day—Madison was organized by the Soil Health & Agroecological Living Lab and sponsored by the Wisconsin Office of Sustainability & Clean Energy, Third Act Wisconsin, Full Spectrum Solar, Midwest Solar Power, Savanna Sanctuary, and UW-Madison’s Climate Solutions for Health Lab, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, and Department of Community and Environmental Sociology.
Savanna Jam: A Celebration of Agroforestry
Valerie Stull, Rachel Gurney, and Michael Bell
Savanna Jam was a free, family-friendly celebration at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, community, and the arts! The evening was filled with live music from Alison & Taylor Ackley and Tsuzamen, along with guided walking tours and tree talks that explored the beauty and importance of agroforestry.
Community members grabbed a bite from a local food truck and visited booths to learn about the work of various local environmental organizations. Kids enjoyed face painting and scavenger hunts in the park. This event raised awareness, built community, and spread joy — all in support of a healthier planet and food system.
Co-hosts: Soil Health and Agroecological Living Lab (SHALL), Savanna Institute, and Savanna Sanctuary
Partners: White Oak Savanna, MIGHTi, Grasslands 2.0, Westmorland Neighborhood Association, Wormfarm Institute, Driftless Area Land Conservancy, and Canopy Farm Management
Hot Potato: Heat Safety Where You Work
Sarah Janes Ugoretz
We’re excited to share Hot Potato: Heat Safety Where You Work. In this new video resource, farmers and agricultural service providers from across the country share their tips, practices, and policies related to extreme heat – from formal ways to institutionalize a culture of safety, to the many informal things we can do as individuals.
For farmers working in high heat, safety is both a priority and a growing challenge. Without a federal heat safety rule in place and as temperatures continue to rise, farmers have been letting us know that they want clear guidance on developing their own heat safety protocols. This video compilation aims to provide some of that support, with additional information shared here in the Hot Potato Resource Library.
Training and Education for Aspiring Managers
Sarah Janes Ugoretz
This 4-part online series provides aspiring and early career farm managers with the foundational skills that help them build their confidence and competence as leaders.
For more information, visit https://dane.extension.wisc.edu/training-and-education-for-aspiring-managers/.
Becoming the Employer of Choice – Vegetable Farmers
Sarah Janes Ugoretz
This 8-part online series supports both farm owners and experienced farm managers who are eager to strengthen their hiring, supervisory, and employee relations skills.
For more information, visit https://dane.extension.wisc.edu/becoming-the-employer-of-choice-for-vegetable-farmers/.
Organic Vegetable Production Conference
Sarah Janes Ugoretz
This annual, producer-initiated conference features rotating vegetable and farm management topics presented by advanced growers and agricultural professionals.
For more information, visit https://dane.extension.wisc.edu/organic-vegetable-production-conference/.
Free School for Farmworkers: Athletes in Overalls: Movement Health & Injury Prevention
Sarah Janes Ugoretz
The Free School for Farmworkers hosted a discussion and skillshare on movement health and injury prevention from an athletic perspective, in partnership with Cynthia Flores of Labor-Movement. Participants learned about managing food, fluid, sleep, and stress over long days. Discussion also included safe lifts using hinges and squats, tips for reducing the potential of lower back pain, and techniques for moving and carrying loads. Participants added their own examples to the conversation.
The session was interpreted into Spanish.
Event flyer designed and drawn by Alicia Robinson-Welsh
Free School for Farmworkers: Farmer Burnout
Sarah Janes Ugoretz
The Free School for Farmworkers hosted a facilitated discussion on farmer burnout, titled “How did we even make it through August?” This event addressed the challenges farmers face during the intense summer months, including heavy workloads and fatigue. Participants explored the physical and mental aspects of burnout, learning strategies for recognizing and managing it.
The discussion was led by Laura Fredrickson-Gosewisch, a farmer and wellness promoter, and featured experienced farmworkers Liz Wang and Kelly Skillingstead, who shared their personal burnout experiences. Attendees were encouraged to share their own stories and discuss ways to manage the pressures of farming.
Free School for Farmworkers: Staying Safe & Caring for Your Crew in Extreme Heat
Sarah Janes Ugoretz
The Free School for Farmworkers hosted a discussion and skillshare on staying safe in extreme heat. Participants learned about hydration, recognizing heat-related illnesses, and emergency procedures. They also discussed how farm environments can promote safety, with on-farm examples shared by participants.
The session was interpreted into Spanish and recorded for all registrants.
Event flyer designed and drawn by Anya Rosen.
Food Up!
Valerie Stull, Shelbi Jentz, and Michael Bell
The Food Up! urban agriculture curriculum is a straightforward, modular lesson plan designed for anyone interested in teaching urban agriculture to youth. It is tailored to engage at-risk or special needs youth—using activity and picture-based lessons that are accessible for all. Many urban agriculture programs rely on regular attendance, classroom activities, literacy skills, or long-term commitments. However, reaching broader audiences, such as low-income or at-risk youth, may be more effective through informal or flexible settings—such as churches, non-profits, community groups, neighborhood gardens, or after-school programs. In these environments, adult leaders may not have agriculture or education training. Food Up! is designed to be adaptable, offering an activity-based approach to encourage participation and create a greater impact. The curriculum includes nine modules that cover a variety of topics, including food security, marketing, soil health, farming basics, and nutrition. It uses games, hands-on activities, visuals, personal reflection, and group discussions to engage students with varying educational backgrounds. The entire curriculum is available for public use at: https://thelandproject.org/food-up/.
Di Grine Kuzine (The Green Cousin) – A Folk Ballet
Michael Bell
Di Grine Kuzine (The Green Cousin) tells the story of a Jewish immigrant in America who faces disillusionment after years of hard work in the garment industry. She shifts to working in a café, where she teams up with a homeless man to organize for a fairer, better-fed society.
Written by Elm Duo in 2022 and based on a classic Yiddish song from the 1920s, Di Grine Kuzine blends Yiddish, jazz, and Americana music with choreography by Lisa Thurrell and Robert Cleary of Kanopy Dance.
Music by Elm Duo
Dance by Kanopy Dance
Dancing the Agroecological Imagination
Michael Bell
Agroecological living is the practice of balancing ecological health and human well-being in relation to food and agriculture. This important work requires creative thinking and interdisciplinary approaches to learning. The Soil Health & Agroecological Living Lab (SHALL), in collaboration with Kanopy Dance Company, will host a three-part workshop series titled Dancing the Agroecological Imagination. These workshops will engage UW-Madison graduate students, along with other participants, in dance and writing sessions exploring agroecological concepts. Outcomes will include a public Earth Day performance in April 2025, offering innovative learning experiences for students and the community.
This work is supported by a grant from the Brittingham Wisconsin Trust.
On the Town
Michael Bell
Mozart, Bach, Bernstein, and Bell perform in this concert featuring “Madison’s violinist” Suzanne Beia in Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5, with interludes from Bach and Bernstein. The concert also includes a collaboration with Kanopy Dance, performing ConFluence: A Prelude to Bell’s new work and Summer in the City set to Bernstein’s On the Town. For more details, visit wco concerts.org.
About Composer Bell:
Michael M. Bell is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a composer and performer. He co-founded the award-winning quintet Graminy and is a prolific songwriter. As part of Elm Duo, he co-composed two folk ballets for Kanopy Dance.
ConFluence: A Prelude
Michael Bell
ConFluence: A Prelude marks the start of a creative collaboration between Kanopy Dance and composer Michael Bell. This ongoing project evolves over several seasons and will feature original choreography for Bell’s symphony Regeneration: A Pentalogy. The symphony explores key life stages, celebrating the regenerative power of connecting to our natural world. The choreography for Regeneration will explore life’s journey through movement, ultimately aiming for balance and harmony with nature.
The first year of this project has resulted in three performances:
- Emergence
- Upheaval
- Awakening