farm art tour wi

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Reedsburg, WI: The Farm/Art DTour

How do you encourage conversations between rural farmers and visitors from the city?

Farm/Art DTour is a ten-day self-guided driving tour through scenic working farm land of Sauk County, Wisconsin punctuated with Art Works (temporary art installations), Field Notes (educational signs), Roadside Culture Stands (artist-built mobile farm stands), Farm Forms (creative participation by landowners), Pasture Performances and Roadside Poetry. In 2011, the Farm/Art DTour was part of the Annual Fermentation Fest – A Live Culture Convergence that included a wide variety of classes, workshops, demonstrations, dinners, and performances – highlighting live culture in all its forms. The 50 mile DTour route had twenty- seven stops, representing agreements with many landowners.

Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and the surrounding area, is a landscape of rolling hills and working farm lands in northern Sauk County. It is a place where small family farms can thrive, because the topography does not allow for the corporate scale agriculture that is common in the flatter portions of the state. Over the years the town has developed a strong economic base that supports both agriculture and commercial industries. It is a diversified base that sustains a growing population and the beginnings of a seasonal tourism industry with visitors that are drawn to the area’s scenic beauty and regional reputation for arts and sustainable agriculture. This growing cultural community benefits from the support of the county government (Sauk County is one of three county governments - and the only rural one - in Wisconsin that directly supports the arts). County officials here understand the direct quality of life benefit that the arts bring to the region and how the arts can help retain the area’s youth who tend to migrate to larger nearby cities. “We don’t have the amenities of Madison”, said one county official. “By attracting artists to the region, the DTour gave Reedsburg a reason to strategically invest in order to retain young people and attract live/work professionals.”

Today the town of Reedsburg has approximately 9,000 residents. Settlers were attracted to the area’s iron, copper, and timber and established the town in the mid-1800s. What began as a sawmill and 5 small wooden workmen houses, today is a thriving downtown that serves residents, area farmers, and a growing number of visitors. Though the Farm/Art DTour project’s local constituents comprised both area residents and downtown business owners that support local tourism, such as the town’s restaurants and bed and breakfasts, the project’s larger targeted community included a much wider geographic reach. The DTour aimed to attract visitors from cities as near as Madison or as far as Chicago, who have a growing interest in reconnecting to the source of their food, yet who rarely see farms. This audience, along with those interested in public art, craft brewing, artisanal food, and conservation, created a large and diverse set of visitors to the area.

LOCAL NEEDS:

Often a disconnect exists between farm families trying to maintain their agricultural businesses in a hypercompetitive farming economy, and visitors who appreciate family scale farming as a source of artisanal products. The farmers who hosted art installations on the DTour typically find themselves in the middle, trying to balance the needs of both markets. It is within this tension that the project’s director and Wormfarm’s co- founder, Donna Neuwirth, found opportunity. Donna is a pragmatist about the issues at hand. She recognizes that, “People have a sincere and earnest interest in connecting more deeply to their food, but may have no understanding at all of the commodity markets most farmers are part of.” It is precisely this reality that needed to become a starting point for dialogue between the farmers and the urban tourists that came to see the art. “Twenty years ago this wouldn’t have been that interesting,” Donna said, recognizing the fact that today a greater divide stands between our rural and urban lifestyles than was there decades ago; at the same time, an energized local food economy has revalued the vital role farmers play in all our lives.

With an understanding that farmers and artists have creation in common, Wormfarm formed a vision for farm-based ephemeral art installations and roadside Culture Stands (artist designed/built mobile farm stands). This began an exploration of the ever-evolving connections between people and the land. Originally, the Farm/Art DTour served as a “fringe festival” to a long-standing traditional Art Tour featuring studio visits. Working at the intersection of community development and festival production, Donna was passionate about the potential of art to “ferment” relationships and form personal connections between people that would normally never meet. “Fermentation is about abundance and transformation – from grain to beer, from milk to cheese, from cabbage to kimchee. It’s also the perfect metaphor for community transformation." She and her team held a deep respect for this moment of reciprocity between farmers and urban residents and worked hard, “not to have urban ideas privileged over rural ideas.” They constantly asked the question “How can rural life revitalize the arts?” Kominy-Tractor, Artist Heath Matysek Snyder

PARTNERSHIPS:

Along with the project’s primary leads Donna Neuwirth and Jay Salinas, there were many voices around the table directing and guiding it along. Both Neuwirth and Salinas saw their work as one of creating a larger “social sculpture” of project team members and advisors that could help build bridges and support connections between participating artists, farmers, brewers, cheesemakers, and local businesses. Within their own central project management team, they brought in artists, curators, Chamber of Commerce, county extension agents, and County staff. This diversity of professional experience and viewpoints was pragmatic and helped the project to address the complex and continuous issues associated building an agri/cultural tourism event. But bringing in a diverse set of voices to help guide the project was more than a pragmatic consideration, as Neuwirth and Salinas also recognized that they needed, “different kinds of people at the helm in order to build a strong infrastructure for the future.”

The larger team readily admits that pulling the project together was a greater challenge than they thought it would be. Though the Our Town grant supported the commissioning of nine ephemeral art installations in farm fields in collaboration with private land owners, the artist selection was only the first piece in a larger choreography of branding, marketing, community outreach, and negotiating the larger regulatory issues that needed to be addressed. Strategically in the project’s first year, the project team worked with carefully selected artists and farmers that they knew had the capacity to work together. Sauk County, as Wormfarm’s government partner, provided staff through the County Extension office who served as a link with the farm community and helped the project team to navigate the regulatory issues of signage permits, trespassing ordinances, and the myriad of other details that had to be in place to run a successful festival. Neuwirth and Salinas knew from the beginning that they, “didn’t have the all skills necessary to be community facilitators and festival administrators,” but they made sure that there were people around them that could deftly handle the different issues that arose.

ANTICIPATED IMPACTS:

The Farm/Art DTour project was able to achieve its primary goal of increasing dialogue and cooperation among a wide range of partners including the public and private sectors, nonprofits, farmers, artists, and local government staff. Locating sites for the installations was itself an interdisciplinary collaboration, as landowners and artists worked together to address issues ranging from accessibility to safety to visual impact. In some cases farmers even provided equipment and technical assistance to artists. The project also was able to create tourism in the area with an estimated 4,200 DTour visitors, over 65% of whom traveled over 50 miles to see the installations. Through the use of surveys, the project team was also able to capture how these visits helped to increase the revenue of many local businesses– some of whom saw revenue increases of as much as 300%.

UNEXPECTED IMPACTS:

One of the surprises that came about through the project was the level of impact it had on both a local and a state level. Locally, farmers talked about the deep pride they felt in showing off their land. As Kristine Koenecke, the Chamber Director explained, “farmers love to showcase their land and what they do. Most times farmers aren’t prideful people, but the tour gave them a chance to show off.” A number of farmers were so inspired by what happened on their farms that they themselves became the artists the following year, creating their own contributions to the DTour. On a state level, the project has caught the interest of the USDA Director of Rural Development who is excited about the interdisciplinary potential the project holds. State Senator Dale Schultz has noted, “This is a really, really great way to showcase our part of the state. This is exactly the kind of imaginative approach our rural communities need if we’re going to get the word out to the rest of the world. Now I just want to know how I can get my farm on the tour.”

ADDITIONAL PROJECT PARTNERS

• Village Artworks
• Dietz Designs
• Reedsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Director Kristine Koenecke
• Sauk County Planning and Zoning Department
• K Clark Pickles and Preserves
• Carr Vallet Carr Valley Cheese
• Cedar Grove Cheese

ADDITIONAL PROJECT SUPPORT

• ArtPlace America
• Wisconsin Arts Board
• Sauk County Arts and Culture Committee
• Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (major sponsor)

PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS

• Sauk County (Land Conservation, Planning and Zoning Department) – helped secured land use approvals, traffic issues and signage, educational content for Field Notes.
• Home & Community Educators – provided valuable regional connections
• Sauk County UW Extension, Community Development Specialist Jenny Erickson – involved with everything from planning meetings to evaluation.  

PROJECT ARTISTS

• Katie Schofield
• Randy Walker
• David Wells
• Cathi Schwalbe
• Chris Lutter-Gardella
• Terrence Campagna
• Laura Annis and Alexis Ortiz (team)

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FARM/ART DTOUR

Where artists explore timeless connections between land and people.

Come to your senses: travel the dtour from october 1-10, 2022.

This fall, join us for the Farm/Art DTour: a self-guided excursion through 50 miles of scenic farmland in rural Sauk County, with trailheads in Plain and Sauk City, WI. See artwork inspired by the land, hear songbirds and pasture performances, smell fresh cut hay and campfires, discover a country churchyard or roadside poetry around the next bend in the road, and enjoy an abundance of local food & beverages.

Click here to learn more about the Farm/Art DTour.

Read the 2022 DTour Guide!

This 36-page literary zine of articles, artwork & poetry explores the themes of the 2022 Farm/Art DTour and offers helpful hints for experiencing all the agri/cultural attractions this October:

Hyperallergic

Sensitive to Art & its Discontents

Wormfarm Institute Releases Call for Artists for 2024 Farm/Art DTour

The Wormfarm Institute is pleased to announce a national call for artist proposals for its biennial Farm/Art DTour on October 5–14, 2024. Described as an “agri/cultural excursion,” the DTour is a self-guided drive through 50 miles of Sauk County, Wisconsin, located on the edge of the famed Driftless Area. Travelers experience scenic, winding roads and working farmlands punctuated by temporary site-responsive artworks, pasture performances, roadside poetry, educational Field Notes, local food markets, and more. The Farm/Art DTour draws thousands of visitors from the region and across the country with its invitation to experience a landscape and rural communities where farming plays a central, though changing, role.

Wormfarm will commission up to 10 artists to create large-scale, outdoor projects that will be temporarily installed at various locations along the DTour route. The request for proposals invites artists from all backgrounds and locations to apply, including those who are formally trained and those who are self-taught. The selection criteria includes:

• Artistic excellence
• Visual impact
• Demonstrated ability to realize concept
• Feasibility of the project in the context of the larger event
• How the proposal fits within the broader curatorial vision
• Site and/or community responsiveness

Proposals will be reviewed by a jury, which will select 15 finalists for an orientation in Sauk County this spring. Up to 10 DTour artists will be selected from the group of finalists.

Funding support ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 and a stipend is available for finalists. The deadline to apply is February 12, 2024.

For more information, visit wormfarminstitute.org .

Questions may be directed to [email protected] .

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2022 DTour Artists

This eclectic mix of artists from around the country were invited to create site-responsive work in collaboration with Sauk County farmers and landowners.

Rosalynn Gingerich

Bill Mitchell

Austen Camille

Denise Rolland Troyer

Sarah Kavage

Christopher Sweet

W. Scott Trimble

Catherine Schwalbe

Christopher Lutter-Gardella

Hartmut Ringel

Brenda Baker & Beth Persche

Farm/Art DTour

Wormfarm institute.

Artists and the food and farming community will converge at the annual Fermentation Fest - a Live Culture Convergence in Sauk County, Wisconsin.  This unique crossover collaboration by the Wormfarm Institute, also supported by the county economic development organization and state tourism office, will feature the Farm/Art DTour, a 50 mile self guided drive through scenic working farmland punctuated by farm-based ephemeral art installations, artist-made Roadside Culture Stands, pasture performances, tastings, demonstrations, and more. The project demonstrates an “economic gardening” approach to development that takes full advantage of local assets.

See below for recent updates, press, and events from this project

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October 18, 19 & 20, 2024 • 10am - 6pm

Mineral point • spring green/dodgeville • baraboo.

The Fall Art Tour reveals one of the dairyland's richest harvests — a veritable bumper crop of galleries and studios sandwiched between the family farms or just off small-town main streets in southern Wisconsin.

— Wisconsin Trails Magazine

• 608-987-3669
• info@fallarttour.com

©2024 Fall Art Tour

Farm Art Dtour

Silos repurposed and illuminated/painted

Arts-and Intersections:

Collaborators:, genre/discipline:, population density:, large intended impact area:, foundations:, project website:.

Farm/Art DTour is a self-guided driving tour through scenic working farmland including temporary art installations, educational signs, Roadside Culture Stands (artist-built mobile farm stands), Farm Forms (creative participation by landowners), Pasture Performances, and Roadside Poetry.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Project evaluation.

Revenue increase from local businesses

• Things to Do
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Farm/Art DTour (Fermentation Fest)

Why It’s a Must-Do

An annual free food and farming event, Farm/Art DTour is touted as a “live culture convergence.” The festival welcomes folks from across the country to marvel at the fermented and homegrown creations of local farmers and enjoy the abundance of harvest season. Pasture performances, interactive workshops, rotational grazing demos, and more await.

Location Details

Who Will Love It

Pleasing all people from sweet to sour, Farm/Art DTour is where to head to learn how to ferment bread, chocolate, sauerkraut, cheese, beer, and more. Consider it a culinary tour of the foodways, your portal into the world of fermentation. Everyone from Granny to the homebrewer to those who have gotten skilled at making their own sourdough will enjoy.

When to Visit

Farm/Art DTour 2022 runs October 1-10. And, as luck would have it, October marks one of the best times to visit the area. Central Sauk County’s dynamic countryside comes alive with vibrant fall foliage, and temperatures teeter somewhere between comfortable and needing a sweater. Make sure you choose one with pockets though. You’ll want somewhere to store fermented snacks for later.

Seek & Discover

Get a sneak peek at the natural glory that awaits you.

Explore More Things To Do

In Sauk County, we love a great adventure, be it on a scenic hiking trail or at a local antiques shop. So be sure to check out all our other fun activities.

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Seeking Artists for the 2024 Farm/Art DTour

Location: Wisconsin Type: RFP / RFQs Categories: Visual Arts Deadline: 02/12/2024

Up to 10 artists will be selected to create large-scale temporary installations in farm fields in rural Wisconsin. Apply by February 12, 2024.

Described as an “agri/cultural excursion,” the Farm/Art DTour will run from October 5–14, 2024.

The Farm/Art DTour is a self-guided drive through 50 miles of Sauk County, Wisconsin, located on the edge of the famed Driftless Area. Travelers experience scenic, winding roads and working farmlands punctuated by temporary site-responsive artworks, pasture performances, roadside poetry, educational Field Notes, local food markets, and more. The DTour draws thousands of visitors from the region and across the country with its invitation to experience a landscape and rural communities where farming plays a central, though changing, role.

Wormfarm Institute will commission up to 10 artists to create large-scale, outdoor projects that will be temporarily installed in farm fields at various locations along the DTour route. Artists from all backgrounds and locations are invited to apply, including those who are formally trained and those who are self-taught. Finalists will receive a stipend to revise their proposals and selected artists will receive $5,000 to 10,000 to realize their work.

Find more information and apply at https://www.wormfarminstitute.org/dtour-rfp-24

More information about the Farm/Art DTour: https://www.wormfarminstitute.org/programs/farm-art-dtour

• Food & Lodging

Farm/Art DTour Oct 1-10, 2022

• September 27, 2022
• Derrick Mayoleth
• Events , Uncategorized

It’s nearly time again for the bi-annual Farm / Art Detour here in Sauk County. The Farm/ Art DeTour is a self-guided driving tour through 50 miles of scenic farmland and emerging fall colors. Along the way, you’ll see artwork inspired by the land, pasture performances, roadside poetry, and more.

The 2022 tour kicks off from trailheads in Plain or in Sauk Prairie. Maps are available at the trailheads or you can download a simplified map from their website here . Take note of two “offshoots” that will bring you to the Little Eagle Arts Foundation (LEAF) studio & Dr. Evermor’s Sculpture Park, both are just minutes south of Devil’s Lake State Park. For a complete list of vendors and stops check out the Farm / Art Detour Website .

The Little Eagle Arts Foundation’s Maa WaKacak Art Studio is located within the gates of the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area (Badger) on the Ho-Chunk Nation’s property. LEAF will be hosting a Native Art Marketplace on the weekends during the event, Oct 1 & 2 and Oct 8 & 9. For more information click here.

More Scenic Drives

Of course, you don’t have to take part in the event to enjoy scenic autumn drive through Sauk County. We’ve got a variety of routes prepared for you that you can explore on your own time. Check them out here.

For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.

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Hidden Studios Art Tour

Explore winding roads, quaint communities, and fine art hidden studios during the peak fall foliage weekend in Central WI!

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11 Things To Do In Eau Claire, Wisconsin

A re you looking for a unique destination for your next adventure? Then, explore the vibrant city of Eau Claire in Wisconsin! Located on the Chippewa River, this quaint Midwestern town is full of culture and history, spectacular outdoor activities, great restaurants, and more.

I visited Eau Caire in July when I attended a conference there. I was surprised by how much it had to offer. Whether you’re visiting family or friends, or want to visit a different part of America that isn’t as well known as some other hotspots, Eau Claire has something for everyone. From the public art to tasty eateries and charming downtown boutiques, you can easily spend days discovering all that this small city has to offer!

Let’s look at some of my favorite things to do in Eau Claire.

Some experiences in Eau Claire were hosted. All opinions are my own.

1. Urban Trails

Eau Claire’s walking trails are a hidden gem, bringing together the city and nature in a unique way. Eau Claire has 28.94 miles of recreational trails that wind through the town, following the river’s curves to peaceful parks. You can bike, jog, or walk the trails and enjoy breathtaking views and public art.

The art lines the pathways to provide a unique charm, creating a cultural adventure. You will see vibrant murals and fascinating sculptures adorning the paths for an immersive experience with endless routes to explore.

They also have 4 miles of mountain biking trails at Pinehurst Park.

2. Eau Claire’s Sculpture Tour

Speaking of public art, Eau Claire’s Sculpture Tour is the largest tour of its kind in the United States and a fantastic way to explore the city and discover beautiful outdoor sculptures. 

While in Eau Claire, I was thrilled to spot some of these incredible artworks downtown. Like a scavenger hunt, you can pick up a map from the official Sculpture Tour website.

The tour is free and the map will guide you to all the best sculptures and help you navigate the city at your own pace.

3. Haymarket Plaza

Haymarket Plaza is beautiful during the day but spectacular at night. 

The splash pad is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. When I visited, a dog enjoyed the splash pad more than the children. He ran from spout to spout, trying to catch the water. Seating areas and walkways overlook the Chippewa River and the Eau Claire River.

The stunning fire pits are lit at night and the splash pad is illuminated as the water dances to tunes. The trusses of the Phoenix Park Footbridge also light up and reflect off the water below. It is truly a gorgeous sight.

4. Kayaking

I enjoy kayaking when I visit destinations and loved paddling the Chippewa River during my time in Eau Claire. It is a great way to enjoy nature, get some exercise, and forget your troubles.

During our 2-hour kayak tour, we saw a golden eagle, a deer, and a giant jumping fish thought to be a sturgeon.

Our kayaks were from Loopy’s Tube, Kayak, & Canoe Rental . Our float ended at Loopy’s Tiki Bar.

Fun Fact: Loopy’s has the world’s only heated sandpit volleyball dome in the winter. 

When you visit Eau Claire, you must try playing kubb , also known as “Viking Lawn Chess.” It’s a popular activity in this city, known as the “Kubb Capital of North America.”

So, what exactly is kubb? It’s a game where teams throw wooden batons at short wooden blocks called kubbs. The goal is to knock them over and eventually topple the king, a larger piece in the center of the field. But be careful; if you knock down the king at the wrong time, it means an instant loss!

Kubb is easy to learn but requires skill, precision, and strategy to play well. It’s suitable for all ages and fitness levels, making it great for groups.

You can find kubb pitches around Eau Claire if you want to join the fun.

Fun Fact: Even the pros visit Eau Claire to play kubb. The city hosts the annual U.S. National Kubb Championship .

6. Justorian Alpaca Farm

The Justorian Alpaca Farm in Osseo, just a short 30-minute drive from Eau Claire, is a fun place to visit for a delightful experience with alpacas.

During your visit, you’ll have the chance to chat with the friendly owners, Jerry and Wendy, who are experts on these gentle creatures. The passion they have for raising alpacas is evident. 

You may even have the opportunity to feed these soft and adorable animals. When you have food, they come running. 

Interacting with them up close creates a bond you won’t easily forget. Their playful nature and expressive eyes make the encounter even more memorable. I loved the white alpaca with the blue eyes.

And remember to check out the charming boutique at Justorian Alpaca Farm. They offer alpaca wool products showcasing the farm’s commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.

Fun Facts: Alpacas do not like to have the tops of their heads petted. And they do not have upper teeth, only a bottom set, so they can’t bite you.

7. Children’s Museum Of Eau Claire

The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire is an explosion of creativity and wonder! It is one of those places that makes you smile.

This place is more than just a way to keep your kids busy. It’s a thrilling adventure that combines playfulness with discovery. If you have a young musician or a future scientist in your family, they’ll absolutely love it here.

It is quite the experience and kids of all ages will be entertained.

8. River Prairie Park

It’s technically in Eau Claire, but in nearby Altoona, River Prairie Park is packed with incredible outdoor activities like river walks, biking trails, and awesome playgrounds. And just in case you are hungry, they have food trucks on site with great barbecue and other food.

They have tons of space for the kids to play, a splash pad to beat the heat, and a relaxing stream to chill out by. They even have kayak access. Keep your eyes peeled for The Mother of Dragons and The Woolly Rhino sculptures — they’re a must-see!

They often have fantastic live concerts at one of the three amphitheaters.

9. Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse

Head to Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse for a special dinner or an intimate date night. They serve up elevated cuisine that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. (I’m about the pickiest eater I know and loved it here.)

Their menu is filled with classic steakhouse favorites like their dry-aged filet mignon (my favorite), char-broiled ribeye, and various other steak dishes. But that’s not all — they also have incredible pasta options like lobster mac and cheese and three-cheese ravioli. And if you’re in the mood for seafood or chicken, they’ve got you covered, too.

They also have an extensive wine list and offer wine pairings.

The dark wood and elegant table curtains make Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse the perfect place for a private and cozy dining experience. 

At Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse in Eau Claire, you’ll enjoy delicious, savory dishes and an inviting atmosphere to make your dining experience special.

10. Norske Nook Bakery & Restaurant

We visited this quant restaurant for lunch after visiting the alpaca farm. Our lunch was delicious, but the star of the show at Norske Nook Bakery & Restaurant was the pie we had for dessert.

They had 58 different kinds of pie available on the menu. There were six of us at our table and we each ordered a different type of pie. I ordered the coconut pineapple pie and it was sinfully delicious. Someone at our table ordered the “Death by Chocolate Pie” and I sampled it. I have to admit, if I go back, I’m having it.

The pieces were huge and everyone raved about the pie they chose. I highly recommend visiting for their decadent pies.

11. Leinenkugel’s Brewery

Affectionately known as Leinie’s, this brewery has a variety of beers. It’s been around since 1867, making it one of the oldest breweries in the U.S.

Leinenkugel’s Brewery is still up and running at its original spot in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, just a quick 20-minute drive from Eau Claire. They have a tour to learn about the fascinating history and beer-making process at Leinenkugel’s.

I didn’t have time to visit this brewery, but a friend went and told me all about it. After the tour, you’ll have the chance to sample various beers or try out their unique beer concoctions made by mixing two or three different brews.

Fun Fact: During Prohibition, they made a non-alcoholic beer sold with a packet of yeast. If you added the yeast, it would turn into alcohol!

From the incredible kayaking on the Chippewa River to the entertaining alpaca farm, Eau Claire has something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a foodie, an art connoisseur, or simply looking for an outdoor adventure, this Wisconsin city won’t disappoint.

Related Reading:

• 11 Amazing Wisconsin Cabin Rentals Perfect For A Family Getaway
• 11 Best Wisconsin Restaurants With Cozy Fireplaces
• 17 Amazing Restaurants To Try In Appleton, Wisconsin

StarTribune

David elyot 'dave' sawyer.

Sawyer, David "Dave" Elyot age 83, passed away in his Bloomington, MN home, 4/21/24. Dave was born in Ottawa, IL to Elyot and Helyn (Hong) Sawyer. He graduated from St. Olaf College (1963) where he studied English and Philosophy, played trumpet in the orchestra, and met the love of his life, Sally, on orchestra tour. He obtained his Master's and PhD in 17th Century Literature at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (1970). He went on to teach English Literature at Lycoming College (Williamsport, PA), Normandale Community College (Bloomington, MN), and North Hennepin Community College (Brooklyn Center, MN). He also partnered with his father, in Ottawa, IL with Mass Mutual Insurance, raising his children with Sally as a 6th-generation Sawyer on a farm in LaSalle County. He was a "Friend of Bill W." celebrating 32 years of sobriety the week prior to his death; calling it "a miracle, one day at a time," and naming it as his 2nd greatest accomplishment. Dave looked with humble awe and gratitude at his wife, children, and grandchildren, his greatest joy and accomplishment, saying to Sally often, "look what we did!" He and Sally built a cabin in the woods of Burnett County, WI, where he could drive his John Deere tractor. He enjoyed singing tenor in the Peace Lutheran choir with Sally, listening to all kinds of music, and reading John Donne, Kierkegaard, Shakespeare, Dickens, Frost, and many others. He is described by all as a gentle, thoughtful, mild mannered, witty, charming, and delightfully quirky man of deep Lutheran faith. He will be greatly missed by all the people he has touched. He is preceded in death by his parents Elyot and Helyn Sawyer and brother Keith Sawyer. He will be missed terribly by wife of 61 years (Sally), dog (Frannie), children Mike (Beth) Sawyer, Nate (Jesse Davenport) Sawyer, and Martha (Brian Moen) Sawyer, along with grandchildren Adam, Mikkel, Erik, Emma, Ori Mae, and Arwen. A memorial service will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 8600 E. Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438, on Friday, May 3: Visitation at 10 am, Service at 11 am. Lunch will follow. In lieu of flowers please consider donating in his honor to Peace Lutheran Church or VEAP.org .

Published on April 28, 2024

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Fragments of Bird Flu Virus Discovered in Milk

The milk poses virtually no risk to consumers, experts said. But the finding suggests that the outbreak in dairy cows is wider than has been known.

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By Emily Anthes ,  Apoorva Mandavilli and Noah Weiland

Federal regulators said on Tuesday that samples of pasteurized milk from around the country had tested positive for inactive remnants of the bird flu virus that has been infecting dairy cows.

The viral fragments do not pose a threat to consumers, officials said. “To date, we have seen nothing that would change our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe,” the Food and Drug Administration said in a statement .

Over the last month, a bird flu virus known as H5N1 has been detected in more than 30 dairy herds in eight states. The virus is also known to have infected one farmworker, whose only symptom was pink eye.

Scientists have been critical of the federal response, saying that the Agriculture Department has been too slow to share important data and has not adequately pursued the testing of cattle for the infection.

Finding viral fragments in milk from the commercial supply chain is not ideal, but the genetic material poses little risk to consumers who drink milk, said David O’Connor, a virologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“The risk of getting infected from milk that has viral fragments in it should be nil,” he said. “The genetic material can’t replicate on its own.”

Officials did not say how many samples of pasteurized milk had tested positive for viral fragments or where those samples had come from. Those are key questions, experts said. A minority of the samples tested positive, according to two people with knowledge of the data who were not authorized to speak publicly.

If the fragments are present in many samples throughout the commercial milk supply, it would suggest that the outbreak is likely to be far more widespread than has been believed.

Last week, The New York Times reported that the virus had also been detected in a herd of North Carolina dairy cows that had no symptoms of illness.

“The problem in dairy cows might be much bigger than we know,” Dr. O’Connor said. “That would be the concern — not that the milk itself would be a risk.”

The F.D.A. said that it was studying milk samples from several sources, including infected cows, the milk processing chain and grocery store shelves. Federal officials are still waiting for results from experiments designed to determine whether the milk samples might contain active virus, according to two people familiar with ongoing federal reviews.

Those tests take much longer than so-called PCR tests that determine whether there is viral material in the milk supply.

Federal officials have repeatedly reassured consumers that the commercial milk supply is safe, noting that dairy producers are required to keep milk from sick animals out of the human food supply.

Nearly all of the milk produced on U.S. farms is pasteurized, a process that is designed to kill pathogens with heat. Pasteurization should also inactivate flu viruses, which are known to be fragile and heat-sensitive, experts said.

Only recently has the F.D.A. been testing pasteurization’s effectiveness on H5N1. The risk of contracting the virus from unpasteurized milk products remains unknown, but regulators have long cautioned consumers that raw milk poses a variety of disease risks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been monitoring flu testing data and flu-related emergency room visits. “We have not seen anything elevated to date at the local, state or national level,” said Dr. Nirav Shah, the principal deputy director of the agency.

The discovery of viral fragments in milk has prompted significant concern in the White House over how to avoid raising undue alarm about the dairy supply, according to people familiar with internal deliberations who were not authorized to speak publicly.

Federal officials are expected to address the findings in a news briefing in the coming days.

Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, an advocacy organization, said that it would be “very critical” for officials to clearly communicate the findings and educate consumers about what they mean.

Milk from farms is already pooled into thousands of gallons that would greatly dilute any virus present. Pasteurization further slashes levels of the virus present.

Soon after the Sept. 11 attacks, Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, helped the federal government plan for a possible bioterrorism attack that might use botulism neurotoxin, a highly lethal pathogen, to contaminate milk.

Working with the dairy industry, he and others identified pasteurization conditions that would inactivate the neurotoxin. That experience reassures him that H5N1 is highly unlikely to pose any problems, Dr. Osterholm said.

“With a virus like this, I would have to believe even if you had the highest levels of virus activity you could ever imagine in the actual milk from the udder of an infected cow, it would be diluted millions of times over going into pasteurization.”

Ingested milk is also broken down by the body’s digestive and immune systems, so “I wouldn’t worry about remnants,” said Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, director of the Boston University Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“As long it’s not a live virus, it is unlikely that there’s any health risks,” she said.

Infected people — and cows — might carry remnants of viral genetic material long after the active infection has resolved. That is why PCR tests for Covid sometimes produce positive results after a person has recovered from illness.

The affected cows seem to have large amounts of virus in their milk, suggesting that it might take some time to become virus-free, Dr. Bhadelia said.

“But the interesting part of this is that we don’t have a sense of how long it takes cows to clear the virus,” she said.

Emily Anthes is a science reporter, writing primarily about animal health and science. She also covered the coronavirus pandemic. More about Emily Anthes

Apoorva Mandavilli is a reporter focused on science and global health. She was a part of the team that won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for coverage of the pandemic. More about Apoorva Mandavilli

Noah Weiland writes about health care for The Times. More about Noah Weiland