The Friends of Silverwood Park
The Friends of Silverwood Park, Inc. (FoSP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered with the federal IRS, and a non-stock corporation registered with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
The Friends formed in October 2013, when the park was officially dedicated by Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. The FoSP Board of Directors and other community volunteers then assisted Dane County in developing the Silverwood Master Plan from 2014 to 2016.
FoSP is dedicated to the development and maintenance of Silverwood Park.
FoSP began leasing agricultural land from Dane County in 2015, and today leases all tillable acreage at Silverwood for, 1) sub-leasing to the park's Grower Partners or, 2) development of planned park features which demonstrate principles of regenerative agriculture and permaculture.
The Friends also assist the Dane County Parks Division with maintenance and care of the Silverwood Farmstead, which includes two large sheds (south and north), historic farm buildings, and the Stone House, formerly the Silverwood family's home.
Mission
The Friends of Silverwood Park support the development and maintenance of the Park which includes advocating for the mission of regenerative, forward-thinking agriculture education...and managing a portion of the park's lands with public stewardship at the forefront.
As Silverwood Park educates the public on the broad and diverse aspects of Wisconsin agriculture--past, present and future--the park celebrates the rich cultural history of agriculture in Dane County and demonstrates innovative agricultural practices and land stewardship that sustains the land for future generations.
We will:
- Provide educational facilities, job training, and resources for the public, farmers, and youth to learn how food, fuel and fiber are grown, processed and distributed.
- Provide access to a demonstration farm which offers opportunities for agriculture research to grow crops that have cultural, historical and economic significance.
- Support the production of food, fuel, and fiber to demonstrate environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity.
Master Plan
The Silverwood Park Master Plan was approved by the Dane County Board in September 2016. The plan is a result of a 2.5 -year process that included public meetings, negotiations and lots of brainstorming. Implementation of the plan rests with you, the community, and Friends of Silverwood Park, Inc.
