2023 Events
The Morrill Lecture season ends on November 6th with a screening of the documentary, “What We're Hungry For: How Food Pantries Fed Rural Wisconsin During the Pandemic.” The film chronicles the response of five rural Wisconsin food pantries to the unprecedented needs of their communities during the coronavirus pandemic. This film tells the story of the hard work, ingenuity, and compassion of these organizations while also exploring the complex and longstanding challenges of fighting hunger in rural America. The screening begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by a panel discussion with Jim Winship and Parker Winship, the filmmakers, and Marty Lee, long-time director of the Waushara County Food Pantry. The screening will be at the Gard Theater, and those wanting to will continue the conversation at Reunion restaurant for cocktails, coffee, and conversation.
Jim Winship is a retired social work professor, a storyteller, and an award-winning documentary filmmaker. He directed and co-produced What We're Hungry For and is currently directing a documentary about a Community Health Center in Central Wisconsin that has serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers for half a century.
Parker Winship is an MFA graduate of the American Film Institute. Accomplished in both documentary and narrative film, Parker photographed, edited, and co-produced What We're Hungry For and writes and directs short narrative films which have been featured in film festivals.
Marty Lee, one of the food pantry directors featured in What We're Hungry For, directed the Waushara County Food Pantry for 12 years and is active in meeting food insecurity needs in Central Wisconsin.
Dan’s newest book, THE DEVIL’S ELEMENT: PHOSPHORUS AND A WORLD OUT OF BALANCE, is an insightful exploration of one of earth’s most significant and dangerous natural resources. With a journalist’s ability to translate meticulous research into a thrilling story, Egan brings phosphorus’s checkered history to life. Today, with phosphorus at the center of an increasingly dire environmental disaster poisoning freshwater sources all over the globe, its history has taken on renewed significance.
Dick Cates, local farmer, conservationist, and much more talked with Dan about his work and what we as communities and individuals can do to help with this serious issue.
Michael Perry’s new novella is a departure from his previous works of fiction. Set in a world of stark wintry beauty, Forty Acres Deep is the brief, unrelenting tale of one person's attempt to make sense of a world he no longer recognizes while pitilessly calling himself into account. Seamed with grim humor and earthy revelations, it is an unforgiving story...and yet leaves open the idea that we might surrender to hope. Michael will talk about his inspiration for the novella and his decision to self-publish it. The evening will include a panel of farmers, moderated by Joy Kirkpatrick, responding to the story and sharing their experiences about what it means to farm today.
Supported by USDA NIFA Award 2020-70028-32728
The landscape of Southwest Wisconsin, along with northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and northwest Illinois, comprise a topographic region known as the Driftless Area. This approximately 24,000 square-mile area escaped glaciation during the last glacial advance of the past 26,000 years. Because of this, the area includes a topography that is uniquely different from the surrounding glaciated landscapes. It is an area characterized by a rugged terrane that includes narrow flat-topped ridges, steep rocky hillsides, and dissected valleys that contain abundant cold-water springs and well-developed stream networks.
During this talk, Dr. Emerson will share the story of the Driftless – what lies beneath this beautiful and unique region and how it came to be.
Past 2023 events
We face a transition from the way things used to be to the ways things are. What is driving that transition? What does change mean in terms of rural Wisconsin? With any change comes opportunities. How do those opportunities present themselves in small towns? Professor (Emeritus) Tom Eggert will talk about the movement toward a more sustainable world and the impact on rural Wisconsin.
Tickets
Tickets are free for the lectures and no registration is required…just come and enjoy!
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About the Morrill Lecture Series
This lecture series was started in honor of Joshua Morrill. He and his wife, Stef, moved to the River Valley in 2013 and wanted to give back to the community in some way. They had started planning for a lecture series at the Octagon Barn when Josh passed away unexpectedly in February 2019.
The lecture series gives people the opportunity to learn about the world and themselves. It …
Fosters community and a sense of connectedness with others.
Inspires people to see the world differently.
Grows knowledge and critical thinking around important topics.
Shares a spirit of optimism and hope – that we all can make a difference in our communities.
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Make a Donation
The lectures are made possible primarily through community donations.
Here are two ways to donate:
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Send a check to the Morrill Lecture Series, c/o Peoples Community Bank, 166 S Lexington St, Spring Green, WI 53588.
Thank you in advance for your support.