Human Powered: In Conversation with Jay Salinas

Human Powered: In Conversation with Jay Salinas

From Human Powered by Wisconsin Humanities

December 15, 2025 · 36 min · Season 4 · Episode 13

About this episode

In this episode, co-hosts Jen Rubin and Jessica Becker talk with Jay Salinas about his experiences in farming and the formation of Wormfarm Institute.

Jay Salinas moved to a farm in the Driftless Region of southwest Wisconsin with his partner, fellow artist Donna Neuwirth, and learned to grow vegetables. Before long, they started inviting friends from Chicago to come out and get their hands dirty. Intrigued by what they were learning from their rural neighbors and in conversations with city dwellers, they formed Wormfarm Institute and formalized an Artist Residency Program in 2000. In this episode, co-hosts Jen Rubin and Jessica Becker talk...

People in this episode

Hosts: Jen Rubin, Jessica Becker

Guest: Jay Salinas

Topics covered

  • art
  • farming
  • community
  • residency
  • conversation
  • vegetables

Keywords

  • Wormfarm Institute
  • artist residency
  • Driftless Region
  • farming
  • community engagement
  • vegetables
  • Chicago

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Wormfarm Institute

Places: Driftless Region, southwest Wisconsin, Chicago

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