
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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