🌱 Big thanks to 6AM Marketing!

We’re giving a huge shout-out to the energetic team from 6AM Marketing in Madison, WI, who rolled up their sleeves and got to work in our food pantry garden several weeks ago! We’re so grateful they chose us for their volunteer event and share our mission of helping neighbors with first-choice, fresh, and nutritious produce.

A special thanks also goes to the Madison Area Food Pantry Garden Association—APF is proud to be an affiliate member of this incredible network.

🙌 Now, it’s your turn to dig in!
We’re looking for 5 volunteers each on:
📅 Tuesday, July 15
📅 Tuesday, July 22
📅 Tuesday, July 29

No green thumb required—we’ll train you on-site, provide all tools, and make sure you feel confident. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just want to give back, this is a fun and meaningful way to make a difference.

🌿 Volunteer with your group, team, or solo!
Sign up here: 👉 https://www.andersonparkfriends.org/volunteer

💚 You’ll go home tired, satisfied, and proud of your impact. Help us grow food—and grow community.

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Jeff Olson

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Jeff “Ole” Olson, a beloved member of the Oregon-Brooklyn community, who passed away on Monday, March 17, 2025, at the age of 63.

Jeff’s unwavering dedication to our community left an enduring mark. Through his business, Arbor Systems, and his personal passion for giving back, he played an instrumental role in the development of Anderson Farm County Park. As a certified arborist and long-time business partner to Chris Heise, Jeff built a successful tree service company, often providing non-profit discounts and extending a helping hand wherever needed.

The APF Board is accepting donations for a memorial in Jeff's name to be installed at Anderson Farm County Park. 

Make a Lasting Tribute

To honor Jeff’s memory, Anderson Park Friends, Inc. (APF) will work with the Olson family and the Foundation for Dane County Parks to create a meaningful memorial at Anderson Farm County Park. Jeff was a frequent partner with the Dane County Parks Department. Your donation will help bring this tribute to life. Any additional funds will support tree-related projects at the park, continuing Jeff’s legacy of care for our natural spaces.

To contribute online, please use the secure donation form on our page dedicated to the Jeff Olson Memorial. Go to: https://bit.ly/4c5U2aD or use the navigation bar. Every gift, large or small, makes a difference. Checks can be sent to APF at this address:

Barbara Hill, APF Treasurer
876 Jean Circle
Oregon, WI 53575

Donations will be used for a memorial. APF will work with the Foundation for Dane County Parks to plan and install the memorial. Any funds above the cost of the memorial, will be applied to tree projects in 2025.

Note: Tentative plans are underway for a Jeff Olson Memorial Day at Anderson Farm County Park on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Photo Credit: Chris Heise, Arbor Systems, Arbor Day, 2023

Upcoming...

Below is a summary of work, educational and recreational events scheduled for the second quarter of 2025. Check our calendar page for more information and to R.S.V.P. for a specific event.

Additional Events

1. General Workdays: 2^nd Saturday of each month, 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (914 Union Road, Oregon, WI 53575, some locations may be different)
2. Food Pantry Workdays (Seasonal-April through November): Each Tuesday,, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., (805 Union Road, Oregon, WI 53575)
3. Forest, Prairie, Ames Bluebird Trail, Native Gardens Teams: Ad hoc schedule, (Seasonal-April through November), Each Monday, starting May 19th, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Oregon Area Volunteers Are Special!

• Oregon Food Pantry Garden: Despite challenges, we’ve consistently delivered fresh produce to the pantry, meeting local food needs sustainably.
• Sholts Woods Restoration: Following our 2024 land management plan, we removed invasive species and thinned specific tree areas to enhance the oak woodlot. Over 40 trees have been replanted since the project started, paving the way for a healthier forest ecosystem.
• Native Flower Gardens: With our dedicated volunteers, we maintained 15 mini-gardens and collaborated with Girl Scout Troop 7720 to install a new monarch butterfly garden, supporting pollinators and native flora.
• Prairie Maintenance: Our highly acclaimed  prairies (over 40 acres) flourished, with invasive species like thistle and wild parsnip effectively managed to preserve the ecosystem’s integrity.
• Youth Engagement: We continued our tradition of sponsoring K-12 educational events, including Maple Syrup Day for Brooklyn 2nd graders and a prairie seed collection event with Oregon High School’s National Honor Society students.
• Wildlife Habitats: Our efforts to provide essential wildlife habitats continued with maintained bluebird, kestrel, and bat houses throughout the park.
• Community Events: Our annual bonfire (November 2nd) was a huge success. We parked over 240 parks and more than 810 people attended.
• Join Us in 2025.

We’re excited to take these achievements even further in the coming year, but we can’t do it without your support. Letters have been mailed to current members, and renewing or joining us is simple: visit https://www.andersonparkfriends.org/joinus to secure your 2025 membership.

Stay connected with us on our website and Facebook page for updates on volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and the latest news. Together, let’s make 2025 our most impactful year yet!