The Farm/Art DTour is a free, self-guided drive October 5-14. The 50-mile route winds through working farmlands in southern Sauk County, WI, where you will see artworks by local and national artists installed in farm fields, pasture performances, local food markets, and more along county roads.

Starting in mid-September, DTour Maps will be available for free at the two Trailheads: the Kraemer Library & Community Center in Plain, WI, or the Sauk Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce in Sauk City, WI. We recommend starting at the Sauk City Trailhead, and going in numerical order using the DTour Map. The route is shaped like a figure-8 (or infinity loop) and artwork is oriented to be viewed from the recommended direction of travel. So, you may not see everything, and may experience the Map Stops numbers in a strange order, if you choose to go in a different direction (which is perfectly fine! Just something to note for navigation purposes).

Note: There is currently construction on Highway 23 around the Plain Trailhead. We'll provide updates this fall about the best way to get on the route if you're coming from the north or southwest.

The lobby of the Sauk Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce is open 8 am-8 pm. During the DTour, the Kraemer Library & Community Center is open 10 am-5 pm.

Read the 2024 DTour Guide, a literary zine of articles, artworks, poetry & recipes by a wide range of contributors! You can pick up a free paper copy at both Trailheads, and you might spot copies at your favorite spots throughout Wisconsin.

The DTour can be experienced from sunrise to sunset, October 5-14. There will be weekend Pasture Performances (weather permitting) as well as special events. Stay tuned!

Offshoots are attractions that are located 5 miles or less off the DTour route. Look for orange "Offshoot" signs on the road (and sometimes sandwich boards) that will point you in the right direction. Mileage from the route to each Offshoot is listed on the paper map.

The best way to experience the DTour is to take your time. Everyone goes at their own pace, but we recommend planning for 4-6 hours. If you’re doing the DTour all in one day, we recommend you follow the figure-8 route. If you have a couple of days, you might consider doing the east loop one day and the west loop the next.

It’s Wisconsin in the fall, so be prepared for any kind of weather. Check our Visitors’ Guide for nearby places to stay and eat (including places with outdoor decks and patios). In addition to a variety of inns, B&B’s, and motels, there are plenty of campgrounds.

Note that we're out in the country and your phone may or may not work here so be sure and pick up a large paper map at one of the Trailheads and remember, it's harvest season always yield to farmers.

For those looking for a workout, there’s no better way to enjoy the sights & sounds of the DTour than on a bicycle. The driftless, hilly terrain is not for beginners, but experienced riders will enjoy this way of traveling the route.

Starting in mid-September, riders will be able to pick up a DTour Map and cycling cue sheet from a trailhead. Please be cautious when riding, as bikes share the road with cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors & buggies. Learn how to Bike the DTour.

It sure is. The majority of DTour activities take place along county roads so it’s open to the public. In fact, some folks just stumble across the experience! We do require registration or tickets for some special events. While the DTour is free to attend, it’s hardly free to produce. Please consider joining our partners by making a tax-deductible donation to Wormfarm Institute. Donate here to help keep the DTour free for thousands of visitors.

Stop by the Food Chain at Witwen Park for ready-to-eat options & local delicacies from an array of vendors. Music, conversations, and an art shop too! Area restaurants, taverns & cafes can also be found in our Visitors' Guide.

Depending on your carrier, cell phone service may be spotty throughout the DTour route. There will be WiFi access at both Trailheads and Bug Tussel is providing WiFi at the Witwen Food Chain.

We recommend using the restrooms in Plain or Sauk City before you start the DTour. Remember that the DTour is a drive in the country and facilities along the route are limited. There will be porta-potties at the Witwen Food Chain.

On a leash, yes.

There is a lot to discover on the DTour. See artwork inspired by the land, hear songbirds and pasture performances, smell fresh cut hay and campfires, discover roadside poetry around the next bend in the road, learn about the art of what farmers do everyday, enjoy an abundance of local delicacies, and meet friends and neighbors from all over -- say hi! Come closer and get curious.

This is a common question! We do grow some worms but it is a part of our larger mission as a nonprofit organization working to build a sustainable future for agriculture and the arts. Our name is inspired by a Charles Darwin quote: “Every fertile grain of soil has passed at least once through the gut of an earthworm.” It all started with an artist residency program on a farm growing organic produce – and some worms – as part of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farming model. Similar to how CSA’s help reconnect consumers with the source of their food, Wormfarm Institute works to connect urban and rural, people and land, culture and agriculture. An evolving laboratory of the arts and ecology, Wormfarm continues to explore these links and create opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.