Rooted in Land: a Summer Night's Dream
An Outdoor Dining Experience Benefiting Troy Farm
A Summer Night’s Dream
Craving an unforgettable outdoor dining experience that truly makes a difference?
Join us for Rooted in Land: A Summer Night’s Dream, a culinary journey set amidst the beauty of Troy Farm’s gardens at peak bloom, and delight in an evening focused on the beauty, magic, and the importance of the land.
This is an immersive seed-to-table experience where the food tells the story of the soil. Mingle with fellow culinary enthusiasts and community advocates as you wander through the gardens, sip beverages, and savor bites crafted by renowned chefs Evan Dannells, Yusuf Bin-Rella, Tory Miller and Mickey Walker with a special appearance by Kipp Thomas.
Enjoy ingredients harvested directly from the land where you dine, including fresh produce from Troy Farm Collaborative farmers and even the Kids’ Garden!
Your evening unfolds with a charming progression:
- Arrival & Welcome: Settle in with a refreshing beverage and enjoy live music in the mulberry grove.
- Farm Exploration: Embark on a guided tour, discovering the heart of Troy Farm and Gardens – its rich fields, vibrant community gardens and preserved prairie – with snacks awaiting you by the prairie grotto.
- A Culinary Dream: Gather at table under the market stand for a four-course plated dinner, paired with wine, as you connect with others who share your passion for sustainable, local food systems.
Rooted in Land
More than just a meal, this is an investment in your community. Every dollar from your $250 ticket directly supports Troy Farm’s programs, including maintaining one of Madison’s oldest urban farms, supporting emerging farmers, providing organic food donations to local neighborhood centers, maintaining cherished community gardens, and preserving this invaluable green space for all.
Troy Farm is an urban oasis dedicated to land and food access and urban agriculture education, and its future depends on supporters like you. Be a part of this special night of celebration, culinary artistry, and communal appreciation for the land that nourishes many.
Event Details
Rooted in Land: A Summer Night’s Dream
An Outdoor Dining Experience Benefiting Troy Farm.
Saturday, July 18th, 2026
5:30pm-9:00pm
Troy Farm and Gardens
502 Troy Drive, Madison, WI 53704
$250 per seat
If you or someone in your group has a dietary restriction, please let us know when you order your tickets. We will do our best to accommodate. Tickets are transferable, but non-refundable.
Please dress appropriately for a farm and prairie walk, while celebrating a dreamy night in the gardens.
This is a rain or shine event, a tent and alternative activities are planned in the instance of rain.
A limited number of community-priced seats (50% off) are available to ensure this event is inclusive to a wider community of Rooted supporters. Please stay tuned for more information.
Meet The ChefS
Evan Dannells
Evan Dannells is the owner of Cadre Restaurant and a partner at Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge in Madison, Wisconsin. With a deep passion for local foods, he champions sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients in all his culinary ventures. Beyond the kitchen, Evan is an advocate for community involvement and is an active member of the Main Street Alliance as well as a founding member of the Dane County Food Collective.
Yusuf Bin-Rella
After a trip to Africa in 2019, Bin-Rella returned to Madison on a mission to grow and connect people through food of the African diaspora. On his plot of land at Rooted’s Troy Farm on Madison’s north side, Bin-Rella primarily grows collard greens. Bin-Rella joins a growing group of urban farmers across the county fighting for food equity and social justice. Through Bin-Rella’s signature collard greens, he shares his culture and aims to heal the community. You can find more information at TradeRoots Farm.
Tory Miller
A 2012 recipient of the James Beard Award Best Chef: Midwest, Tory has strived to strengthen Madison’s food system, local agriculture, and wider community throughout his career by supporting farmers and purchasing local Wisconsin products for all his restaurants, notably forming the Madison Area Chefs Network to unite Madison’s local chefs for the first time. When he is not working in one of his restaurants, Tory is spending time with his three young boys, passing along his love of all things delicious. You can find Tori at L’Etoile and Graze.
Mickey Walker
Mickey attended New York’s Natural Gourmet Institute in 2000, a primarily plant-based cooking school with a natural foods emphasis, at 20 years old and has been preparing and baking vegan food ever since. She founded Heirloom Bakery and Kitchen in 2019 with the goal of providing decadent vegan pastries and beautiful special occasion cakes for the Madison area. You can find Mickey at @heirloombakeryandkitchen. When she’s not in the kitchen, Walker enjoys gardening, foraging and spending time with her husband and two dogs.
Kipp Thomas
Kipp is Rooted’s Culinary Arts Manager and founder of Kipp’s Kitchen. His food can be found at community events such as the Badger Rock Community Market, Dane Dances, and the Urban League’s Unity Picnic. Kipp places a high value on helping others and being able to share his talent and resources with the community. His culinary talent is being used to feed families facing food insecurity. Kipp’s service to his community was recognized when he was honored as a 2019 Community Shares Backyard Hero.
Your Ticket has an Impact
Rooted in Land: a Summer Night’s Dream will help fund these programs. Thank you for supporting our work.
Expanding land access. We support access to the land at Troy Farm and community gardens throughout Dane County, as well as focusing resources such as agricultural expertise on people traditionally excluded from accessing them.
Providing our communities with fresh, locally grown produce. For 25 years, through CSA membership, direct sales, low- to no-cost distribution to community centers, and donation to food pantries, Rooted’s farms have grown food that supports healthy food access in Madison’s northside, southside, and east side neighborhoods.
Offering urban agriculture education to students of all ages. Our educational programs draw upon the expertise of community members, and Rooted is one of the few non-profits in Madison partnering with MMSD and other educators to provide hands-on urban agriculture education for all kids, regardless of economic status.
Holding community events at our neighborhood sites. Our programs and events reach a wide audience across Madison and Dane County, and we hold community meals, markets, workshops, and seasonal events throughout the year to bring people together and cultivate community connection.
Thank you to our sponsors!
It’s with the help of valuable community partners that Rooted is able to serve a wide community of kids, adults and families. We appreciate these local businesses that value local food systems and help grow community, together.
Sponsor the Dream
Bring your team out to the farm with a table sponsorship or have some fun by sponsoring an experience at the event.
