About Us
Wellspring is a nonprofit education center whose mission is to inspire and teach people to grow, prepare and eat healthy food. In so doing, we transform food systems and build community. Programs in wellness education, ecology and gardening, the arts and personal growth have been offered to the public since 1982.

History of Wellspring
Wellspring was founded on March 1, 1982 by Mary Ann Ihm. As an educator, Mary Ann sought to create a holistic learning environment, one that would help people live in harmony with themselves and the earth. The first Board of Directors met in April, 1983. Programs were held in Milwaukee. In 1987 the country location was found and in spring of 1988 Wellspring moved to Newburg, WI and began a CSA; the longest running CSA in Wisconsin.

Wellspring Farm and Property
Wellspring offers a quiet country setting, nestled in the Milwaukee River Valley with 33 acres of gardens and nature trails, woods and meadows, ponds and prairies, and an outdoor labyrinth. Over 85 species of birds have been identified on the grounds, which are also home to other wildlife. The space is known for its relaxing, calming and rejuvenating qualities, yet we are only 35 minutes from downtown Milwaukee.

Wellspring Board

• Joeseph Mantoan, Board President
• Terri Schiller, Treasurer​
• Amy Otis-Wilborn, Secretary ​
• Shawn Dooley, At Large

Wellspring Staff

Mary Ann Ihm 

Founder

Mary Ann Founded Wellspring Inc. on March 1st, 1982. She combined her experience with organic gardening, 30 years of teaching, and 25 years of non-profit education experience to bring Wellspring into being. In addition to serving as the Conference Center Director, she maintains flower gardens on the property. She often takes guests on-site for her B&B. She also wrote a book on Wellspring's 30th anniversary: The Wellspring Story, The first 30 years​. 

Caleb Trainor

Winterspring Farm Director

[email protected]

Caleb is the Director of Winterspring, LLC, an innovative incubator farm that is located on and in partnership with Wellspring and Riveredge.  
Caleb got his start in farming at Wellspring as a volunteer and then as an intern in 2012. After that, he raised organic chicken for meat and eggs as Blue Wolf Farm. He then came back to Wellspring as co-manager of the farm in 2016 and has been turning the wheels on the vegetable operation ever since.