(c) Kimberly Mackowski
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A small town represents the core values of American life. It represents the core values of faith, family, and community. A small town community deeply cares about each other.
Tim Keyes Consort, New Jersey
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watch our short introduction video
WHY THIS PROJECT BEGAN
Finding connection with others seems to be more important now than ever. We see so much dissension in the world around us, and fear that continues to tear us apart. No matter where we are, we feel it. In response, Janet Foust began asking us questions such as: how can we bring positivity back into our lives? What if we focused on what we have in common? What if we looked at what makes this community uniquely ours, a place we want to live in, a place to raise our families and come back to visit?
Children have such open minds and refreshing outlooks. Their windows to the real world— the natural world—are often bigger and more attuned than adults'. As we brainstormed, more questions formed: what if we had Ixonia kids take photos of what is special to them here at home? Or make artwork? What if we had them write, interpret what their photos mean to them, and share their stories? What if we compiled everything into a book and helped bridge generations together? What if we had college students guiding, steering the direction this undertaking would go? We asked all of these questions, we formed a team, and students of many ages gave a resounding, “YES”! So, here we go!
MEET THE TEAM
Project Leader
JANET FOUST
Janet loves being a mom, grandma, wife, and actively involved in trying to make a difference in the world. As a teacher, she has always seen the world through the eyes of children; it is a world filled with hope, creativity, and inspiration. She also loves going on long walks with her Bedlington Terrier, baking, and learning pointe ballet. She strongly believes that life is filled with opportunities no matter what age we are, and there is beauty all around us if we choose to see it.
Project Consultant
ARIANA HONES
Ariana and her brothers were raised on a colorful hobby farm right outside the city limits of Ripon. When she was 11, her parents restored their back thirteen acres to native Wisconsin prairie and planted seven hundred oak hickory trees. Her parents had asked themselves, “what can we do to make our home better for a future we may never see?" Ariana carries that question into her life and work now. She is so excited to be a part of this story sharing project, and to continue to think about ways that we can engage our communities and ground ourselves in the natural world.
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Lead Designer, Student Leader
ALEX MEETH
Alex is currently back in school, after taking a gap year from his under-graduate studies in dance and theater at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. As an aspiring writer, artist, and environmentalist, everything about this project called to him— it may be a "kids" book, but he strongly believes that the hope and optimism felt through these stories hold lessons for us all.
Student Leader
TAYLOR MEETH
Taylor is currently a junior at UW-Madison studying nutrition and dietetics. When she’s not busy with school work, Taylor loves to workout, try new projects, and travel. As someone who has always had an interest in helping others, this project appeared the perfect opportunity to spread positivity and youthful spirit throughout the community.
Student Leader
HALLE KRUCHOSKI
Halle is a Class of 2023 student at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering with an emphasis in Ecology. Also minoring in art! Outside of school, Halle is a waitress, nature lover, and proud plant-mom. Her enthusiasm for this project stems from her interest in natural systems, passion for creativity, and excitement to see how art, history, and the beauty of the Ixonia can bring a community together!
Student Leader
SARAH KENTON
Sarah is a third-year student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, majoring in marketing and working with Engineers Without Borders in her free time. The landscape of southeast Wisconsin has always inspired her, and she is incredibly excited to work on sharing the beauty of Ixonia.
Student Leader
JULIA KNUTSON
Julia is a student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities studying sustainability, sociology, and art. She volunteers regularly through organizations focused on environmental concerns and is excited to be a part of a project that will foster future appreciation for the Ixonia landscape!