About Four Winds Farm
Preserving a Piece of Fitchburg Legacy
Four Winds Farm is a working permaculture farm rooted just outside Madison, focused on regenerative growing practices and long-term land stewardship.
The farm is designed around native ecosystems, supporting soil health, biodiversity, and resilience across its fields, orchards, and pastures.
In 2017, MaryAnn McKenzie purchased the property with a vision to build a diverse, sustainable farm. The historic barn quickly became central to that vision, and its restoration opened the door to sharing the land more broadly.
Today, Four Winds welcomes gatherings, workshops, and seasonal events that bring people onto the farm. From celebrations to hands-on classes, these experiences are an extension of the farm’s purpose—connecting community, learning, and the land itself.
Origins
History of the Land
Four Winds Farm recognizes its location within ancestral territory of the Ho-Chunk people: Teejop, or “Four Lakes.” Decades of forced removal began in the 1830s, but the Ho-Chunk proved resilient and continued returning to Wisconsin. Many settled on 40-acre homesteads, with no protected “rights to hunt, fish, or gather on their ceded lands.”1
Today, Four Winds Farms draws inspiration from the deep cultural connection the Ho-Chunk people had with the land, and is taking steps to ensure it will be a place for community, celebration, and connection with nature and agriculture for future generations.
1 – “Ho-Chunk Treaties and Treaty Rights” https://www.mpm.edu/content/wirp/ICW-105
In the post-colonial era, this farm has been under the stewardship of only three families. Philip Barry, son of Michael and Mary who emigrated from Ireland in the 1840s, was in possession of the property until the 1930s. Barry served several terms as Town Chair for Fitchburg.
The farm then passed into the hands of the Doerfer family, who managed the property as a thriving dairy farm for nearly 100 years.
In 2017, Mary Ann McKenzie took ownership of the property, beginning the transformation that continues today. Protecting and restoring the land’s wild spaces is a priority, as is managing the farm’s agricultural activity through the tenets of sustainability and permaculture.
The barn has been restored and modernized, becoming a space for the community to gather for arts, culture, and celebration.
A Place, Reclaimed
The historic barn underwent a major restoration to preserve its character and extend its use for years to come. The work focused on keeping original materials wherever possible while adapting the building to better serve visitors. The structure was raised to improve the first floor, and updates were made throughout to support gatherings, workshops, and day-to-day use.
By the end of 2020, the barn had been fully updated with new windows, siding, mechanical systems, and improved access, including an entrance and elevator. It reopened that fall and has since become an active part of the community once again. Today, it includes a demonstration kitchen, library, and second-floor loft, all used for events and classes held at the farm.
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