Rooted in Wyoming’s Hoedown goes virtual

In 2017, Lise Foy moved to Ranchest with her family. She had a desire to get her hands dirty and get connected with her community. 

She became involved with the community learning garden in Ranchester. There she helped to teach kids the value of learning how to grow, nurture and produce their own vegetables. 

But she needed funding to purchase materials and other essentials, such as a tiller and a shed to house their tools. It was through this need, that Foy learned about Rooted in Wyoming. 

Rooted in Wyoming is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization managed by a board of directors and consisting of community members and invested organizations. Those in the organization are dedicated to building and nurturing school and community gardens, in Sheridan County and across the state. 

Fast-forward three years and Foy is now the executive director of Rooted in Wyoming. The non-profit has partnered with schools and developed school-garden programs, teaching over 2,000 children the life long lesson of self sustainability and the value of playing in the dirt. 

During an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Foy reflected on the experience of teaching those lessons to the children of Sheridan County.   

Evidence of the hard work can be seen through the Arts in the Garden, a collaboration with Science Kids and other organizations and businesses in the Sheridan area. The project is based on a therapeutic approach in developing life skills. The efforts can also be seen on the Sheridan Farm Wall, located in downtown Sheridan. The community sponsored an additional 4 Farm Walls after a grant paid for the development of the first Farm Wall. 

To help raise funds for these and other programs in the works at Rooted in Wyoming, the organization holds the annual Hoedown. Amid COVID-19, the 4th annual Hoedown has been adapted to the virtual landscape.  

Rooted in Wyoming is conducting an online auction. Bidding for the auction items will open on Oct. 2 and will remain open until Oct. 3, at 8 p.m. According to RiW, if participants register a bidding profile before Oct. 1, they will be entered into a drawing for $50 in Sheridan Chamber of Commerce Bucks and an RiW “swag bag”. 

The event will culminate with the Rooted in Wyoming Hybrid Hoedown and Auction at 5 p.m., Oct. 3,  at the Luminous Brewhouse. The event will run until 9 p.m. and feature music by Wes Urbaniak and The Nate Champion Band.  

You can find more information, donate and bid at RootedinWyoming.org.