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GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin
People.
Power.
Change.
Forge your own politics.
Together we’re creating our own vision for the future of WI. Become a delegate at the GROWW Assembly to help shape the first GROWW State Legislative Agenda.
Support Wisconsin People Power.
Your contribution keeps our political power in the hands of our neighbors—not special interests.
GROWW is a grassroots movement of people across western Wisconsin building power to protect our communities and shape a future where all of us can live and work with dignity, look out for our neighbors, and make ends meet.
We’re neighbors, parents, farmers, renters, and Wisconsinites of all shades coming together to take back local control and hold decision-makers accountable to the people — not corporate interests. Through our organizing, leadership development, and collective action, we’re building the power we need to balance the scales.
Together, we’re proving that when ordinary people get organized, we can change what’s possible — in our towns, our counties, our state and beyond.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, February 4
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at Prescott Public Library
Pierce County Listening Sessions: Prescott
County services like SNAP, Medicaid, and mental health support are a lifeline for many of us. Cuts to these programs will be felt immediately in our homes, our health, and...
Wednesday, February 11
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at Ellsworth Public Library
Pierce County Listening Sessions: Ellsworth
County services like SNAP, Medicaid, and mental health support are a lifeline for many of us. Cuts to these programs will be felt immediately in our homes, our health, and our...
Wednesday, February 25
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at River Falls High School Library
Pierce County Listening Sessions: River Falls
County services like SNAP, Medicaid, and mental health support are a lifeline for many of us. Cuts to these programs will be felt immediately in our homes, our health, and our...
We build power together to create the change we need for everyone in our communities to make ends meet, live with dignity, and have a voice in shaping the decisions that impact us.
See GROWW in the News
- Civic Solidarity
- Member Opinions
Before the wave hits: Rural Wisconsin organizes against the One Big Beautiful Bill
On July 4th, while rural western Wisconsin celebrated Independence Day, Congress quietly passed HR1 — a massive federal tax and spending law that locks in tax cuts for the wealthy while setting in motion deep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and affordable health coverage. The damage is designed to arrive slowly, filtered through county budgets and local institutions that already operate on the brink.
Bill Hogseth, GROWW Co-Executive Director and Organizing Lead reflects on, organizing before the wave hits. Local organizers and residents are uncovering what HR1 will mean for our rural communities, listening to county leaders and neighbors, and building a county-by-county movement to stop a quiet class war (hidden behind a loud & violent culture war) and protect the services that hold our communities together.
- GROWW Wide
- Member Opinions
Editorial: What is possible when we unite?
This year, we know all of us in Wisconsin will be inundated with messages of division, especially leading up to the Spring and Midterm elections in April and November. Corporate interest groups and the ultra-wealthy want to divide us – by the color of our skin, by where we are from, how long we’ve lived here – so they can continue to call the shots. They distract us with a deluge of news so that we keep blaming each other instead of blaming them. They pass bills removing healthcare and food for us in our community while giving tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and the largest corporations.
GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin: Residents in western Wisconsin warn county officials of HR1’s looming budget crisis
Residents from Dunn, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties warned county boards that HR1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, is poised to trigger significant local budget reductions in essential services across western Wisconsin. In county budget hearings this month, residents delivered letters and gave testimony that the funding cuts in HR1 translate directly into hunger, untreated illness, longer waits for crisis care, and heavier burdens on families already stretched thin.
Western Wisconsin residents hit the streets demanding SNAP benefits be restored
“The fundamental here is really simple right. People shouldn’t have to follow court cases and executive orders to know if they can buy breakfast in the morning,” said GROWW Member Abraham Smith. He, along with Dunn County residents came to Eau Claire to share more about how SNAP (FoodShare) cuts impact people and families in WI. Smith said the message is “step forward, Fund SNAP at 100%.”
Legislators address Chippewa Valley budget priorities while protesters advocate for more child care funding
Over a dozen GROWW members and protesters gathered in front of the Eggs and Issues breakfast forum from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 17. They shared their frustration over what they say is a lack of funding for child care and public education in the budget to meet the needs of providers, educators, and families.
Calls for congress to address issues with Medicaid continue in the Chippewa Valley
More than 50 GROWW Members gathered at the Menomonie Public Library Saturday to call on congress to restore ACA, Medicaid healthcare funding for Wisconsin Families.
- Civic Solidarity
- Member Opinions
Before the wave hits: Rural Wisconsin organizes against the One Big Beautiful Bill
On July 4th, while rural western Wisconsin celebrated Independence Day, Congress quietly passed HR1 — a massive federal tax and spending law that locks in tax cuts for the wealthy while setting in motion deep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and affordable health coverage. The damage is designed to arrive slowly, filtered through county budgets and local institutions that already operate on the brink.
Bill Hogseth, GROWW Co-Executive Director and Organizing Lead reflects on, organizing before the wave hits. Local organizers and residents are uncovering what HR1 will mean for our rural communities, listening to county leaders and neighbors, and building a county-by-county movement to stop a quiet class war (hidden behind a loud & violent culture war) and protect the services that hold our communities together.
- GROWW Wide
- Member Opinions
Editorial: What is possible when we unite?
This year, we know all of us in Wisconsin will be inundated with messages of division, especially leading up to the Spring and Midterm elections in April and November. Corporate interest groups and the ultra-wealthy want to divide us – by the color of our skin, by where we are from, how long we’ve lived here – so they can continue to call the shots. They distract us with a deluge of news so that we keep blaming each other instead of blaming them. They pass bills removing healthcare and food for us in our community while giving tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and the largest corporations.
GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin: Residents in western Wisconsin warn county officials of HR1’s looming budget crisis
Residents from Dunn, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties warned county boards that HR1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, is poised to trigger significant local budget reductions in essential services across western Wisconsin. In county budget hearings this month, residents delivered letters and gave testimony that the funding cuts in HR1 translate directly into hunger, untreated illness, longer waits for crisis care, and heavier burdens on families already stretched thin.
Western Wisconsin residents hit the streets demanding SNAP benefits be restored
“The fundamental here is really simple right. People shouldn’t have to follow court cases and executive orders to know if they can buy breakfast in the morning,” said GROWW Member Abraham Smith. He, along with Dunn County residents came to Eau Claire to share more about how SNAP (FoodShare) cuts impact people and families in WI. Smith said the message is “step forward, Fund SNAP at 100%.”
Legislators address Chippewa Valley budget priorities while protesters advocate for more child care funding
Over a dozen GROWW members and protesters gathered in front of the Eggs and Issues breakfast forum from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 17. They shared their frustration over what they say is a lack of funding for child care and public education in the budget to meet the needs of providers, educators, and families.
Calls for congress to address issues with Medicaid continue in the Chippewa Valley
More than 50 GROWW Members gathered at the Menomonie Public Library Saturday to call on congress to restore ACA, Medicaid healthcare funding for Wisconsin Families.
Read our Latest Posts
- Local Elections
All in Favor – A Year in Reflection
December 23, 2025
2025 Reflections from Organizer, John Calabrese 2025 has been an epic whirlwind. It seems at once to have flown by and lasted for far longer than 12 months. All in Favor began with a busy January, much like we’re preparing for next month. Nomination papers for local office were turned…
- Rural WI vs. Corporate Ag
Gilman Passes Operations Ordinance for Factory Farms
December 18, 2025
The third town Operations Ordinance in Pierce County was unanimously passed on December 10 The Town of Gilman unanimously passed an Operations Ordinance on December 10 to protect their community from the harmful impacts of factory farms. Gilman is the third town in Pierce County and the tenth in Wisconsin…
- Civic Solidarity
The Corporate 1% is Consolidating American Resources And Wealth. To Stop Them We Must Stand Together.
December 12, 2025
When I was a teenager, because of my dad’s work, I lived in a town in France. Sometimes, chanting mixed with the buzzing of the doorbell would wake me up in the middle of the night: USA GO HOME, USA GO HOME. I would lie in bed, my throat tightening…
- Rural WI vs. Corporate Ag
Public Calls for Oversight of Factory Farms at Pierce County Committee Meeting
November 23, 2025
The support comes as multiple towns look into local ordinances of their own. Pierce County, WI – Residents made it clear they want protection from the harmful impacts of factory farms at the November 17 meeting of the county’s Groundwater Advisory Committee. Over 50 residents turned out in person and…
- Civic Solidarity
Residents in Western Wisconsin Warn County Officials of HR1’s Looming Budget Crisis
November 21, 2025
Federal cuts may overwhelm local systems and force counties to reduce, slow or cancel services towns and families depend on Western Wis. — Residents from Dunn, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties warned county boards that HR1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, is poised to trigger significant…
- Civic Solidarity
Western Wisconsin Residents Demand Congressional Action to Reverse SNAP Cuts
November 10, 2025
Administration Moves to Claw Back Food Assistance; GROWW Members Demand Representative Van Orden Defend Wisconsin Families Eau Claire, Wis. — On Saturday, more than fifty western Wisconsin residents gathered outside Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s Eau Claire office to demand that he and other members of Congress take responsibility for the…