PBS Wisconsin's collaboration with author Jerry Apps highlights the enduring spirit of the state's rural communities.

In a state where agriculture and small-town traditions are woven into the cultural fabric, Jerry Apps stands as a vital voice preserving Wisconsin’s rural heritage. Through a series of PBS Wisconsin documentaries, Apps — a lifelong educator, historian and storyteller — invites viewers to experience the rhythms of farm life, the joy of county fairs and the enduring values of community.

Growing up with the land

Born in 1934 on a dairy farm in Waushara County, Apps grew up during the Great Depression, a time when farming was both a livelihood strategy and a way of life. His early years, filled with hand-milking cows and lantern-lit evenings, are vividly recounted in Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.

The documentary paints a portrait of rural Wisconsin through Apps’ personal memories and community photographs. It’s a tribute to a time when nearly half of Americans lived on farms and neighbors relied on one another for survival.

Childhood portrait of Jerry Apps from Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.

Bringing rural voices into view

Apps’ storytelling extends beyond the farmstead. In his most recent installment, Jerry Apps: Meet Us at the Fair, he explores the 180-year history of Wisconsin’s county and state fairs. Drawing from his experiences as a 4-H leader, fair judge and lifelong fairgoer, Apps highlights how these events serve as communal gathering points, bridging the gap between rural and urban Wisconsin. “Fairs are one way of helping bring rural and urban America together,” he notes.

The documentary showcases fairs across the state, featuring stories from fairgoers of all ages. From showcasing livestock to enjoying food on a stick, the fair becomes a microcosm of Wisconsin’s many communities.

Keeping rural traditions alive for future generations

Apps’ work is more than a nostalgic look at the past; it’s a celebration of the values that continue to define Wisconsin’s rural communities. His documentaries serve as a bridge connecting generations. Through his lens, the stories of rural Wisconsin are not just preserved — working landscapes, one-room schools, and country kitchens are brought to life, ensuring that the voices and experiences of rural communities are heard, valued and supported.

For our society to know where it’s going, it’s got to know where it’s been. We build on the foundation of our history.

Jerry AppsPBS WISCONSIN BLOG INTERVIEW

VIEWER SURVEY

Folks Like Sharing Jerry

90% of viewers surveyed say they are "extremely" or "very likely" to recommend Jerry's programs to friends and neighbors.

Jerry Apps: Meet Us at the Fair 87%

Jerry Apps: Food and Memories 92%

Jerry Apps: One Room School 97%

Jerry Apps: Never Curse the Rain 88%

The Land with Jerry Apps 85%

Jerry Apps: A Farm in Winter 89%

Jerry Apps: A Farm Story 89%

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I really never gave too much thought to the history of the county fair or how important they are for bringing rural and urban communities together. Feel like I have a much better sense of that now!

Marie from FitchburgMarie from Fitchburg

Jerry is just a touch of living Wisconsin rural history and his stories bring back so many wonderful memories for us.

Chris from Menasha

Jerry can say so eloquently all the things I also remember experiencing in those long-ago days on a farm in rural Wisconsin.

Vern from Castle Rock

Jerry Apps

Jerry Apps: Meet Us at the Fair

March 2, 2025 | 1h 28m 44s | Rating: NR

Experience all the fun of the fair as beloved Wisconsin author and storyteller Jerry Apps weaves together the long history of fairs through his memories as a 4-H leader, fair judge and lifelong fairgoer. This nostalgic and deep-fried documentary highlights how fairs have evolved over time and reflects on how state and county fairs are important to Wisconsin.