MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

The assistance that Project Recovery has provided Wisconsin farmers and their families is coming to a close.  Roy Mares, Project Recovery counselor, explains why and what they're doing to help with remaining cases. Being paralyzed from the waist down has not stopped Dodge County native, Carolyn Powers, from exhibiting her dairy heifer at the Dodge County Fair.  Michelle Stangler catches...

Carla and Dan Goffard are celebrating 111 years of their family farm. Dan's grandfather acquired their Brown County farm through the Allotment Act. The farm is on former Oneida land. The dairy barn was nontraditional -- the cows faced inward with manure gutters on the outsides, making room for horses on the sides. Dan's father was also a dairyman on the farm. It was only until recently that the la...

Honey producers are now harvesting their hives and will continue to do so until October. Wisconsin Honey Queen, Anna Evenson, has been buzzing around educating others about everything honey. She will even be attending events such as the Warrens Cranfest speaking about how Honey Bees are vital to Wisconsin's agriculture.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It might not be November yet, but for the Binkelman family they are ready to start thinking about it. They begin with raising 15 show quality turkeys in spring and will process them shortly after their county fair. Although, if the consumer is purchasing a turkey in the store, many of those birds have just began. Deana and Owen Binkelman share more what the difference is and how to make connection...

If you're wanting to relax and cuddle with goats, goat yoga would be your thing. Jessi Schoofs, Retail Manager of LaClare Family Creamery, LLC said the demand for there classes have been increasing. They even added a class just for children and Schoofs said it, "improves kids growth motor skills, promotes self awareness, and the ability to identify and manage emotions." Although, these goats are i...

From year to year, popcorn varieties can taste different depending on the Wisconsin weather conditions for the Tietz Family Farms in Watertown. Randy Tietz, one of the owners, has been growing 50 acres of popcorn and shares more of what the crop is looking like to be this year and what he means when he says he grows popcorn! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators (WAAE) named Ms. Tari Costello teacher of the year this summer. Costello is one of the Waupun Agriculture Instructors and FFA Advisors and she's ready for the school year to begin! With many teachers, she learned a lot more about technology last year and will be continuing to implement those findings throughout the 2021-2022 school year. Costello...

Farm safety is crucial even around manure pits and storage areas. Becky Larson, associate professor and extension specialist in the biological systems engineering department at UW-Madison says there are safety precautions and risk farmers should know about when it comes to manure gases. Larson explains they can be dangerous and says, "what sometime happens is the concentrations build up and so the...

Mike Biadasz is being remembered through a Farm Safety & Education Memorial Fund. He passed away 5 years ago and his father, Bob Biadasz, still remembers his hard farm work ethic. Recently, 3 young men passed away in Ohio from the same tragedy, and this project is to help make a difference and Bob Biadasz says, "to have them avoid what happened to us to our family." There are many ways this pr...

The Juneau County Fair is home to the Mauston FFA Chapter's largest fundraiser -- the shake stand! Beth Babcock is the Mauston agriculture instructor and FFA advisor. She is looking forward to a school year showcasing the everchanging field of the science of agriculture in her new building addition. She offers courses on aquaponics, meat processing, natural resources, horticulture and animal scien...

As Wisconsin faces a workforce shortage, especially in the trades, Mauston High School is working to fill that need for community businesses. The town recently passed a referendum to expand the technical education program in the district with a machinist and mechanics program. Instructor Bryon Hoehn says he's seeing increased demand from students, as well, for more tech ed classes. Hoehn is at the...

Jim Dillin is the Mauston High School principal. He's at the Juneau County Fair this week showcasing the hard work and talent of his students. The tech ed department has built their second tiny house as part of their curriculum to prepare for building with Habitat for Humanity. The department is raffling off the house and other prizes until Sept. 24, when the winning ticket will be pulled at the M...

Caroline Powers, senior at Columbus High School, entered the show ring on Thursday at the Dodge County Fair with her Fall calf, Pretty. She was determined to show and nothing was going to stop her, not even her wheelchair! Powers was born with Spina Bifida and needs a wheelchair to get around. Jon Powers, father, says, "She always fights through it. She's always wanted to show and does what she ca...

Farmers and landowners all across the state are coming together on projects designed to protect and improve water quality.  Now, the Wisconsin Farmers Union has put in place Tara Daun, as their watershed coordinator.  Scott Schultz finds out more about the position and the plan. Governor Tony Evers has announced $50 million in direct farm assistance coming to the state's farmers.  A...

Celebrating 100 years of doing anything is amazing, but imaging dairy farming for that period of time is really amazing.  Stephanie Hoff visits with a Clark County family celebrating their Century mark - the Ciolkosz family. Ashley Huhn from Steffes Auction updates us on the volume of transactions they've been handling on line, plus Roy Mares from Project Home says they're wrapping up their s...

The new school year is just around the corner and one district in far southern Wisconsin is looking to add a new class offering.  The Sharon School District is beginning to pull together a special agriculture academy that will allow students to learn more about agriculture and food science opportunities.  Pam talks with Dist. Administrator, Sarah Andrus. Wildfires continue to tear throug...

Alicia Prilladams, the assistant farm director and swine enterprise manager at Pioneer Farm, is looking forward to welcoming students back to UW-Platteville this fall -- especially the students looking for work. Prilladams says the past year has been challenging as students were remote. The Pioneer Farm milks roughly 170-head of dairy cows. The farm also includes a 40-head beef herd and a 70-sow f...

It's a weed that more Wisconsin farmers are experiencing.  Wild Parsnip.  It flowers at different times across the state and is causing pain to both people and animals.  Aaron Zimmerman talks with Matt Renz, UW-Madison Weed Extension Specialist about the problem. Today is the beginning of the Pro Farmer Crop tour.  Now in its 29th year, it's probably generating more critical in...

Rural towns continue to recover from the pandemic and a possible influx of new residents.  Deb Brown of SaveYour. Town highlights a recent survey they conducted of rural communities on their top challenges. Big surprise on expectations by USDA on this year's corn and soybean crop - and it trickles down to adjustments on Wisconsin's corn and soybean yields. Rod Hebring, President and CEO of Co...

The Wikum family has been farming in Dane County, near Stoughton, Wisconsin for over 100 years.  Allan Wikum, along with his two sisters Janet and Shirley share the story of their family farm and the changes they have seen.  Allan still resides on the home farm, while his sisters have moved away, but they all share fond memories of their days on the family's farmstead.  The farm beg...

Adams County is home to the Glavin family, one of this year's Wisconsin Century Farm honorees.  Liana Glavin shares the story of her family's farm and the changes they have seen over the years.  They currently raise Murray grey beef cattle and Suffolk sheep, in contrast to the dairy farm it started as.  One unique story is when Glavin moved onto the farm, the house had to be torn do...

The Kadletz family from Luxemburg, Wisconsin in Kewaunee County is one of 2021's Wisconsin Century Farms.  Allen and Kurt Kadletz shared their farm's story at the Wisconsin State Fair.  The farm was first purchased by the family in 1870 and has been passed down through the generations.  The farm began as a dairy, milking just 10 cows at the time, and now has moved to being a cash cr...

Wayne and Ryan Staidl shared their story at the Wisconsin State Fair, being recognized as one of Wisconsin's Century Farms for 2021.  Wayne's grandfather was involved in construction work in Milwaukee, and after meeting his wife decided to settle down on a farm in Peshtigo, Wisconsin.  Surviving the Peshtigo fire, the farm has been passed down in the family for over 100 years.  Wayn...

Kate Farrell, account manager in retail at Valley Cooperative Association says flour, oil and sugar has been affected by droughts and extreme temperatures. This will raise the cost of those goods. She says agribusiness customers may increase the costs of their apple cider donuts, for example, to avoid absorbing those increased costs of goods. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Schuster's Farm in Deerfield, which is known for pumpkins and fall activities, has been open earlier the past few years. This is thanks to the family planting acres of zinnias and sunflowers for guests -- and pollinators -- to enjoy in August. Sarah Schuster talks about what it takes to grow and maintain flower fields. She invites people to come out before the flower season ends. Wagon rides, phot...