MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Gov. Tony Evers today announced an additional $50 million in direct payments to support Wisconsin’s agricultural producers through a new round of the Wisconsin Farm Support Program, an additional installment of the governor’s successful Wisconsin Farm Support Program announced in 2020. Last year, Gov. Evers distributed $50 million in direct aid to farmers through the Wisconsin Farm Sup...

Steve and Becky Odegard, the third generation on a portion of the 100-year-old Odegard property in Mondovi, operate Steve & Becky Odegard Family Farm. Steve's sister Betty Odegard Sessions and his daughter Sara Odegard are among the family members at State Fair Park in West Allis honored for their farm's Centennial status. They are also there honoring the generations before them who worked thr...

It's that time of year -- gardeners everywhere are starting to pick, process and preserve what they've worked for all growing season. UW-Extension specialist Heather Quackenboss reminds both new and seasoned canners to practice food safety. She also gives an update on the canning lid shortage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bucky’s Tuition Promise covers tuition and fees for four years for a student whose family’s adjusted gross income is below $60,000. Associate director in the Office of Student Financial Aid at UW-Madison Greg Offerman says rural students are taking advantage of the program. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As national headlines feature the latest celebrity heading off into outer space as an intergalactic tourist, science departments here in Wisconsin prepare to send tomatoes, lettuce and cotton into orbit. UW-Madison Professor and botanist Simon Gilroy has been sending plants into space for years. He says there's plans to use plants to sustain astronauts on long-term missions. But before that, scien...

Evelyn Esser is living her childhood dream of living on the farm she grew up on. Evelyn & Dan Esser currently reside on the farm that has been in the family for 150 years. Esser shares many memories from the history of the family and now how it has grown with many kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Today the future is looking bright with the next generation eager to help on the farm...

For Joan, she's been waiting for the moment to celebrate 100 years of her family's historic property since 6 years ago. This home means a lot to Joan and her sisters. The property began with pigs, chickens, cows, and horses then transitioned to crop farming. The fondest memories were when the family and their dog had picnics by the creek. Today it's a 1.5 acre property with the historic home being...

Mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept. 12 from noon to 5 p.m. for the Schumacher Farm Heritage Fest. Mark Pelton, president of Friends of Schumacher Farm, says this is a chance to experience Dane County as it was in the 20s and 30s. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not only does Steven Harring have a hobby farm with a few animals, but they also have over 80,000 evergreen trees to cover the sandy soil. They work with the DNR and are currently logging a few today! 146 years ago the farm was founded with 130 acres on April 20, 1875.  Today they are crop farming and have a few animals. The future is looking bright for the Harring's with the next generation....

What does a horse and sleigh remind Linda Mach of? Christmas! She remembers many found memories of her family and now celebrating over 150 years of farming in the family name. In 1871, the legacy began with her great great grandfather whom bought the first 40 acres for $150 dollars. Today the farm land is being rented out, but the many pictures and memories of helping will always be remembered.&nb...

The Wisconsin State Fair features the Wisconsin Wine Garden. There, fairgoers can taste a flight of Wisconsin wines not only for enjoyment but to see how cold weather grapes and Midwestern wines compare to their counterparts out West and overseas. Vintner and grape grower Rich Trotta from Drumlin Ridge Winery in Waunakee shares more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evan Lampsa is the cofounder of Ketchup Please, an organic, no sugar added, handcrafted ketchup company in Wisconsin. New at the Wisconsin Products Pavilion at the Wisconsin State Fair, the startup is offering ketchup samples with a goal of improving people's lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lions Club is offering free vision screening for kids at the Wisconsin State Fair. Adults are also welcome to get their vision screened. The device takes a photo of the eye and prints out a prescription if needed. Susan and Ray Jones of the Waterford Lions Club explain the history of the Lions Club's vision screening service.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Association is telling fairgoers to make a stop at its booth during the last weekend of the Wisconsin State Fair. Located in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion, maple syrup producers from around the state are serving up a variety of maple products and answering questions. Executive Director Theresa Baroun says interest in the industry has spiked in the past year an...

The land was scouted for the best back 150 years ago for the Tubbs family in Elk Mound. For Amy Tubbs, she enjoyed helping whenever she could with hopping in the tractor or feeding the chickens! The rich heritage of the Tubbs family brings thoughts of many memories and pride for her family.  Today the Tubbs family rent the 72 acres harvesting corn and soybeans in hopes they will keep the owne...

Greg Keip, the third generation of his family farm in Columbia County, is honoring is grandfather and father while receiving centennial farm recognition. The Keip family farm has been in the family for more than 100 years. He shares the story of perseverance of his family -- his grandfather raising 11 children, caring for a sick wife and farming through the Great Depression.  "They're the one...

The satisfying work is what Yvonne appreciates most about farming. The Northern Wisconsin farm has beautiful views, but the community is what makes it. Remembering her husband, he was community minded and help led the 11 kids they shared together. The farm began in 1919 and the rest is history.  Today the farm has sixteen beef cattle and many acres of hay with the whole family pitching in.&nb...

Nothing stops the Allram's from farming their 248 acres of crops. After a tornado happened and destroyed many of the original buildings, they rebuilt and are celebrating 150 years of farming in the family. Today Gary and Connie Allram are the 4th generation and hoping to pass it down the next generation. Jeff Allram, one of the sons, is hoping too the legacy of farming will continue in the family....

Little Oxmound Farms LLC has changed from the beginning with first using milk cans and buckets transporting dairy milk by horses. Then, the family went to a pipeline. The farm has changed, but the memories will last. Debbie Jones Little, Diane Barganz (sister), and Darlene Borud (sister) were know as the "Jones Girls!" Although they don’t have any cows anymore, they have many memories in the...

The next generation is waiting with a new grand child soon for Steve Rygh's family! There is much history for the historic 101 years of 370 acres of crop farming. Farming is in Steve's blood and it's the only thing he's ever done and wants to continue farming. Today, you can see the kids and grandkids riding around the farm in hopes of passing down the crop farm to the next generation.  See o...

The Ryan's have been farming for over 100 years and hopeful the over 120 acres of crops will continue. James has been on the farm for over 85 years and nothing can stop him. After a stroke in the past year, he was determined during therapy to come back and do what he has been doing since he was born. Now, you can see him on the tractor helping on the farm! Today you can see the Ryan's farming stil...

The McMartin family has turned land that previously was a basket factory into raising Scottish Highland beef cattle, chicken, and ducks. Their twenty acres includes a swamp, crick, fields, and a nice hillside. For Arden McMartin, it's a piece of paradise. Today, it's a place to relax and enjoy the animals on the property. The farm is celebrating over 100 years including Arden McMartin, Meghan McMa...

Patrick & Barbara Kroll are residents of Highland, Wisconsin, located in Iowa County.  They are being celebrated as one of Wisconsin's century farms, being owned within their family for over 100 years.  Barb, and her father-in-law Delbert join us to reminisce on the past and share how things have changed over the years.  Pat and Barb still milked a herd of about 50 cows until ju...

Charla Kusilek is celebrating over 100 years of her family's home. Although, the heart beat of the home is from her grandparents. Many years ago the house was known having a botanical garden since her family members were gifted horticulturalists. Sometimes, they would invite the community members to a picnic on their spacious lawn and it would be considered the first park in River Falls, WI. Today...

Alex Shaker thanks his parents for the privilege of farming. In Hillsboro, Vernon County, lies the Shakers' farm that's been in the family for more than 100 years. Alex's dad continues to milk about 50 cows on the property. Alex, the fifth generation on the farm, says he hopes more people get involved in farming through school and professional organizations, even if they don't live on a farm. See...