MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

The Ciolkosz family of Thorp in Clark County is certainly proud of their Polish ancestors. The family has been dairying on the same land for more than 100 years. Bill Ciolkosz, the fourth-generation Ciolkosz farming the property, says the land is a testament to the conservation and preservation farmers do to keep the land profitable for generations to come. He's hopeful the fifth generation choose...

Thomas & Linda Olson are proud owners of their family farm that has been in their family for over 150 years.  Located in Scandinavia, Wisconsin in Waupaca county, the family plans to continue to keep the farm within the family for as long as possible, as their son just moved onto the farm.  Linda says "if you drive in now, it looks the same as if you drove in fifty years ago," statin...

Peterson Dunnville Acres in Dunn County is celebrating their farm being in the family for over 100 years! Laurel Peterson shares the story of how it's had many different animals and the family has been helping since the beginning. Today the Peterson's are still involved in farming and excited for the next generation to keep it going.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emerald Acres just outside of Janesville can trace its roots back to 1914 when Brad Mair's grandparents starting farming in shares with the original land owners.  Brad says his grandparents met, after immigrating to the United States, in Chicago and headed north. Initially the farm consisted of 160 acres, but grew to 240 in the mid-50's. Just like many farms of the time, the Mair's had a dive...

Find your adventure at the Wisconsin State Fair with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with their theme of, "OutWiGo" with a focus on outdoor recreation across the state. Listen to hear what they have to offer from the DNR's Digital Communications Section Chief, Katie Grant.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He heard stories of how fast his uncle was hand picking corn!  Josh Konze is celebrating with his family near Sparta, the 100 plus years of history on their farm. Josh explains that it took extra effort to keep the farm, with his family moving to the Janesville area for a time where his father worked.  Still the land was there. Today Josh is bringing new life back to the buildings and th...

Wisconsin State Fair has many experts on sight to answer your questions including a 6th Generation Cranberry Farmer from Warrens, WI, Rusty Schultz. He speaks about where the crop is at now and why he continues to be a part of the cranberry industry! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers knows there's one thing on every fairgoer's mind - the food! Join them and other Wisconsin's delicious products at the Wisconsin State Fair in the Products Pavilion to try their knew product - The Cranberry Cake Pop! Learn more about their sweets and how you can learn more about Wisconsin Cranberries from Isaac Zarecki, the WSCGA Public Education Manager.&nbsp...

As the youngest of 7, Cathie (Olson) Faber decided she was going to stay on the farm and milk with her parents.  That's where she remains today - on the families home farm in rural Sauk County. Faber said the century farm consists of 200 acres, and was always a dairy operation.  The quality of life is what kept Cathie, and now husband Dwayne, happy in their valley.  Today the couple...

Karen Maher has always had a fondness for dairy cattle.  Today, her family farm is celebrating 100 plus years of agricultural heritage in the Dane County community of Oregon. Back in 1902, Maher's great grandfather moved from the Fitchburg area to strike out on his own in Oregon.  Karen says she discovered that he'd had over 100 acres of farmland, and that some parcels had eventually bee...

The Schoeneberg family in Columbia County has weathered unique challenges.  Darrell Schoeneberg shares the story of this 150 plus year farmstead that found itself transitioning from dairy after multiple arson fires! Today Schoeneberg Family Farm is showcasing not only its history, but also helping to educate the consuming public about where their food comes from. See omnystudio.com/listener f...

A young man from Norway made the beginning of the Paulson Farm in Deerfield happen.  Working for a time in the community to secure enough money to buy the original 80 acres that still are part of the farm today. Holly and Virgil Paulson share the story of how his grandmother ended up farming alone when her husband passed.  Struggling through the Great Depression, she relied on family mem...

The Lundegaard family near Beldenville in Pierce County is actually celebrating 165 years of their farm history!  Laurie Lundegaard spoke with Pam Jahnke about how, in 1821 a 21 year old from Norway made his way to Ellis Island.  Martin Olson Lundegaard.  Also on the ship, Amund Pederson Berge, who would become a neighbor. Lundegaard says that farming was interrupted when Martin enl...

Mark LeMere is still on his home farm just outside of Green Bay in the community of Hobart.  He traces the family history stretching back to the 1800's.  From the ground up, his family assembled it all.  They actually began with a farm implement business to help get things going. Today Mark and his son are still operating the farm and using some of the same farm equipment that helpe...

The Wisconsin Farm Center is staying busy with calls this summer.  Dan Bauer, staff member at the center, says they're getting different inquiries now versus the spring.  One conversation that's coming up more often is how farms can get long term contracts for their milk. Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin is overseeing dispersal of about $25 billion in discretionary funds the federal gover...

One of the smiling faces you'll see at the WI State Fair is the "Fairest of the Fairs" Kayle Vandeberg of Fond du Lac County.  Bob Bosold visits with Kayle about the job and what her career aspirations are. Keeping our mental state healthy can be a day to day challenge.  With all the weather challenges and economic uncertainties facing Wisconsin farmers, Farm Well Wisconsin wants to prov...

It's fair season in Wisconsin and that means a lot of families are moving livestock to fairs and shows.  Wisconsin's weather can make that complicated.  Aaron Zimmerman talks to Bernie O'Rourke, UW-Extension Youth Livestock Specialist, about how to avoid problems with transport. Ashley Huhn from Steffes Auction Group says they're expecting a busy August for on-line auctions. Sen. Joan Ba...

Turf grass.  In Wisconsin, it's the fourth largest crop we produce - but seldom noticed.  Michelle Stangler found out more about this thriving industry at the recent WI Turfgrass Field Day. Livestock owners are going to be scrambling trying to find ample hay and straw supplies this winter.  Aaron Zimmerman talks to Richard Halopka, UW-Extension agent tracking supplies and prices. Jo...

Gov. Tony Evers was sworn in as the state's 46th governor in January of 2019, but Wisconsin's still waiting for its ag secretary to be confirmed.  Bob Bosold talks with Randy Romanski, Ag Secretary-designee, about the process and how he feels. The pandemic forced a first-time extension of duties for Alice in Dairyland, Julia Nunes.  Stephanie Hoff caught up with the 73rd&74th Alice a...

Forest Services Eastern Region press officer Franklin Pemberton says this year is on track to break wildfire records. The Eastern Region encompasses Minnesota to Maine down to West Virginia and over to Missouri. The region has sent nearly 500 firefighters to assist fire fighting efforts out West. That doesn't include firefighters from the region's local partners.  See omnystudio.com/listener...

The Dane County Breakfast on the Farm is Aug. 21 from 7-11:30 a.m. at Hinchley’s Dairy Farm in Cambridge. The Mid-West Farm Report team visits with Tina Hinchley ahead of the breakfast. She says breakfast goers have more to look forward to than pancakes and cheesy eggs -- a farm tour will give consumers a look at what goes on behind a gallon of milk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

The fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill provides discretionary funding of more than $25.8 billion, which is an increase of $2.5 billion above fiscal year 2021 enacted levels. The full Senate Appropriations Committee passed the legislation Wednesday. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, expects the full Senate to take it into floor consideration in early September. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

It's time to make your fix using tomatoes - canning, BLT sandwiches, and more! Laura Skelly, an owner of Skelly's Farm Market in Janesville says, "Demand is about normal." Last year, they experienced a significantly large demand and Skelly says, "We are still seeing the fact people are willing to pay the price knowing they are homegrown." Hear more about what else they produce - even muskmelon! Se...

Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative Executive Director Tim Size says a statewide labor shortage is impacting all sectors, including health care. As health care workers retire — and age — they become customers of health care, increasing demand for staff. Size calls that a “double tsunami.” In addition, the stress and burnout of the workforce from the pandemic is accelerating...

Rural residents are often a longer drive from health care services, whether that be a hospital, clinic or pharmacy. County health departments looking to reach rural residents for various health needs can take Walworth County Health and Human Services as an example. With pandemic grant monies, Walworth County Health and Human Services acquired a health clinic on wheels, explains Deputy Secretary Tr...