MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

During the 92nd State FFA Convention, the Wisconsin FFA is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank to run a food drive and collect items that will be distributed around the state. Second Harvest has been a partner within the Day of Service, since it's beginning and jumped at the opportunity to support an event again this year. With uncertainty in planning and a delay in convention, Rieth and her...

Justin Sparrgrove is a dairy farmer in southwest Wisconsin and co-owner of Udder Brothers' Creamery in Boscobel. He and his twin brother, and their families, milk 130 cows while operating an ice cream shop. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trent Voisin, 15 year old of Elkhorn and Jack Boston, 14 year old of Milton were just two of the 20 participants that day, and they shared what they learned and how they could use that knowledge back on the farm. Voisin currently works on two different dairy farms, but wants to be able to continue to help more. Getting this certification can allow him to help operate machinery and take on more tas...

Farm safety, including tractor and machinery safety, is of utmost importance especially when it comes to youth being involved on the farm. Tractor safety certification programs are offered around the state to not only provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to operate safely, but also fulfill the state and federal requirements for youth to operate machinery on farms. I was able to...

Farm assistant, Aaron Zimmerman was able to catch up with Jen Puente, Chief Marketing Officer for Wisconsin State Fair to get filled in on more details for the Wisconsin State Fair this year. Check out the full interview here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a continuing conversation.  What's happening with lumber prices?  Whether you're building a home or looking at something like pallet supplies, the Wisconsin timber industry is interconnected.  That's the word from Logan Wells, Forest Product Specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forward Garden farm manager Matt Lechmaier (pictured) says pantries typically have a lot of nonperishable items and some fresh produce available to its clients, such as potatoes, onions and sweet corn. But the food pantry gardens are putting nontraditional produce on the table. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cows aren’t the only animal contributing to Wisconsin dairy reputation. Goats play a role in America’s Dairyland, too. Nobody knows goats better than Fond du Lac County.  Amy Reis of Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s Agri-Business Council and Jessi Schoofs of LaClare Family Creamery tell the Mid-West Farm Report the region claims to be the dairy goat capital of the U.S. You can...

This week, the state Assembly passed a package of three bills designed to stop misleading labels on imitation “dairy” and “meat” products. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Dairy Business Association and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association are calling for quick action in the state Senate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June Dairy Month continues with the recent Watertown Agri-Business Drive-Thru Farm Tour and Grilled Cheese Meal To Go. The event brought community together even through a different format they were used to. Brad Brusveen, President of the Watertown Agri-Business Club, says kids were excited and the event brought positivity.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Office of Rural Prosperity Director Marcy West sits down for ice cream and a conversation with the Mid-West Farm Report. At Udder Brothers' Creamery in Boscobel, she outlines broadband and child care as the two biggest issues facing rural communities. The Office of Rural Prosperity is housed within the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. It aims to help rural communities -- from agriculture to Ma...

Many of the livestock and dairy magazines, sale catalogs and newspapers read every day are filled with attractive, quality photos taken by professional photographers.  With the increased popularity of online sales and social media marketing, photos and videos of animals are continually increasing in demand.  Krista Styer, dairy farmer and owner of Krista Ann Photo + Film Company of Menom...

Thank goodness for the rain across much of the state this weekend, but until then the weather has continued to be hot and dry. We see that the continual dry weather over time has depleted the topsoil and subsoil moisture in many areas. For many that have the ability, irrigation is the answer when moisture levels become too low. Scott Polzin, of North Central Irrigation in Plainfield, Wisconsin, sh...

More than 30% of farmland in Upper Mississippi River Basin states is rented! Total leased farmland exceeds 40% in Minnesota and 50% in Iowa and Illinois.  Of approximately 40% of farmland rented nationwide, 87 million acres are owned by women who do not farm the land themselves. Today we focus in on Learning Circles designed for those women nonoperating landowners. See omnystudio.com/listener...

Steve Stettler, master cheesemaker and owner of Decatur Dairy also shared how this grant will personally affect their plant going forward. In order to remain sustainable and continue to grow their business, most of their grant money will be used towards expansion, as well as research and development. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After touring Decatur Dairy in Brodhead, Wisconsin and sampling some delicious cheese, Governor Evers shared the importance of Wisconsin's dairy processors and how he hopes this funding can help the dairy industry stay strong within our state. He emphasizes that this funding is to help processors, like Decatur Dairy, to help plan and expand for the future to support their customers, farmers and th...

Whether it was 4-H camp or class, Upham Woods has been a place for 700,000 people in almost 80 years and it was time to renovate. Justin Hougham, Director of Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center, helped plan the new 8,000 square feet Upper Dells Education Camp & Research Center. Hougham says it’s the, “Biggest thing that’s happened here in 40 years probably.” See omnystu...

Wisconsin farmers do not take water for granted.  Whether it's taking care of livestock or irrigating fields - water is serious business.  Aaron Zimmerman talks water technology with Scott Polzin from North Central Irrigation in Plainfield. Friday is the groundbreaking ceremony for the $128 million expansion and renovation of the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.  Dr. Mark M...

It's a magnet at fairs and festivals - the noise making, smoke chugging tractor pulls!  After canceling all events that had been scheduled in 2020, Greg Elsing, President of Badger State Tractor Pullers, says they're getting back in the swing of things this year.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AEA's - they've been available in Wisconsin for a few years, but there's not many that have been established.  Agricultural Enterprise Areas are designed to keep farmland from being developed.  Wednesday Jordan from the WI Department of Agriculture says there's still time to submit plans. Wisconsin farmers continue to face new challenges in weed eradication.  Dr. Rodrigo Werle, UW-M...

World Pork Expo brought a large crowd and is only the beginning of pork producers summers! Jeff Morris, Territory Sales Manager at Ralco and Wisconsin Pork Association Board Director, says attitudes and conversations have been great at World Pork Expo. With county fairs coming up, he sheds light upon what is to be done right now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each year in Wisconsin, June kicks off the start of berry picking season. Many berry growers across the state are gearing up for what hopes to be a very busy season. Gracie's Berries in Cambridge is owned and operated by Craig Carpenter and his family. He was able to visit with me about what the plants are looking like and where yield may be this year. Carpenter mentions that berry picking season...

The Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) voted to include broad investments in agriculture and natural resources relating to stewardship and water quality. This effort was led by Senator Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan Lamb, partner at DeWitt LLP,  speaks about what legislation that's impacting the Wisconsin Pork Association and Agriculture such as additional investment in state meat processing infrastructure, workforce, and inspection capacity, farmer-led environmental projects, and rural broadband. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The summer will continue as planned for Cayley Vande Berg, the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs! After an untraditional year in 2020, Vande Berg will be traveling this year to the 75 county, district, and state fairs while promoting Wisconsin agriculture and the fair industry.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.