MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

How does agriculture relate to the world of baseball? We chatted with Vern Stenman, President of the Madison Mallards and Todd Rupiper of Maple Leaf Landscaping to find out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each year the Wisconsin FFA state safe tractor operators contest is held in conjunction with Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. The case will be the same this year, however the contest may look a little different. Adam Wehling of Chippewa Valley Technical College fills us in on the plan for this year's contest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With grilling season upon us and many local restaurants re-opening for business, we are seeing consumer demand for meat products on the rise! Jeff Swenson, Livestock & Meat Specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection shares an update on what is happening in beef and hog production currently. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff Hicken, agricultural education consultant and FFA advisor discusses the changes we are seeing in the Wisconsin agricultural education world.  With 23 openings and 7 retirements this spring, new agriculture teachers are in high demand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cranberry producer, Steven Bartling of Bartling's Manitowish Cranberry Company in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin shares how the odd spring weather affected their crop management and what is next on their to-do list. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg and Andrew Zwald, co-owners of White Pine Berry Farm in River Falls, Wisconsin share how their business has expanded over the years and what it takes to make a positive customer experience on the farm.  They enjoy educating people about agriculture and look forward to having people out on the farm again this summer! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are at the store, you may not find your favorite poultry product due to supply challenges. Ron Kean with UW Extension says there high demand and the supply chain is working to respond.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local fresh food is what a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) has for members to enjoy, but it will be hard to find a membership as many CSA's are sold out for this summer already including High Meadow Farm CSA in Johnson Creek, WI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Head out to the Dodge County Fairgrounds for the Fair Food Festival every month for your favorites - cream puffs, funnel cakes, and many others! The next event is Saturday, June 5 11AM-8PM. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes thinking about bugs as "beneficial" can be tough to swallow, but Bob Bosold talk to Derek Schmitt, District Conservationist – Clark County NRCS, about beneficial bugs. Aaron Zimmerman gives us an update on the chaos that Wisconsin's ethanol industry is still working through.  Erik Huschitt, CEO & General Manager/ Director of Badger Ethanol in Monroe, and president of Wisco...

Still no idea when Wisconsin Ag Secretary Designee - Randy Romanski - will finally get confirmation.  Former WI Ag Secretary Designee, Brad Pfaff, knows how that feels.  As a newly elected State Senator, Pfaff talks about the importance of this final vote and what Wisconsin agriculture needs to keep an eye on at the State Capitol with Scott Schultz. 1.3 million visitors.  That's a l...

Erik Huschitt of Badger State Ethanol in Monroe, Wisconsin discusses the movement in the ethanol industry and volatility for the future.  After a tough year in the pandemic, many ethanol plants are moving back to producing ethanol for liquid fuel instead of the industrial uses they have needed to sustain themselves in the recent past.  Corn supply is an issue, but Huschitt is hopeful thi...

There's more to see about conservation then most can take in from their windshield.  Scott Schultz visits with a farmer in western Wisconsin that left his life in the Madison metropolitan area and moved to the country.  One of the first things he did was enroll his highly erodible land in government conservation programs.  Today, he's seeing the benefits. It wasn't easy, but the Sli...

"Step-up-basis" - it's a phrase that many farmers and their accountants have been very familiar with.  Now, the Biden Administration wants to make changes that have agriculture nervouse.  Bridget Finke, attorney with Valley Crossing Law in Baldwin is encouraging everybody to take a breath and watch developments. The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation is getting excited about the return of the Gove...

Barb Lee from the National Farm Medicine Center has received some special recognition for historical work she's done trying to keep kids safe on the farm.  Scott Schultz visits with her about how the ball got moving on this important area. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is still looking for those "Heroes of Hope" in rural communities.  Cassie Sonnentag with the WFBF says they've al...

Sue Springer, coordinator for the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Southwest Wisconsin, says demand is steady for mental health services - but not going up.  That worries her.  Springer says even with all the resources that have been made available to assist with mental health, suicide rates in rural Wisconsin continue to climb.  That means although the resources are there - people a...

Monitoring trade policy is critical for the dairy industry.  Bob Bosold talks with Paul Bleiberg from the National Milk Producers Federation about what he's monitoring, and also asks if they've noticed any change at USDA since Tom Vilsack returned.  Vilsack had been head of the U.S. Dairy Export Council before returning to USDA. During the pandemic, Wisconsin's state parks saw a huge inf...

The recently formed Wisconsin Meat Caucus is staying in contact with senators and representatives as bills move forward bolstering the state's meat processing industry.  Kevin Ladwig with Johnsonville Sausage, says the coalition is widespread and represents small, medium and large meat processors in the state. Ashley Huhn from Steffes Auction Group says that today's auctions are actually a co...

Led by the City of Cedar Rapids, downstream water users, upstream conservation groups and farmers came together and decided to expand what was already happening with smaller watershed projects and bridge their work to a larger area - the Middle Cedar Basin.  Mike Kuntz Utilities Environmental Manager for Cedar Rapids started asking questions.  How could the City of Cedar Rapids get engag...

Project Recovery Wisconsin is continuing to roll out support and information to anyone in Wisconsin that's continuing to struggle with the last effects of the pandemic. Roy Mares, Crisis Counselor, SWCAP, says the pandemic is different then dealing with a regular disaster like tornadoes, flooding, etc. because of how long it's lasting. The Wisconsin State Fair is on for 2021, but will it be able t...

This summer, celebrating Wisconsin's dairy industry gets back to face-to-face experiences.  Beth Schaefer, Regional Program Manager with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, explains what they've got planned and how they work with groups statewide to get the message out! The first week of Wisconsin's Rural Summit is complete, but there's much more to come.  Steve Peterson, one of the organizers,...

A Calumet County dairy farmer is one of five plaintiffs that are suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture over stipulations within the American Rescue Plan.  Adam Faust, who is a double amputee himself, heard the announcement that USDA would be offering loan forgiveness based on racial categories.  He thought that couldn't be - but came to find out it was true. It's getting tougher and t...

Don't forget, Mother's Day is this weekend and the Something Special From Wisconsin program is trying to help!  Louis Federman with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection updates us. It's time for a treat that helps agriculture education!  Today, May 6th, is "Scoops of Thanks" day at Culver's locations across the United States.  Aaron Zimmerman learns...

Wisconsin's powerhouse meat industry is unifying looking for state support to expand and grow.  Approximately 500 butchers, meat processors, food companies are united in the new Wisconsin Meat Caucus.  Small, medium and large in size, they all share three common goals according to Kevin Ladwig with Johnsonville Sausage.  Increase the pool of available talent, expand support for expa...

Don't assume that things are back to normal when it comes to garden supplies.  Susan Frame, horticulture specialist with Chippewa Valley Technical College says even she had problems securing some garden seeds this winter. The auction business these days is a year round affair with farmers using things like their cell phones to follow the action.  Ashley Huin with Steffes Auction Group gi...