The Rural View

In this episode, Joanna Guza joins Amy and Jim to share her journey from growing up on a dairy farm to becoming a successful garlic farmer, farm broadcaster, and social media influencer. (She's TikTok famous you know!) Discover tips on growing garlic, marketing strategies, and balancing farm life with family. Subscribe to Ag Newswire here: https://wfbf.com/communication/e-newsletters/

In this episode, Tyler Wenzlaff, director of national affairs for Wisconsin Farm Bureau, shares insights on federal issues affecting agriculture, including the farm bill, dairy labeling, labor, wolf management, and legislative processes. A must-listen for farmers and industry stakeholders wanting to understand policy impacts and advocacy strategies, as well as the grassroots policy development pro...

Join hosts, Amy and Jim, as Ashley Schlender shares her journey from farm life to Farm Bureau involvement, highlighting the importance of promoting agriculture through community engagement, innovative farming practices like robotic dairies, and effective outreach strategies. Ashley is on the Wisconsin State Promotion & Engagement Committee which focuses a lot on community events, education and...

In this episode, Emily Klingbeil from Great Lakes Ag Labor Services shares insights into the H-2A labor program, its benefits, challenges, and how farmers can leverage it to meet their seasonal labor needs. Discover practical steps, misconceptions, and the future outlook for agricultural labor solutions. Subscribe to Ag Newswire here: https://wfbf.com/communication/e-newsletters/

In this episode, Brandon Boyd from UW-Madison shares with Amy and Jim his journey from a Wisconsin family farm to studying agronomy and agricultural business management. Through his deep involvement with Collegiate Farm Bureau, he's been exposed to a wealth of opportunities to network with agriculture industry professionals and other students who speak his language. Brandon is the Vice President o...

In this episode, Dani Heisler from the Wisconsin Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) shares insights into the producer-led watershed protection grant program, its impact on local farmers, and innovative conservation practices. Discover how farmer-led initiatives are transforming land management and water quality in Wisconsin. Subscribe to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau's 'Stewards'...

Join Amy and Jim as they chat with Jim Hebbe and he shares his extensive experience in sustainable farming, conservation practices, and community involvement in Green Lake County. Discover practical insights on no-till farming, water quality protection, and the importance of farmer-community partnerships.

Amy introduces you to her new co-host, Jim. In this episode, learn about Jim's farming background, broadcasting experience, and passion for agriculture. With a rich background in farming and broadcasting, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Together, Amy and Jim will dive into the world of agriculture, sharing insights and connecting with listeners. Jim hails from Waukesh...

In this episode, Erin Herbold-Swalwell shares expert insights on farm succession planning, addressing emotional hurdles, legal considerations, and practical steps to ensure a smooth transition of family farms to the next generation. Erin encourages families not to wait until it's too late and begin planning for the future of the farm right away.

In this episode, Austin Vandertie shares his journey as a young dairy farmer in Door County, Wisconsin, discussing farm management, sustainability practices, community involvement, and the importance of communication in agriculture. Discover insights into modern farming, genetic advancements, and the role of young farmers in shaping the future of agriculture.

In this episode, Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center under DATCP joins hosts Amy Eckelberg and Bob Meyer, as they discuss the critical importance of mental health and community support for farmers. She shares her background and how her experiences have shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by farmers, including isolation, financial pressures, and the need for connection. The dis...

In this conversation, Warren and Jennifer Brockman, third-generation cranberry growers join hosts Amy Eckelberg and Bob Meyer, and share insights into their farming operation, the challenges they face, and the evolution of cranberry varieties. They discuss the importance of adapting to market demands, the role of family in their farming business, and their experiences with YouTube as a platform fo...

This episode of The Rural View dives into the challenges and experiences of young farmers, emphasizing the importance of community, succession planning, and mental health, and how Farm Bureau is a worthy resource. Kendall shares about her involvement in Farm Bureau through the Young Farmer and Agriculturalist program, and how she's been able to build her network and support system through the orga...

Amy and Bob are joined by Amy Vandermark who has experienced the stresses and processes of passing of the farm onto the next generation. The conversation explores the relationship between farmers and consumers, particularly focusing on the emotional disconnect that arises when discussing livestock and what Amy has learned from selling beef direct to consumer on her family farm. Amy talks about how...

In this conversation, Jason Mugnaini, Executive Director of Government Relations at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, discusses the critical role of grassroots advocacy in agriculture. He emphasizes the importance of farmer engagement in the political process, the current challenges facing the agricultural sector, and the need for proactive involvement at the local level. Jason highlights the significanc...

In this conversation, Green County Farm Bureau President and WisGO Team Member, Eric Wuthrich, emphasizes the importance of learning from the older generation in farming. He highlights their resilience through various challenges and stresses the value of practical knowledge paired with theoretical understanding. Eric encourages the younger generation to engage with other generations to gain insigh...

In this conversation, Amy and Bob talk with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President, Brad Olson, They discuss Brad's journey into agriculture, the challenges facing farmers today, the importance of mental health support in the farming community, and the role of Farm Bureau in advocating for local agriculture. Brad emphasizes the need for community support, the diversity of agricultural practice...

The inaugural episode of The Rural View podcast features hosts Amy Eckelberg and Bob Meyer discussing their backgrounds in agriculture and broadcasting, the mission of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, and the importance of community engagement. They explore the challenges farmers face, the diversity of agriculture in Wisconsin and the goals for the podcast, including highlighting member stories and addr...