At the University of Wisconsin–Stout, the campus greenhouse is much more than a place to grow plants.

“It’s a research space. It’s a teaching space,” says Dr. Keith Gilland, Associate Professor of Biology and Greenhouse Manager. “Students can do independent projects, and we support classes in biology and environmental science.”

In fact, the greenhouse has become a hub of cross-department collaboration. Faculty and students from math and engineering are also involved in ongoing projects.

One of the standout features is a small robot called a FarmBot. It’s a computer-controlled device that helps automate small-scale agriculture.

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When it comes to growing Wisconsin agriculture, international trade plays a key role. That’s why Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski is working to expand markets across the globe — especially in regions where demand is growing fast. Romanski recently returned from a trade mission to Thailand and Indonesia. He says this trip is just one part of Wisconsin’s long-term effort to grow international trade. Charitee Seebecker finds out about the trips success.

Warm today with the possibility of rain starting Tuesday.  Stu Muck narrows in on when the rain might arrive and how much.

The six finalists that want to become Alice in Dairyland are headed to Crawford county this week to begin the final interview process.  Stephanie Hoff introduces us to Waupun native, Allison Foster, as we continue introductions of each candidate.

The U.S. and China announced on Sunday that they will begin rolling back tariffs for 90 days.  Markets are rallying around the possibilities.  Meanwhile, Wisconsinites should start monitoring insect populations. PJ Leisch, UW-Extension Entomologist, says that ticks have been active for a while in the state.

Discover. Taste. Support.  That's the theme for this year's June Dairy celebrations happening in Wisconsin.  Pam Jahnke finds out more about the theme and directives from Erika Schade, Community and School Program Coordinator for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

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This year, try and take a little deeper dive into discovering Wisconsin dairy.  June dairy events dot the state begin as soon as the end of May!  That's part of the discovery process, but not the end.  Erika Schade, Community and School Manager for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin speaks with Pam Jahnke about some of the elements that farmers hope visitors will pursue during June dairy month - and the rest of the year. 

Here's how to discover, taste, and support Wisconsin dairy:

• Attend June Dairy Month events: .

June Dairy Month is a great time to explore local dairy farms and events, many of which feature dairy breakfasts and other activities. 

• Support local dairy farms: .

Many Wisconsin dairy farms are family-owned and operated, so supporting them directly helps maintain the state's dairy heritage. 

• Explore Wisconsin cheese: .

Wisconsin is known for its diverse and high-quality cheeses, with over 600 varieties available. You can find them at local grocery stores, cheese shops, and online retailers. 

• Enjoy dairy-themed recipes: .

Many recipes highlight Wisconsin dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt, offering a delicious way to incorporate them into your meals. 

• Learn about dairy science: .

You can learn about the science behind dairy production and the nutritional benefits of dairy foods. 

• Visit Wisconsin Dairy websites: .

Check out Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin for event listings, resources, and information about the state's dairy industry. 

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"Make America Healthy Again," led by RFK Jr., has been creating some pushback to common pesticides and herbicides used by farmers. Lee Zeldin, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shares his stance on the issue. He says that EPA will "follow the science" to make its rulings on the use of chemicals. Zeldin compared it to the recent fluoride study that they conducted. This Washington Watch news update is brought to you by the Wisconsin Soybean Association, dedicated to ensuring policies are in place for the future of soybean farmers.

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Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, says biofuels are important to the agricultural economy because they can address trade gaps. Biofuels also give the U.S. national security, which Skor notes the Trump administration has recognized. 

In ethanol news, a summer waiver was approved for E15 nationwide, but Skor argues the U.S. shouldn't have to keep waiting on waivers or special state action to get year-round E15. Congress has to pass legislation to make it permanent.

Last year, the U.S. exported more ethanol than ever, about 12 percent of what was produced. On trade, ethanol can help overcome a trade deficit with a country, so it's a great way to balance it out, Skor says.

Meanwhile, Brazil is a fierce competitor and ramping up corn and ethanol production.
The Brazilian government is advocating for more markets, and the U.S. needs to do the same, Skor says. 

"What we don't want is to lose market access to the Brazilians."

This Washington Watch news update is brought to you by the Wisconsin Soybean Association, dedicated to ensuring policies are in place for the future of soybean farmers.

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PFAS, or forever chemicals, have been used in consumer products, like firefighting foam and nonstick cookware, since the 1950s. Now these chemicals are showing up in water and soil. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture represents the ag departments in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. RJ Karney is the senior director of public policy for NASDA. He says the association is working to address the human and environmental health impacts of PFAS. Karney gives us an update on NASDA’s role in eliminating these forever chemicals while protecting farmers. This Washington Watch news update is brought to you by the Wisconsin Soybean Association, dedicated to ensuring policies are in place for the future of soybean farmers.

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According to the Center for Disease Control, rural America's suicide rate has increased 46% between the years 2000 and 2020. This is compared the only 27% increase in their urban counterparts. They also show that farmers are 3.5 times as likely to commit suicide than non-farmers. This has led to many agriculture-based businesses to create programs to help the producers. Christy Seyfert the President and CEO of the Farm Credit Council in Washington D.C. shares the work they do to ensure farmers can get the help they need. She also explains how getting a new farm bill and tax revisions can have a great impact on our nation's farmers. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Soybean Association.

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The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, or NASDA, advocates for state ag agencies in Washington D.C. One of the things it's pushing for in Congress is for states to get more support to tackle animal disease outbreaks and carry out prevention measures. A primary example is testing milk for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Becky Garrison Warfel is the director of public policy for NASDA. She says Wisconsin has been an integral part of educating federal agencies about the challenges states face in tackling disease outbreaks. Becky tells us more about what they’re asking Congress to do during budget reconciliation. This Washington Watch news update is brought to you by the Wisconsin Soybean Association, dedicated to ensuring policies are in place for the future of soybean farmers.

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As temperatures rise and fields start to green up, the quiet of early spring may not last long. Insects, both familiar and new, are beginning to stir—and what happens next could have a big impact on crops, trees, and even our weekend hikes. State Entomologist PJ Liesch shares what to watch for and when to take action.

Already this spring, black cutworm and true armyworm moths have been caught in traps across the state. That’s a sign farmers should be on alert. “If I were a farmer, I’d be scouting fields for caterpillars over the next few weeks,” Liesch says. He notes armyworms often cause problems again in late July.

Farmers with alfalfa may want to check for insect damage early. Liesch adds, “If you’ve had issues in the past, now is the time to be watching.”

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While at NAFB Washington Watch this week, Mid-West Farm Report's Stephanie Hoff moderates a panel with Sarah Black, general manager of Great Lakes Ag Labor Services in Michigan, and Ben Tindall, executive director of Save Family Farming in Washington State, focused on farm labor. 

Key points:

-Lawmakers won't touch farm labor policies if immigration is attached to it.

-H2A is looking for updates, such as a paused wage rate and year-round visas.

-Farm workers and their stories resonate with changemakers.

This Washington Watch news update is brought to you by the Wisconsin Soybean Association, dedicated to ensuring policies are in place for the future of soybean farmers.

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