The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Master of Science in Design + Innovation program is making a difference through its Design Horizon initiative. Inspired by the Wisconsin Idea, this initiative helps students create solutions that benefit people, animals, and plants across the state.

“We’ve expanded our focus to explore how design can support all living things in Wisconsin,” said Trudy Watt, Academic Director of the program. “By working with partners, students tackle real-world problems that contribute to living well in the state.”

Last year, students created the Anthofile Toolkit. This project encouraged native plantings to improve foraging habitats for pollinators. The students developed a digital slide deck and an app to help homeowners and landscape designers choose native plants. “They wanted to dispel myths that native plants are messy or hard to maintain,” Watt explained.

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Rick Roden is one of the dairy farmers that make up the board of directors for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.  On his family operation in Washington County, communication is key.  Roden's found out that the messages that Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin creates and uses to promote the state's dairy products are effective, and well received.

Roden visits with Pam Jahnke about his fundamental motivation to be on the board - and that was to find out how his checkoff dollars were being invested.  He says he's very impressed with all the programs and partnerships that DFW has forged, and the worldwide reputation Wisconsin has for its dairy products, especially cheese.

Constant promotion and education is the foundation to why Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin works.  Roden says the rule he remembers is the 90/90 rule.  90% of the milk produced in Wisconsin goes into cheese, and 90% of that cheese is sold outside of Wisconsin.  He says regardless of policy, keeping those conversations going is critical for the success of Wisconsin dairy.  Today, the state produces 3.5 billion pounds of cheese.  Roden believes the brand building and partnerships that his checkoff dollars have been invested in, keep Wisconsin at the forefront of sales.

Did you know last year our dairy checkoff got Wisconsin Cheese promotions in over 8000 stores across the country and sales of Wisconsin cheese are outpacing the entire specialty cheese industry?  That's something Roden is proud of, and happy to share with other dairy producers, and non-farm consumers as well.

If dairy farmers want to learn more about checkoff efforts, check out

www.wisconsindairy.org, or reach out to your local Board of Director

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Mid-State Technical College will host this year’s Wisconsin Technical College System Ag Day Celebration in conjunction with its annual Farm Tour on Tuesday, March 11. The events will be held in the Marshfield area from 7:30 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. Exact times vary based on Farm Tour pick-up location. The public is invited to register for a day of exploring the latest technology and agricultural practices designed to enhance farming operations. 

MSTC Lead Ag Instructor Teri Raatz has the details.

In honor of the WTCS Ag Day Celebration, the day will start with a free full breakfast at the American Legion in Marshfield. Attendees will hear from special guest speakers, including WTCS President Layla Merrifield, Mid-State President Dr. Shelly Mondeik and DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski.

Learn more: https://www.mstc.edu/farmtour

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Today’s dairy industry demands grit, determination, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

The 2025 Business Conference presented by the Professional Dairy Producers will deliver two days of world-class programming, leading researchers, experts, and dairy suppliers, and networking opportunities for dairy producers to “dial it in” for success.

The conference, March 12-13 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, features 50 sessions. Dairy farmer Mitch Breunig of Mystic Valley Dairy in Roxbury tells Mid-West Farm Report why he's made the effort to attend since 1995.

Register: https://pdpw.org/businessconference/

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Nothing about succession planning is easy and it’s often difficult to take the next steps in the process – whatever that may mean for you, your family and your farm.

Tax implications and legacies are not simple matters to discuss. Join Brooke Didier Starks, estate planning attorney, as she brings a candid, down-to-earth style that will help you get unstuck and move toward creating the legacies you want to leave for your family and community.

Register now to leave feeling empowered to put your plans into action. Compeer knows this webinar is a great starting point in your succession or transition planning journey.  Officially putting pen to paper and documenting your plan carries a lot of responsibility, and Brooke will help you think through your own personal strategy.

Bring your questions for a live Q&A session as well to help you make informed decisions.

A recording of this virtual event will be sent to all registrants, so be sure to register even if you aren't able to attend live!

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Two years ago, Wisconsin started expanding its mesonet - a network of weather stations across the state to track valuable forecast and soil data. Chris Kucharik is a professor of plant and agroecosystem sciences at UW-Madison leading the expansion of what's called Wisconet thanks to dollars from the USDA and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. He tells Stephanie Hoff that they plan to have about 80 weather stations placed around the state before the end of the year, with at least one in every county. He gives us a status report, including how the weather and soil data has already helped alert Wisconsinites of stormy weather.

More measurable rain in the forecast for today according to Stu Muck.

Next week approximately 1,000 dairy producers will meet at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison for the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin's annual business meeting.  Shelly Mayer, executive director of PDPW, joins Pam Jahnke for a conversation about the content that will be presented.  Perhaps most interesting will be the international dairy guests joining in the conversation.

Markets are reacting to tariffs that took effect at 12:01 a.m. this morning.  Agriculture is in the crosshairs for many retaliatory tariffs.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, dives in on what commodities are at the greatest risk of losing market space. He's got a full list of targets that China's announced, and what does this mean to U.S. consumers?

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Wisconsin farmers are some of the investors in soy-based firefighting foam.  It's finding great success with fire departments across the United States and right here in Wisconsin as well.  Bob Bosold discusses the product and the process of developing it with Dave Gourlie, Chris Turner and Jason Wiley.

A warm up starts our week, but moisture's also coming our way.  That's the start of the work week according to Stu Muck.

The National Weather Service has launched "Rain Gauge Rally 2025".  This is an effort to try and get citizens involved in reporting their rainfall on a regular basis.  Pam Jahnke talks with assistant state climatologist, Bridgette Mason, about how they use this information and how they're working with the National Weather Service.

The freeze on federal funding is having a negative impact on a group that's just starting its busiest season.  Charitee Seebecker finds out about how plans have changed for Fairshare CSA. Tess Romanski, Communications & Development Manager, explains exactly what a CSA is, how it works, and why it’s a win-win for both farmers and consumers. CSA stands for community supported agriculture.  Romanski explains that FairShare was notified that one of their signed and contracted grants was terminated. That grant was specifically for CSA promotion, making CSA accessible they had planned a project to do a lot of research into CSA and make CSA accessible and provide a lot of resources for Farmers to be able to Market and reach new audiences. With the loss of funding and talks of funding freezes and conservation programs under question, it's a hard time to be a farmer so she says now is a great time to show your local farmer that you care.

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Jane Stevens began specializing in herbs in 1981 after earning her Horticulture degree from UW-Madison. In 1987 she began Four Elements Organic Herbals, continuing to grow herbs used for wellbeing. Grown and harvested on her 130-acre farm in the Baraboo Bluff of Wisconsin, products are sold throughout the country. Stevens was featured in the 2025 The Old Farmers Almanac.

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It is the time of year when temperatures are starting to rise, and sap is starting to flow from the maple trees. Jim Adamski with the Adamski Sugar Bush out of Antigo says that early indications are that the syrup production for the year will be good. He shares that the only things that would change the sap would be high temperatures and longer days, which neither is currently looking to be an issue. Adamski also gives insight into the syrup markets sharing that the price is set in Quebec, Canada so it is unknown how the tariffs would affect the industry in the U.S.

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The folks you rely on to tell you if there’s going to be a snow day at school or flooding in your area get a lot of key information from you. The National Weather Service relies on volunteer weather observers to provide real-time weather data. Tim Halbach is the warning coordination meteorologist for NWS-Milwaukee. He says they’ve got a lot of technology to help them make forecasts, but nothing compares to what real people on the ground are seeing. NWS and Mid-West Farm Report are encouraging you to sign up! Just visit CoCoRaHs.org or wisconsinweatherwatchers.org -- whatever is easiest to remember because they go to the same place!

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