Walking - it's fairly simple - but that simple movement can provide some great health benefits both physically and mentally.

Darrin Wasniewski is the Director of Community Outreach for AARP of Wisconsin.  He speaks with Pam Jahnke during a special event focused on "building community through walking" from LaCrosse.

Wasniewski says that community started with just 12 people that would spend some time during a weekday walking.  The group involved college students and area residents, and allowed for conversational exchanges while they walked.

Wasniewski explains the true health benefits experienced by walking in your community and how you might be able to get started creating that network.

For more resources, available to anyone, go to aarp.org/wi.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May is Mental Health Awareness month.  It's a time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma so many experience, especially in the agriculture industry.

Jes Beauchamp, dedicated counselor who handles the telecounseling and support groups for farmers to take advantage of through the Farm Center Wellness Program explains more about the resources available. 

Beauchamp serves as the host for the support groups that are hosted once a month. She also provides on the farm counseling services in different areas of the state as needed.

“The voucher program can be used all around the state, is paid for by the Farm Center, and remains confidential,” says Beauchamp. “This along with our support groups provides a safe place for people to talk about the tribulations of being a farmer no matter what they may be, and helps to end the stigma of mental health being bad to talk about.”

There is also a 24/7 hotline available for anyone who is struggling and needs to talk. This is also confidential and you don't have to have a mental illness or diagnosed illness to need to talk to someone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's almost county fair season in Wisconsin, but what many fair goers don't realize is all the work that goes into those fairs months before the actual event.  Jill Welke visits with Jayme Buttke, exec. secretary of the WI Fair Association, about those behind the scenes activities.

Stephanie Hoff introduces us to Jackie Rosenbush from Sarona.  Not only is Jackie a previous Fairest of the Fairs in Wisconsin, she's also a finalist for the Alice in Dairyland position.

John Hineberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, brings us an update as the conversation about the U.S. debt ceiling influences all markets, including commodities.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solar power is getting a lot of attention in rural communities across Wisconsin.  People question whether putting solar panels up on prime farmland is the right way to go.  Cody Heller is one of those.  Heller is a dairy producer from Alma Center who's advancing the idea of "community solar" - where marginal land is the focus for solar panel projects.  Pam Jahnke talks with him.

Our next Alice in Dairyland candidate profile is with Lydia Luebke from Kiel.  Stephanie Hoff visits with her.

National Dairy Month is just around the corner and Tina Peterson with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin wants people to understand what a big impact it has on Wisconsin's dairy industry.  She explains to Pam Jahnke about what's planned for the entire month of June.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the latest increase in interest rates, Wisconsin agriculture's having multiple conversations with ag lenders.  Charitee Seebecker talks about lending trends with Blaine Nelson, senior economist on the strategy, research, and analytics team at Farmer Mac.

Weather is going to allow for some great outdoor activity this weekend, and the WI Dept. of Natural Resources wants to encourage that with their OutWIGo campaign.  Charitee Seebecker visits with Missy VanLanduyt, DNR Recreation Partnerships Section Chief, about all the options they're offering.

When we think about most dairy research, we think about new products, new flavors - but not necessarily new uses.  Carrie Mess introduces us to Dr Grace Lewis, Assistant Professor of Food Science at UW-River Falls - where she's focused on dairy proteins as a carrier for nutrients, vitamins and pharmaceuticals.

Finally Stephanie Hoff introduces us to another finalist for the Alice in Dairyland event happening next weekend in Walworth County. Today we meet finalist, Shannon Lamb.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The work in agriculture education doesn’t stop when the school year ends. Sally Ladsten is the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education Consultant and State FFA Advisor with the state Department of Public Instruction. And she tells me that the state is working to fill ag educator vacancies as well as roll out new tools for teachers to use to help guide students into agricultural careers. Mid-West Farm Report interviewed Sally at the Jeff Hicken Horticultural Learning Center at Sauk Prairie High School. She tells me what this new greenhouse means to the community. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across the state of Wisconsin, high school agriculture programs and FFA chapters are having their spring plant sales. We can't make it to them all, but Stephanie Hoff did attend a special sale over the weekend. Sauk Prairie High School just opened the doors to the new Jeff Hicken Horticultural Learning Center. Jeff Hicken was an agriculture instructor at Sauk Prairie High School for nearly a decade. Then he became the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education Consultant and State FFA Advisor with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction in 2006. He held that position until he passed in 2021. At the ribbon cutting for the new greenhouse, Jeff’s son and State FFA Officer Cole Hicken says this learning center will carry on his dad’s legacy. Ag instructor Troy Talford talks about the coursework that'll take place in the new greenhouse. And alumnus BJ Chrisler talks about the fundraising.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valentine’s Day may be over but the second biggest holiday for cut flowers is Mother’s day. While moms across the country enjoy a pretty bouquet, getting those flowers into the US, while also keeping harmful pests and disease out, isn’t a small job. Bruce Cheong is an Agriculture Operations Manager with the Agriculture Programs Trade Liaison and US Customs and Border Patrol, he tells us more about the process of importing flowers into our country. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate Smart – it’s a phrase that the U.S. Department of Agriculture put out there when it introduced the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program in September of 2022. Eight months later and these dollars are now hitting the ground. Through this program, the USDA is investing more than $3 billion for 141 different conservation projects. A handful of these are in Wisconsin. Former NRCS Chief Bruce Knight, who is now the principal and founder of Strategic Conservation Solutions, offers perspective on how these projects will influence American agriculture in the crops, dairy and livestock sectors.

These Climate Smart agreements range from $250,000 to $100 million. And projects have from two partners to dozens. As changes happen within these diverse farms, cooperatives and companies, Knight expects to see a market impact across several areas.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blain's Farm & Fleet has been around for 68 years, but today they celebrated 60 years in the Madison market -- and the employees that made it happen. From the cashier that started this year to the farm specialist that's been helping customers for 37 years, CEO Jane Blain Gilbertson thanks them for helping bring the company into the future. Blain's continues to open stores, with a new store in Grafton that opened less than a year ago and a new store in Rhinelander opening in a few weeks. The good news comes as she says the supply chain has improved and they're ready to meet the spring needs of their lawn, garden and farm customers. Chicks are a hot commodity this year!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.