It’s that time of year where folks are getting into their gardens, farmers are getting into their fields, and communities are utilizing agriculture to feed families. Jen Falck is the Wisconsin Partnership Program Coordinator for the Menominee Tribe’s Department of Agriculture and Food Systems. The tribe has several food security initiatives in place that focus on local production agriculture. Jen has some incredible statistics for us on the impact that these food projects have had. She paints the picture on what food insecurity looks like among Wisconsin’s tribal nations.   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May kicks of primary health care season for Family Health La Clinica and its mobile health unit. Communications lead Felicia Rodriguez encourages farms and agribusinesses of any size with migrant workers to reach out for a health visit. You can call them at 920-787-9434 or 800-942-5330 or www.famhealth.org. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we were able to enjoy some warm weather recently, spending time outside also brought more risk of coming into contact with ticks and mosquitoes. PJ Liesch, state entomologist, says last year's tick and mosquito populations were a bit more subdued but when it comes to determining what we’ll be seeing this year, it all comes down to weather.

Potato planting is now 13 percent finished, which is a day behind average. But according to Donald  Maum, Alsum Farms & Produce Sustainability Manager, he says they are right on schedule. Maum says they were able to get into the fields a week earlier than normal. He provides insight into how planting is going and challenges they're facing.

How valuable is farmland in the Midwest and more specifically Wisconsin? According to Mike Morris, Vice President of Appraisals from Compeer Financial, they’re doing well.. Pam Jahnke talks with Mike about trends he’s seeing and how they determine how valuable agricultural land really is. Paid for by Compeer Financial. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite high input costs and uncertain world markets, farm land values in Wisconsin remain very strong.  Pam Jahnke talks with Mike Morris, Vice President of Appraisal for Compeer Financial about their benchmark values for land in Wisconsin and what trends he's noticing.

Morris also discusses what's motivating people to consider parting with land and how that turnover is impacting farming operations.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Ag in the Classroom program is designed to help K-12 students understand the importance of agriculture. The program is coordinated by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with funding from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation, other agricultural groups and a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

It's these last few months of school that many 4th graders will hop on the bus for what will likely be their first time interacting with a farmer and seeing where their food, fuel and fiber come from. Beth Schaefer, the program coordinator, says spring is incredibly busy for volunteers talking about agriculture in classrooms and farmers opening their barn gates for students.

“This school year has been kind of that first full year back from the lockdowns and the covid restrictions,” she explains. “So, this year, we’ve really seen an increase in school participation.”

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation estimates 10,000 students visit a farm in a year through Ag in the Classroom. A lot of these tours may have veterinarians, nutritionists, or marketing experts as well so it’s an opportunity to learn what happens on a farm but also the  career opportunities agriculture provides.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers are a busy bunch, which is why the U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the deadline for finishing the Ag Census.  Stephanie Hoff visits with NASS Administrator, Hubert Hamer, who says they'll give farmers until this spring to fill it out.

Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group joins Pam Jahnke for their weekly update.

The Wisconsin Beef Council has launched its inaugural class for the Beef Leadership Institute.  Becca Hilby from Hazel Green is a part of that class, and explains to Pam Jahnke how she's involved in sharing her day-to-day on farm experiences with the social media audience of the Wisconsin Beef Council.  That's this edition of "Checkoff Chat" sponsored by the Wisconsin Beef Council.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a time when every community had a blacksmith, and their work was focused on utility.  Today's blacksmith's still focus on utility and function, but there's also a certain art to what they do.  Bob Bosold visits with Craig Trnka at the Midwest Horse Fair.  Trnka is CEO, World Championship Blacksmiths, LLC.  He explains how blacksmithing has evolved and how it's attracting a younger audience of new recruits.

Most Wisconsinites know a good cheese curd squeaks and there really needs to be a string quality, to string cheese.  What can we do to extend that squeak, or make that string even more enjoyable?  Carrie Mess visits with graduate student, Maggie Becher, about her work within the Center for Dairy Research to enhance those qualities.  She says if we can extend that squeak and enhance that string - Wisconsin cheesemakers can broaden their geographic reach and capitalize on the snack food arena.

Dairy farmers have had their breath taken away by the rapid decline in cheese and milk prices. Ryan Yonkman with EverAg tells Pam Jahnke what he sees impacting today's prices, and his perspective on the outlook.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fertilizer Institute is asking lawmakers to update transportation infrastructure. Kathy Mathers is the vice president of public affairs with The Fertilizer Institute. She says updating railroad, locks and dams and easing truck regulations would go a long way in helping farmers not only have access to vital nutrients, but also keep it affordable. Before we dive into the weeds of logistics, Kathy says there’s no straight answer on where fertilizer prices are projected to move this year due to global events.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s that time of year when you’ll start seeing a lot of farm equipment on the roadways as farmers start fieldwork and planting crops. Both farmers and motorists can play a role in preventing deaths on Wisconsin roadways. John Shutske is an agricultural safety specialist at UW-Madison and the UW Center for Agricultural Safety & Health. He joins us to break down how you can keep yourself and others out of harm's way.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Potato planting is now 13 percent finished, which is a day behind average. But according to Donald Maum, Alsum Farms & Produce Sustainability Manager, he says they are right on schedule. Maum says they were able to get into the fields a week earlier than normal.

“Our seed supplies have been arriving on schedule so our seed cutting operation for planting this year is proceeding on schedule,” says Maum. “We were able to get in the fields just after Easter and got in 25 percent of our planting between our two farm locations in Arena and Grand Marsh.”

Maum says the field conditions are pretty good as high temperatures dried the soil out and they  were able to find good moisture to plant into. Soil temperatures when they started the day after Easter were in the upper 40s and then by the end of the week, they were already about 60 degrees.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.