The Defender

If you think growing hazelnuts is just for Europe or the West Coast, think again. Turns out, we've got a wild, native variety right here in Wisconsin, and people are getting excited pretty excited about it.

In this episode Amy heads out to Sheboygan County to find out why farmers and environmental advocates are so hyped about Wisconsin's hazelnuts.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Aaron Kolste, Wisconsin Hazelnut Farmer

Resources for You:

Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative

Halelnuts Could Help Reshape Wisconsin's Agriculture (video)

Climate Smart Crops

Our neighbor to the south—Iowa—has a cancer problem. In this episode, we look at a new study that paints an alarming picture of rural America... and cancer rates.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Kerri Johannsen, Senior Director of Policy and Programs with the Iowa Environmental Council

Resources for You:

Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis

Nitrates and Health Impacts in Wisconsin

Neonicotinoid Pesticides and Health Impacts in Wisconsin

PFAS and Health Impacts in Wisconsin

Common Pesticides Used in Wisconsin and Potential Health Harms

We all know Wisconsin's weather is full of extremes and wild swings, like snow one day, sandals the next, and then back to snow. But 2026 has been wild even for us. In this episode, Amy talks with Wisconsin's state climatologist about what just happened this year, and what's next.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Steve Vavrus, Wisconsin State Climatologist

Resources for You:

Wisconsin Center for Climatic Research

One Year Later: What the Milwaukee Flood Took and What it Left Behind

The largest reported oil and gas pipeline spill in state history is unfolding in Wisconsin's Northwoods. A couple of weeks ago, Canadian oil giant Enbridge spilled more than a million gallons of liquid natural gas after it accidentally broke its own pipeline in Iron County. And right now, we have way more questions than answers.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin attorney

Resources for You:

Pipeline Spill Video, Courtesy David Joe Bates (Facebook Post)

Clean Wisconsin: Stop the Line 5 Pipeline

Wisconsin must be doing something right, because the first bee ever listed as a federally endangered species is starting to reappear--right here.

In this episode, a walk deep into the Wisconsin woods to find out what it will take to bring our bees back and meet the dedicated experts and volunteers who are working hard to save our pollinators.

In this episode, Amy heads to Columbia County to separate fact from fiction about wind energy… and learn a thing or two about cows.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Jerry Cigelske, 2nd generation Wisconsin farmer

Overwhelmed by the environmental problems we face? In this episode, how to use your knowledge and power - to find your happy place.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Sasha Stone, Green Life Trading Company, Zero Waste Madison

Resources for You:

The Defender Episode 35: Microplastics in Our Bodies - How Much do They Hurt Us?

Green Life Trading Co.

Find out more about Zero Waste Madison

Under the Lens: Microplastics and Our Bodies

It has never been easy to be a farmer. But these days, in the face of rising costs, tariffs, and consolidation, keeping a small farm in business seems next to impossible. But there is a way to survive, and it might just be the key to protecting our health, cleaning up our water, and saving our soil.

In this episode, Amy talks with Chaz Self from Grassway Organics about the future of farming, and where we all fit in. Plus, pizza!

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Chaz Self, Grassway Organics

Resources for You:

Nitrates on Tap: The Cost of Nitrate Contamination in Wisconsin's Drinking Water

Grassway Organics Pizza on the Farm

The Wisconsin Public Health Association recently adopted a resolution saying unregulated hyperscale data centers are a threat to public health in our state. In this episode, hear from one of the co-authors of that resolution to find out the health and energy consequences of data centers.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Kayla Rinderknecht, Community Health Manager, Clean Wisconsin

Resources for You:

Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Development

Clean Wisconsin Action Alerts

What does it take to get plastic out of your life? Well, unless you can go back in time 100 years, it's pretty much impossible. But what about *some* plastic? Just a place to start?

In this episode, we're talking about plastic waste in the grocery store and how to try to take control of the plastics that wind up in your shopping cart.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Brendon Smith, Marketing and Communications Director, Willy St. Co-op

Resources for You:

Plastic-Free July: 31 days of ideas

Microplastics in Our Bodies: Exposure and Potential Health Harms