What if there was a grain that didn't have to be replanted every year? One with deep roots that stay in the soil, trap carbon, prevent erosion, filter water. Kernza – the world's first perennial grain crop – could be a game changer when it comes to sustainable food production and using our land to help fight climate change. But the big question: does is make a good beer? In this episode, Amy heads to Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee to find out.

Kernza® is the trademark name for the grain of an intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) being developed at The Land Institute in Kansas.

Amy Barrilleaux

Russ Klisch, Owner & Co-Founder of Lakefront Brewery

Climate-Smart Crops: Kernza

Kerna Crunch: The Race to Develop the First Perennial Grain Crop (podcast)

Impacts of Conventional Agriculture in Wisconsin

The Land Institute: Kernza Grain

No Mow May is here, but does it really make a difference in the battle to save our bees and butterflies? Amy walks through a typical Wisconsin yard with pollinator expert Elizabeth Braatz.

Amy Barrilleaux

Elizabeth Braatz, Bumble Bee Brigade Coordinator and Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade

Saving Wisconsin's Native Pollinators

Corn Ethanol vs. Solar: A Land Use Comparison

When you think about the future of energy, do you picture you gas-fired power plants? In this episode, Amy looks at why power companies are racing to build new gas plants and what it means for the future of energy bills, our health and our climate.

We Energies, the largest power company in Wisconsin, recently announced plans to transition two major power plants from coal to natural gas, build two more new gas-fired facilities, and build another new facility to hold liquefied gas. If you think it sounds like a major shift toward more fossil fuel development, you're right. We Energies' parent company WEC Energy Group filed an application with the Public Service Commission to get special accounting treatment on the high-dollar projects before they've established a need for all that gas.

Are gas-fired power plants the bridge to clean energy that power companies claim?

Amy Barrilleaux

Dr. Paul Mathewson, Science Program Director, Clean Wisconsin

Katie Nekola, Attorney, Clean Wisconsin

• Under the Lens: The Truth About Natural Gas
• We Enegies Doubles Down on Gas

Wisconsin's Public Service Commission approved a large methane gas plant four years ago. The site: a bluff overlooking the Nemadji River near the Minnesota border in Superior. At ​the ​time, ​Superior's ​city ​council ​unanimously ​supported ​the ​project. ​But ​it ​didn't ​take ​long ​for ​opinions ​to ​change.

In this episode, Amy talks with ​Superior City ​Councilor ​Jenny ​Van ​Sickle who ​at ​first ​supported ​the ​plant ​and ​is ​now ​helping ​lead ​the ​charge ​to ​stop ​it. ​Find ​out ​what ​has ​changed -- and what YOU can do to help fight the plant.

Amy Barrilleaux

Jenny Van Sickle, Bumble Bee Brigade Coordinator and Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Take Action Now: Call on federal officials to denty funding for the Nemadji Trail Energy Center

Fighting the Nemadji Trail Energy Center gas plant

Indigenous tribes urge federal officials to deny loan for Superior gas plant

1939. It's the year researchers at the University of Wisconsin developed a hearty red corn that could tolerate Wisconsin winters and feed the state's dairy cows. Before long, farms all over the state were sending trainloads of their ruby red corn to feed livestock across the country. But it didn't last. The 1970s ushered in genetically modified corn with enormous yields and out went Wisconsin's home grown red variety. Until now...

In this episode, Amy heads to the home of J. Henry & Sons Bourbon in Dane County where Wisconsin's old red feed corn is getting a brand new life – as the key ingredient in world class bourbon. A farm-to-glass experience that starts in the snowy fields of the Dairy State.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Joe Henry, J. Henry & Sons

It's no exaggeration to say PFAS 'forever chemicals' are everywhere. Some states have found PFAS tainting milk supplies and contaminating crops. What are the consequences of population-wide exposure to these toxic chemicals? Amy talks with Clean Wisconsin Science Program Director Dr. Paul Mathewson about the latest research.

Amy Barrilleaux

Dr. Paul Mathewson, Science Program Director, Clean Wisconsin

• Learn more about the latest PFAS health research in Clean Wisconsin's recent comments to the Natural Resources Board on the impact of proposed groundwater standards
• Find out more about PFAS contamination in Wisconsin
• Read the latest PFAS Fish Consumption Advisories for Wisconsin
• View an interactive map of PFAS contamination sites in Wisconsin

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You can learn more about Clean Wisconsin and our work at www.cleanwisconsin.org

Sign up to get the latest news from Clean Wisconsin in your inbox at www.cleanwisconsin.org/email

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How do you know if the air you breathe is safe? It often depends on where you live--not just what town or city, but what neighborhood, what street. In this episode, Amy talks with Langston Verdin, founder of MKE Fresh Air Collective, a community-led air quality monitoring project in Milwaukee. Hear what he's been finding out about the air we breathe and what it could mean for our health.

One of the most dangerous kinds of pollution in terms of health outcomes is in the air. Fine particulate matter airpPollution is made up of tiny airborne particles that are 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. They can settle deep in the lungs, even make their way into the bloodstream, and are associated with asthma attacks and higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and premature death.

According to an analysis from Clean Wisconsin – Wisconsin has the 3rd racial disparity in the country when it comes to exposure to these tiny particles. The particles come from burning fossil fuels, usually at coal and gas power plants, industrial facilities, or on busy roads with lots of cars, buses and heavy trucks.

With all of those sources around, how do we know when the air is safe and when it's not? It's vital information that Langston Verdin, founder of MKE Fresh Air Collective, wants everybody to have. The collective has been working to install neighborhood air monitors across the city. Amy meets Langston at the site of his very first air monitor, at his old duplex in Washington Heights.

Amy Barrilleaux

Langston Verdin, Founder, MKE Fresh Air Collective, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Learn more about the MKE Fresh Air Collective
• Study shows Wisconsin has one of the largest racial disparities in the nation for exposure to dangerous air pollution particles
• New Analysis: Proposed EPA power plant rules would save Wisconsin millions in healthcare-related costs

Subscribe to State of Change on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Be sure to rate our show and give us a review. It helps other people find us.

You can learn more about Clean Wisconsin and our work at www.cleanwisconsin.org

Sign up to get the latest news from Clean Wisconsin in your inbox at www.cleanwisconsin.org/email

Like State of Change? Help support our podcast and our work to protect Wisconsin's environment at www.cleanwisconsin.org/donate

Endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee nest discovered in Milwaukee County

Before the 1990s, they were everywhere in Wisconsin and beyond. Native Rusty Patched Bumblebees nested and foraged across 28 states and parts of Canada. Then the population hit a sudden, rapid decline. By 2017, the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee had become so scarce it was the first bee listed as a federally endangered species. In this episode, a walk deep into the Wisconsin woods for the rarest of discoveries: a nest of Rusty Patched Bumblebee queens. Amy looks at what it's going to take to bring our bees back and meet the dedicated experts and volunteers who are working hard to save our pollinators.

Amy Barrilleaux

Elizabeth Braatz, Bumble Bee Brigade Coordinator and Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Jay Watson, Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Halley Minser, Restoration Ecologist, Milwaukee County Parks

Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade

Saving Wisconsin's Native Pollinators

Corn Ethanol vs. Solar: A Land Use Comparison

Milwaukee County Parks: Conservation

It feels like momentum is growing behind rooftop solar in Wisconsin. Federal tax incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act, Focus on Energy rebates, and falling prices could finally push us out of the bottom half of states when it comes to home solar. Except some utilities in Wisconsin appear to be pushing back.

In this episode, a look plans from MG&E and Alliant Energy that could slow adoption of rooftop solar in Wisconsin. FInd out what you can do to protect solar in your community.

Net metering. It doesn't sound that exciting, but it's actually one of the biggest incentives for families and small businesses to go solar. When your rooftop panels produce more energy than you can use, that energy goes into the grid, and your utility credits you for it. Now, MG&E and Alliant Energy are taking aim at that net metering incentive. Both are seeking approval from the Public Service Commission to drastically change the way they treat customers who install solar panels.

Amy Barrilleaux

Chelsea Chandler, Clean Wisconsin Climate, Energy & Air Program Director

Ciaran Gallagher, Clean Wisconsin Energy & Air Manager

Take Action: Tell the PSC to Protect Rooftop Solar

Wisconsin's Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050

Three big things: Transitioning to Clean Energy in Wisconsin

Beach closures, fish kills, green lakes. They are unfortunate signs of summer in Wisconsin. A big reason: untreated animal waste. Large dairies can produce as much waste as a small city. It's not only hard to deal with, it's dangerous if it gets into our water. Animal manure is one of the biggest sources of water pollution in Wisconsin.

Now, some of Wisconsin's largest dairies are suing the state, trying to limit oversight of the way they handle animal waste. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce quietly filed the lawsuit just before Memorial Day weekend on behalf of the Wisconsin Dairy Alliance, a lobbying group representing a number of large concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

In this episode, Amy talks with Clean Wisconsin water and agriculture program director Sara Walling and attorney Evan Feinauer to find out what the lawsuit means for Wisconsin's water resources and public health.

Amy Barrilleaux

Sara Walling, Clean Wisconsin Water & Agriculture Program Director

Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin Attorney

Dangerous lawsuit puts water protections at risk

Clean Wisconsin wins pair of landmark state Supreme Court cases