The Lee Rayburn Show

Many people have discovered the joy of gardening in the last few years, bringing new ideas and methods. We look at how gardening is changing with the hosts of the PBS Wisconsin show “Let’s Grow Stuff.”

In 1993, Rita Dove became the first African American to be a U.S. Poet Laureate and the youngest poet ever elected to the position. Rita joins the show to share her inspirational works, including a new collection of poems called, Playlist for the Apocalypse.

The Migration Policy Institute says about 10,000 individuals in Wisconsin qualify for the DACA program, also known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. But, only 6,200 individuals are active recipients. We learn about a new support center at UW-Madison helping immigrants.

The scent of vanilla is a treat for our nose and the plant it comes from is a treat for our eyes. We talk with the world’s leading expert on Vanilla orchids, a species older than dinosaurs and because of environmental factors, is endangered.

Many times the most satisfying things are the simple things - like sharing a good meal. We talk about the rewards of living a life, and eating foods that are in tune with nature.

Supper clubs in Wisconsin are known for their Friday fish fry’s, old-fashioned cocktails and live entertainment. The author of a new book talks about Wisconsin’s most iconic supper clubs and how this dining tradition started.

Who says you can only bake stollen at Christmas? Not our guest. He talks about making small changes to traditional recipes to fit any time of the year. We’ll also look at making a pizza stromboli.

Have you ever thought about becoming a volunteer weather observer? We look at what it takes to volunteer then talk about spring weather trends in Wisconsin.

Earlier this month, national energy leaders gathered at a White House summit to talk about the future of fusion energy. We learn about the advantages of fusion energy and why this technology is considered clean energy. Plus, we’ll look at efforts to diversify the engineering workforce.

What started as a simple observation has now reached 60 countries. We talk to the father of straw bale gardening about the benefits for individuals and communities with this method of growing plants.