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Environmental researchers say locally based-food growers tend to be more conscious about minimizing harmful runoff from their farmland. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

WI program serves up fresh produce, with a side of climate benefits

Access to nutritious food can be hard to come by for underserved populations. A Wisconsin program that relies on contributions from locally based …

In a new national survey, people 65 and older were more likely than other age groups to think raw milk was less safe than pasteurized milk. (Adobe Stock)

Rural residents more likely to consider raw milk to be safe

By Tim Marema for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collaboration…

Health effects from exposure to toxic algae include skin rashes, headaches, vomiting, pneumonia and more, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock/AI-generated)<br />

Factory farms cited as one cause of rise in toxic algae blooms

According to the latest Environmental Protection Agency data, harmful algae bloom events are increasing across the country - including in Wisconsin…

In the summer of 2024, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers visited rural communities to discuss the progress of a new state program to help agricultural areas fund road improvement projects. (Photo courtesy of Evers' office)

Roadwork ahead in WI farmlands

As the fall harvest season inches closer, Wisconsin farmers are hoping for promising yields but if the rural roads around them are crumbling…

U.S. dairy production supports more than 3 million jobs, including workers on dairy farms who regularly handle milking equipment. Sick cows are still being milked, which means workers on farms where the virus is spreading are continuing to be exposed to the virus. (Credit: Molly Condit / Sinergia Animal / We Animals Media)

Milk production may lead to more human infections of bird flu, study finds

Public health officials continue to monitor the spread of bird flu, with it passing from chickens to cows to humans. A new study found the virus can …

The Farm Bill, which is updated every five years, covers programs ranging from crop insurance for farmers to healthy food access for low-income families, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. (Adobe Stock)

Plan to keep SNAP benefits in check doesn't sit well with WI advocates

Congress is back in session two more weeks before the August recess. Wisconsin voices worried about the future of a key hunger relief program hope …

Since they began resettling in the Midwest after the Vietnam War, Hmong farmers have been credited for revitalizing farmers markets in states like Wisconsin and Minnesota. (Adobe Stock)

Preparing the next generation of Hmong farmers

Visit a Wisconsin farmers market, and chances are there are products grown by Hmong producers. But like other agricultural groups, the population is …

The federal government collects more than $1 billion every year through an excise tax on such items as licenses, guns, arrows and fishing tackle to fund wildlife conservation programs. (Adobe Stock)

Farm Bill debate is back on; hunters, anglers hope for more support

This week, Congress is picking up work on a new Farm Bill and hunters and anglers say billions of dollars in investments in private-lands …

As of mid-May, the USDA has identified bird flu among dairy cows on 41 farms in nine states. (Parilov/Adobe Stock)

As bird flu spreads within dairy operations, experts want more testing

Across the U.S, there's been intense monitoring of avian flu jumping from birds to dairy cattle. So far, no cases have surfaced in Wisconsin's milk …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported ammonia is often found in surface waters surrounding concentrated animal feeding operations. The ammonia causes oxygen depletion from water, which itself can kill aquatic life. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental lawyer: CAFOs not just a NIMBY issue

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has a month to respond in court to a new lawsuit concerning a factory farm in the central part of the st…

The American Biogas Council says across the U.S., more than 2,300 digester sites are producing biogas. (Adobe Stock)

Digesters: Helpful in reducing farm emissions?

Wisconsin is part of a movement to reduce livestock emissions by converting manure into energy sources, and there are calls to weave in a careful …

Wisconsin outreach specialists say determining land maintenance responsibilities, such as repairing irrigation lines, is important for new farmers in signing a land lease. They say that could make it easier for these farmers to avoid stalling progress on their new operations. (Adobe Stock)

WI experts: A strong lease could help ease land woes for new farmers

Farmers who produce the food we eat don't always own the land that food is grown on, including in Wisconsin. Those trying to get their operations off …

Research work led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute found while massive flood events call attention to cost impacts for state and local governments, increased frequency of mid-scale flood events can wear on rural communities. (Adobe Stock)

Taxpayers, like farmers, can get a bang for their buck from conservation funding

If you live in a flood prone community, soil health from nearby farmland may have something to do with it. Ag voices in Wisconsin say government-…

Congress averted a government shutdown in September by approving a temporary spending plan. But time is running out to come up with long-term appropriations, and political observers say a lot of uncertainty looms over budget talks. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsinites warn of negative outcomes if federal programs are cut

Congress has one week to approve a new federal spending plan or risk a government shutdown, and some Wisconsinites are calling on lawmakers to keep …

About 345,000 hogs and pigs live on Wisconsin farms, according to the latest USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service - Hogs and Pigs report. (Adobe Stock)

WI small-farm advocates push back on CAFOs

Family-farm advocates in rural Wisconsin are pushing back on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs, as the livestock industry becomes more …

The number of wolves in Wisconsin is estimated at 1,000, up from 200 when the state adopted its first management plan in 1999. (dnr.wisconsin.gov)

Wisconsin's wolf management plan back in the spotlight

The long-awaited Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan is up for adoption next week by the state's Department of Natural Resources, and the board will …

Ag-based organizations say if there's a government shutdown, it would add more stress to those trying to adopt a new Farm Bill because lawmakers could not consult with furloughed USDA staff about the importance of certain programs. (Adobe Stock)

WI ag groups in 'wait-and-see mode' on Farm Bill

The current Farm Bill expires Sept. 30 and with a looming government shutdown, reauthorization does not appear imminent. Wisconsin farm groups say …

As of June, the new Wisconsin Local Food Purchase Assistance program says it has served nine counties around the state, with ten hunger relief sites receiving food deliveries from local farms. (Adobe Stock)

Hunger Relief Connections Put Small WI Farms on the Map

A new Wisconsin program strives to create a "win-win" scenario for regional food shelves and independent farmers. This month, a new directory went …

One of the apple blossoms found at The Cider Farm in southwestern Wisconsin, which strives for biodiversity in protecting species. (Photo courtesy of The Cider Farm)

Embracing Biodiversity: WI Farm Helps Pollinators Survive Climate Change

By Lela Nargi for the Food and Environment Reporting Network.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Solutions …

A state-level report says 21.8% of rural residents in Wisconsin lack access to standard levels of high-speed Internet, which is above the national rural average of 17%. (Adobe Stock)

WI Gets $1B from Feds for Boosting Broadband

As rural communities still suffer from the so-called digital divide, the Biden administration has announced the rollout of more than $42 billion for …

Siena Chrisman of State Innovation Exchange, Kellon Patey of People's Action and Caitlin Cromwell of Northern Plains Resource Council discuss policy goals at the 2023 Rural Policy Action Summit. (Photo courtesy of Rural Democracy Initiative)

Wisconsin Voices Reflect on Rural Summit

Rural advocates from around the U.S. recently gathered to lay out policy priorities at the state and federal levels in hopes of making smaller …

Electric vehicles, which can carry a battery pack with up to 50,000 volts of electricity, can be a danger, both to passengers and first responders, in accidents. (Adobe Stock)

Beyond Infrastructure, EV Movement Includes First-Responder Training

The auto industry and public agencies are looking ahead to a bigger transition to electric vehicles, and it's not just adding more charging stations…

The most recent Farm Bill covered areas such as agricultural conservation, trade and foreign food assistance, farm credit and research. (Adobe Stock)

Ag Research Community Urges Congress to Avoid Farm Bill Delays

The U.S. Farm Bill is up for reauthorization, and Congress faces calls to avoid any delays so certain programs can keep helping farmers and consumers …

Beyond improving soil and farm animal health, agriculture researchers say managed grazing also provides good habitat for pollinators and wildlife. (Adobe Stock)

WI Farmers Hope Grazing Funds Aren't Put Out to Pasture

Congress has been holding hearings on the next Farm Bill, which has major implications for the nation's food system. It also shapes conservation …

Like many sectors, agriculture is under pressure to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. But policies like the Inflation Reduction Act are providing extra funding, so more farmers can tap into programs that help improve soil health and water quality. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Program Constraints, 'Climate-Smart' Farming Gets Extra Aid

Farmers looking to enhance their range of climate-friendly practices are getting a boost with new federal funding. Wisconsin producers face a tight …

The Department of Natural Resources estimates Wisconsin's wolf population to be around one thousand. (Adobe Stock)

Public Comments Urged for WI Wolf Management Plan

Wisconsin residents have one month left to comment on a new wolf management plan for the state and conservation groups encourage people to express the…

According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, cover-crop acres in the United States have increased to 10 million. (Adobe Stock)

WI Farmers Have New Tool to Stay in 'Cover-Crop Game'

Agriculture groups and government agencies aren't slowing down in trying to convince farmers to use more sustainable practices such as cover crops…

A new poll of rural voters in battleground states found people who

Poll Shows Rural Voters Have Grim Economic Outlook

By Tim Marema and Sarah Melotte for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Service for the Public News Service/Daily Yonde…

No-till farming is considered one of several conservation practices in agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

New WI Report Provides Snapshot of Sustainable Farming Efforts

Greenhouse gas emissions have been potentially reduced by 50,000 tons in the state, with the help of Wisconsin farmers supported by a statewide …

Supporters of managed grazing say grass-based farms and ranches are an important strategy for introducing new farmers and ranchers to livestock, because they're better for an operation's bottom line. (Adobe Stock)

WI Farmers to Get New Support for 'Managed Grazing'

Managed grazing is one of several ways farmers can implement climate-friendly practices, and after a lengthy absence, a key source of federal aid has …

Last year, Congress passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. Smaller, rural communities want to be sure they aren't forgotten as those funds are allocated. They're hopeful an economic development provision in the CHIPS Act will even things out. (Adobe Stock)

Pilot Program Within CHIPS Act Could Help with Rural WI Development

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities a leg up when applying for federal dollars. Municipal leaders in Wisconsin say this …

In addition to crumbling roads in rural areas, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation rates 980 bridges across the state as structurally deficient. (Adobe Stock)

In Rural WI, Local Economies Slip Through Crumbling Roads

By Julian Emerson for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection Service for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder C…

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wisconsin had 64,400 farms in 2020, down 500 from 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Help is Available for WI Farmers Facing Mental-Health Challenges

From inflation to climate change, Wisconsin farmers face numerous sources of stress that can't help but affect their health. And one program is …

The Midwest GRIT program is a joint project between the Wisconsin-based Michael Fields Agricultural Institute and the Artisan Grain Collaborative, which aims to diversify the Midwestern grainshed. (Michael Fields Agricultural Institute)

WI Program Seeks to Create Resilient Grainshed

A new program is seeking to help Wisconsin's grain farmers build more environmentally and economically resilient operations. The Midwest Grains …

At least four other states and several tribal nations have transitioned their hemp industries to federal management in recent years. (Adobe Stock)

New Federal Management Removes Barriers for WI Hemp Farmers

Wisconsin handed over management of its hemp industry to the federal government on Jan. 1, and farmers and researchers say the new system will reduce …

Several Wisconsin groups, led by Neighborhood Food Solutions in Dane County, are developing a training and production system that will help Black farmers be more successful with grains. (Adobe Stock)

WI Program Connects Black Farmers to Grain Market

MADISON, Wis. -- Federal data show the farming industry is older and mostly white, and an emerging Wisconsin program could open more pathways by …

Esther Shekinah is a research agronomist at the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, leading a project in Wisconsin to bring more women landowners into the world of conservation. (MFAI)

WI Women in Conservation Take Movement to Next Level

MADISON, Wis. - Efforts continue to close the conservation gap for women landowners in Wisconsin. This week, organizers say the movement is taking a …

WI Ag Researchers Lift the Cover on Cover Crops

EAST TROY, Wis. - Wisconsin farmers are looking ahead to the fall harvest, and those who use cover crops face a deadline to sign up for a research …

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Black farmers own just 0.52% of the nation's farmland. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Over Federal Aid Underscores Barriers for BIPOC Farmers

EAST TROY, Wis. -- Wisconsin is at the center of a lawsuit targeting federal debt relief for farmers of color. The suit was filed this spring by a …

Broadband advocates say it isn't just lack of Wi-Fi options or slow downloads causing internet access issues. The cost of service is often a barrier for people to stay connected. (Adobe Stock)

Temporary Program Can Help WI Residents with Internet Bills

TOMAHAWK, Wis. - Wisconsin residents struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic can turn to a federal program for help. Supporters say …

This is the type of display seen on billboards in northern Wisconsin, posted by a group of sportsmen and women opposed to wolf hunts. (Jim Brandenburg)

WI Hunters Turn to Highway Signs in Effort to Protect Wolves

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- Opposition to wolf hunts in Wisconsin is becoming more visible, and not only in public hearings or on social media. Drivers might …

Supporters of cover crops say they can help with a farmer's bottom line in the long run while protecting natural resources. (Adobe Stock)

Ag Group: WI Needs Incentive Program for Cover Crops

MADISON, Wis. -- As Wisconsin farmers fan out for the spring planting season, conservation-minded groups say the state should do more to convince …

Sara George, a Wisconsin Women in Conservation regional coordinator, and her daughter check some vegetable plantings at D & S Gardens in Pepin. (Photo courtesy Kriss Marion)

WI Project Aims to Help Women in Farming Navigate Conservation

MADISON, Wis. - In Wisconsin, more women are taking over farms and owning farm land - but they're not seeing the same outreach as men to help them …

"Silvopasture" Movement Reaches WI Farms

MADISON, Wis. -- As brutal cold grips the upper Midwest, some farm animals are getting protection from the wind in forested settings. They're being …

Extreme weather events have resulted in more flooded fields for Wisconsin farmers in recent years. (Adobe Stock)

Ag, Conservation Groups Step Up Drive to Tackle Climate Change

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin is among the states where a number of farmers have adopted conservation practices - to help tackle climate change issues …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing another $14 billion for farmers and ranchers who have experienced market losses caused by the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Time Running Short for Farmers to Apply for COVID Aid

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin farmers, who are struggling during the pandemic crisis, still have a chance to sign up for federal aid. But they're urged …

With the spread of COVID-19 still a big concern in Wisconsin, smaller farms are losing their traditional customer base, such as restaurants. That has prompted more direct deliveries to consumers. (Adobe Stock)

To Survive Crisis, Small WI Farms Pivot to Direct Marketing

DELEVAN, Wis. -- Several months into the pandemic, a number of small Wisconsin farms continue to shift their customer focus to keep from shutting …

This Wisconsin farmer is using an air-seeder, which helps spread seeds for cover crops while work is being done on cash crops. The donated equipment is aimed at getting more farmers to adopt conservation practices. (Adobe Stock)

Like a Library Book, WI Farmers Share Equipment for Conservation

SEYMOUR, Wis. -- The fall harvest is here, and while many farmers say they wish to add conservation to their to-do-list, it's not always easy…

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WI: Rural/Farming