Welcome back as we feature specialty crops across Wisconsin and the people who grow them. Today, we’re digging into what it takes to build a small business, take care of the land, and introduce people to grains that haven’t been used in generations. Rochelle Schnadt joins us from Heartland Craft Grains in Lodi. Her family is reviving heritage wheat and other time-honored grains for passionate bakers and conscious eaters. Whether you’re into soil health, sourdough, or just curious about how grain gets to your table, we have you covered. This podcast series is brought to you by Specialty Crop Block Grant 23-10. Learn more at gowiagtourism.com.

Welcome back as we feature specialty crops across Wisconsin and the people who grow them. Today, we&rsquo;re digging into what it takes to build a small business, take care of the land, and introduce people to grains that haven&rsquo;t been used in generations. Rochelle Schnadt joins us from Heartland Craft Grains in Lodi. Her family is reviving heritage wheat and other time-honored grains for passionate bakers and conscious eaters. Whether you&rsquo;re into soil health, sourdough, or just curious about how grain gets to your table, we have you covered. This podcast series is brought to you by Specialty Crop Block Grant 23-10. Learn more at <a href="gowiagtourism.com">gowiagtourism.com</a>.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

It's time to find your next ag-venture with the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association. Hundreds of Wisconsin specialty crop producers are eager to welcome you to their farms for food, recreation, and education. We're introducing you to these destinations courtesy of USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant 23-10. WATA is increasing the demand for and sales of specialty crops and agricultural tourism experiences through the 'Wisconsin, America's Agricultural Tourism Destination' campaign. Learn more at https://gowiagtourism.com/

It's time to find your next ag-venture with the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association. Hundreds of Wisconsin specialty crop producers are eager to welcome you to their farms for food, recreation, and education. We're introducing you to these destinations courtesy of USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant 23-10. WATA is increasing the demand for and sales of specialty crops and agricultural tourism experiences through the 'Wisconsin, America's Agricultural Tourism Destination' campaign. Learn more at <a href="https://gowiagtourism.com/">https://gowiagtourism.com/</a>

Exploring Wisconsin Specialty Crops With WATA

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Ancient Grains Enrich Modern Palates

Wisconsin farms feature a lot of different crops and animals, but despite our diversity - it doesn't normally include reindeer.  Reindeer, otherwise known as caribou, take center stage for a lot of stories during the holiday season.  Ben Jarboe takes a fun adventure to find out more about what reindeer eat and need before their grand flight.  He gets the details from Jeff Phillips, owner of Reindeer Games in Erin, Wisconsin.  Phillips explains how the animals nutritional needs change from winter to summer, and how adapt they are to fit their conditions.

Winds have started to pick up around Wisconsin and that will be the story today.  Stu Muck says wind chills will be part of the conversation today with improving temperatures into next week.

There's a lot of conversations happening about buy local and knowing your farmer.  The Wisconsin Farmers Union committed to incorporating locally produced ingredients in their convention menu this year.  Not an easy feat!  Stephanie Hoff talks to Layne Cozzolino, director of special projects with the Wisconsin Farmers Union.  

The organization chose to "put their money where their mouth is" by reinvesting their convention budget directly into the hands of the family farmers they represent. For its 95th annual convention, one Wisconsin organization decided to transform the standard hotel meal into a direct investment in its own membership. They fed 280 attendees seven meals each. The event successfully sourced 70 local ingredients from 40 farmer members. Rather than asking the hotel to change its entire menu, organizers worked with Chula Vista’s chefs to swap local ingredients—like beef, eggs, and cheese—into the resort’s existing recipes to make the transition easier for the kitchen staff. By using "procurement partners" (such as Organic Valley and the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative), the organization was able to aggregate products from many small farms into fewer deliveries, making large-scale local sourcing more efficient. Despite the convention taking place in December, the meals featured a wide variety of local products, including storage crops (potatoes and garlic), frozen roasted vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, and diverse dairy products. Seeing their farm names and logos on event signage and knowing their products were being served significantly boosted member morale. 

Wisconsin farms feature a lot of different crops and animals, but despite our diversity - it doesn't normally include reindeer.&nbsp; Reindeer, otherwise known as caribou, take center stage for a lot of stories during the holiday season.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe takes a fun adventure to find out more about what reindeer eat and need before their grand flight.&nbsp; He gets the details from Jeff Phillips, owner of Reindeer Games in Erin, Wisconsin.&nbsp; Phillips explains how the&nbsp;animals nutritional needs change from winter to summer, and how adapt they are to fit their conditions.
Winds have started to pick up around Wisconsin and that will be the story today.&nbsp; Stu Muck says wind chills will be part of the conversation today with improving temperatures into next week.
There's a lot of conversations happening about buy local and knowing your farmer.&nbsp; The Wisconsin Farmers Union committed to incorporating locally produced ingredients in their convention menu this year.&nbsp; Not an easy feat!&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff talks to Layne Cozzolino, director of special projects with the Wisconsin Farmers Union.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The organization chose to "put their money where their mouth is" by reinvesting their convention budget directly into the hands of the family farmers they represent. For its 95th annual convention, one Wisconsin organization decided to transform the standard hotel meal into a direct investment in its own membership. They fed 280 attendees seven meals each. The event successfully sourced 70 local ingredients from 40 farmer members. Rather than asking the hotel to change its entire menu, organizers worked with Chula Vista&rsquo;s chefs to swap local ingredients&mdash;like beef, eggs, and cheese&mdash;into the resort&rsquo;s existing recipes to make the transition easier for the kitchen staff. By using "procurement partners" (such as Organic Valley and the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative), the organization was able to aggregate products from many small farms into fewer deliveries, making large-scale local sourcing more efficient. Despite the convention taking place in December, the meals featured a wide variety of local products, including storage crops (potatoes and garlic), frozen roasted vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, and diverse dairy products. Seeing their farm names and logos on event signage and knowing their products were being served significantly boosted member morale.&nbsp;

What's A Reindeer's Ration And By The Numbers - Feeding Local

"The number one issue that whenever I talk to farmers has always been labor," says Tyler Wenzlaff, director of national affairs with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. "We're not going to be able to survive if we do not have labor needs met."

Wenzlaff explains that the traditional model of family-run operations has been upended via economic pressure or lack of interest from younger generations. This has forced the industry to look toward comprehensive federal reform as the only path forward.

"The number one issue that whenever I talk to farmers has always been labor," says Tyler Wenzlaff, director of national affairs with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. "We're not going to be able to survive if we do not have labor needs met."
Wenzlaff explains that the traditional model of family-run operations has been upended via economic pressure or lack of interest from younger generations. This has forced the industry to look toward comprehensive federal reform as the only path forward.

WFBF Sounds Alarm Amid Labor Shortages

The Wisconsin Farmers Union concluded its 95th annual convention, celebrating a year defined by both legislative hurdles and significant internal growth. 

Executive Director Danielle Endvick, who took the helm in May, tells Mid-West Farm Report that despite a volatile federal and state landscape, the organization is "busting at the seams" with new energy.

The Wisconsin Farmers Union concluded its 95th annual convention, celebrating a year defined by both legislative hurdles and significant internal growth.&nbsp;
Executive Director Danielle Endvick, who took the helm in May, tells Mid-West Farm Report that despite a volatile federal and state landscape, the organization is "busting at the seams" with new energy.

Ancient Grains Enrich Modern Palates

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