Delores Fortuna is the third generation on her family's Centennial farm in Rusk County. In 1919, her grandfather, a Polish immigrant, traveled from a collapsed mine in Pennsylvania to northern Wisconsin and purchased the farm -- without looking at the full acreage. Delores calls the property a hardship farm with sandy soil and difficult terrain for raising crops and a dairy herd. While she and her sister did not carry on dairying, Delores is turning the land into a conservancy -- bringing back birds, marshland and hardwood trees to the area. 

Delores Fortuna is the third generation on her family's Centennial farm in Rusk County. In 1919, her grandfather, a Polish immigrant, traveled from a collapsed mine in Pennsylvania to northern Wisconsin and purchased the farm -- without looking at the full acreage. Delores calls the property a hardship farm with sandy soil and difficult terrain for raising crops and a dairy herd. While she and her sister did not carry on dairying, Delores is turning the land into a conservancy -- bringing back birds, marshland and hardwood trees to the area.&nbsp;

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

.In partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair, the Mid-West Farm report is highlighting Century and Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award winners. 

.In partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair, the Mid-West Farm report is highlighting Century and Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award winners.

Wisconsin Century & Sesquicentennial Farm Salute

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

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

Delores Fortuna - Rusk County

We all know that yields can vary greatly depending on the conditions and circumstances of each growing season. Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration put together a program to help farmers dealing with these uncertainties. Sandy Chalmers is the State Executive Director at the Wisconsin Farm Service Agency. She tells us how we're seeing these dollars impact Wisconsin.

We all know that yields can vary greatly depending on the conditions and circumstances of each growing season. Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration put together a program to help farmers dealing with these uncertainties. Sandy Chalmers is the State Executive Director at the Wisconsin Farm Service Agency. She tells us how we're seeing these dollars impact Wisconsin.

Specialty Crop Growers Can Apply For Relief Dollars

What value does a farmers market have for a community?  Is it just about the transactions, or is there more?  A study funded by a USDA grant and involving UW-Madison researchers focused on that question.  Kiley Allan finds out about the results from Bret Shaw, UW-Madison Communications Specialist.  Shaw says the researchers conducted a national study to provide market operators with actionable data to boost attendance, increase consumer spending, and better communicate the community value of farmers markets to stakeholders. The research identified six consumer categories, highlighting the three groups most likely to visit: the "highly engaged" (who love the social atmosphere and local experience), the "health-focused" (who prioritize organic, local, and non-GMO produce), and the "emerging interest" group. The newly identified "emerging interest" demographic consists of younger shoppers who are less focused on buying raw ingredients to cook at home and more interested in the social environment and ready-to-eat prepared foods. To accommodate changing consumer preferences, markets are increasingly featuring vendors that sell prepared foods and specialized items (such as hot breads, baked goods, and meats) rather than strictly traditional raw fruits and vegetables. With over 8,600 markets operating nationwide, farmers markets are increasingly recognized by community leaders as vital hubs that promote healthier eating habits, foster a sense of local belonging, and build resilient regional food systems.


What are the 'dog days' all about?  That's the starter conversation with Stu Muck on a Monday morning.  The forecast isn't offering  much moisture this week to offset all the heat expected. Stu explains the cycle the states caught in.


In June the White House announced that John Rich, or Big N Rich country duo fame, became a USDA envoy working with farmers and landowners nationwide.  Rich says he was personally caught in a land dispute with the state of Tennessee, so he understands the disadvantage farmers face when someone wants their land.  He'll report directly to USDA's Brooke Rollins and the President.  He explains what he's heard so far.


Last week the WI State Fair Park announced that John Yingling would be retiring after 16 years of service, most recently as board chair.  Pam Jahnke visits with the fair veteran who started his relationship with the fair when he was a kid in the neighborhood.  Yingling says he never liked going to the fair with his mother.  He explains how that didn't stop him from making the WI State Fair, a big part of his life.

What value does a farmers market have for a community?&nbsp; Is it just about the transactions, or is there more?&nbsp; A study funded by a USDA grant and involving UW-Madison researchers focused on that question.&nbsp; Kiley Allan finds out about the results from Bret&nbsp;Shaw, UW-Madison Communications Specialist.&nbsp; Shaw says the researchers conducted a national study to provide market operators with actionable data to boost attendance, increase consumer spending, and better communicate the community value of farmers markets to stakeholders.&nbsp;The research identified six consumer categories, highlighting the three groups most likely to visit: the "highly engaged" (who love the social atmosphere and local experience), the "health-focused" (who prioritize organic, local, and non-GMO produce), and the "emerging interest" group.&nbsp;The newly identified "emerging interest" demographic consists of&nbsp;younger shoppers who are less focused on buying raw ingredients to cook at&nbsp;home and more interested in the social environment and ready-to-eat&nbsp;prepared foods. To accommodate changing consumer preferences, markets are increasingly featuring vendors that sell prepared foods and specialized items (such as hot breads, baked goods, and meats) rather than strictly traditional raw fruits and vegetables.&nbsp;With over 8,600 markets operating nationwide, farmers markets are increasingly recognized by community leaders as vital hubs that promote healthier eating habits, foster a sense of local belonging, and build resilient regional food systems.
 What are the 'dog days' all about?&nbsp; That's the starter conversation with Stu Muck on a Monday morning.&nbsp; The forecast isn't offering&nbsp; much moisture this week to offset all the heat expected. Stu explains the cycle the states caught in.
 In June the White House announced that John Rich, or Big N Rich country duo fame, became a USDA envoy working with farmers and landowners nationwide.&nbsp; Rich says he was personally caught in a land dispute with the state of Tennessee, so he understands the disadvantage farmers face when someone wants their land.&nbsp; He'll report directly to USDA's Brooke Rollins and the President.&nbsp; He explains what he's heard so far.
 Last week the WI State Fair Park announced that John Yingling would be retiring after 16 years of service, most recently as board chair.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke visits with the fair veteran who started his relationship with the fair when he was a kid in the neighborhood.&nbsp; Yingling says he never liked going to the fair with his mother.&nbsp; He explains how that didn't stop him from making the WI State Fair, a big part of his life.

John Rich Of Big N Rich Now USDA Envoy Plus Yingling Leaving State Fair Board

Wisconsin's state FFA officer team is fresh off a leadership conference in Washington, D.C..  While learning the ropes to policy development was part of their goal, honing how to advocate for ag education and agriculture in general was also a major point.  Cheryl Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Wisconsin FFA Association tells Pam Jahnke about the investment being made in these young leaders.

No rain in sight.  Not what a lot of Wisconsin farmers or gardeners want to hear.  Stu Muck explains why we can't seem to wring a bit of moisture out of the atmosphere right now.

Everybody likes to get a gift, and our Wisconsin agriculture teachers are no exception.  Teri Barr explains how saying thank you to agriculture instructors and helping them start the new school year prepared, inspired a Pennsylvania company.  Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow and the Dairy Excellence Foundation teamed up to offer anyone a chance to "gift" a box to an agriculture instructor anywhere.

How much energy does the average 500 cow dairy operation use in a hot month like July?  You might be surprised!  Pam Jahnke talks with Matt Redetzke of No Joke Dairy in Stratford about that expense.  It's just one motivating point that encouraged the hosts of this year's WI Farm Technology Days to partner with Focus on Energy.  Kevin Weiler, one of four Focus on Energy advisors in the state says Marathon County has been taking advantage of the partnership!  Paid for by Focus on Energy.

Wisconsin's state FFA officer team is fresh off a leadership conference in Washington, D.C..&nbsp; While learning the ropes to policy development was part of their goal, honing how to advocate for ag education and agriculture in general was also a major point.&nbsp; Cheryl Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Wisconsin FFA Association tells Pam Jahnke about the investment being made in these young leaders.
No rain in sight.&nbsp; Not what a lot of Wisconsin farmers or gardeners want to hear.&nbsp; Stu Muck explains why we can't seem to wring a bit of moisture out of the atmosphere right now.
Everybody likes to get a gift, and our Wisconsin agriculture teachers are no exception.&nbsp; Teri Barr explains how saying thank you to agriculture instructors and helping them start the new school year prepared, inspired a Pennsylvania company. &nbsp;Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow and the Dairy Excellence Foundation teamed up to offer anyone a chance to "gift" a box to an agriculture instructor anywhere.
How much energy does the average 500 cow dairy operation use in a hot month like July?&nbsp; You might be surprised!&nbsp; Pam Jahnke talks with Matt Redetzke of No Joke Dairy in Stratford about that expense.&nbsp; It's just one motivating point that encouraged the hosts of this year's WI Farm Technology Days to partner with Focus on Energy.&nbsp; Kevin Weiler, one of four Focus on Energy advisors in the state says Marathon County has been taking advantage of the partnership!&nbsp; Paid for by Focus on Energy.

Delores Fortuna - Rusk County

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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