Fairs are full of opportunities to learn about Wisconsin agriculture. Wisconsin’s agriculture industry is diverse, vibrant, and vital to our communities, providing jobs and contributing more than $104.8 billion to our state’s economy every year.

Wisconsin farmers are working every day of the year to produce safe, nutritious food products for you and for people around the world. The fair is the perfect place to learn about Wisconsin agriculture including where food comes from and the farmers who produce it. 

The Compeer Discovery Barnyard at the Wisconsin State Fair is an area where fairgoers of all ages can learn about production agriculture. Kailen Smerchek, the superintendent of the Compeer Discovery Barnyard shares more about what it takes to put on the animal and educational displays.

Fairs are full of opportunities to learn about Wisconsin agriculture. Wisconsin’s agriculture industry is diverse, vibrant, and vital to our communities, providing jobs and contributing more than $104.8 billion to our state’s economy every year.
Wisconsin farmers are working every day of the year to produce safe, nutritious food products for you and for people around the world. The fair is the perfect place to learn about Wisconsin agriculture including where food comes from and the farmers who produce it. 
The Compeer Discovery Barnyard at the Wisconsin State Fair is an area where fairgoers of all ages can learn about production agriculture. Kailen Smerchek, the superintendent of the Compeer Discovery Barnyard shares more about what it takes to put on the animal and educational displays.

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

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

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

Discovery Barnyard Educates Fairgoers

This is the first episode of a new series that features farm destinations across Wisconsin and highlights the bounty of specialty crops that these farms produce. Over the next several months, we’ll go to strawberry patches, vineyards, cranberry bogs, fields of flowers, and more with the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association. Executive Director Sheila Everhart joins us in-studio to remind us that Wisconsin is a powerhouse in producing specialty crops from fruits to vegetables and from evergreens to peonies. These producers have an opportunity to open their farms up to the public to provide a food, recreation, relaxation, or education experience. WATA was awarded a specialty crop block grant to promote these agricultural tourism destinations. This series that we are about to embark on is possible thanks to this funding. Learn more about how to engage with Wisconsin's agricultural tourism industry at https://gowiagtourism.com/.

This is the first episode of a new series that features farm destinations across Wisconsin and highlights the bounty of specialty crops that these farms produce. Over the next several months, we’ll go to strawberry patches, vineyards, cranberry bogs, fields of flowers, and more with the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association. Executive Director Sheila Everhart joins us in-studio to remind us that Wisconsin is a powerhouse in producing specialty crops from fruits to vegetables and from evergreens to peonies. These producers have an opportunity to open their farms up to the public to provide a food, recreation, relaxation, or education experience. WATA was awarded a specialty crop block grant to promote these agricultural tourism destinations. This series that we are about to embark on is possible thanks to this funding. Learn more about how to engage with Wisconsin's agricultural tourism industry at <a href="https://gowiagtourism.com/">https://gowiagtourism.com/</a>.

Connecting People To Agriculture Sustains The Farm

With graduation just around the corner, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Agriculture is buzzing with anticipation and celebration as students prepare to embark on their next adventures in the agricultural industry.

Amidst the final exams and job interviews, the job market for these grads is looking good. According to Platteville’s School of Agriculture Director, Tera Montgomery, there has been a noticeable trend of interest from both employers and students in the field of Agronomy, as well as in areas related to sustainability practices, particularly in business applications such as carbon credits. The school has also witnessed a rise in students exploring interdisciplinary opportunities by combining agricultural studies with fields like communication, marketing, business, and engineering

"The intersection of agriculture with other disciplines is becoming increasingly appealing to our students. We're seeing more engagement from students who want to broaden their skill sets and explore diverse career paths within the agricultural industry."

With graduation just around the corner, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Agriculture is buzzing with anticipation and celebration as students prepare to embark on their next adventures in the agricultural industry.
Amidst the final exams and job interviews, the job market for these grads is looking good. According to Platteville’s School of Agriculture Director, Tera Montgomery, there has been a noticeable trend of interest from both employers and students in the field of Agronomy, as well as in areas related to sustainability practices, particularly in business applications such as carbon credits. The school has also witnessed a rise in students exploring interdisciplinary opportunities by combining agricultural studies with fields like communication, marketing, business, and engineering
"The intersection of agriculture with other disciplines is becoming increasingly appealing to our students. We're seeing more engagement from students who want to broaden their skill sets and explore diverse career paths within the agricultural industry."

More Jobs Than Graduates

A big smile comes across my face when I see the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile weaving through traffic, how about you? Samantha Benish joins us in-studio. She’s a brand ambassador for Oscar Mayer and drives the Wienermobile across the country. Her official title is Hotdogger, which is a one-year position with the company. She tells us what it takes to drive the hot dog on wheels. 

A big smile comes across my face when I see the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile weaving through traffic, how about you? Samantha Benish joins us in-studio. She’s a brand ambassador for Oscar Mayer and drives the Wienermobile across the country. Her official title is Hotdogger, which is a one-year position with the company. She tells us what it takes to drive the hot dog on wheels.

Discovery Barnyard Educates Fairgoers

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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