The Meyer family has actually traced their origins back to 1866 as they celebrate their sesquicentennial milestone.  Love letters written between Don Meyer's great grandfather and great grandmother help paint the story that continues today.  After a few years working in Madison, the two finally got married in 1868.  Finally they purchased their first 75 acres in 1870. 

Don Meyer said they've pieced together that the early farm was pretty diverse with livestock, chickens and even hops!  In 1896 the couple bought 20 more acres of woodland from the neighbors for $300, and continued expanding from that time forward.

Today the Meyer farm is continuing and looking forward to sharing responsibilities and history with the next generation.

The Meyer family has actually traced their origins back to 1866 as they celebrate their sesquicentennial milestone.  Love letters written between Don Meyer's great grandfather and great grandmother help paint the story that continues today.  After a few years working in Madison, the two finally got married in 1868.  Finally they purchased their first 75 acres in 1870. 
Don Meyer said they've pieced together that the early farm was pretty diverse with livestock, chickens and even hops!  In 1896 the couple bought 20 more acres of woodland from the neighbors for $300, and continued expanding from that time forward.
Today the Meyer farm is continuing and looking forward to sharing responsibilities and history with the next generation.

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!

Don Meyer - Sauk County Sesquicentennial Farm

Many Wisconsin farms and agribusinesses are caught between a rock and a hard spot managing their labor needs.  With increased presence of immigration officials in the Twin Cities, more farms are asking questions about how to protect their employees. Sam Moheban, Immigration specialist with Wausau firm, Ruder Ware.  Pam Jahnke visits with him about the unique challenges dairy farms face managing employees.  He says he’s keeping an eye on any legislative or policy changes at the federal level that might give farms, especially dairies, a clear path to managing the workforce.  Unfortunately, Moheban says right now farms must work with either the H2A or H2B programs – neither of which allow for foreign born workers to be in the country year round.  Of course dairy farms require employees taking care of animals and milking cows year round – and that’s the rub. He advises farms to double check their 1-9 documentation for all employees, and post "private property" signs, perhaps with barriers, to keep agents from entering property without notice.  Moheban says farms should create a system and protocols on how to deal with officials if that visit occurs.  He also says communicating with employees about what’s being done to protect them is a critical piece of the plan to make sure that employees are showing up for work every day.

Get outdoor tasks done today if you can, because there's a drastic weather change on the horizon for tomorrow.  Stu Muck says sub-zero temperatures will make being outdoors Friday and into Saturday dangerous.

Weather didn't stop more than 300 farmers from across the state from gathering for Ag Day at the Capitol. Stephanie Hoff was there and says the theme was about bringing stability to farming.  Topics included expanding affordable health care, improved market access, bringing more ag professionals into the state like veterinarians and tax credits for domestically produced fuels.  Jason Mugnaini, executive director for the WI Farm Bureau, explains why each is critical for stability.

Dairy has seen a glimmer of good news over the past few days.  Mike North, dairy analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to discuss what's driving the increase in prices for block cheese and butter. North questions whether this is true demand, or just a short-term blip on the trade screen.  Meanwhile the European Union milk production keeps rolling on.

Many Wisconsin farms and agribusinesses are caught between a rock and a hard spot managing their labor needs.&nbsp; With increased presence of immigration officials in the Twin Cities, more farms are asking questions about how to protect their employees.&nbsp;Sam Moheban, Immigration specialist with Wausau firm, Ruder Ware.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke visits with him about the&nbsp;unique&nbsp;challenges dairy farms face managing employees.&nbsp; He&nbsp;says he&rsquo;s keeping an eye on any legislative or policy changes at the federal level that might give farms, especially dairies, a clear path to managing the workforce.&nbsp; Unfortunately, Moheban says right now farms must work with either the H2A or H2B programs &ndash; neither of which allow for foreign born workers to be in the country year round.&nbsp; Of course dairy farms require employees taking care of animals and milking cows year round &ndash; and that&rsquo;s the rub. He advises farms to double check their 1-9 documentation for all employees, and post "private property" signs, perhaps with barriers, to keep agents from entering property without notice.&nbsp; Moheban says farms should create&nbsp;a system and protocols on how to deal with officials if that visit occurs.&nbsp; He also&nbsp;says communicating with employees about what&rsquo;s being done to protect them is a critical piece of the plan to make sure that employees are showing up for work every day.
Get outdoor tasks done today if you can, because there's a drastic weather change on the horizon for tomorrow.&nbsp; Stu Muck says sub-zero temperatures will make being outdoors Friday and into Saturday dangerous.
Weather didn't stop more than 300 farmers from across the state from gathering for Ag Day at the Capitol. Stephanie Hoff was there and says the theme was about bringing stability to farming.&nbsp; Topics included expanding affordable health care, improved market access, bringing more ag professionals into the state like veterinarians and tax credits for domestically produced fuels.&nbsp; Jason Mugnaini, executive director for the WI Farm Bureau, explains why each is critical for stability.
Dairy has seen a glimmer of good news over the past few days.&nbsp; Mike North, dairy analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to discuss what's driving the increase in prices for block cheese and butter. North questions whether this is true demand, or just a short-term blip on the trade screen.&nbsp; Meanwhile the European Union milk production keeps rolling on.

Ag Day Looks For Stability And Is The Butter/Cheese Price "Real" - Mike North

Jason Mugnaini, Executive Director of Government Relations for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, discusses key policy priorities aimed at bringing economic stability to the state's agricultural sector. He highlights the urgent need for a production tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel and the creation of specialized health care plans to support the unique financial situations of farm families and sole proprietors. Additionally, the conversation emphasizes the importance of long-term resilience through rural veterinary support, regulatory stability, and a focus on succession planning for the next generation of farmers.

Jason Mugnaini, Executive Director of Government Relations for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, discusses key policy priorities aimed at bringing economic stability to the state's agricultural sector. He highlights the urgent need for a production tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel and the creation of specialized health care plans to support the unique financial situations of farm families and sole proprietors. Additionally, the conversation emphasizes the importance of long-term resilience through rural veterinary support, regulatory stability, and a focus on succession planning for the next generation of farmers.

Roughly 300 Show Up To 'Ag Day At The Capitol'

Erin Tomasik, from Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and the Dairy Business Association, highlights the critical need for farmers to engage with local government boards to counter the rising misinformation about agriculture. She explains that urban sprawl and activist-driven frameworks have led to a surge in local ordinances and restrictive regulations across western and central Wisconsin. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes that showing up to town and county meetings is just as vital for a farm's survival as participating in state or federal advocacy.

Erin Tomasik, from Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and the Dairy Business Association, highlights the critical need for farmers to engage with local government boards to counter the rising misinformation about agriculture. She explains that urban sprawl and activist-driven frameworks have led to a surge in local ordinances and restrictive regulations across western and central Wisconsin. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes that showing up to town and county meetings is just as vital for a farm's survival as participating in state or federal advocacy.

Don Meyer - Sauk County Sesquicentennial Farm

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