Heritage, innovation, and a passion for food production are just a few things pulling young farmers into agriculture today. For Anthony Panke, it’s all of the above—and more. As Vice President of Family Farm Defenders, he’s on a mission to keep small farms thriving while promoting food sovereignty. Though he teaches in San Francisco, Anthony’s roots run deep in his family’s Wisconsin farm. So what keeps him coming “home” to focus on farm policy? He shares his story with Pam Jahnke.

Heritage, innovation, and a passion for food production are just a few things pulling young farmers into agriculture today. For Anthony Panke, it&rsquo;s all of the above&mdash;and more. As Vice President of Family Farm Defenders, he&rsquo;s on a mission to keep small farms thriving while promoting food sovereignty. Though he teaches in San Francisco, Anthony&rsquo;s roots run deep in his family&rsquo;s Wisconsin farm. So what keeps him coming &ldquo;home&rdquo; to focus on farm policy? He shares his story with Pam Jahnke.

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!

Fighting for Food Sovereignty and Small Farms

The holidays are filled with joy, family-time, and sweets. Specialty chocolates are always a fan favorite when Christmas comes around with fun shapes and flavors. Tracy Thompson, with Sjölinds Choclate House out of Mt. Horeb, explains why she and her husband started the business as well as how they prepare for the Christmas time. Thompson also gives a look into the chocolate making process and how they can manipulate the flavors with different beans, also being one of the few places with Wisconsin milk chocolate made with milk and butter from the state, as well as some of the supply and labor issues they are having that is similar to the agriculture industry.

The holidays are filled with joy, family-time, and sweets. Specialty chocolates are always a fan favorite when Christmas comes around with fun shapes and flavors. Tracy Thompson, with Sj&ouml;linds Choclate House out of Mt. Horeb, explains why she and her husband started the business as well as how they prepare for the Christmas time. Thompson also gives a look into the chocolate making process and how they can manipulate the flavors with different beans, also being one of the few places with Wisconsin milk chocolate made with milk and butter from the state,&nbsp;as well as some of the supply and labor issues they are having that is similar to the agriculture industry.

Choose Wisconsin Chocolate This Holiday Season

Today, internships are almost a requirement for most students aiming for a job right out of college.  Dr. Tera Montgomery, director of the school of agriculture on the UW-Platteville campus, says that applying for internships is happening earlier and earlier in the school year.  She says there's also more opportunity with remote work internships that can actually trail into the school year, and may turn into a full-time job.  Charitee Seebecker gets the details.

Snow is on the way.  That's the forecast from Stu Muck.

Angie Edge with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin puts a holiday spin on the cheeses you're looking for during this entertainment season.  Charitee Seebecker finds out about the varieties that Wisconsin's highlighting this year.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Tall Christmas trees might still be difficult to find this year.  Greg Hann from the WI Christmas Tree Growers Association says they harvested every available tree during the pandemic surge in demand, now tall trees are in shorter supply.  Hann, who also runs Hanns Christmas Tree Farm in Oregon, WI, also says supplies of all trees look good this year.

John Heinberg, broker manager with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, joins Pam Jahnke to talk holiday cycles.  Traders exited their livestock positions in a big way Monday, and corn export momentum is shifting too.

Today, internships are almost a requirement for most students aiming for a job right out of college.&nbsp; Dr. Tera Montgomery, director of the school of agriculture on the UW-Platteville campus, says that applying for internships is happening earlier and earlier in the school year.&nbsp; She says there's also more opportunity with remote work internships that can actually trail into the school year, and may turn into a full-time job.&nbsp; Charitee Seebecker gets the details.
Snow is on the way.&nbsp; That's the forecast from Stu Muck.
Angie Edge with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin puts a holiday spin on the cheeses you're looking for during this entertainment season.&nbsp; Charitee Seebecker finds out about the varieties that Wisconsin's highlighting this year.&nbsp; Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
Tall Christmas trees might still be difficult to find this year.&nbsp; Greg Hann from the WI Christmas Tree Growers Association says they harvested every available tree during the pandemic surge in demand, now tall trees are in shorter supply.&nbsp; Hann, who also runs Hanns Christmas Tree Farm in Oregon, WI, also says supplies of all trees look good this year.
John Heinberg, broker manager with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, joins Pam Jahnke to talk holiday cycles.&nbsp; Traders exited their livestock positions in a big way Monday, and corn export momentum is shifting too.

Tough Finding A Tall Christmas Tree - Tough Finding Interested Traders - Heinberg

The tin can that acts as a vessel for vegetables may be the most expensive component of the whole process!  That's one of the insights Ben Jarboe found when speaking with Jason Culotta. He's the outgoing president of the midwest food products association.

Dense fog will slow the commute this morning according to Stu Muck, ag meteorologist.

It's tradition to give during the holiday season, but when it comes to financial giving to causes - think local.  That's the advice of volunteer Stephanie Kraemer, who helps at the Sauk County Humane Shelter.  She explains the cost of operation for the facility and where donations are channeled to Stephanie Hoff.

Darren VonRuden was re-elected as president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union during their 94th annual convention over the weekend.

Consumers really like to focus on buying local when it comes to their food, but how do you buy local in the winter, in Wisconsin?  Pam Jahnke finds out how one hyper-local, focused chef manages to keep the menu fresh.  Kyle Julius, owner of Chef At Large, says it's a collaboration of what chefs want and what farms can grow.

The tin can that acts as a vessel for vegetables may be the most expensive component of the whole process!&nbsp; That's one of the insights Ben Jarboe found when speaking with Jason Culotta. He's the outgoing president of the midwest food products association.
Dense fog will slow the commute this morning according to Stu Muck, ag meteorologist.
It's tradition to give during the holiday season, but when it comes to financial giving to causes - think local.&nbsp; That's the advice of volunteer Stephanie Kraemer, who helps at the Sauk County Humane Shelter.&nbsp; She explains the cost of operation for the facility and where donations are channeled to Stephanie Hoff.
Darren VonRuden was re-elected as president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union during their 94th annual convention over the weekend.
Consumers really like to focus on buying local when it comes to their food, but how do you buy local in the winter, in Wisconsin?&nbsp; Pam Jahnke finds out how one hyper-local, focused chef manages to keep the menu fresh.&nbsp; Kyle Julius, owner of Chef At Large, says it's a collaboration of what chefs want and what farms can grow.

Fighting for Food Sovereignty and Small Farms

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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