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

If you've ever seen the fascination that kids have with tractors or farm equipment - how they pretend to farm while running their toys over carpet - then you might have a sense of what drives Tanner Johnson.

31 year old Tanner Johnson did not grow up on a farm, but he always knew he wanted to be a farmer.  Throughout his life, he was a shadow to local farmers doing whatever he could to be involved.  Milking cows, doing field work - didn't matter, Tanner was in.

Today, that 31 year old is doing what he loves - farming.  He's currently at home in the small community of Prairie Farm in Barron County.  In addition to soybeans, he is involved in the production of corn, winter wheat, alfalfa hay, and various cover crop species in a long-term, no-till environment. Most soybeans produced on the operation are food-grade soybeans and are primarily exported to Southeast Asia for human consumption.

Outside of crop production, Tanner owns and operates a Pioneer Seed agency and agronomy consulting business with his two business partners. Their primary business focus is helping farmers become more profitable and productive in a sustainable manner.

Tanner doesn't limit his engagement in farming to just being ON the farm.  He has been involved with the Wisconsin Soybean Association since 2017 when he graduated from the DuPont Young Leaders Program. Tanner was elected to the Wisconsin Soybean Association board of directors in 2021 and serves as an at-large director. Johnson was elected to serve on the American Soybean Association board in December 2022 and serves on the regulatory committee.

He explains to Pam Jahnke why he's driven to be a farmer that's engaged in helping influence his future as a farmer.

If you've ever seen the fascination that kids have with tractors or farm equipment - how they pretend to farm while running their toys over carpet - then you might have a sense of what drives Tanner Johnson.
31 year old Tanner Johnson did not grow up on a farm, but he always knew he wanted to be a farmer.&nbsp; Throughout his life, he was a shadow to local farmers doing whatever he could to be involved.&nbsp; Milking cows, doing field work - didn't matter, Tanner was in.
Today, that 31 year old is doing what he loves - farming.&nbsp; He's currently at home in the small community of Prairie Farm in Barron County. &nbsp;In addition to soybeans, he is involved in the production of corn, winter wheat, alfalfa hay, and various cover crop species in a long-term, no-till environment. Most soybeans produced on the operation are food-grade soybeans and are primarily exported to Southeast Asia for human consumption.
Outside of crop production, Tanner owns and operates a Pioneer Seed agency and agronomy consulting business with his two business partners. Their primary business focus is helping farmers become more profitable and productive in a sustainable manner.
Tanner doesn't limit his engagement in farming to just being ON the farm. &nbsp;He has been involved with the <a href="https://wisoybean.org/">Wisconsin Soybean Association</a> since 2017 when he graduated from the DuPont Young Leaders Program. Tanner was elected to the <a href="https://wisoybean.org/">Wisconsin Soybean Association</a> board of directors in 2021 and serves as an at-large director. Johnson was elected to serve on the American Soybean Association board in December 2022 and serves on the regulatory committee.
He explains to Pam Jahnke why he's driven to be a farmer that's engaged in helping influence his future as a farmer.

Meet A First Generation Farmer - 31 Year Old Tanner Johnson

Wisconsin has recently confirmed a case of bird flu in poultry in Kenosha County, marking the first detection in the state in some time. Dr. Darlene Konkel, Wisconsin’s State Veterinarian, shared insights about the situation, emphasizing biosecurity measures for all livestock producers.

The strain responsible, H5N1, has been circulating in North America for years. However, Dr. Konkel clarified, “The genotype affecting poultry is different from the one found in dairy cattle herds in some states.” While there’s no evidence linking the poultry cases in Wisconsin to the cattle genotype, biosecurity remains critical.

Wisconsin has recently confirmed a case of bird flu in poultry in Kenosha County, marking the first detection in the state in some time. Dr. Darlene Konkel, Wisconsin&rsquo;s State Veterinarian, shared insights about the situation, emphasizing biosecurity measures for all livestock producers.
The strain responsible, H5N1, has been circulating in North America for years. However, Dr. Konkel clarified, &ldquo;The genotype affecting poultry is different from the one found in dairy cattle herds in some states.&rdquo; While there&rsquo;s no evidence linking the poultry cases in Wisconsin to the cattle genotype, biosecurity remains critical.

Wisconsin Farms on Alert: How to Guard Against Bird Flu

Wisconsin is celebrating a record-low unemployment rate, but more jobs need to be filled, including within the agriculture sector. Without more people, what solutions are out there? This is where artificial intelligence is coming in. Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek joins us today with how many Wisconsin businesses and what kind of industries have been able to harness AI. She starts by painting the picture for us of what Wisconsin’s workforce looks like today.

Wisconsin is celebrating a record-low unemployment rate, but more jobs need to be filled, including within the agriculture sector. Without more people, what solutions are out there? This is where artificial intelligence is coming in. Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek joins us today with how many Wisconsin businesses and what kind of industries have been able to harness AI. She starts by painting the picture for us of what Wisconsin&rsquo;s workforce looks like today.

Fighting for Food Sovereignty and Small Farms

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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