Blue corn? Yes! Blue is one of the four colors of corn varieties. And its grown here in southern Wisconsin despite its southwestern heritage. Blue Farm brand tortilla chips are produced and distributed by Randy Hughes and his family of A-Maize-ing Corn Products in Janesville. Randy is a fifth generation farmer. Hughes says the chips are a value-added product to his organic cropping system. 

Blue corn? Yes! Blue is one of the four colors of corn varieties. And its grown here in southern Wisconsin despite its southwestern heritage. Blue Farm brand tortilla chips are produced and distributed by Randy Hughes and his family of A-Maize-ing Corn Products in Janesville. Randy is a fifth generation farmer. Hughes says the chips are a value-added product to his organic cropping system.&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

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

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

Good Year For Blue Corn

The push to restore the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has taken center stage as a top priority for ethanol producers, corn growers, and advocates of a cleaner, greener economy. Enacted by Congress in 2005 and updated in 2007, the RFS stands as the bedrock law facilitating access to the marketplace for ethanol producers, driving growth not only in ethanol but also in the rural economy and corn production across the nation.

"The RFS is not just a law; it's a commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future," says Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy,, a leading advocate for biofuels. "It sets targets for increasing the use of renewable fuels annually and mandates oil refiners to blend gasoline with renewable fuels like ethanol."

However, despite its critical role, challenges persist, primarily stemming from the oil refining sector and environmental opposition. Historically, oil refiners have resisted the RFS, viewing it as a threat to their market share. Yet, with advancements in renewable diesel and changing perspectives within the industry, this resistance is beginning to wane.

"Many integrated refineries are now recognizing the potential of renewable fuels to maintain low carbon liquid fuels,” Skor explains. “This shift in perspective signifies a growing acceptance of the RFS as a driver of positive change."

The push to restore the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has taken center stage as a top priority for ethanol producers, corn growers, and advocates of a cleaner, greener economy. Enacted by Congress in 2005 and updated in 2007, the RFS stands as the bedrock law facilitating access to the marketplace for ethanol producers, driving growth not only in ethanol but also in the rural economy and corn production across the nation.
"The RFS is not just a law; it's a commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future," says Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy,, a leading advocate for biofuels. "It sets targets for increasing the use of renewable fuels annually and mandates oil refiners to blend gasoline with renewable fuels like ethanol."
However, despite its critical role, challenges persist, primarily stemming from the oil refining sector and environmental opposition. Historically, oil refiners have resisted the RFS, viewing it as a threat to their market share. Yet, with advancements in renewable diesel and changing perspectives within the industry, this resistance is beginning to wane.
"Many integrated refineries are now recognizing the potential of renewable fuels to maintain low carbon liquid fuels,” Skor explains. “This shift in perspective signifies a growing acceptance of the RFS as a driver of positive change."

Fight For Cheaper Fuel Continues

Have you ever wondered how plants would grow when they’re not on Earth? In space, growing plants could be important for food, oxygen and even astronauts' psychological well-being – but growing anything beyond Earth is more difficult than it might seem.

Science departments in Wisconsin have been sending tomatoes, lettuce and cotton into orbit for a few years now. And UW-Madison Professor and botanist Simon Gilroy says there's plans to use plants to sustain astronauts on long-term missions. But before that, scientists need to know how to do space farming.

Gilroy's laboratory focuses on how plants sense and respond to their environment and how these signals regulate plant development. What better way to test that out than by removing gravity, Gilroy says. The space station allows scientists to manipulate plants in ways that can't be done on Earth. His lab looks at these reactions at the cellular level.

“Most of our research is funded through NASA,” he explains. “Most of our research team is made up of students.”

Have you ever wondered how plants would grow when they’re not on Earth? In space, growing plants could be important for food, oxygen and even astronauts' psychological well-being – but growing anything beyond Earth is more difficult than it might seem.
Science departments in Wisconsin have been sending tomatoes, lettuce and cotton into orbit for a few years now. And UW-Madison Professor and botanist Simon Gilroy says there's plans to use plants to sustain astronauts on long-term missions. But before that, scientists need to know how to do space farming.
Gilroy's laboratory focuses on how plants sense and respond to their environment and how these signals regulate plant development. What better way to test that out than by removing gravity, Gilroy says. The space station allows scientists to manipulate plants in ways that can't be done on Earth. His lab looks at these reactions at the cellular level.
“Most of our research is funded through NASA,” he explains. “Most of our research team is made up of students.”

Growing Plants in Zero Gravity

Tastier salad greens and heat-resistant cattle. These are products of genetic engineering that can help our food system be more efficient and sustainable, says Beth Ellikidis, vice president of agriculture and environment with the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. BIO represents about 1,000 stakeholders in genetic engineering, including companies, states, and colleges that dabble in everything from pharmaceuticals to seeds. She says the exact science of GE can bring a lot of value to the food sector. Lynn Finnerty, senior director of public affairs, says the benefits aren't always embraced by U.S. trade partners. Mexico, for example, is turning away from biotech corn. The EU has also been hesitant. However, Finnerty sees optimism ahead.

Tastier salad greens and heat-resistant cattle. These are products of genetic engineering that can help our food system be more efficient and sustainable, says Beth Ellikidis, vice president of agriculture and environment with the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. BIO represents about 1,000 stakeholders in genetic engineering, including companies, states, and colleges that dabble in everything from pharmaceuticals to seeds. She says the exact science of GE can bring a lot of value to the food sector. Lynn Finnerty, senior director of public affairs, says the benefits aren't always embraced by U.S. trade partners. Mexico, for example, is turning away from biotech corn. The EU has also been hesitant. However, Finnerty sees optimism ahead.

Good Year For Blue Corn

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