Investments in rural America are desperately needed to support the people who feed our entire country and world. President Biden announced Wednesday in Minnesota 5 billion dollars will be invested in various rural initiatives across the country. USDA Deputy Secretary Xochital Torres Small visited West Star Farm in Cottage Grove where she announced 19.5 million dollars in funding for rural Wisconsin. She shares more about where this funding will go and the impact it will have on our rural communities. 

Investments in rural America are desperately needed to support the people who feed our entire country and world. President Biden announced Wednesday in Minnesota 5 billion dollars will be invested in various rural initiatives across the country. USDA Deputy Secretary Xochital Torres Small visited West Star Farm in Cottage Grove where she announced 19.5 million dollars in funding for rural Wisconsin. She shares more about where this funding will go and the impact it will have on our rural communities.

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!

Investing in Rural Wisconsin

We’re checking in with Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden, who says a win in the past year was that membership is growing, but that may be due to some of the headwinds that farmers are facing, which is drawing them to advocacy organizations. He says market disruptions, gaps in crop loss compensation, and a stalled Farm Bill are motivations to hit the ground running in 2026.

We&rsquo;re checking in with Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden, who says a win in the past year was that membership is growing, but that may be due to some of the headwinds that farmers are facing, which is drawing them to advocacy organizations. He says market disruptions, gaps in crop loss compensation, and a stalled Farm Bill are motivations to hit the ground running in 2026.

Uncertainty Comes With A Cost, Explains WFU President Darin Von Ruden

With 2026 being an election year, the window for legislative action in Madison is closing fast. We’re talking about it today with Michelle Ramirez-White, government relations director for Wisconsin Farmers Union. She previews their Farm & Rural Lobby Day on Jan. 14 and the hit list for topics, but first gives us the lay of the land when it comes to the state legislative calendar. 

With 2026 being an election year, the window for legislative action in Madison is closing fast. We&rsquo;re talking about it today with Michelle Ramirez-White, government relations director for Wisconsin Farmers Union. She previews their Farm &amp; Rural Lobby Day on Jan. 14 and the hit list for topics, but first gives us the lay of the land when it comes to the state legislative calendar.&nbsp;

Cottage Foods, Elk Damage & The Closing Legislative Window

Every year, a fleet of farm machinery begins a journey that follows the grain harvest from South to North. But custom harvesting is about more than just cutting wheat or corn. It’s a logistics game. And it involves cutting-edge data, complex labor laws, and a constant battle against the elements. Paul Paplow is the president of U.S. Custom Harvesters. He’s based out of Northwest Iowa, but he covers national ground. He reflects on a busy year. He explains that while the equipment is getting smarter and the data is getting more precise, the heart of custom harvesting still lies in the people.

Every year, a fleet of farm machinery begins a journey that follows the grain harvest from South to North. But custom harvesting is about more than just cutting wheat or corn. It&rsquo;s a logistics game. And it involves cutting-edge data, complex labor laws, and a constant battle against the elements. Paul Paplow is the president of U.S. Custom Harvesters. He&rsquo;s based out of Northwest Iowa, but he covers national ground. He reflects on a busy year. He explains that while&nbsp;the equipment is getting smarter and the data is getting more precise, the heart of custom harvesting still lies in the people.

Investing in Rural Wisconsin

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