One Century Farm being recognized this year also saw one of its family members turning 100 years old. The Crass family farm in Adams County belongs to John & Susan Crass, and John's mother, Verna, celebrated her 100th birthday alongside the farm. Verna shares more about the farm's history and what life was like growing up on her family's farm, while John shares some of his memories and what the farm looks like today. 

The attached image is of Susan and John Crass with John's mother, Verna.

One Century Farm being recognized this year also saw one of its family members turning 100 years old. The Crass family farm in Adams County belongs to John &amp; Susan Crass, and John's mother, Verna, celebrated her 100th birthday alongside the farm. Verna shares more about the farm's history and what life was like growing up on her family's farm, while John shares some of his memories and what the farm looks like today. 
The attached image is of Susan and John Crass with John's mother, Verna.

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!

John Crass & Verna Crass - Adams County - 100 Years

Between Wisconsin’s unpredictable weather patterns, shifting global policies, and volatile market prices, much of a producer's success depends on factors outside their control. Susan Brugger, an agent with Rural Mutual Insurance based in Dodgeville and Fennimore, shares her expertise on how farmers, from Wisconsin hobbyists to large-scale operators, can use insurance to protect their "blood, sweat, and tears." Brugger tells Stephanie Hoff five key ways insurance helps manage risk on the farm.

Between Wisconsin&rsquo;s unpredictable weather patterns, shifting global policies, and volatile market prices, much of a producer's success depends on factors outside their control.&nbsp;Susan Brugger, an agent with Rural Mutual Insurance based in Dodgeville and Fennimore, shares her expertise on how farmers, from Wisconsin hobbyists to large-scale operators, can use insurance to protect their "blood, sweat, and tears." Brugger tells Stephanie Hoff five key ways insurance helps manage risk on the farm.

Five Ways Insurance Helps Manage Farm Risk

The Agricultural Road Improvement Program, or ARIP as the Department of Transportation (DOT) likes to call it, is a program that has seen a real, big-time impact on Wisconsin's infrastructure and economy, according to John DesRivieres. He's the communication director for the Wisconsin DOT. The program is a dedicated state funding source that improves the roads used by farmers and producers to transport agricultural products and goods. Thus far, the program has funded 122 improvement projects across 56 of Wisconsin's 72 counties. The roads associated with those projects transport 23.5 million tons of ag products each year. That's valued at $13 billion. John tells Kiley Allan it's only the beginning.

The Agricultural Road Improvement Program, or ARIP as the Department of Transportation (DOT) likes to call it, is a program that has seen a real, big-time impact on Wisconsin's infrastructure and economy, according to John DesRivieres. He's the communication director for the Wisconsin DOT. The program is a dedicated state funding source that improves the roads used by farmers and producers to transport agricultural products and goods. Thus far, the program has funded 122 improvement projects across 56 of Wisconsin's 72 counties. The roads associated with those projects transport 23.5 million tons of ag products each year. That's valued at $13 billion. John tells Kiley Allan it's only the beginning.

ARIP Is Paving The Way For Farmer Success

Mary Lewandowski works on her family’s dairy farm in Wisconsin. Her great-great-great-grandparents founded the farm more than a hundred years ago. Today, the farm has some fifty cows that must be fed, milked, and kept happy and healthy. Corn and alfalfa need to be planted and harvested for their feed. It’s all a lot of work for Mary, but she loves her cows, and they provide us with milk to drink, cheese and ice cream to eat, and many other delicious dairy treats.Welcome to My Farm is a fun and illuminating look at farm life in the heart of America’s Dairyland. Presenting a day in the life of a small dairy farm, the book shares fascinating facts about dairy cows and the crops that farmers grow. Readers will also meet cuddly kittens and Mary’s two collies, Buffy and Buddy! Kiley Allan visits with the author about what she hopes kids take away from the book.

Another morning of frost statewide.  Soil temperatures are becoming a worry for farmers that already have seed in the ground.  Stu Muck says the sun today should help that situation, but overnight lows will continue to bring frost.

Wisconsin’s potato industry is facing market pressure despite planting season being underway.  Ben Jarboe talks with Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the WI Potato & Vegetable Growers Association.  Global changes are forcing a reassessment of WI potatoes.  Houlihan says western U.S. potato exports have declined as countries like China and India increase competition.  Key international markets such as Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia are no longer as strong for U.S. potatoes.  Much of the western potato supply is used for French fry production, which has been heavily impacted.  U.S. processors are cutting supply needs by 30–40%, reducing demand for grower.  That trickle down effect is forcing changes in Wisconsin's potato strategy.  Consumers will likely benefit from lower potato prices at the store.

Kudos to Mary Cooper, middle school teacher from Richland Center.  She's been named the 2026 WI Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year.  Plus Bob Hagenow of Deforest is receiving the Guest of Honor award from the National Dairy Shrine this September.  Hagenow's been a long time fixture in Wisconsin's dairy industry.

Consumer's pocketbooks continue to constrict with escalating energy costs.  They're making changes at the grocery store and when they dine out too.  Mike North, dairy analyst with EverAg joins Pam Jahnke to explain how those buying patterns ripple through dairy pricing.  He also notes that milk production is not backing down.  The upside of all of this is that dairy plant expansion continues in Wisconsin and across the U.S.

Mary Lewandowski works on her family&rsquo;s dairy farm in Wisconsin. Her great-great-great-grandparents founded the farm more than a hundred years ago. Today, the farm has some fifty cows that must be fed, milked, and kept happy and healthy. Corn and alfalfa need to be planted and harvested for their feed. It&rsquo;s all a lot of work for Mary, but she loves her cows, and they provide us with milk to drink, cheese and ice cream to eat, and many other delicious dairy treats.Welcome to My Farm is a fun and illuminating look at farm life in the heart of America&rsquo;s Dairyland. Presenting a day in the life of a small dairy farm, the book shares fascinating facts about dairy cows and the crops that farmers grow. Readers will also meet cuddly kittens and Mary&rsquo;s two collies, Buffy and Buddy! Kiley Allan visits with the author about what she hopes kids take away from the book.
Another morning of frost statewide. &nbsp;Soil temperatures are becoming a worry for farmers that already have seed in the ground. &nbsp;Stu Muck says the sun today should help that situation, but overnight lows will continue to bring frost.
Wisconsin&rsquo;s potato industry is facing market pressure despite planting season being underway. &nbsp;Ben Jarboe talks with Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the WI Potato &amp; Vegetable Growers Association. &nbsp;Global changes are forcing a reassessment of WI potatoes. &nbsp;Houlihan says western U.S. potato exports have declined as countries like China and India increase competition. &nbsp;Key international markets such as Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia are no longer as strong for U.S. potatoes. &nbsp;Much of the western potato supply is used for French fry production, which has been heavily impacted. &nbsp;U.S. processors are cutting supply needs by 30&ndash;40%, reducing demand for grower. &nbsp;That trickle down effect is forcing changes in Wisconsin's potato strategy. &nbsp;Consumers will likely benefit from lower potato prices at the store.
Kudos to Mary Cooper, middle school teacher from Richland Center. &nbsp;She's been named the 2026 WI Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. &nbsp;Plus Bob Hagenow of Deforest is receiving the Guest of Honor award from the National Dairy Shrine this September. &nbsp;Hagenow's been a long time fixture in Wisconsin's dairy industry.
Consumer's pocketbooks continue to constrict with escalating energy costs. &nbsp;They're making changes at the grocery store and when they dine out too. &nbsp;Mike North, dairy analyst with EverAg joins Pam Jahnke to explain how those buying patterns ripple through dairy pricing. &nbsp;He also notes that milk production is not backing down. &nbsp;The upside of all of this is that dairy plant expansion continues in Wisconsin and across the U.S.

John Crass & Verna Crass - Adams County - 100 Years

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