From the outside, school lunches may seem simple.  However, handling dietary guidelines and financial constraints can make that meal anything but simple.  Kiley Allan learns more about the complicated process from Caitlin Harrison, Director of Food & Nutrition Services at Elmbrook School District.  Harrison says menu planning for school meals must adhere to complex federal regulations governing calorie counts, sodium limits, fat percentages, whole grains, lean proteins, and fiber requirements. She says federal reimbursement must cover all operational costs—including labor, equipment, maintenance, and overhead—leaving only about $1.00 to $2.00 per student tray to cover actual food costs.  That means a budget really has to stretch.  Harrison says they try to stay in touch with the kids and parents on the menu.  They frequently conduct surveys asking strategic questions but it seems that students typically request favorites like chicken, pizza, and burgers, while parents ask for greater overall variety, whole grains, and diverse ethnic cuisine.

Today will be the last dry day for Wisconsin's weather.  Stu Muck says the moisture starts rolling in tonight.

Land sales are popping up again on the Steffes Group website.  Ashley Huhn tells Pam Jahnke that these transactions can take a little longer than selling a tractor because of the process and the price.


2,477 dairy animals are now housed at World Dairy Expo 2026.  Pam Jahnke visits with Lisa Behnke, communications director for the show, about the generational stories to be told.  Not just the cow generations, but the family generations caring for those cows.

Heavy harvest pressure being felt in the marketplace.  John Heinberg, market advisor for Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke for a quick update on how yields look.  Also monitoring any new business internationally that can help use this crop. He says that the wet weather is taking its toll on Iowa farm fields.  Despite the 'less than expected' results of talks with China, there's still been some interesting movement in soybeans available for immediate delivery.

From the outside, school lunches may seem simple.&nbsp; However, handling dietary guidelines and financial constraints can make that meal anything but simple.&nbsp; Kiley Allan learns more about the complicated process from Caitlin&nbsp;Harrison, Director of Food &amp; Nutrition Services at Elmbrook School District.&nbsp; Harrison says menu planning for school meals must adhere to complex federal regulations governing calorie counts, sodium limits, fat percentages, whole grains, lean proteins, and fiber requirements. She says federal reimbursement must cover all operational costs&mdash;including labor, equipment, maintenance, and overhead&mdash;leaving only about $1.00 to $2.00 per student tray to cover actual food costs.&nbsp; That means a budget really has to stretch.&nbsp; Harrison says they try to stay in touch with the kids and parents on the menu.&nbsp; They frequently conduct surveys asking strategic questions but it seems that students typically request favorites like chicken, pizza, and burgers, while parents ask for greater overall variety, whole grains, and diverse ethnic cuisine.
Today will be the last dry day for Wisconsin's weather.&nbsp; Stu Muck says the moisture starts rolling in tonight.
Land sales are popping up again on the Steffes Group website.&nbsp; Ashley Huhn tells Pam Jahnke that these transactions can take a little longer than selling a tractor because of the process and the price.
 2,477 dairy animals are now housed at World Dairy Expo 2026.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke visits with Lisa Behnke, communications director for the show, about the generational stories to be told.&nbsp; Not just the cow generations, but the family generations caring for those cows.
Heavy harvest pressure being felt in the marketplace.&nbsp; John Heinberg, market advisor for Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke for a quick update on how yields look.&nbsp; Also monitoring any new business internationally that can help use this crop. He says that the wet weather is taking its toll on Iowa farm fields.&nbsp; Despite the 'less than expected' results of talks with China, there's still been some interesting movement in soybeans available for immediate delivery.

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!