In an effort to preserve Wisconsin’s farmland for future generations, the state's Farmland Preservation Program has undergone a substantial update. The program, which serves as a crucial tool for farmers to protect their land, has received revisions aimed at enhancing its effectiveness and ensuring its alignment with evolving agricultural needs. Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski says the Farmland Preservation Program is more than just a policy—it's a commitment to the future of agriculture in Wisconsin. 

"Preliminary data for claims made in 2022 shows that more than 9,000 agricultural landowners claimed the farmland preservation tax credit. Currently, there are more than 7.8 million acres located in an eligible zoning district, Agricultural Enterprise Area, or both."

Wisconsin Farm Bureau member Robert Nigh of Vernon County says this program helps farmers in his area overcome concerns about preserving their land. 

Wisconsin Farm Bureau extends its gratitude to those who supported this program and their commitment to safeguarding Wisconsin's agricultural legacy. To find out if you are in an eligible Farmland Preservation area, contact your local land conservation department.

In an effort to preserve Wisconsin’s farmland for future generations, the state's Farmland Preservation Program has undergone a substantial update. The program, which serves as a crucial tool for farmers to protect their land, has received revisions aimed at enhancing its effectiveness and ensuring its alignment with evolving agricultural needs. Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski says the Farmland Preservation Program is more than just a policy—it's a commitment to the future of agriculture in Wisconsin. 
"Preliminary data for claims made in 2022 shows that more than 9,000 agricultural landowners claimed the farmland preservation tax credit. Currently, there are more than 7.8 million acres located in an eligible zoning district, Agricultural Enterprise Area, or both."
Wisconsin Farm Bureau member Robert Nigh of Vernon County says this program helps farmers in his area overcome concerns about preserving their land. 
Wisconsin Farm Bureau extends its gratitude to those who supported this program and their commitment to safeguarding Wisconsin's agricultural legacy. To find out if you are in an eligible Farmland Preservation area, contact your local land conservation department.

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!

Protecting Wisconsin's Agricultural Heritage Through Farmland Preservation

Wisconsin hemp growers are facing going out of business if state leaders don't take action to protect them.  Part of the comprehensive compromise bill that got the federal government open again contained language that would shut down the nation's hemp industry by this time next year.  State Senator Pat Testin recognizes the value in the industry and has crafted legislation that would, hopefully, allow the growers and manufacturers to continue.  Pam Jahnke finds out about those efforts, and his recent meeting with WI Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, over proposed fee increases that would impact the state's livestock industry.

Winter weather advisory out for most of Wisconsin beginning this afternoon.  Stu Muck explains what the next system is bringing in and what we should expect.

Dairy is struggling and it's an odd time of the year for that statement to be true.  Stephanie Hoff talks with Kim Heiman, manager at Nasonville Dairy in Marshfield.  Nasonville focuses a lot of attention on "commodity cheese" which can be marketed through the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  He explains how that market's been impacted and what 2026 quarter one looks like.

USDA announced a $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance program on Monday.  Pam Jahnke explains the released details and what WI farms will qualify for payments.  She also announces the election results from the 106th annual business meeting of the WI Farm Bureau Federation.  Brad Olsen has been re-elected WFBF President, and Brian Preder has been elected Rural Mutual Insurance President.


Markets are flat in reaction to the USDA aid announced yesterday.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke to discuss.  He also notes that today we'll get the December World Ag Supply report.  Although not usually a newsmaker - traders may be looking for information.

Wisconsin hemp growers are facing going out of business if state leaders don't take action to protect them.&nbsp; Part of the comprehensive compromise bill that got the federal government open again contained language that would shut down the nation's hemp industry by this time next year.&nbsp; State Senator Pat Testin recognizes the value in the industry and has crafted legislation that would, hopefully, allow the growers and manufacturers to continue.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke finds out about those efforts, and his recent meeting with WI Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, over proposed fee increases that would impact the state's livestock industry.
Winter weather advisory out for most of Wisconsin beginning this afternoon.&nbsp; Stu Muck explains what the next system is bringing in and what we should expect.
Dairy is struggling and it's an odd time of the year for that statement to be true.&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff talks with Kim Heiman, manager at Nasonville Dairy in Marshfield.&nbsp; Nasonville focuses a lot of attention on "commodity cheese" which can be marketed through the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.&nbsp; He explains how that market's been impacted and what 2026 quarter one looks like.
USDA announced a $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance program on Monday.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke explains the released details and what WI farms will qualify for payments.&nbsp; She also announces the election results from the 106th annual business meeting of the WI Farm Bureau Federation.&nbsp; Brad Olsen has been re-elected WFBF President, and Brian Preder has been elected Rural Mutual Insurance President.
 Markets are flat in reaction to the USDA aid announced yesterday.&nbsp; John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke to discuss.&nbsp; He also notes that today we'll get the December World Ag Supply report.&nbsp; Although not usually a newsmaker - traders may be looking for information.

USDA Announces Farmer Bridge Assistance But Market Doesn't React - Heinberg

Soybean growers are still anxious about international trade, especially with China.  Bob Bosold finds out what the path forward looks like from the president of the American Soybean Association, Caleb Ragland.  Ragland says they're optimistic that the Trump Administration will continue to pressure China to live up to its agreements.  He also makes the point that American farmers are only looking to work on a level playing field with other farmers around the world.

Lots of clouds to start off your work week.  Stu Muck says that there's another Alberta clipper targeting Wisconsin later this week that will bring much lower temperatures, and maybe some snow, back to the state starting as soon as Tuesday.

International travel isn't something that every Alice in Dairyland has a chance to do.  Sarah Hagenow, Wisconsin's current Alice, just returned from a trade trip to China with the WI Ginseng Growers. Kiley Allan finds out how the show went, and what Hagenow learned observing the business transacted.Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin in conjunction with the Center for Dairy Research released new information about consumer cheese trends for 2026.  Pam Jahnke reports that the top 5 trends include:  authenticity, protein, texture, health and sustainability as top priorities when consumers are shopping for cheese.


Wisconsin's vast variety of specialty cheeses make it a sensation during the holiday entertainment season.  Pam Jahnke visits with Pepin County dairy producer Jonathon Hallock.  He sits on the board of directors for DFW, and shares his personal experiences sharing the flavors that make Wisconsin dairy great.  He also helps consumers find the "Proudly Wisconsin" badge wherever they're shopping - especially outside the state.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Soybean growers are still anxious about international trade, especially with China.&nbsp; Bob Bosold finds out what the path forward looks like from the president of the American Soybean Association, Caleb Ragland.&nbsp; Ragland says they're optimistic that the Trump Administration will continue to pressure China to live up to its agreements.&nbsp; He also makes the point that American farmers are only looking to work on a level playing field with other farmers around the world.
Lots of clouds to start off your work week.&nbsp; Stu Muck says that there's another Alberta clipper targeting Wisconsin later this week that will bring much lower temperatures, and maybe some snow, back to the state starting as soon as Tuesday.
International travel isn't something that every Alice in Dairyland has a chance to do.&nbsp; Sarah Hagenow, Wisconsin's current Alice, just returned from a trade trip to China with the WI Ginseng Growers. Kiley Allan finds out how the show went, and what Hagenow learned observing the business transacted.Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin in conjunction with the Center for Dairy Research released new information about consumer cheese trends for 2026.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke reports that the top 5 trends include:&nbsp; authenticity, protein, texture, health and sustainability as top priorities when consumers are shopping for cheese.
 Wisconsin's vast variety of specialty cheeses make it a sensation during the holiday entertainment season.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke visits with Pepin County dairy producer Jonathon Hallock.&nbsp; He sits on the board of directors for DFW, and shares his personal experiences sharing the flavors that make Wisconsin dairy great.&nbsp; He also helps consumers find the "Proudly Wisconsin" badge wherever they're shopping - especially outside the state.&nbsp; Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Alice Goes International And Soybean Growers Sound Off On Trade

Names can be deceptive when it comes to charitable organizations.  What you think they do, they may not.  Kiley Allan finds out about what to look for from Hannah Thompson-Weeman, President and CEO of Animal Agriculture Alliance.  She says that animal rights extremist groups that oppose raising animals for food are seeing financial growth.  The money they're bringing in is reaching $865 million.  That is almost a 10% increase in one year.  Funding comes from consumers lured in by sad animal commercials, as well as powerful private foundations.  She says to responsibly donate - give directly to your animal shelter to make sure your gift is properly used.

Wisconsin weather conditions are going to start to change this evening.  Stu Muck says some will see snow, others a mix of freezing precipitation.


It's the final wrap up with Helena Agri.  Steve Bailie, branch manager for the Monroe location of Helena Agri talks with Pam Jahnke about the information generated from the harvest and how they're using it to make wise investments on inputs for 2026.  Paid for by Helena Agri.

UW-Madison Extension is creating a new 3-day short course for people interested in beekeeping.  Pam Jahnke reports that the course will be Feb. 13-15 and cover everything from hive health to marketing of products.  She also highlights a new report out from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin that sharpens our vision of what consumers will be looking for in 2026.  The research was conducted in cooperation with the Center for Dairy Research and shows the following cheese related trends.  Consumers are looking for:
    #1 - Sustainability
    #2 - Health
    #3 - Texture
    #4 - Protein    #5 - Authenticitywisconsindairy.org/cheesetrends

It's a part of almost every day's activities.  Buying something online.  Even the most savvy shopper needs to exercise caution when it comes to those purchases. Michelle Reinen, Administrator of the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection tells him that in 2024 the FTC received over 380,000 fraud reports and Wisconsin had 5,000 of those shoppers.  DATCP says that online shopping is the #1 source of consumer fraud complaints.  Consumers should verify if a website or platform is safe by looking for "HTTPS" and a padlock icon. 

Names can be deceptive when it comes to charitable organizations.&nbsp; What you think they do, they may not.&nbsp; Kiley Allan finds out about what to look for from&nbsp;Hannah Thompson-Weeman, President and CEO of Animal Agriculture Alliance.&nbsp; She says that animal rights extremist groups that oppose raising animals for food are seeing financial growth.&nbsp; The money they're bringing in is reaching $865 million.&nbsp; That is almost a 10% increase in one year.&nbsp; Funding comes from consumers lured in by sad animal commercials, as well as powerful private foundations.&nbsp; She says to responsibly&nbsp;donate - give directly to your animal shelter to make sure your gift is properly used.
Wisconsin weather conditions are going to start to change this evening.&nbsp; Stu Muck says some will see snow, others a mix of freezing precipitation.
 It's the final wrap up with Helena Agri.&nbsp; Steve Bailie, branch manager for the Monroe location of Helena Agri talks with Pam Jahnke about the information generated from the harvest and how they're using it to make wise investments on inputs for 2026.&nbsp; Paid for by Helena Agri. UW-Madison Extension is creating a new 3-day short course for people interested in beekeeping.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke reports that the course will be Feb. 13-15 and cover everything from hive health to marketing of products.&nbsp; She also highlights a new report out from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin that sharpens our vision of what consumers will be looking for in 2026.&nbsp; The research was conducted in cooperation with the Center for Dairy Research and shows the following cheese related trends.&nbsp; Consumers are looking for: &nbsp; &nbsp; #1 - Sustainability &nbsp; &nbsp; #2 - Health &nbsp; &nbsp; #3 - Texture &nbsp; &nbsp; #4 - Protein&nbsp; &nbsp; #5 - Authenticity<a href="http://wisconsindairy.org/cheesetrends" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://wisconsindairy.org/cheesetrends&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1765367026394000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0t7BokRtWBaExtzhzS9WQn">wisconsindairy.org/cheesetrends</a>
It's a part of almost every day's activities.&nbsp; Buying something online.&nbsp; Even the most savvy shopper needs to exercise caution when it comes to those purchases. Michelle Reinen, Administrator of the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection tells him that in 2024 the FTC received over 380,000 fraud reports and Wisconsin had 5,000 of those shoppers.&nbsp; DATCP says that online shopping is the #1 source of consumer fraud complaints.&nbsp; Consumers should verify if a website or platform is safe by looking for "HTTPS" and a padlock icon.&nbsp;

Protecting Wisconsin's Agricultural Heritage Through Farmland Preservation

In 1 playlist(s)

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips