Welcome back as we explore stories of innovation and tradition in Wisconsin’s specialty crop sector. Today we’re heading to Retzer Family Farm near Fond du Lac. On the farm, you’ll find Ledgerock Distillery, where the Retzer family is producing craft spirits with their grain – think bourbon, whiskey, vodka, and gin. Bryce Retzer says inviting people to the farm to enjoy their product has been rewarding because it gives consumers a chance to ask questions about agriculture. He says farming has been a part of his family for generations, and the addition of the distillery has allowed the farm to continue.

Welcome back as we explore stories of innovation and tradition in Wisconsin&rsquo;s specialty crop sector. Today we&rsquo;re heading to Retzer Family Farm near Fond du Lac. On the farm, you&rsquo;ll find Ledgerock Distillery, where the Retzer family is producing craft spirits with their grain &ndash; think bourbon, whiskey, vodka, and gin. Bryce Retzer says inviting people to the farm to enjoy their product has been rewarding because it gives consumers a chance to ask questions about agriculture. He says farming has been a part of his family for generations, and the addition of the distillery has allowed the farm to continue.

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

It's time to find your next ag-venture with the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association. Hundreds of Wisconsin specialty crop producers are eager to welcome you to their farms for food, recreation, and education. We're introducing you to these destinations courtesy of USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant 23-10. WATA is increasing the demand for and sales of specialty crops and agricultural tourism experiences through the 'Wisconsin, America's Agricultural Tourism Destination' campaign. Learn more at https://gowiagtourism.com/

It's time to find your next ag-venture with the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association. Hundreds of Wisconsin specialty crop producers are eager to welcome you to their farms for food, recreation, and education. We're introducing you to these destinations courtesy of USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant 23-10. WATA is increasing the demand for and sales of specialty crops and agricultural tourism experiences through the 'Wisconsin, America's Agricultural Tourism Destination' campaign. Learn more at <a href="https://gowiagtourism.com/">https://gowiagtourism.com/</a>

Exploring Wisconsin Specialty Crops With WATA

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

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

Sipping Spirits On The Farm - A Diversification Strategy

Wolf numbers in Wisconsin continue to grow, increasing concern from livestock owners on depradation.  Jill Welke finds out how Bob Mitchell is working to deal with the conflict.  Mitchell is a member of the WI Cattlemen's Association and also sits on the DNR Wolf Advisory Board.  He explains the science behind how the state looks to manage the wolf population.

High wind advisories are in effect across the state of Wisconsin today through the weekend.  Stu Muck says we'll also have to manage through a mix of precipitation starting Saturday through Monday morning.

On this edition of the Mid-West Ride Along, Pam Jahnke meets patriarch, Ralph Berry, from Berry Farms in Curtiss, WI.  Starting as a dairy that expanded into custom harvesting, Ralph Berry explains the evolution of the equipment he's used to farm his acres and harvest for others.  Schultz's Inter-State Ag, headquartered in Monroe, has been a stalwart partner with Berry Farms.  Jeremy Buchner is a service technician that helps keep things working all around the region.  Although Buchner didn't grow up in agriculture, he's found his passion in helping farms keep rolling.As fewer Wisconsinites come from a farming background, farms must take on the responsibility of educating the public about their operations. 

Ben Jarboe finds out how the Dairy Business Association/Edge Dairy Cooperative engages with town and county officials before they craft limiting ordinances that could stifle agricultural growth.  Erin Tomasik tells Ben Jarboe that they're physically taking farmers with them to key meetings to share what they do daily on the farm, and why.

Wolf numbers in Wisconsin continue to grow, increasing concern from livestock owners on depradation.&nbsp; Jill Welke finds out how Bob Mitchell is working to deal with the conflict.&nbsp; Mitchell is a member of the WI Cattlemen's Association and also sits on the DNR Wolf Advisory Board.&nbsp; He explains the science behind how the state looks to manage the wolf population.
High wind advisories are in effect across the state of Wisconsin today through the weekend.&nbsp; Stu Muck says we'll also have to manage through a mix of precipitation starting Saturday through Monday morning.
On this edition of the Mid-West Ride Along, Pam Jahnke meets patriarch, Ralph Berry, from Berry Farms in Curtiss, WI.&nbsp; Starting as a dairy that expanded into custom harvesting, Ralph Berry explains the evolution of the equipment he's used to farm his acres and harvest for others.&nbsp; Schultz's Inter-State Ag, headquartered in Monroe, has been a stalwart partner with Berry Farms.&nbsp; Jeremy Buchner is a service technician that helps keep things working all around the region.&nbsp; Although Buchner didn't grow up in agriculture, he's found his passion in helping farms keep rolling.As fewer Wisconsinites come from a farming background, farms must take on the responsibility of educating the public about their operations.&nbsp;
Ben Jarboe finds out how the Dairy Business Association/Edge Dairy Cooperative engages with town and county officials before they craft limiting ordinances that could stifle agricultural growth.&nbsp; Erin Tomasik tells Ben Jarboe that they're physically taking farmers with them to key meetings to share what they do daily on the farm, and why.

Delicate Balance Of Wolves And Livestock Plus Another Mid-West Ride Along

As Wisconsin’s potato growers get ready for spring planting, they’re also looking toward their trade associations to promote policy that works for growers, not against them. Mike Wenkel is the COO of the National Potato Council. He tells Stephanie Hoff about his hefty to-do list ahead of the growing season. He’s watching that nutrition definitions are pro-potato; he’s navigating labor reform conversations in Congress; and he’s advocating for market access during a period where we’ve got a big supply of spuds.

As Wisconsin&rsquo;s potato growers get ready for spring planting, they&rsquo;re also looking toward their trade associations to promote policy that works for growers, not against them. Mike Wenkel is the COO of the National Potato Council. He tells Stephanie Hoff about his hefty to-do list ahead of the growing season. He&rsquo;s watching that nutrition definitions are pro-potato; he&rsquo;s navigating labor reform conversations in Congress; and he&rsquo;s advocating for market access during a period where we&rsquo;ve got a big supply of spuds.

The Spud Strategy -- Navigating Markets, Labor & Nutrition Guidelines

Inspiring young minds about their future role in agriculture and food production is part of the motivation behind the World Food Prize.   Kara Henderlight is the Student Outreach Coordinator for CALS that's coordinating their outreach for the World Food Prize and Wisconsin Youth Institute.  She explains what it is and why youth should give it a look.

Windy!  Dangerously windy!  Stu Muck says Wisconsin is already populated with high wind advisories and soon it will involve mixed precipitation.

Potato chips, french fries or a big baked spud.  If you see it today, be reminded that the Wisconsin potato producer that put it there is losing money.  Stephanie Hoff tells us that Mike Weinkle, COO of the National Potato Council is on the job to try and change that trend.  Weinkle says they're working on everything from nutrition labeling issues to market access to help better those spud prices.  Stephanie Hoff reports.


While the war in Iran rages, connecting the dots on disruptions in dairy marketing continues.  Bryce Windecker, dairyman himself and dairy analyst with EverAg says that the Middle East has turned into a bigger and brighter dairy market than ever before - until the war.  Windecker says that the Saudia Arabia had been capitalizing on U.S.  prices and purchasing a lot of butter and cheese.  Now that dairy product is having a difficult time finding its way to the buyer.  As prices go down, he says other major marketplaces like Mexico are moving their buying chairs to cheaper competitors versus the U.S.

Inspiring young minds about their future role in agriculture and food production is part of the motivation behind the World Food Prize.&nbsp;&nbsp; Kara Henderlight is the&nbsp;Student Outreach Coordinator for CALS that's coordinating their outreach for the World Food Prize and Wisconsin Youth Institute.&nbsp; She explains what it is and why youth should give it a look.
Windy!&nbsp; Dangerously windy!&nbsp; Stu Muck says Wisconsin is already populated with high wind advisories and soon it will involve mixed precipitation.
Potato chips, french fries or a big baked spud.&nbsp; If you see it today, be reminded that the Wisconsin potato producer that put it there is losing money.&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff tells us that Mike Weinkle, COO of the National Potato Council is on the job to try and change that trend.&nbsp; Weinkle says they're working on everything from nutrition labeling issues to market access to help better those spud prices.&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff reports.
 While the war in Iran rages, connecting the dots on disruptions in dairy marketing continues.&nbsp; Bryce Windecker, dairyman himself and dairy analyst with EverAg says that the Middle East has turned into a bigger and brighter dairy market than ever before - until the war.&nbsp; Windecker says that the Saudia Arabia had been capitalizing on U.S.&nbsp; prices and purchasing a lot of butter and cheese.&nbsp; Now that dairy product is having a difficult time finding its way to the buyer.&nbsp; As prices go down, he says other major marketplaces like Mexico are moving their buying chairs to cheaper competitors versus the U.S.

Sipping Spirits On The Farm - A Diversification Strategy

Exploring Wisconsin Specialty Crops With WATA

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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