For its 95th annual convention, one Wisconsin organization decided to transform the standard hotel meal into a direct investment in its own membership.

By partnering with Chula Vista Resort and several regional food hubs, the event successfully sourced 70 local ingredients, ranging from storage crops like garlic and potatoes to proteins and dairy, from 40 farmer members. With the products, staff fed 280 attendees seven meals each.

The initiative wasn’t just about the menu. It was about honoring the farmers in the room, says Layne Cozzolino, director of special projects.

For its 95th annual convention, one Wisconsin organization decided to transform the standard hotel meal into a direct investment in its own membership.
By partnering with Chula Vista Resort and several regional food hubs, the event successfully sourced 70 local ingredients, ranging from storage crops like garlic and potatoes to proteins and dairy, from 40 farmer members. With the products, staff fed 280 attendees seven meals each.
The initiative wasn&rsquo;t just about the menu. It was about honoring the farmers in the room, says Layne Cozzolino, director of special projects.

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!

Sourcing Local For Convention

Unlike previous highly pathogenic strains seen in other regions, the specific variant at a Dodge County dairy farm appears to have a minimal impact on cattle health, according to a local veterinarian.

Dr. Monty Belmer is one of the partners at Waupun Veterinary Service. Being in Dodge County, where Wisconsin detected its first bird flu case in dairy cattle, they’re on alert. He explains to Mid-West Farm Report how day-to-day operations change for veterinary staff when there's a disease outbreak in proximity. 

"Anytime there's a disease outbreak in the area, we go back and talk to our clients and make sure that their biosecurity protocols and procedures are enhanced," he says. "All of our clients do a really good job with biosecurity on their dairies anyway, but we just kind of step it up a notch to make sure that we are following all our procedures."

Unlike previous highly pathogenic strains seen in other regions, the specific variant at a Dodge County dairy farm appears to have a minimal impact on cattle health, according to a local veterinarian.
Dr. Monty Belmer is one of the partners at Waupun Veterinary Service. Being in Dodge County, where Wisconsin detected its first bird flu case in dairy cattle, they&rsquo;re on alert. He explains to Mid-West Farm Report how day-to-day operations change for veterinary staff when there's a disease outbreak in proximity.&nbsp;
"Anytime there's a disease outbreak in the area, we go back and talk to our clients and make sure that their biosecurity protocols and procedures are enhanced," he says. "All of our clients do a really good job with biosecurity on their dairies anyway, but we just kind of step it up a notch to make sure that we are following all our procedures."

Local Vets Reassure: Healthy Herds, Safe Milk

It's a big day in Washington D.C for wolves. The House of Representatives will vote on the Pet and Livestock Protection Act. Ultimately, the decision will determine if the gray wolf will stay on the endangered species list. Fabulous Farm Babe Pam Jahnke and Wisconsin DNR Large Carnivore Specialist, Randy Johnson, discuss Wisconsin's wolf population data and movement patterns.


Ag meteorologist Stu Muck and Kiley Allan talk about the warmer temperatures we have been seeing. Temperatures will continue to swing in the upcoming week.


No two days as a veterinarian look the same. Dr. Monty Belmer, a local veterinarian explains the standard practices and the heightened precautions veterinarians take when a disease outbreak occurs to Stephanie Hoff. 


Dr. Arden Anderson, a Physician and Agricultural Consultant, tells Ben Jarboe that farmers are a high-risk group for several health concerns including cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. He tells us one reason why the group is considered high risk.
Dairy market analyst, Cody Koster, breaks down the suspected market effects of Avian Influenza. He looks into his crystal ball and forecasts the GDT trends we can expect going into the new year.

It's a big day in Washington D.C for wolves. The House of Representatives will vote on the Pet and Livestock Protection Act. Ultimately, the decision will determine if the gray wolf will stay on the endangered species list. Fabulous Farm Babe Pam Jahnke and Wisconsin DNR Large Carnivore Specialist, Randy Johnson, discuss Wisconsin's wolf population data and movement patterns.
 Ag meteorologist Stu Muck and Kiley Allan talk about the warmer temperatures we have been seeing. Temperatures will continue to swing in the upcoming week.
 No two days as a veterinarian&nbsp;look the same. Dr. Monty Belmer, a local veterinarian explains the standard practices and the heightened&nbsp;precautions&nbsp;veterinarians&nbsp;take when a disease outbreak occurs to&nbsp;Stephanie Hoff.&nbsp;
 Dr. Arden Anderson, a Physician and Agricultural Consultant, tells Ben Jarboe that farmers are a high-risk group for several health concerns including cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson&rsquo;s disease. He tells us one reason why the group is considered high risk. Dairy market analyst, Cody Koster, breaks down the suspected market effects of Avian Influenza. He looks into his crystal ball and forecasts the GDT trends we can expect going into the new year.

An Important Day For Wolves In Washington D.C. & HPAI From A Veterinarian's Perspective - Cody Koster

Think of your cheese going through TSA before it gets to you -- metal detectors, X-rays... and the careful eyes of the farmer, processor, and the dairy sanitation specialists with the state of Wisconsin. But sometimes, issues still happen. We’re getting a look at the recall process today with Elsie Lundquist. She’s one of 20 dairy sanitarians with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Think of your cheese going through TSA before it gets to you -- metal detectors, X-rays... and the careful eyes of the farmer, processor, and the dairy sanitation specialists with the state of Wisconsin. But sometimes, issues still happen. We&rsquo;re getting a look at the recall process today with Elsie Lundquist. She&rsquo;s one of 20 dairy sanitarians with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Sourcing Local For Convention

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