Staci Pope Hansen tells the story of her family's century farm in Rock County. The farm was acquired in 1922, when Staci's great great grandparents purchased the original 32 acres. The farm is nicknamed the darling farm due to its size and everything on the farm being petite.

It holds a special place in the family’s heart as Staci’s dad was drafted and injured in war. After months of rehab, the first place he went to was the farm as it was where he felt safe. Today they rent out the land to local farmers.

Staci Pope Hansen tells the story of her family's century farm in Rock County. The farm was acquired in 1922, when Staci's great great grandparents purchased the original 32 acres. The farm is nicknamed the darling farm due to its size and everything on the farm being petite.
It holds a special place in the family’s heart as Staci’s dad was drafted and injured in war. After months of rehab, the first place he went to was the farm as it was where he felt safe. Today they rent out the land to local farmers.

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!

Staci Pope Hansen - Rock County -100 Years

Today, we explore the emotional and practical complexities of transitioning to assisted living. Stephanie Hoff talks to Mike Pochowski, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association.  He emphasizes the importance of balancing personal independence with safety. He shares with Hoff a roadmap for families, including how to navigate difficult conversations and where to find financial resources. Community support and proactive planning ensure a high quality of life for seniors in both urban and rural settings. 


A little snow overnight shouldn't cause any travel disruptions today.  It stays cold according to Stu Muck, but temps could improve by the weekend. 


Approximately 27% of Wisconsin farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for health insurance. Without credits, the cap on premiums (previously 8.5% of income) has vanished, forcing tough choices between health and farm survival.  Ben Nelson, executive director of Cooperative Network, explains how challenging it is to try and find coverage for farm families today. The Cooperative Network is exploring reopening the Farmers Health Cooperative of Wisconsin to provide independent, comprehensive coverage.


John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend will be one of the featured speakers this morning at the annual UW Ag Outlook Forum.  This morning he tells Pam Jahnke that dairy has seen some robust trading over the past few days.  Question is will it last.  Weather's also impacted some trading, especially dairy and wheat short-term. 

Today, we explore the emotional and practical complexities of transitioning to assisted living. Stephanie Hoff talks to Mike Pochowski, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association.&nbsp; He emphasizes the importance of balancing personal independence with safety. He shares with Hoff a roadmap for families, including how to navigate difficult conversations and where to find financial resources. Community support and proactive planning ensure a high quality of life for seniors in both urban and rural settings.&nbsp;
 A little snow overnight shouldn't cause any travel disruptions today.&nbsp; It stays cold according to Stu Muck, but temps could improve by the weekend.&nbsp;
 Approximately 27% of Wisconsin farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for health insurance. Without credits, the cap on premiums (previously 8.5% of income) has vanished, forcing tough choices between health and farm survival.&nbsp; Ben Nelson, executive director of Cooperative Network, explains how challenging it is to try and find coverage for farm families today.&nbsp;The Cooperative Network is exploring reopening the Farmers Health Cooperative of Wisconsin to provide independent, comprehensive coverage.
 John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend will be one of the featured speakers this morning at the annual UW Ag Outlook Forum.&nbsp; This morning he tells Pam Jahnke that dairy has seen some robust trading over the past few days.&nbsp; Question is will it last.&nbsp; Weather's also impacted some trading, especially dairy and wheat short-term.&nbsp;

Farmers Search For Health Care Options And Dairy Jumps But For How Long - Heinberg

Weather was a little fickle in 2025 for Wisconsin's cranberry growers.  Jill Welke gets the update from Grant Holley, executive director of the WI Cranberry Growers Association.  He says that producers continue to struggle with access to global markets.  That's something they've been targeting to try and educate and engage with a whole new consuming audience.

We may not be setting any records, but Wisconsin will stay cold and dangerous again this week.  Stu Muck says the winds will persist until at least mid-week, but there will be some sunshine to act as a salve.

The global marketplace seems to get more complicated by the day for Wisconsin farmers.  Ben Jarboe discusses those challenges with Dewey Hull, broker at Advanced Trading in Deforest.  Hull says influences from the Venezuelan oil situation to the ongoing war in Ukraine are pushing U.S. farmers margins.  He also advises that farms should be using every risk management tool available to find a path forward.


There's a new flavor coming to Cedar Crest scoop shops this summer!  Hold Your Horses was the winning flavor in the annual contest that engages 4-H clubs across the state.  Pam Jahnke reports that the new flavor from Pesobic Pathfinders 4-H Club in Lincoln County features espresso-flavored ice cream with chocolate covered toffee pieces and caramel ribbons.  The winning combination captured the club a $500 cash prize and an ice cream party.


There's nothing sweet about the current economic outlook for almost all elements of Wisconsin agriculture.  Ag lenders are keeping a keen eye on costs or production and what farms are doing to be proactive on their situation.  Trevor Athorp is an ag lender in Sheboygan for Bank First.  For over two decades he's been involved in direct conversations with farmers and their advisors about mitigating risk.  He says this year, individuals must know their cost of production for each element on the farm, and deploy proactive measures to control what they can.

Weather was a little fickle in 2025 for Wisconsin's cranberry growers.&nbsp; Jill Welke gets the update from Grant Holley, executive director of the WI Cranberry Growers Association.&nbsp; He says that producers continue to struggle with access to global markets.&nbsp; That's something they've been targeting to try and educate and engage with a whole new consuming audience.
We may not be setting any records, but Wisconsin will stay cold and dangerous again this week.&nbsp; Stu Muck says the winds will persist until at least mid-week, but there will be some sunshine to act as a salve.
The global marketplace seems to get more complicated by the day for Wisconsin farmers.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe discusses those challenges with Dewey Hull, broker at Advanced Trading in Deforest.&nbsp; Hull says influences from the Venezuelan oil situation to the ongoing war in Ukraine are pushing U.S. farmers margins.&nbsp; He also advises that farms should be using every risk management tool available to find a path forward.
 There's a new flavor coming to Cedar Crest scoop shops this summer!&nbsp; Hold Your Horses was the winning flavor in the annual contest that engages 4-H clubs across the state.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke reports that the new flavor from Pesobic Pathfinders 4-H Club in Lincoln County features espresso-flavored ice cream with chocolate covered toffee pieces and caramel ribbons.&nbsp; The winning combination captured the club a $500 cash prize and an ice cream party.
 There's nothing sweet about the current economic outlook for almost all elements of Wisconsin agriculture.&nbsp; Ag lenders are keeping a keen eye on costs or production and what farms are doing to be proactive on their situation.&nbsp; Trevor Athorp is an ag lender in Sheboygan for Bank First.&nbsp; For over two decades he's been involved in direct conversations with farmers and their advisors about mitigating risk.&nbsp; He says this year, individuals must know their cost of production for each element on the farm, and deploy proactive measures to control what they can.

Cranberry Growers Come Together And 'Hold Your Horses' Ice Creams A Winner

In Sauk County, Roger Bindl farms about 300 acres of corn, soybeans, triticale, cover crops and rotationally grazes about 50 head of beef cattle. The owner and operator of RB Farms has been recognized for his conservation efforts. He sat down and told us about some of the practices he has seen success with on his operation. 

In Sauk County, Roger Bindl farms about 300 acres of corn, soybeans, triticale, cover crops and rotationally grazes about 50 head of beef cattle. The owner and operator of RB Farms has been recognized for his conservation efforts. He sat down and told us about some of the practices he has seen success with on his operation.&nbsp;

Staci Pope Hansen - Rock County -100 Years

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