60 years ago Wisconsin created the position of "Fairest of the Fairs".  Designed to be an ambassador for all fairs in the state, the program is thriving today.  Kiley Allan gets a chance to visit with the first "fairest" that started it all.  Connie McCallister, was Wisconsin's 1st Fairest of Fairs and says the format was much more relaxed than it is today.  She notes that the original competition mirrored the Miss America pageant, featuring swimsuit and formal wear segments.  The actual crowning took place on the grandstand stage of the WI State Fair!  McCallister says she lived on the fairgrounds during her term, presenting trophies to 4-H participants, appearing in daily parades, and opening nightly grandstand shows for famous entertainers.  After her time as Fairest, she worked briefly in Washington D.C. media before serving as a Lutheran minister for 41 years. McAllister emphasizes that while the competition has changed, the fair remains a vital "gift" that celebrates the hard work of 4-H youth and their animals.

Warmer weather this week should help with outdoor chores according to Stu Muck.

Post Super Bowl, our emphasis is on athletes and agriculture.  Dave Bangert is a dairy farmer in Clark County that sits on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin board.  He's also a coach who knows how sports brings communities together.  That's why he believes the investment DFW makes annually to partner with the WIAA in Wisconsin makes sense.  Bangert says not only does it connect the dots on dairy nutrition in young people's diets, it highlights the connection that dairy farm families have with student athletes and their communities.  Paid for by Dairy Farmer of Wisconsin.

What happens when the sports spotlight ends?  It could be by the athletes choice or not.  What's next?  For Marcus Landry, a former UW-Madison Badger basketball player, his playing career ended at 35.  Stephanie Hoff learns that Landry found agriculture when his wife sent him for eggs.  He returned with 14 chickens instead in the back of her Cadillac Escalade. He jokingly refers to it as providing a "life supply of eggs" rather than just a carton. He says those were initially kept in the living room while he built a coop outside. Today Landry and his family share their farm with students and 4-H members from the area as they work on their business plans for life.  Learning what they can do, finding self-sustainability and financial literacy.

60 years ago Wisconsin created the position of "Fairest of the Fairs".&nbsp; Designed to be an ambassador for all fairs in the state, the program is thriving today.&nbsp; Kiley Allan gets a chance to visit with the first "fairest" that started it all.&nbsp;&nbsp;Connie&nbsp;McCallister, was Wisconsin's 1st Fairest of Fairs and says the format was much more relaxed than it is today.&nbsp; She notes that the original competition mirrored the Miss America pageant, featuring swimsuit and formal wear segments.&nbsp; The actual crowning took place on the grandstand stage of the WI State Fair!&nbsp; McCallister says she lived on the fairgrounds during her term, presenting trophies to 4-H participants, appearing in daily parades, and opening nightly grandstand shows for famous entertainers.&nbsp; After her time as Fairest,&nbsp;she worked briefly in Washington D.C. media before serving as a Lutheran minister for 41 years.&nbsp;McAllister emphasizes that while the competition has changed, the fair remains a vital "gift" that celebrates the hard work of 4-H youth and their animals. Warmer weather this week should help with outdoor chores according to Stu Muck. Post Super Bowl, our emphasis is on athletes and agriculture.&nbsp; Dave Bangert is a dairy farmer in Clark County that sits on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin board.&nbsp; He's also a coach who knows how sports brings communities together.&nbsp; That's why he believes the investment DFW makes annually to partner with the WIAA in Wisconsin makes sense.&nbsp; Bangert says not only does it connect the dots on dairy nutrition in young people's diets, it highlights the connection that dairy farm families have with student athletes and their communities.&nbsp; Paid for by Dairy Farmer of Wisconsin. What happens when the sports spotlight ends?&nbsp; It could be by the athletes choice or not.&nbsp; What's next?&nbsp; For Marcus Landry, a former UW-Madison Badger basketball player, his playing career ended at 35.&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff learns that Landry found agriculture when his wife sent him for eggs.&nbsp; He returned with 14 chickens instead in the back of her Cadillac Escalade. He jokingly refers to it as providing a "life supply of eggs" rather than just a carton. He says those were initially kept in the living room while he built a coop outside. Today Landry and his family share their farm with students and 4-H members from the area as they work on their business plans for life.&nbsp; Learning what they can do, finding self-sustainability and financial literacy.

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!