Josh is currently in the process of buying his family farm, May-Do Farms, Inc., from his grandparents. He farms 420 acres of corn, soybeans, alfalfa and rents land to the North Oak Hunt Club, which offers hunts of bobwhite quail, chukar partridge and pheasant.

DARLINGTON, Wis. - Over 50 attendees, including farmers, community members, allied businesses and partners, gathered for the Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance annual meeting on March 12 to review the group's sustainability progress and hear plans for the year ahead. LASA member Jason Rowe was a featured speaker at the ...

We're excited to announce the release of From Surplus to Solutions: 2025 ReFED U.S. Food Waste Report, our inaugural report detailing the progress, trends, and remaining challenges in the fight against food waste. Featuring new data-including our updated estimates for residential food waste-it's a must-read look at how...

MADISON - Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation's Agriculture in the Classroom program has awarded $5,000 to educators and agriculture literacy programs. Grant dollars will support innovative core curricula initiatives that incorporate agriculture concepts while helping students meet academic standards and develop career re...

ARLINGTON, VA - "This is a list of ingredients from foods - carrageenan, riboflavin, monosodium glutamate and 20 others that I can't pronounce." - HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This column isn't here to call out specific food ingredients - carrageenan, for example, has made many an ice cream pint hold ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, one of the country's leading cooperatives based on milk volume, traveled to Washington, D.C., this week. Farmers and staff members met with federal lawmakers and agency leaders to discuss current challenges facing the dairy community. The farmers had the chance to speak...

ARLINGTON, VA - The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and Guatemalan Dairy Development Association (ASODEL), signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday that will strengthen ties between the U.S. and Guatemalan dairy industries as they advocate for free and fair trade poli...

The Discovery Farms® Programs in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arkansas, and Vermont will host a free webinar to present program updates and highlight new data. Join this interactive webinar to learn more about farmer-led water quality research in these four states. This webinar will be 2.5 hours and will offer CCA CEUs. ...

ARLINGTON, VA - Jessica Shelly is the Director of Student Dining Services for Cincinnati Public Schools in Cincinnati, Ohio. She's responsible for overseeing the service of more than 60,000 meals a day in the lunchroom operations at 65 schools. And in 2023, her school system tried something different: It offered its st...

SOUTH BEAVER DAM, Wis. - Isabella Kraus is a young, passionate farmer involved with the Dodge County Farmers for Healthy Soil and Healthy Water, a local watershed conservation group. As a sixth-generation farmer, she is gaining valuable experience in sustainable farming. Kraus and her family manage a cash grain and veg...

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications for new Export Expansion Grants through April 9, 2025. These grants are funded through the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE), which Gov. Evers created in 2021 to promote Wisconsin ...

From Wisconsin Agriculture Extension Hear from David Jauquet, Mike Martin, Jeff McNeely, and Chuck Ripp as Dr. Paul Fricke moderates this panel.

DAIRY NEWS - The 2025 Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) Business Conference brought together approximately 1,000 dairy producers and industry professionals March 12-13 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. In addition to educational sessions and interactive networking opportunities, the annual conference ...

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. [March 18, 2025] - Purina Animal Nutrition, along with the Land O'Lakes Foundation, has reopened its annual scholarship program designed to assist students with experience in livestock production and animal stewardship in pursuing their passions and furthering their education. Undergraduate students ...

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 17, 2025 - The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) today extended deep appreciation for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) plan to make permanent the New Swine Inspection System (NSIS) increased line speed program. "America's pork producers thank U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brook...

DOOR COUNTY, Wis. ― Scott and Emma Mathison of Mathison Farms, members of Peninsula Pride Farms, continue learning about and adopting new sustainable farming practices that benefit their farm and the surrounding environment. Scott and Emma are fifth-generation farmers in Door County, Wis., farming alongside their par...

From UW-Extension's Ag Water Quality Team Agriculture Water Quality Specialist, Laura Paletta and Conservation Profession Training Program Director, Kevin Erb speak to the impacts of tile drainage on water quality and finding old tile lines when maps and records are lost. Learn about the details of nutrient management ...

VIROQUA, Wis. ― The 26th Annual Wisconsin Jersey Spring Spectacular is set to return to the Vernon County Fairgrounds in Viroqua, Wis., on May 2-3, bringing together top-tier registered Jersey cattle from across the Midwest. This event draws breeders from Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, and beyond, showcasing t...

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. (March 10, 2025) - Evan Schrauth from Cloven View Holsteins in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, has been named the 2025 GroundBreaker of the Year by Compeer Financial, a Farm Credit cooperative serving the upper Midwest. And Jon Goetz from Grappling Gardens in Washington County, Wisconsin, has been reco...

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) reminds students to apply now for the next Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2025. Students who will be seniors during the 2025 - 2026 school year should apply. To apply, stu...

Join us Wednesday, March 26, for a Shop Talk: Farmer to Farmer event. We'll discuss spring planting topics, including timing, equipment, cover crop termination, planting green, weather predictions, new and long-term no-till fields, and other lessons learned. Pizza and refreshments will be provided. Date: Wednesday, Mar...

VIROQUA, Wis. ― Entries are now open for the 26th Annual Wisconsin Jersey Spring Spectacular, set to take place May 2-3 at the Vernon County Fairgrounds in Viroqua, Wis. This prestigious event gathers registered Jersey cattle from across the Midwest, providing breeders an opportunity to showcase their finest cattle a...

The 2025 Cattle Industry Convention was recently held in San Antonio, Texas, and a number of Wisconsin cattle farmers attended to participate in Beef Checkoff programs and meetings. Checkoff activities at convention included: interviews for leadership roles; committee meetings, where contractors update producer lead...

MADISON, Wis. - The Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin's leading dairy advocacy group, endorses Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel in the upcoming Spring Election. The dairy organization aligns with Schimel's priorities, including upholding laws as written, providing Wisconsin's dairy industry with a sta...

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 17, 2025 - The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is pleased to announce successful efforts to renew registrations of all 300+ U.S. pork harvesting and cold storage facilities eligible to export to China. "U.S. pork producers now have maintained access and increased certainty to export ...

DAIRY NEWS - Kevin Griswold was honored as the fifth recipient of the Dean Strauss Leadership Award on Thur., March 13, at the 2025 Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) Business Conference in Madison, Wis. Griswold co-owns and operates Tag Lane Dairy, Ixonia, Wis., with his wife, Chris, and other family members. Gri...

DAIRY NEWS - Five students accepted into the 2025 Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) Cornerstone Dairy Academy® earned a scholarship to the program from the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation (WROF). Recipients include Will Cordes, Stratford, Wis.; Stacy Eberly, Monroe, Wis.; Regan Kramer, Ames, Iowa; Ch...

DAIRY NEWS - The 2025 edition of Cornerstone Dairy Academy®, presented by Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP), recognized fourteen dairy farmers and allied industry professionals as graduates of the three-pillar program. The application-based leadership-development course is designed to build the skills of thos...

OKLAHOMA CITY - Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) members were in Oklahoma City this week for the National Farmers Union 123rd Anniversary Convention. Hundreds of farmers and ranchers from throughout the nation gathered March 9-11 to set the family farm organization's 2025 policy. "This is a challenging moment for fam...

Wisconsin received notice last Friday that the USDA is abruptly terminating the 2025 Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) mid-implementation, which will cause lasting harm to nearly 300 local farms in Wisconsin and the food pantries that depend on their food. From 2023 to 2024, the LFPA program supported over ...

Four faculty members were recently hired at UW-Madison and UW-River Falls with funding from the Dairy Innovation Hub. These new scientists will support work in the Hub's four priority areas: stewarding land and water resources, enriching human health and nutrition, ensuring animal health and welfare, and growing farm b...

MADISON - The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation has released its 2024 Impact Report, highlighting the organization's efforts to grow Wisconsin agriculture through agricultural literacy, leadership development and supporting Wisconsin farmers. This comprehensive report showcases the Foundation's commitment to creating in...

MANITOWOC, WI-Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center will celebrate spring break with extended hours from Tuesday, March 25 to Saturday, March 29. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., families can explore and engage in hands-on science activities. This year's spring break will spotlight science and agriculture, offering guests t...

MADISON, Wis. - Many Wisconsinites, football fans, and other Americans already know this year's Draft will take place in Green Bay between April 24 to April 26. But scammers know this too, and will do everything possible to take advantage of the consumers who are excited for the upcoming Draft. It is important for cons...

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative will once again offer $10,000 in secondary education scholarships to its membership, the cooperative announced today. Edge is proud to award the children of its members who exemplify the voice of milk through their education, career aspirations and future goals. Two $2,00...

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting nominations for the Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council (OAC) until March 31, 2025. Seats are available in each of the following categories: organic farmer, organic business, organic consumer, and at-large. Member...

Nationally renowned dairy experts are hard at work evaluating over 2,400 products this week to determine the next U.S. Champion Cheese. How do they do it? Learn the basics with Tillamook County Creamery Association's Jill Allen.

There's a new U.S. Champion Cheese - and for the first time in Contest history, it's a second consecutive win! Hear from Contest Director Kirsten Strohmenger about why Europa, made by Arethusa Farm Dairy in Bantam, Connecticut, is so unique, and what this means for the industry. Three days of judging thousands of the w...

MADISON, Wis. - Each year, we celebrate National Ag Day in March. In Wisconsin, agriculture contributes $116.3 billion annually to the state's economy, and about one in ten people working in the state hold a job related to the industry. These statistics are just a few that demonstrate the central role and impact of agr...

The Chippewa County Extension office along with the Chippewa Valley Forage Council are hosting a Beef and Dairy Forage Seminar on March 21 at the Back 40 Dining and Cocktails near Bloomer from 11:30am to 3:00pm, with registration beginning at 11:15am. A lunch will be provided courtesy of Compeer Financial. Speakers and...

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced that nine projects are receiving grant funding for the 2025 Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP). These grants aim to refine and enhance the understanding of new methods that optimize commercial nit...

The governor slams Trump Administration for once again trying to walk back promised funding to support Wisconsin's farmers and producers, urges Trump Administration to immediately restore funding Congress already approved Amid looming threats of trade wars impacting Wisconsin farmers, producers, and agricultural indust...

Arethusa Farm Dairy took home the coveted title of U.S. Champion Cheese at the 2025 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, held March 4-6, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This is Arethusa's second consecutive win with Europa, an aged gouda, marking the first two-time consecutive win ever achieved in Contest history. Arethusa'...

MADISON - Applications are now available for Wisconsin Farm Bureau's Young Farmer and Agriculturist program's Farming for the Future, Outstanding Agriculture Professional and 35 Under 35 awards. The Farming for the Future Award recognizes members who own or work on a farm. The Outstanding Agriculture Professional Award...

The Chippewa Valley Forage Council will host its annual spring seminar on March 21 at the Back 40 Dining and Cocktails from 11:30am to 3:00pm. Forage, dairy, and livestock farmers are invited to attend. Speakers and topics include Chelsea Russell, Local Council Coordinator, "Midwest Forage Association Update"...

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting nominations through March 28, 2025, for two seats on the Wisconsin Cherry Board. DATCP will mail nomination forms to eligible growers. Nominees must sign completed nomination forms and include signatures from at ...

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting public comment on its planned 2025 spongy moth aerial treatment plans. Treatment plan maps, spray information, fact sheets, and other resources can be found at smaerialspray.wi.gov. Treatment plans for 2025 are d...

The Between the Lakes Demonstration Farm Network promotes sustainable farming practices to protect water resources. We're a network of farmers testing and demonstrating the best conservation practices to reduce phosphorus, nitrates, and sediment entering the Great Lakes Basin. Learn about our farmers and their practice...

MADISON - Over sixty family farmers and rural advocates gathered in Madison March 4th for Wisconsin Farmers Union's Farm & Rural Lobby Day, where they advocated for policy priorities set by the grassroots membership at the organization's recent state convention. Priority topics discussed with representatives were: ...

[JANESVILLE, WI] - The Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association is celebrating innovation, dedication, and excellence by nominating four outstanding organizations for 2025 Governor's Tourism Awards. These nominations highlight the transformative impact of agricultural tourism across the state, showcasing their cont...

MADISON, WI - Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) is applauding news that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is today releasing Congressionally-directed funding for the federal Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives. USDA froze DBI grant monies last week, triggering grave concern for hundreds of dair...

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has announced the six top candidates to become the 78th Alice in Dairyland. The candidates are Allison Foster, Michelle Stangler, Mikayla Flyte, Natalie Roe, Olivia Lulich, and Sarah Hagenow. Prior to being selected, the top ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On March 7, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) announced that paused Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiative program funds have now been released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. DBI Initiative is a critical program that supports dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing,...

A beloved Wisconsin author and storyteller Jerry Apps shares the long history of fairs in a PBS Wisconsin documentary. It highlights how fairs have evolved over time and reflects on how state and county fairs are important to Wisconsin. Jerry Apps speaks from his experience as a 4-H leader, fair judge, and lifelong fai...

January 29, 2025 - Steve Lerch, president of Story Arc Consulting and former Google executive, will return to the Animal Agriculture Alliance's 2025 Stakeholders Summit to share insights on using artificial intelligence (AI) to benefit animal agriculture. The 2025 Summit, themed "Food for Thought: Dishing on Susta...

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin consumers rely on accurate weights and measures every single day. Whether they are buying groceries, motor vehicle fuel, or any other number of products, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Bureau of Weights and Measures, as well as the numerous munic...

DAIRY NEWS - Sustainability and carbon footprint are the center of many discussions today, especially as food companies work to meet their sustainability targets. The dairy industry has a progressive and positive story to tell and the potential for farmers to capture value for the work they are already doing. The Carbo...

A workshop for Wisconsin farmers who are direct marketing beef, or considering it, will be held on Friday, April 11 from 1 - 4:30 pm at the Marriott Madison West, 1313 John Q Hammons Drive, Middleton. The workshop is offered by the Wisconsin Beef Council and is being held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Association ...

ARLINGTON, VA - The National Milk Producers Federation announced today the creation of the Dr. Peter Vitaliano Legacy Scholarship as part of the National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program. The award will be used to help support a student who demonstrates attributes exemplified by Dr. Vitaliano to honor his longtime ...

We help navigate the space of dairy market risk from understanding the basics to future implications. The first part cover dairy risk management options to important deadlines and the second part discusses what dairy market risk will look with changes in the Federal Milk Marketing Orders to the Farm Bill. Dairy Stream ...

ARLINGTON, VA - Dairy farmers from across the nation celebrated fairer milk prices for farmers and pledged to work together to meet challenges on labor, trade and other issues at the National Milk Producers Federation's Board of Directors meeting, which concluded today. "We're in a fast-moving environment, with a ...

ARLINGTON, VA - Leaders from the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) released the following statements today in response to retaliatory measures announced by Mexico, Canada and China. "The President believes tariffs are necessary to address the opioid crisis in the U...

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 4, 2025 - The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Lori Stevermer, a pork producer from Easton, Minn., testified today on the "State of the Livestock Industry" before the U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry. In her testimony detailing pork p...

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom talks about the importance of the Canadian, Mexican and Chinese markets for U.S. red meat exports. Video from U.S. Meat Export Federation Earlier on March 4, Halstrom also issued the following statement: USMEF is obviously disappointed that no agreement...

MADISON, Wis. - Today, Gov. Tony Evers announced the appointment of Gary Besaw to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Board, effective February 24, 2025. Gary will service as a Consumer Representative to serve a term expiring on May 1, 2029. Gary Besaw, of Keshena, currently s...

GREEN BAY, WI - The 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest® is officially underway! Now through Thursday, March 6, more than 2,400 cheeses, butters, cultured dairy products, and dry dairy products will be evaluated by a skilled team of nationally renowned judges. "For dairy manufacturers and process...

DEFOREST, Wis. (Feb. 26, 2025) - Wisconsin Custom Operators members recently elected two new directors and honored two retiring directors during the group's annual business meeting on Feb. 19, held in conjunction with the Forage Symposium at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Charlie Schultz was elected as...

MADISON - Jenn Rittenhouse has been hired as Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation's District 4 Coordinator in west-central Wisconsin. Rittenhouse will be responsible for working with county Farm Bureaus to develop and implement programs to serve Farm Bureau members and to coordinate membership recruitment and retention eff...

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting nominations for eight seats on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) Board of Directors. Nominations will be accepted from February 28 through March 28, 2025. The following eight districts are accepting nomination...

Madison, Wis. [February 27, 2025] - District 3 Director John Rettler of Neosho, Wis. was re-elected president of the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative's board of directors following the cooperative's 13th annual meeting held on February 8th, 2025. District 6 Director Bob Dietzel of East Dubuque, Ill. was elected vice-preside...

CHILTON, Wis. - The Calumet County Ag Stewardship Alliance held its annual meeting on Feb. 17, bringing together farmers, supporters and community members to discuss the group's ongoing conservation initiatives and hear from guest speakers, including Jamie Patton, state soil health coordinator with the Natural Resource...

Green Bay - A springtime tradition for generations of farmers returns to America's Dairyland in one month. The 63rd Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Farm Show will take place April 1-3 at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) grounds in Oshkosh. WPS hosts the WPS Farm Show each year as part of its commitment to sup...

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski was in Washington D.C. February 24 - 27, 2025 as part of the 2025 Winter Policy Conference. This annual National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) event brings together commissioners...

Experience all the fun of the fair as beloved Wisconsin author and storyteller Jerry Apps weaves together the long history of fairs through his memories as a 4-H leader, fair judge and lifelong fairgoer. This nostalgic and deep-fried documentary highlights how fairs have evolved over time and reflects on how state and ...

VERONA, Wisc. (Feb. 21, 2025) - The Wisconsin Beef Council (WBC) is excited to announce the kickoff of the 2nd Annual Wisconsin's Best Burger Contest. The Council is on a mission to find and celebrate the most mouthwatering 100% beef burgers crafted by Wisconsin's restaurants, bars and grills. Everyone has a favorite...

SHEBOYGAN FALLS, Wis. - On February 14, the Sheboygan River Progressive Farmers gathered with fellow farmers, supporters and community members for their annual meeting to share ideas, discuss current research and hear from guest speaker Rick Clark, a regenerative farmer from Indiana. Rick Clark is a fifth-generation fa...

The Tribal Elder Food Box (TEFB) Program started in 2021 with the goal of increasing access to nutritious, culturally meaningful foods for Tribal members over 55 years old. Since then, the program has distributed over 94,500 Tribal Elder Food Boxes. At the core of the TEFB Program is self-determined community healing, ...

BEAR CREEK, WI (February 20, 2025) - GreenStone Farm Credit Services, a trusted partner to farmers across northeast Wisconsin and Michigan, is proud to sponsor the children's Tots Zone at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, August 5-7, 2025 at Clinton Farms in Bear Creek. This sponsorship reflects GreenStone's commitment t...

WASHINGTON (Feb. 26, 2025) - Today, Nebraska cattle producer and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) President Buck Wehrbein testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to share an update on policy priorities for the American cattle industry. "The cattle industry is ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. Feb. 26, 2025 - The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Lori Stevermer, a pork producer from Easton, Minn., brought the industry's point of view to the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee today through her "Perspectives from the Field" hearing testimony. St...

MADISON, WI - Mark your calendars now and join the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) virtually on Thursday, March 6 at 2:00 p.m. (CT) for the announcement of the winner of the 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest®, livestreamed at USChampionCheese.org and Facebook.com/USChampionshipCheeseContest....

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressmen Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and Josh Harder (D-CA) introduced the Protecting Mothers and Infants' Access to Milk Act, which will return the maximum monthly allowance of milk available for families, utilizing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children ...

February 24, 2025 - Sustainability will be a key focus of the Animal Agriculture Alliance's 2025 Stakeholders Summit, including a nutrition-focused session on modernizing protein recommendations for personal and planetary health. The 2025 Summit is scheduled for April 30-May 2 in Arlington, Va. and themed "Food fo...

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative is partnering with Farmers for Sustainable Food on the FSF Climate-Smart Program. The program, which launched last year, helps farmers determine what conservation practices are most effective for their individual farms and provides tools to document their environmental im...

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) today launched a frequently asked questions page for those impacted by the settlement between the State of Wisconsin and Milwaukee Landlord Youssef (Joe) Berrada and his property management...

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers today shared an excerpt from his 2025-27 Biennial Budget Message in his weekly radio address. The governor delivered his 2025-27 Biennial Budget Message on Tues., Feb. 18, 2025, at the Wisconsin State Capitol and introduced the most pro-kid budget in state history. Gov. Evers, during his 2025-...

Washington, D.C., Feb. 22, 2025 - Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins wrapped up her first week on the job. Secretary Rollins traveled to four states to hear directly from farmers and ranchers and to see their operations firsthand. Additionally, she hosted a roundtable for roughly a dozen Governors to d...

Eric Knock's near-fatal injuries have mostly healed, but his approach to safety is changed forever. In September 2022, the Miller, S.D., veterinarian was working with a crew in a producer's pasture. As Knock finished treating a bull, he stood up next to the chute. At that moment, the squeeze gate on the chute was relea...

MADISON, Wis. - Current high school juniors can apply now for the next Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will accept council applications through March 31, 2025. "Farmers and agriculture have been the backbone of our state for genera...

February 12, 2025 - Monica (Massey) Cohen, former animal protein executive and current CEO of the American Cider Association, will lead a transformative workshop on the "challenger mindset" at the Animal Agriculture Alliance's 2025 Stakeholders Summit. The 2025 event is set for April 30-May 2 in Arlington, Va...

DAIRY NEWS - Dairy producers are operating in an increasingly interconnected world as global trends and issues drive the policies, regulations and expectations impacting the industry. Attendees of the upcoming Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) Business Conference will hear the latest research and insights on sust...

You don't have to be part of the dairy sector to see how important whole milk is for children, best-selling author Nina Teicholz, Ph.D., said in the latest Dairy Defined Podcast. That's because nutrition science makes a compelling case for full-fat milk, underscoring the importance of getting whole milk back in schools...

MADISON, WI - As the prestigious 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest® approaches, the nation is watching - and dairy product manufacturers in the Green Bay area are ready. Twenty-two local businesses have submitted entries to be evaluated March 4-6 at Resch Expo in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in competition fo...

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 13, 2025 - Brooke Rollins was sworn in as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture by Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Clarence Thomas in a private ceremony today at the Supreme Court building. The U.S. Senate confirmed Rollins by a vote of 72-to-28. "It is the honor of a lifetime t...

Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2025-On her first full day in office, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins took bold action to advance President Trump's agenda and ensure that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) better serves American farmers, ranchers, loggers and the agriculture community. Here are seven key...

RIVER FALLS, WI - Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) proudly announced today the direction of $90,000 to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UW-RF) to establish a fund investing in dairy operations, training, and research and development initiatives at the university's Wuethrich Family/Grassland Dairy Ce...

JUNEAU, Wis. - Dodge County Farmers for Healthy Soil & Healthy Water brought together local farmers, community members and industry experts to highlight and discuss innovative practices and soil health techniques, including the Haney test for soil health. The Soil Health Expo took place on Wednesday, Feb. 5, drawin...

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers tonight delivered his 2025-27 Biennial Budget Message. The governor's address is available on his YouTube channel and Facebook page. Below are Gov. Evers' remarks as prepared for delivery: Good evening, Wisconsinites! Honorable Supreme Court Justices, Tribal Nation leaders, constitutional offi...

MADISON - The Volunteers for Agriculture® (VFA®), the political action committee of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, has endorsed judge and former Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel for Wisconsin State Supreme Court. "Judge Schimel has demonstrated exceptional knowledge of the judicial system and...

KEWAUNEE, Wis. - Nearly 80 farmers, community members and agricultural industry professionals gathered on February 3 for the Peninsula Pride Farms annual meeting. The meeting centered on current soil health research and water quality progress in Door and Kewaunee counties. The farmer-led group president, Duane Ducat of...

Agriculture Water Quality Specialist, Laura Paletta and Conservation Profession Training Program Director, Kevin Erb speak to the impacts of tile drainage on water quality and finding old tile lines when maps and records are lost. Learn about the details of nutrient management and water quality when tile is present in ...

Job Summary Assists in the creation of educational materials to reduce the incidence and severity of surface and groundwater-impacting manure spills/incidents through researching/summarizing digital, online and paper records to determine the root causes of manure spills/incidents, environmental impacts, and remediation...

Additional sponsors and volunteers needed for April 29-30 event at Ebert Enterprises dairy farm KEWAUNEE COUNTY, Wis. - Ag Career Days, a two-day, farm career-exploration experience for all seventh- and eighth-grade students from five Northeast Wisconsin school districts, will be held April 29-30, 2025, at Ebert Enterp...

DEFOREST- Wisconsin Farm Bureau's Promotion and Education Committee hosted a one-day Cultivate & Connect Conference on February 15 at the North Star Conference Center in DeForest. Cultivate & Connect is the Promotion and Education Committee's initiative to inspire, educate and empower Farm Bureau members and ag...

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award®. The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land. Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust p...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) introduced the Ag Vets Act, which codifies an existing Ag Vets program to direct the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to award competitive grants to prepare veterans for agricultural employment opportunities. Reps. Van Orden a...

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative extends congratulations to Brooke Rollins on her appointment to the position of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary. We look forward to collaborating with her to advance the interests of dairy farmers and the broader agricultural community. "We are eager ...

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Trying to predict what the dairy market will do in 2025 is not easy. There's the threat of higher tariffs, the danger of avian influenza and losing employees due to immigration reform, but there's also room for growth. During a 2025 dairy market outlook presentation at Dairy Strong, Mike North, presid...

Dear Wisconsin beekeepers and pollinator protectors: The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is now hiring a season Apiary Inspector. If you have a background in beekeeping and love to talk about bees, please consider applying for this position today! The selected candidate will conduct a...

ROTHSCHILD - More than 300 FFA members, advisors and guests from across Wisconsin attended Wisconsin Farm Bureau's FFA Farm Forum in Rothschild on Feb. 13. "FFA Farm Forum provides the next generation of agricultural leaders with valuable experiences and essential leadership skills," said WFBF President Brad ...

Kicking off National FFA week, February 15 through 22, we hear from local FFA Alumna, Sam Anhalt. In 2021, Sam was a senior at Mishicot High School, FFA chapter President, and named National Essay Contest Winner by Culver's. While in high school she was balancing a floriculture and ag sales SAE and now in 2025 she is ...

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications for the 2025 Tribal Elder Community Food Box Program grant through 11:59 p.m. on March 16, 2025. DATCP will award a total of up to $1.5 million through this program in 2025. Funded in Governor Evers'...

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting nominations through March 28, 2025, for two seats on the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin. DATCP will mail nomination forms to eligible growers. Nomination forms must include signatures from at least five eligible grow...

MANITOWOC, WI-Families and animal lovers are invited to Piglet Day at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center on Saturday, February 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This fun-filled event will offer hands-on, educational experiences featuring live piglets and interactive activities. Peter Family Show Pigs, located in Howards Grove...

Kewaunee County Farm Technology Days Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications from students. This scholarship is open to any student who is beyond the first half of post-secondary education, 3rd or 4th year of college, the second year of a two-year program, the second half of a program, or in a graduate prog...

In addition to its annual Hall of Fame induction, the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) presented several other annual Industry Awards during a banquet on February 5, 2025, in Stevens Point. The WPVGA Associate Division Business Person of the Year Award was presented to Matt Selenske of Allie...

Valentine's Day has always been a fun holiday for me. I would meticulously plan which card each friend received in elementary school, making sure the saying was special to them. As I grew older, my list of cards to choose grew smaller without the big class parties, but I always enjoyed sharing a little something with t...

MADISON, Wis. - In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA), the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) recently closed the third application cycle for its Crop Insurance Premium Rebates for Planting Cover Crops program on January 28, ...

MADISON, WI - Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), proud host of the 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest®, today announced the all-star team of skilled dairy industry experts that will evaluate thousands of dairy product entries at this year's competition. The event is set for March 4-6 at Resch E...

Dianne Somers, co-owner of Plover River Farms Alliance, LLC, and Kevin Bula, longtime inspector with the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program, were inducted into the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Hall of Fame at the industry's Annual Awards Banquet held February 5, 2025, in Stevens...

ARLINGTON, VA - From NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud: "NMPF commends House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn 'GT' Thompson, R-PA, and Rep. Kim Schrier, D-WA, for continuing to lead their bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to help increase kids' access to milk's vital nutrients. "The Dietary Gui...

John Bustamante Elected WPVGA Board President for 2025 At a brief meeting held immediately following the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Annual Meeting, February 6, in Stevens Point, the WPVGA Board of Directors elected John Bustamante of Wysocki Family Farms, Plainfield, as its President...

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski announced Julie Lassa as Administrator of the Division of Agricultural Development. "Julie has decades of experience with the agriculture industry, stakeholder relationships, and leadership," sa...

CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI - Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) is calling on local communities, farmers, and advocates across the state to rally behind the Wisconsin Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (WI LFPA) as it prepares for critical funding decisions in the coming months. With the program's significant impact on both far...