The Farm

Clean energy is where Wisconsin is moving as more utilities and energy companies close coal plants and build solar and wind farms. But it doesn’t come easy.

WEC Energy Group plans to purchase the Koshkonong Solar Center upon approval and completion. It would be the largest solar farm and renewable energy project in Wisconsin. But it’s under controversy from some Cambridge residents for tarnishing the rural landscape, being unsafe for residents or even bringing land value down.

WEC Energy Group’s Brendan Conway responds to general solar farm concerns with the Mid-West Farm Report and explains the solar farm implementation process. 

He says oftentimes, the largest opponents of a renewable energy project become the biggest proponents for future projects. This is because a lot of the hesitation is due to the unknown, according to Conway. He adds that residents also appreciate what the facility brings to the community — jobs, residents, charitable giving and economic development.

If residents do have concerns about an upcoming renewable energy project, Conway encourages them to contact the Public Service Commission. He says the PSC takes into account concern and support from residents before approving or rejecting projects.

DATCP is accepting applications for a second round of 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grants.

DATCP encourages non-profit organizations, producer groups, government agencies, universities and other agricultural organizations to apply. Applications may involve collaborations or partnerships between entities and are due to DATCP by Oct. 29.

Projects that focus on enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crop industries through research, education or market development are eligible. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, herbs and more. See a full list of eligible crops and more information about the program: www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp

DATCP will use a competitive review process to select the most qualified projects, with priority for projects featuring a COVID-19 relief component. DATCP will include the projects in Wisconsin’s state plan and submit this to the USDA for approval and funding.

Projects can receive grant funds for up to three years in duration. Typical projects receive between $10,000 and $100,000. In anticipation of receiving funding, selected project contracts and work would begin in spring 2022.

Eligible project expenses include compensation for personnel, consultant services, materials and supplies.

Apply: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Growing_WI/SpecialtyCrops.aspx

Pernat-Haase Meats in Juneau is issuing a voluntary Class II recall of packaged salami distributed to retailers in Juneau, Ionia and Johnson Creek areas.

The recalled product includes Italian salami with wine, 1 to 1.5 lb. packages, packaged on March 17, 2021.

This is a Class II recall resulting from evidence collected during a routine inspection by state inspectors. The evidence shows that the product contained monosodium glutamate (MSG) but was misbranded as “no MSG added.”

No illnesses have been reported as a result of consuming this product. Anyone with signs or symptoms of a foodborne illness should contact their doctor. Consumers who have any of these products should discard them.

Wisconsin State Fair Park officials and The Original Cream Puffs team are thrilled to announce the return of a fan favorite plus an all-new flavor of Cream Puff just for Harvest Fair.

Pumpkin Spice Cream Puffs make their return, and the new Latte Cream Puff makes its debut. Harvest Fair Cream Puffs, presented by Prairie Farms Dairy, will be available only at State Fair Park in West Allis.

These special Cream Puff flavors will be available at Harvest Fair, which kicks off Sept. 24 and runs through Sept. 26. Pumpkin Spice and Latte Cream Puffs will be available in single, 3-packs, and 6-packs at Harvest Fair. Admission to Harvest Fair is free.

Harvest Fair Hours of Operation

Friday, Sept. 24: 5 to 11 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 25: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 26: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Additionally, these Cream Puffs will be available through drive-thru pick-up with a pre-Harvest Fair pick-up option on Sept. 23. Both flavors will be offered in 3-packs and 6-packs Sept. 23 through Sept. 26. Mixing of flavors within packs will not be an available option.

Cream Puff Drive-Thru Hours of Operation

Thursday, Sept. 23: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 24: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 25: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 26: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

See more information: https://wistatefair.com/harvestfair/

Pre-order: https://order.originalcreampuffs.com/

Crop progress continues to advance towards harvest season across the state of Wisconsin. Most stages of crop development are actually ahead of average this year. Here’s what the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service had to say within their report.

Corn is reported 91% in the dough stage or beyond, 2 days behind last year but 9 days ahead of the 5-year average. Sixty-five percent of corn is dented, 1 day ahead of last year and 7 days ahead of the average. Seven percent of corn was mature, 6 days behind last year and 2 days behind average. Corn condition was 75% good to excellent, three percentage points below last week.

Soybeans are reported 97% setting pods. Leaves are coloring in 40% of soybeans, 2 days behind last year but 4 days ahead of the average. Six percent of soybeans are dropping leaves, 4 days behind last year but the same as the average. Soybean condition was 74% good to excellent, 1 percentage point below last week.

Oats are 93% harvested, 7 days behind last year but 6 days ahead of the average. Potato harvest is reported 33% complete. Potato condition is rated 90% good to excellent, 2 percentage points below last week.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay is 93% complete, 3 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of average. The 4th cutting is 48% complete, 2 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the average. All hay condition was rated 76% good to excellent, 2 percentage points better than last week. Pasture condition was rated 63% good to excellent, 2 percentage points above last week.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has signed a proclamation setting September 27th as Agricultural Tourism Day, and the week of September 27th through October 3rd as Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Week.

“The Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association (WATA) is proud that our state leadership recognizes the contribution agritourism makes to our economy,” said Executive Director Sheila Everhart. “These diverse ag-based tourism venues provide entertainment, adventure, education, relaxation, food, fuel, and fiber for consumers all across the country,” she added.

Valued at more than $104.8 billion annually, Wisconsin is home to nearly 65,000 farms on 14.3 million acres. The average farm size is 221 acres. The agricultural sector accounts for 12 percent, 435,700 , jobs across the state. Last year, Wisconsin tourism brought 112 million visitors to the state, generating $21.6 billion in revenues, $1.6 billion in state and local taxes, and another $1.2 billion in federal taxes.

“WATA is working to continue streamlining the state’s regulatory environment so that agritourism, and the families involved, can meet the growing demand for on-farm opportunities to learn, be entertained, and be inspired,” said Everhart.

Where does food come from-the farm or a box? This question and others will be answered at an Open House sponsored by Diamond Vu Agricultural Educational Education Center on Sunday, September 26, 2021. The event will be held on a local farm in Sheboygan Falls. Nicole Butler, President, stated, “this family fun event has something for everyone.”

The Center is hosting its second annual “Sundae on the Farm” Open House. At the open house, the community will experience over 12 learning stations from local businesses and organizations. Stations will include hands-on activities about various aspects of agriculture. New additions this year are alpacas, herbs, mushrooms, apples, and horses, just to name a few.

In addition to the animals, there will be horticultural stations as well. Learn how to make a bouquet, decorated pumpkin, or tour the flower fields. Come watch the vintage tractor club demonstrate vintage thrashing techniques. For the kids, paint a pumpkin.

The fee to attend is: $10 per carload. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. New this year are specialty food items such as gourmet grilled cheese, herb infused sweet treats, and haymakers switchel. Participants can enjoy the farm life while walking around with a complimentary container of milk and listening to live music.

Diamond Vu Agricultural Educational Education Center is a new 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization located in Sheboygan Falls. Their missions are to use “hands-on” agricultural education that help families gain an understanding of the essential role farming plays in our world, as well as the food choices they make every day. Open houses, farm tours, and K-12 class trips will be scheduled on a rotating 12-month basis. Butler said, “Another focus will be to advocate for products that are local, healthy, and readily available.

Mike Butler, Dairy Farmer, has spent the past 31 years obsessed with breeding an outstanding herd of Registered Holsteins and maintaining the good health of the herd. He is proud of the success he has had developing 16 excellent cows and breeding the Junior All American in 2005. Mike freely employs the concept of sustainable intensification on the farm. This concept seeks to marry the need to maintain livestock farming activity with an eco-friendly approach which supports high animal welfare standards.

Nicole Butler, President and Master’s Degree Educator graduated from UW-Platteville with a degree in Agricultural Education and Horticulture. As a licensed master educator, she has worked in the Hartford, West Bend, and Kewaskum school districts. Through her tenure at a local cut flower operation, Nicole was production manager for 10 years while she was teaching. She attended classes in San Diego, CA to enhance her grower knowledge. Nicole has been creating floral arrangements for the past 24 years and has won numerous awards for her arrangements.

Diamond Vu Agricultural Educational Education depends on the donations and corporate sponsorship in order to thrive. The Board of Directors is in the early stages of preparing for a capital campaign to expand activities to a five-county region-Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Fond du Lac, Washington, and Kewaunee. Their annual “Friends of the Farm” membership program is for families, individuals, and students. Becoming a member allows them to receive the biannual newsletter, discounted prices for activities, and free admission to the annual open house. Another way to get involved is to support corporate sponsorship giving guidelines.

Applications are now open for grants of up to $10 million to local and regional projects that will help meet the state’s next-generation workforce needs, Gov. Tony Evers announced this week.

The Workforce Innovation Grant Program will help communities develop long-term solutions so businesses can find workers and workers can connect to jobs, Evers says, adding that the money will allow local leaders to address the unique needs of their communities, whether it’s lack of access to affordable child care and transportation or providing the necessary training to help folks switch careers.

The program offers grants from $250,000 up to $10 million to regional economic development partners to design and implement innovative plans to tackle their communities’ most pressing workforce challenges. The money comes from the federal American Recovery Plan Act.

The can be used to meet local workforce needs, such as child care, transportation issues, upskilling and re-skilling workers, or career counseling and coaching services, and may be used to support initiatives like training, planning, marketing, or developing pilot programs that can be applied in other communities. Grant funds cannot be used to replace existing public resources.

Grant applications, frequently asked questions and program guidelines will be available on the WEDC website at wedc.org/workforce-innovation-grant.

Funds are expected to be distributed in two rounds. Applications for Round 1 are due no later than 5 p.m. on Oct. 25, with awards announced in mid-November. Program dates and application details for Round 2 will be announced in 2022.

Mike Pompeo, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and secretary of state, will be among featured speakers at Dairy Strong.

The Dairy Business Association is hosting the event Jan. 19-20 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. A virtual option will also be available.

The conference brings together farmers, corporate professionals, government and university representatives, and other partners to learn, network, celebrate, and explore challenges and opportunities in the state’s signature industry.

Dairy Strong’s track programming will focus on the growing importance of sustainability, how technology is providing a path to progress, and the significance of a forward-thinking mindset. Among other aspects, there will also be a panel discussion about the pandemic’s impact on the supply chain and lessons to carry forward.

“We always strive to provide programs, presenters, speakers and sessions that are innovative, instructive and inspiring,” says DBA President Amy Penterman. “It’s so important to provide a rich experience for our farmers, processors and the many others who make up such a critical part of our economy, rural communities and food system.” 

In addition to Pompeo, featured speakers will be Ryan Estis, John O’Leary and a legislative guest who is yet to be determined. Estis is a sales and leadership expert with 20 years of business experience working with brands worldwide. O’Leary is an inspirational speaker who survived a horrific accident as a 9-year-old when he was burned on 100 percent of his body and was given a 1 percent chance to live.

The conference will again feature a tradeshow, an Innovation Stage and breakout sessions whose topics are being finalized. 

The Wisconsin’s Master Cheese Reception also will take place and DBA will announce its Advocate of the Year. 

Click here for the latest conference schedule. 

Registration is open and farmers who register by Nov. 1 will receive two free passes per farm.

Click here to register.

To be a sponsor, click here. 

The Wisconsin hemp program, currently administered by DATCP, will transition to the USDA starting Jan. 1, 2022. 

“We believe this transition will provide hemp growers with the greatest opportunity to produce hemp in Wisconsin,” says DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. 

States and tribal nations have the ability to transition their hemp program to USDA. Currently, three other states and multiple tribal nations have federal-run hemp programs. Many producers already work with their local USDA Farm Service Agency office to report their crops, so this transition aligns with processes already occurring. 

Other benefits of a federal-run program include no licensing fees, the federal license is three years instead of annual, and it provides some flexibility utilizing private sampling and testing services. A federal-run hemp program also streamlines program rule changes, as growers will need to comply with just the federal program rules. To date, DATCP has had to promulgate emergency rule changes, update program operations, and conduct outreach to growers when a federal rule change was made. 

“Because state-run hemp programs must also meet federal requirements, Wisconsin’s hemp program is already in close alignment with USDA,” says Sara Walling, DATCP’s Division of Agriculture Resource Management administrator. “We are collaborating with USDA for a smooth transition and providing hemp growers with the resources they need to understand any changes.” 

DATCP and USDA will hold a joint webinar from 1-3 p.m. on Sept. 15 for growers to learn how to locate and work with their local USDA office and how to apply for a USDA hemp license. Growers can register in advance with USDA for the webinar. The link to register is also available on DATCP’s website, as will be the recording of the webinar. A transition checklist for growers is also available. 

“The state did a commendable task in creating and helping a hemp program thrive in Wisconsin for the first four growing seasons,” says Wisconsin Hemp Alliance President Rob Richard. “We learned a tremendous amount of information about the plant in that time. Now that USDA has finalized their hemp rule and we’re seeing signs of federal financial resources in hemp research and development, this is absolutely the right time to shift course from a state-centric focused program to a federal program.” 

Starting Jan. 1, 2022, hemp growers will transition to the federal-run program, but hemp processors will no longer need a DATCP license to process hemp. Hemp processors will remain under DATCP’s current authority for consumer and food products.