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Delaney Craighead discusses different types and uses for honey, honey bees, and their importance to American food and agriculture, and how people in towns or the countryside can help bees and other pollinators thrive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking out the window of my office in Madison, it’s cold outside. But I invite you to imagine a warm, sunny day with me. It’s mid-afternoon, and we slide into the pickup truck to drive down a few country roads with my grandfather. With a contagious laugh and a few quick-witted jokes, he tells a story about his friends who used to live next door that he played euchre with. They’ve since moved, and their house no longer sits a mile from his. The reality he describes—where towns, churches, and homesteads are dwindling—is one we see across rural America. Loka Ashwood is a professor in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW–Madison. After a personal revelation of her own, she began a project to help document these lost homes across Wisconsin. Her hope is to help people better know rural history so they can grow a love for the places that make rural living vibrant. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the days get shorter and the weather turns colder, it’s time to fall in love with warm and cozy beef soup recipes. Angie Horkan wit the WI Beef Council joins Pam Jahnke to talk through some of your options! Beeftips.com has gone through some remodeling, so be sure and find all your recipe options there! This update brought to you as a service of Equity Livestock Cooperative Sales. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation has been dissolved.  Pam Jahnke finds out why from Jessica Jens, WI State 4-H Program Director.  The 4-H Foundation board for 75 years had been the philanthropic fund raising arm for Wisconsin 4-H.  Ultimately the cost of administering the program started to eat away at the dollars available for 4-H acitivities.  Now, the Wisconsin Foundation and Almni Associaton (WFAA) will be assuming the fund raising duties.  Jens reassures all donors and endowments that their wishes for funds will still remain in tact, by law.  In response, Jens has created the WI 4-H Positive Youth Development Advisory Council that will gather for the first time this week.  She says this will ensure the community of WI 4-H has a place at the table for this multi-generational program.Beautiful weather to start the week, but more seasonal temperatures by Wednesday.  That's the outlook painted by Stu Muck for our weather this week.With a growing population to feed, many turn to farmers and say 'what are you going to do'?  A new group's been formed to put some of that responsibility on the shoulders of food processors.  The Center for American Food Power was launched in March, and about 35 organizations and leaders are part of the planning process with more to come. Mike Davis finds out about it with Brett Sciotto, CEO of Idealyst Innovation, one of the lead organizations. Sciotto says they want to hear from the best and brightest across the value chain and get them involved.10 Wisconsin 4-H youth were recognized on Saturday for the highest honor a member can receive.  The state 4-H Key Award.  Pam Jahnke gives a quick rundown of the honorees.  Plus potluck's are a part of most Wisconsinites culture, but why?  The Mid-West Farm Report will have that story this week, but  Karl Shatz, organizer of Community Plate, teases that there's more to potluck's then you may think. When you think about what keeps Wisconsin dairy strong, you probably picture farmers caring for their cows and cheesemakers making award-winning cheese. But there’s another important part of that story: the research and innovation helping turn our milk into products people want to buy. The Center for Dairy Research (CDR), is located at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and it brings together scientists, cheesemakers, and dairy experts who help our industry solve problems and develop products. Rick Roden, Echo Valley Farms and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Board of Directors, explains some of the cutting techniques and innovations being developed thanks in part to funds from dairy operators like him.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA recently announced the Harvest Fuel Relief Program to help farmers deal with the high cost of diesel fuel, but a dairy organization says it's not just the row croppers that need assistance since a typical dairy farm uses fuel every day of the year, and not just during planting and harvest time.Sherry Bunting with the American Dairy Coalition says they've conducted two member polls, with one of them getting more than 450 responses in 10 days pointing out farmer concerns about fuel costs. Larry Lee listens in. Sunshine today and overall a nice weekend for Wisconsin.  Stu Muck says this may be the last weekend where we see temperatures near 60 degrees or better. Everybody's looking for a deal, and when it comes to fall produce - they're out there!  Kiley Allan helps us understand what you need to do to extent the life of those "deals" in fresh produce.  Bulk potatoes, onions, carrots and more make look good, but only if you store them properly.  She finds out the tips and tricks from Heather Quackenboss, UW-Extension Home Educator in LaCrosse County. Farmers like "a deal" just like anyone else.  So when farmland near you comes up for sale, you know it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  Property love is what Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech calls it.  When you'll do almost anything to get that land even if it's not good for your bottom line. A single man from Norway made his way to Wisconsin back in 1861.  Finally by 1864 he had the means to purchase his first farm. That farm is still in the family hands of Oscar Ryerson.  Descendents Sue Ritchie and Peter Redinger are keeping the farm going and in presentable shape despite living out of state.  Sue explains the early years of their family moving from New York to Columbia county to keep the farm going.  Today they enjoy maintaining the buildings and have planned for the next generation to continue the story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebekah Sweeney with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association tells the Mid-West Farm Report the USDA and the Office of Management and Budget recinded their recent rule that would have required the four Dairy Business Innovation Initiative programs to provide 25% matching funds for their federal dollars, which Sweeney says would have killed the entire program. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think about what keeps Wisconsin dairy strong, you probably picture farmers caring for their cows and cheesemakers making award-winning cheese. But there’s another important part of that story: the research and innovation helping turn our milk into products people want to buy. The Center for Dairy Research (CDR), is located at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and it brings together scientists, cheesemakers, and dairy experts who help our industry solve problems and develop products. Rick Roden, Echo Valley Farms and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Board of Directors, representing District 18 (Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha) counties is fascinated by what happens there.  He explains some of the cutting techniques and innovations being developed thanks in part to funds from dairy operators like him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 99th National FFA Convention is now history, but plans are already ramping up for the 100th celebration in 2027.  Jill Welke finds out what it takes to keep this behemoth of an organization moving forward from Dr. Scott Stump.  Stump is the National FFA's Chief Executive Officer in Indianapolis.  He explains to Welke how the group coordinates annual activities with the City of Indianapolis, and relays that information to chapters across the U.S. Sunshine will return to Wisconsin beginning on Friday.  Stu Muck says despite light rain, there are still some combines rolling through corn fields. Fresh faces, clean slates and empty notebooks.  After Tuesday's election, Wisconsin agriculture's getting ready to welcome fewer legislators than ever coming from agricultural backgrounds.  The burden falls directly on producers to build relationships from scratch, demystify modern food production, and ensure the realities of the farm gate aren't lost in the committee room. Pam Jahnke finds out how that will happen from Jason Mungniani, Executive Director of Government Relations with the WI Farm Bureau Federation.  He says the message was clear with the change of party direction.  Harvest may not be complete, but that's not stopping growers from looking ahead to 2027.  Larry Lee notes that technology is becoming a bigger and bigger part of their plans.  Drones are now doing more for farms than ever before.  Adam Meddaugh with American Drone explains what attracts farms to the equipment.Dairy largely stood on the sidelines during the election process. Now it's time to reengage. Kiley Allan finds out how that's happening from Jenny Wackershauser, dairy analyst with EA Risk in Platteville. Wachershauser says they're continuing to closely monitor holiday shopping and ingredient demand. Now, they also have to keep an eye on HPAI that's already been detected in some dairy herds in the Pacific Northwest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agricultural education is a powerful tool that emphasizes hands-on learning and career readiness for students that participate in the program. But, programs can't reach their full potential without support. Jeff Wright supports agricultural education in two facets: both as the superintendent of the Sauk Prairie School District, and also serving on the Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council. He tells Kiley Allan what the council, otherwise known as WAEWDC, do to support agricultural education and workforce development right here at home in the state of Wisconsin.   Photo: Jeff receiving an Honorary State Degree from Wisconsin FFA Association. Photo courtesy of Jeff Wright. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Meddaugh with American Drone tells Mid-West Farm Report how changes in drone technology and the needs of farmers have driven more drone use.  He also gives details about the upcoming Midwest Drone Conference that will be held December 17–19, 2026, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point, WI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wave that swept across the United States Tuesday evening is going to mean major changes in agriculture leadership.  Pam Jahnke visits with Jason Mugnaini, Executive Director of Government Relations with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.  Although not all races have been called on the national scene as the conversation is recorded, he shares his 'first reactions' to the change.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strange colors and textures being noticed in our Wisconsin soybeans are getting attention.  What is it and why is it happening?  Kiley Allan gets the goods from Dr. Damon Smith, UW-Extension Plant Pathologist.  He says it generally is traced to seed quality, but is costing growers at the elevator. Rain will continue through the next 36 hours according to Stu Muck.  Temperatures will stay moderate in the south, with overnight freezing temps in the north. Brant Smith is the district sales manager for Wyffels in northern Illinois.  There, the harvest is about 80% complete.  Smith tells Pam Jahnke that there hasn't been many harvesting issues to deal with, which is welcome news.  He reminds growers to take a look at the agronomy sharing feature on their website to track yields across the Midwest.  Paid for by Wyffels Hybrids. Election results will mean big changes in agriculture leadership on the state and national scene.  Pam Jahnke gives a brief overview of the race results from last night. That old TV, desktop computer - even cell phone!  When you're done with it, what do you do with it?  If you're in an urban area, you have options.  If you're in the country - you generally don't.  Teri Barr investigates the e-cycling program through the WI Department of Natural Resources. Erik Flesch, Department of Natural Resource, E-Cycle Wisconsin Coordinator.  He says in just four years of grant funding from the manufacturers who are recycling the electronic parts and pieces, 59 counties across Wisconsin have added free one-day e-cycling events, along with nine new regular collection areas opening in rural parts of the state. Flesch says the DNR has focused on helping farmers and rural residents to get electronics recycled. Battery recycling is next! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you're preparing to feed an influx of people during the holiday season or you just like a good deal, it's a great time of year to find bulk potatoes and onions for sale across the state of Wisconsin. Heather Quackenboss joins me; she's a UW–Madison Extension's human development and relationships educator. She has a few tips and tricks to make sure that the multiple pounds of potatoes and onions you just bought don't go bad. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rain hasn't completely slowed down the corn harvest in Northern Illinois.  That's the word from district sales representative, Brant Smith.  He says the area has enjoyed almost ideal harvest conditions so far even with the light rain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's weather mesonet is now recognized on the national scene.  Chris Vagasky, coordinator for the effort, tells Pam Jahnke that the American Association of State Climatologists notified us that after a thorough review of our program, including station siting, sensor performance, station maintenance, quality assurance and quality control, and end-to-end services, that Wisconet has earned the “AASC Recognized Mesonet” designation. He explains that Wisconsin's in a tough spot with precipitation, especially in northern Wisconsin. Rain continues around the state.  Not heavy, but enough to stop field work.  Pam Jahnke gives us a quick, overall update. Knowing what's happening at auctions is interesting to more than just farmers.  Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group explains that their quarterly catalog gets a lot of attention from people like bankers.  He explains the latest installment and what seems to be getting the most attention.  Paid for by Steffes Group. The rural and agriculture voice really matters this election Tuesday.  Animal rights activitist groups have spent big money in several farm states focused on "their" candidates.  Hunter Irhman from the Nat'l Cattlemen's Beef Association explains how they try and counter all that money. Investors have fled the commodities market, but why?  That's the question posed to John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing out of West Bend.  He says the market is also a little jittery pre-election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.