Agriculture

Our Wisconsin The Little Farmer in Malone has apple picking, homemade pies, and goats for petting. (Photo by Susan Lampert Smith)
Our Wisconsin Get in the Fall Mood at These 14 Wisconsin Apple Orchards

Get ready for cider donuts and apple picking fun with your ultimate guide to family-friendly apple orchards throughout the Badger State.

Susan Lampert Smith Susan Lampert Smith September 21, 2021 6:00 pm CDT
Agriculture Wisconsin is shifting hemp oversight to the federal government, a move growers say will help cut down on red tape for the burgeoning industry here. (AP Photo/P. Solomon Banda)
Agriculture Wisconsin Hemp Farmers Optimistic as State Hands Oversight to Federal Government

The move will streamline the process for Wisconsin’s growing hemp industry and cut down on confusing regulations, farmers say.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson September 2, 2021 4:34 pm CDT
Agriculture Cows graze at a farm near Blanchardville. (Photo © Andy Manis)
Agriculture Wisconsin Farmers Hope for a ‘Level Playing Field’ as Biden Administration Considers Reviving Organic Rules Trump Killed

A rule written under the Obama administration would have been a boon to small organic farms, but the Trump administration killed it. Now Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack might bring the rule back.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson August 6, 2021 8:30 am CDT
Agriculture Eric Brandt, assistant aquaculture manager for Superior Fresh, lifts two Atlantic salmon from a pool at the company’s exhibit at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days in Eau Claire County. Superior Fresh, a business near Hixton that raises organic greens and Atlantic salmon, is among agriculture operations in Wisconsin that are using environmentally friendly practices to produce products. (Photo by Julian Emerson)
Agriculture Agriculture is a Big Climate Change Contributor and Polluter. Wisconsin Farmers Want to Change That.

Wisconsin farmers are putting more emphasis on the "green factor" as they look to create more sustainable agriculture.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson July 22, 2021 5:03 pm CDT
Agriculture Thor Hermanson hands a customer a sample of horseradish sauce produced by Huntsinger Farms Tuesday, the opening day of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. Huntsinger Farms, just south of Eau Claire, is hosting this year’s event, which was scheduled to occur last year but was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Julian Emerson)
Agriculture Farmers Show the Dairy State Has More Than Just Milk and Cheese

Producers display the diversity of their products at Farm Technology Days.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson July 21, 2021 2:50 pm CDT

continuing coverage

Emanuel Montalvo cuts Aaron Feria's hair on Oct. 12 at The Lounge Barbershop in Arcadia. The barbershop is one of a growing number of Latino-owned businesses in the Trempealeau County city that is home to a fast-growing Latino population. (Photo by Julian Emerson) Latinos As Latino Populations Increase, Communities Are Also Seeing a Growth in Latino-owned Businesses
The post-war economic boom of the 1950s and 60s sharply increased Wisconsin crop production. In this photo from the Wisconsin Historical Society, Latino farm workers hoe a cucumber field near Wautoma in 1967. Economy From Farms to Factories to New Businesses, Latinos Have Made a Mark on Wisconsin’s Economy for More Than a Century
Harmful blue-green algae blooms, like this one seen on Lake Monona in Madison, are becoming more frequent along Lake Superior as climate change continues to make conditions right for the species to bloom. (Photo by JT Cestkowski) Climate How Climate Change Is Causing Harmful Algae Blooms on Lake Superior
Nada Elmikashfi, chief of staff to state Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison), is outspoken about racism and bias, even at the statehouse. (Photo by Christina Lieffring.) Politics Hostile Workplaces, Closed Minds, Hurtful Rhetoric—Welcome to the Wisconsin State Capitol
Agriculture Agriculture Panel: The Pain Isn't Going to Stop For The Rural Economy Soon
Agriculture Wisconsin’s Dairy Industry Needs More Than Band-Aid Solutions, Farmers Say

Farm closures, mental health issues, and decreased profitability can’t easily be fixed.

Christina Lieffring Christina Lieffring July 2, 2021 3:39 pm CDT
Agriculture Gary and Patty Edelburg operate a 120-cow dairy herd near Amherst and have struggled in recent years to make ends meet amid continued low and volatile milk prices. The Edelbergs support a proposal announced last week by Gov. Tony Evers to include $43 million in spending on multiple agriculture initiatives in the 2021-23 state budget that will be finalized later this year. (Photo courtesy of Patty Edelburg)
Agriculture The Economy May Be Improving for Some Sectors, but Not for Wisconsin’s Dairy Farmers

Coronavirus relief aid didn’t fix longtime challenges facing the state’s agriculture industry.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson June 30, 2021 1:16 pm CDT