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)
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.

Cows graze at a farm near Blanchardville. (Photo © Andy Manis)
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.

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 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.

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)
Farmers Show the Dairy State Has More Than Just Milk and Cheese

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

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)
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.

Kevin Mahalko manages a family-run organic dairy farm near Gilman. (Photo supplied)
Vilsack Is Back. Wisconsin Farmers Show Cautious Optimism for His Second Round as Ag Secretary.

Having already led the USDA under Obama, he’ll be walking a tightrope between corporate and family farm interests.