Farm-to-school programs can take a variety of forms. In Wisconsin, the USDA reported that 73 percent of the 775 schools and districts surveyed participated in some type of farm-to-school program.

A glut of milk and cheese has had the dairy industry struggling with lower and more volatile prices for a several years. Now there's growing price uncertainty on the horizon for soybean growers.

Farmers around the United States are contending with the collapse of honeybee colonies they depend on to pollinate numerous crops, including many fruits, vegetables, legumes and nut trees. But growers in southern Wisconsin look to be in better shape because the Badger State is home to about 500 species of native wild bees that are excellent pollinators.

Traditional gardens require ample space, appropriate sunlight and an ongoing time commitment, but container gardening offers an alternative way to grow fresh fruits and vegetables with more limited resources.