Agriculture

What Is Wisconsin's 'Right-To-Farm' Law And Who Does It Protect?

WisContext

A state statute explicitly protects agricultural operators from all but the most serious nuisance lawsuits brought by neighbors. It's known as Wisconsin's "right-to-farm" law.

Series: CAFOs, Manure And Water

A Battle In Burnett County Over A Proposed Hog CAFO

Video:

Marisa Wojcik

PBS Wisconsin

Frederica Freyberg

PBS Wisconsin

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WPT

A proposed CAFO in Burnett County is receiving pushback from local residents who say the large farm could have adverse effects on their community. WisContext associate editor Will Cushman discusses how the state of Wisconsin monitors and regulates odors emanating from CAFOs.

Wild Rice Harvest Tradition Passed Down To Youth

Audio:

Danielle Kaeding

Wisconsin Public Radio

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Wisconsin Life

Members of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa made a trek to Pacwawong Lake in northern Wisconsin to pass on the tradition of harvest wild rice, or manoomin, to tribal youth.

Why Homegrown Garlic Is Best Planted In Autumn

Will Cushman

WisContext

October is the ideal time to plant garlic in Wisconsin, so long as growers properly prepare their newly-planted cloves for a long, cold winter.

Series: Extreme Precipitation And Wisconsin's Climate

When Big Storms Inundate Wisconsin, How Could Wetlands 'Slow The Flow'?

Will Cushman

WisContext

The connection between Wisconsin's rivers and the wetlands that feed them has become increasingly tenuous. Its consequences for human communities come into clearer focus when heavy rains transform streams and rivers into forces of wanton destruction.

Series: The Dairy State Economy

Series: Wisconsin Ag And Global Trade

Series: CAFOs, Manure And Water

'The Big Get Bigger And The Small Go Out': The Economic State Of Farming

Video:

Frederica Freyberg

PBS Wisconsin

Zac Schultz

PBS Wisconsin

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WPT

Facing low commodity prices, trade uncertainties and challenging weather, Wisconsin's farmers are struggling on multiple fronts. U.S. and state agriculture secretaries Sonny Perdue and Brad Pfaff share their perspectives on the state of small dairy farms and the industry as a whole.

Vernon County Goes To The Goats

Video:

Trevor Keller

PBS Wisconsin

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Wisconsin Life

Visit a Vernon County park in the summer, and it's likely Ben Robel's team will be hard at work. His team? A herd of goats and sheep.

Series: Phosphorus In Wisconsin's Land And Water

Sauk County Conservationist's Calling Is Improving The Earth

Video:

Andy Soth

PBS Wisconsin

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Wisconsin Life

Maintaining high quality water requires getting wet. That's why Sauk County conservationist Serge Koenig is standing in the rushing waters of a cool stream gathering samples.

Series: The Dairy State Economy

Wisconsin's Cheese Industry Helped Grow Its Dairy Goat Business

Audio:

Kate Archer Kent

Wisconsin Public Radio

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WPR

Wisconsin has the highest number of dairy goats in the United States. WisContext associate editor Will Cushman discusses these numbers and explains how the dairy goat industry took shape and expanded in America's Dairyland.

Series: The Dairy State Economy

Series: CAFOs, Manure And Water

Wisconsin Is America's Dairy Goat Land

Will Cushman

WisContext

Wisconsin's self-proclaimed moniker as "America's Dairyland" is taking on fresh meaning in the 21st century thanks to a growing market for milk from an animal that bleats rather than moos.