Given their prominence in Wisconsin's traditions, where cows and deer can actually be found around the state can serve as a lens to examine rurality.

Phosphorus is a well-known culprit for water quality problems in Wisconsin, and an excess of this nutrient in soils impedes efforts to clean up lakes. Several groups of people play critical roles in reducing phosphorus pollution and improving lakes – farmers, policymakers and scientists, to name a few – but how does the "average" person fit in?

When putting a garden to rest for the winter, it's best to include time spent thinking of ways to improve its soil for the following year's crop.

With the summer of 2017 in the record books, many parts of Wisconsin are still feeling the impact of the season's wet weather.