Articles by Karen Faster

Wild Bees Play Integral Role in Southern Wisconsin Agriculture

Karen Faster
WisContext
Video: 
University Place
PBS Wisconsin
Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 11:30am
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.
Series: The Dairy State Economy

There's More To Silvopasture Than Just Cows And Trees

Karen Faster
WisContext
Video: 
University Place
PBS Wisconsin
Tuesday, March 21, 2017 - 12:30pm
Cattle can often be seen grazing in meadows around Wisconsin, but they may also be finding their meals in wooded areas.

How Vilas County Is Trying To Reinvent Its Economy

Karen Faster
WisContext
Video: 
University Place
PBS Wisconsin
Thursday, March 16, 2017 - 10:30am
Mentoring entrepreneurs and incubating small businesses are two ways a nonprofit organization is working to boost economic development in Vilas County.
Series: Bullying and Cyberbullying

Social Connections Can Intensify And Alleviate Cyberbullying

Karen Faster
WisContext
Video: 
University Place
PBS Wisconsin
Thursday, March 9, 2017 - 9:40am
Connections are the key to stopping bullying: Teens are less likely to bully others in person or online if they have adults in their lives whom they don't want to disappoint.

Produce Farmers Place New Emphasis On Food Safety

Karen Faster
WisContext
Video: 
University Place
PBS Wisconsin
Friday, March 3, 2017 - 10:20am
Farmers who follow food safety best practices produce better quality produce that last longer on the market and in consumers' kitchens. The harvest, storage and handling processes intended to minimize pathogens that cause illness in humans also target the organisms that cause produce to decay.

Frac Sand Deposits Are Abundant In Wisconsin

Karen Faster
WisContext
Video: 
University Place
PBS Wisconsin
Monday, December 19, 2016 - 2:55pm
Although sand has been mined across Wisconsin for over a century, the large-scale mines and associated processing and transportation facilities are relatively new.

Wisconsin's 'Grand Experiment' With GMO Corn

Karen Faster
WisContext
Video: 
University Place
PBS Wisconsin
Thursday, October 13, 2016 - 8:00am
Farmers' use of transgenic corn over the past 20-plus years is putting pressure on ecosystems, in part by making some weeds more resistant to herbicides.
Series: The Dairy State Economy
Series: CAFOs, Manure And Water

Why Wisconsin's Livestock Farms Are Growing In Size

Karen Faster
WisContext
Video: 
University Place
PBS Wisconsin
Thursday, September 22, 2016 - 1:35pm
Farms that raise animals — be they poultry, pigs, cows or other livestock — are growing. But whether smaller farms are simply updated with modern technologies or are concentrated animal feeding operations with hundreds or thousands of animals, they enable farmers to reduce costs and increase output.
Series: Civic Science In Wisconsin
Series: Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome

Watching The Bats Of Wisconsin

Karen Faster
WisContext
Video: 
University Place
PBS Wisconsin
Tuesday, July 12, 2016 - 10:25am
From loon-watchers to fighters of invasive species, Wisconsin is home to many groups engaged in citizen science. One example of a citizen science effort of this type in the state is the Wisconsin Bat Monitoring Project.
Series: Wisconsin's Rural-Urban Continuum

Rural Wisconsin Counties Continue To Lose Population

Karen Faster
WisContext
Video: 
University Place
PBS Wisconsin
Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - 11:10am
Since the Great Recession, more people have been migrating out of Wisconsin than moving into the state — a pattern contrary to Minnesota and Iowa.