MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON Pam Jahnke

As the Mother’s Day weekend approaches, Kopke’s Greenhouse is gearing up for what promises to be another bustling season. Founded in 1981 Kopke’s began with just a couple of greenhouses aimed at supporting a vegetable truck farm. Over the years, the focus shifted towards ornamental flowers, prompting continuous expansion. Today, the operation boasts an impressive 33 greenhouses, filled to the brim with a wide array of flowers, veggie plants, and more.

Despite the challenges posed by fluctuating weather patterns, including a mix of rain and sun characteristic of Wisconsin, Kopke’s remains committed to providing quality plants. By using flexible strategies, including adjusting watering schedules and utilizing supplemental lighting, they ensure that each plant receives the care it deserves.

The lead-up to Mother’s Day sees a significant uptick in customer traffic, with numbers surpassing a thousand visitors per day in the days preceding the holiday. This year, the trend is particularly notable, with customers eager to embrace gardening and beautify their living spaces after a period of unpredictable weather.

“Our loyal customer base, some of whom have been with us for decades, continues to grow,” says Josh Smith, co-owner of Kopke’s Greenhouse. “We’re also seeing an influx of newcomers, from seasoned gardeners to first-time plant parents. It’s heartening to witness this enthusiasm for gardening, especially among younger generations.”
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The rural voice is really going to matter this election year - and that influence will ripple beyond the presidential decision.  David Bowen, Associate State Director of Advocacy for AARP of Wisconsin is busy now making sure candidates understand where priorities lie.

Bowen says big bullet items they want all Wisconsinites discussing with candidates include social security and maintaining its funding.  Bowen says other elements of conversation include services like high speed broadband in rural communities.

Bowen notes that the latest polls only accent how important rural voices and their interaction with candidates will be in fall election outcomes.AARP Wisconsin is seeking legislative volunteers to help educate lawmakers, candidates, opinion leaders and the public about its priorities, including support for family caregivers.Volunteers are needed throughout the state, but particularly in southeastern and southwestern Wisconsin. Activities include sending emails to legislators, writing letters to the editor, making phone calls and attending hearings.
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The Farm Bill of 2023 has been delayed until 2024, but there seems to be a commitment to mark the bill up by Memorial Day.  Stephanie Hoff gets the update from Mike Stranz, vice president of advocacy for the National Farmers Union.You may think pork chops, pork roasts - even a brat when it comes to your preferred pork, but that's not the case around the world.  Trachelle Carr leads international affairs with the National Pork Producers Council. She says "variety meats" are sought after in S.E. Asia, Australia and other world partner markets.Recent rains have brought out the morel mushrooms!  That's great news for the community of Muscoda, where they're planning the 2024 Muscoda Morel Festival.  Charitee Seebecker visits with morel mushroom buyer, Tom Nondorf.  He's a veteran that's been buying morel's for the past 14 years.  The festival benefits the local American Legion Post.This summer there will be a precedent setting meeting of bison research specialists in Brookings, SD.  Pam Jahnke talks to Lydia Whitman, Program Manager for the National Bison Association.  Whitman says the industry is focused on their sustainability message, as well as building out infrastructure to get products to consumers.
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As spring unfolds across Wisconsin, mushroom enthusiasts and farmers alike are buzzing with excitement over what promises to be an exceptional season for morel mushrooms. The combination of timely rainfall and late spring snowfalls has set the stage for a bountiful harvest. That’s according to morel mushroom buyer Tom Nondorf.

"With the rainfall and weather we've been having, it's really helped keep the mushroom crop going,” Nondorf says. "But the late snowfalls in spring are especially beneficial. Over the years, I've noticed that the more snow we get in late spring, the better off the mushroom crop is for the year."

Nondorf has been closely monitoring this season's progress and is optimistic about the outlook. "I've been buying mushrooms for over 14 years, and I can confidently say that this year is shaping up to be one of the best in recent years.”
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India could be the next big market for Wisconsin ginseng.  Kirk Baumann from Baumann Ginseng in Wausau just returned from a USDA trade mission to India.  He says there's some similarities between India and China - Wisconsin's number one market.  India also views ginseng as medicinal, but also incorporates it into teas and beverages.  Baumann says it'll take time, but he thinks there's opportunity there.  He explains the dynamics to Pam Jahnke.

Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, explains the ongoing battle in Washington, D.C. over reformulated fuel standards and consumer access.

Pam Jahnke catches up with Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group.  The number of auctions this month is slowing down with farmers in the field, but there's still plenty of interest.

Stephanie Hoff focuses on the perception and realities of biotechnology in agriculture.  She's joined by Lynn Finnerty, senior director of public affairs at BIO. This group represents about 1,000 members in both the public and private sectors. Beth Ellikidis leads the agriculture and environment section at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. BIO represents 1,000 companies, states, and colleges in biotechnology ranging from pharmaceuticals to agriculture. 
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The agriculture industry continues to press the current administration on bolstering trade agreements. We hear from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that work is underway to build export relationships. Most recently, the U.S. hosted one of its largest trade missions ever to India. Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitely says India is a huge opportunity. Some of the commodities that India has reduced tariffs on since last summer have been chickpeas, apples, frozen turkey, and cranberries, just to name a few.

In other news, Whitely says they’ve been focused on boosting China’s participation in cheese purchases.

There’s positive news for Wisconsin specialty crops, as well, such as potatoes and beans. Whitely says there are huge changes in demographics and purchasing power underway in countries we haven’t been targeting before, such as in Africa.
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