Corn Mazes Ready For Some Football
There’s nothing more “Wisconsin” than the Green Bay Packers and farming. Wisconsin family farms, just like football, are the heart of Wisconsin’s culture, identity and economy. This fall, the two will be combined to celebrate the upcoming 2025 Draft in Green Bay with special Draft-themed corn mazes.
“We are so proud to feature the 2025 Draft on four huge corn mazes around the state,” said Sheila Everhart, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association. “Families, groups of friends, and individuals are invited to enjoy these mazes throughout Fall this year.”
Green Bay is the host city for the 2025 Draft next April, and the Local Organizing Committee helping to spearhead the event aims to shine a special spotlight on one of Wisconsin’s largest industries: agriculture.
“We’re excited to collaborate with these Wisconsin family farms to help build the excitement for the 2025 Draft in Green Bay,” said Aaron Popkey, Packers director of public affairs and member of the Local Organizing Committee. “These unique mazes will celebrate our strong agricultural identity and honor the hard work and dedication of farmers around the state while also reminding fans of the special opportunity we have to showcase Wisconsin when the Draft comes to Green Bay.”
Each maze features a one-of-a-kind design that will keep families entertained as they navigate their way to the end. Additionally, the farms will feature other activities and programming throughout the season.
Petals and Plows Green House, in Ripon, Wis. will be the first of four Draft-themed mazes to open. The 18-acre corn maze will feature “DRAFT 2025 GREEN BAY.” The farm also offers plants and trees for sale, as well as pumpkins, squash, straw bales, mums and more! A playground for young children, featuring Gravity Bin Basketball, adds even more fun to be had on their farm! The maze opens Sept. 7, with their Fall Bash and Customer Appreciation Corn Roast to be held Sept. 14.
Polly’s Pumpkin Patch in Chilton, Wis. will open their maze Sept. 13. Polly’s Pumpkin Patch is a continuation of the Juckem Family Farm, which opened in 1889 and has been operating as a family farm for more than 130 years. The 17-acre maze features “DRAFT Pick is Polly’s.” Other on-farm features include a field of bright sunflowers, a pumpkin patch, delicious foods, a tractor slide and more..
“We’re proud to celebrate our home team in this year’s corn maze,” said Gary Juckem, who co-owns Polly’s Pumpkin Patch with his wife, Polly.
Feltz’s Dairy Store is a family-friendly destination, located in Portage County Wis., just outside Stevens Point. The 12-acre corn maze will feature “DRAFT 2025 GREEN BAY.” The Feltz maze will celebrate opening day on Sept. 21. Feltz’s Dairy Store also offers a kid’s fun zone with a bounce mat, combine slide, a pumpkin patch and more.
Porter’s Patch, near Bonduel, Wis. will open their maze on Sept. 27. “Now in its seventh generation as a family farm, Porter’s Patch grows a variety of berries, 55 different types of pumpkins, and memories,” Troy Porter said. This year’s maze design will include 32 scarecrow football players as part of a challenge to visitors walking the 3D puzzle.
Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association is excited for the opportunity to combine football and fun to drive more families to explore Wisconsin farms. Agricultural tourism provides opportunities for families to have authentic experiences filled with learning, food and fun on the farm. With only 1.2% of the population working directly in growing row crops, specialty crops or raising livestock, most Americans are removed from the people and activities that grow their food, fiber and lumber.
“Most people are two, three or even four generations removed from life on the farm,” Everhart said. “There’s a growing hunger to get back in contact with the soil, to see farms, and to shake the hand that feeds them. Wisconsin farms are perfect places to participate in something different, fun and educational.”
The 2025 Draft, set for April 24-26, 2025, is projected to bring together fans from all over the nation, as well as several foreign countries, to celebrate football and the selection of college players. It’s expected to attract approximately 250,000 attendees over the course of the three-day event and have an economic impact of $94 million in Wisconsin, including approximately $20 million in the Green Bay area. The festivities will include several days of free activities throughout Green Bay, including the Draft Experience – a massive free football festival – for fans of all ages. While details of the 2025 NFL Draft are still being finalized, the main portion of the event is expected to take place on the Lambeau Field and Titletown campus, with a variety of venues to be utilized within close proximity.
The Draft, which has moved to cities all over the country in recent years, has become one of the biggest and most-anticipated sporting events of the year. Fans interested in learning more about the 2025 Draft in Green Bay should visit https://www.greenbay.com/draft25.
Severe Weather Damage – Call NRCS
The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has been a part of USDA since 1935, and it actually began as a resource during a time when “the wastage of soil and moisture resources on farm, grazing, and forest lands” became a menace to the national welfare. That was the language adopted under Public Law 74-46.
Today, NRCS is still helping farmers and land owners address the loss of topsoil and changing weather conditions. Terry Cosby, Chief of the NRCS, visited Wisconsin for the Sand County Foundation National Conservation Symposium. During a conversation with Pam Jahnke, Cosby explained that NRCS is still one of the first agencies to “get the call” when wildfires, flooding, hurricanes and other natural disasters occur. Cosby says they not only offer technical and financial assistance to help farmers and livestock producers recover from adverse weather events. They also have programs to help with recovery efforts from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses.
Cosby said they’re continuing to try and educate not only the agricultural public about services available through NRCS, but they’re also expanding outreach to urban areas. “They want to be involved,” Cosby says. “A lot of these folks moved from the country – moved to town. They’ve been gone maybe a couple generations, but they still have that farming or gardening in their blood.” Cosby says they saw a strong surge in engagement with underserved groups, veterans, and beginning farmers, especially since the pandemic.
He estimates that NRCS offices nationwide have experienced about a 300% increase in traffic through their offices. To help address the increase in requests, Cosby is trying to add staff at an aggressive rate. “When I became chief nearly four years ago, we had about 8,000 employees,” he says. “Today, we’ve got around 11,000 and within the next 2-3 years I’d like to add an additional 4,000 employees.” So NRCS is heavily recruiting everywhere, for many different positions. Cosby acknowledges that some of the more challenging areas to find qualified candidates are in the soil sciences arenas. He says many universities have dropped soil science classes, limiting his pool of candidates.
To find available jobs through NRCS, or to tap into some of the programs that are available, go to usda.gov.
Nudge, Nudge – Finish That Dairy Survey
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) reminds dairy producers to submit their responses to the 2024 Wisconsin Dairy Producer Survey by the June 30 deadline.
DATCP mailed the survey to licensed producers in late May 2024. The survey includes about 30 questions on various topics including herd demographics, management practices, business structure, labor, and future plans. Survey responses will provide insight into industry challenges and opportunities.
The Wisconsin Dairy Producer Survey was last completed in 2020 and the industry has continued to evolve since that time. The 2024 results will help DATCP assess the current state of the dairy industry and consider what resources will be most beneficial to producers going forward.
Dairy producers can complete the survey by returning the printed version using the postmarked return envelope included in the mailing. New this year, dairy producers can choose to complete the survey online by using the QR code at the top right corner of page one of the printed survey.
All survey responses will remain confidential and be summarized and released only in aggregate. The Wisconsin Dairy Producer Survey summary will be finalized and shared later this year on the DATCP website.
Dairy producers should contact DATCP’s Farm Center at (800) 942-2474 or by email at farmcenter@wisconsin.gov with questions or to receive a survey if it was misplaced or not received.
153 Eligible Projects – Farmers Got The Message
If you don’t like the status of your current rural roads and bridges outside your farm – now, you can try and do something about it. That message obviously resonated with Wisconsin farmers, and they responded to the Agricultural Road Improvement Program (ARIP).
Wildly popular with farm groups, commodity organizations and the towns association, implementation of the $150 million earmarked for approved rural improvements is falling to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Joel Nilsesteun, Assistant Deputy Secretary at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), is overseeing the process. He spoke with Pam Jahnke about where the evaluation process stands.
Nilsesteun said at the end of the application period which occurred on April 5th, they had received 153 eligible projects. Those projects in total requested $252 million in financial assistance to make all the projects happen. Nilsesteun says a group of trained and informed evaluators have been put in charge of looking at each application and deciding its merit. He stresses that “storytelling” was a critical component of the process since the team couldn’t travel to actually evaluate each project proposed. He anticipates the final announcement on projects that will receive funding will be made sometime in the next few weeks.
Nilsesteun also noted that any qualified applications that don’t fit in the $50 million first round will roll over into the second round of funding consideration automatically. No dates have been announced when the second round might open for additional applications.
To be eligible for a grant under the program, a route or structure must have been posted for weight for at least one month in the previous year, be maintained by a local government and provide access to agricultural lands or facilities. Local governments can expect to have 90 percent of the cost for these projects funded by state grant dollars.
Priority will be given to projects that provide the greatest benefit to agricultural producers using the following criteria:
- It provides the greatest positive economic impact.
- It provides access to the largest number of farmers or volume of agricultural goods.
- It improves the only practicable access to a farm field or facility.
- It will result in the reduction of cost for farmers due to repeated trips at reduced weight, labor, fuel or mileage/wear on agricultural equipment.
For applicants that want to monitor the process, or potentially apply during the second round for funding, the Wisconsin Deparment of Transportation website will be the place to monitor.
An Upgrade In Dairy Lane
So you enjoy telling the story of dairy! Well step up!
New in 2024, the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board is adding the Dairy Lane Ambassador positions. The goal – enhancing the dairy experience for fair goers.
Ambassadors will be trained in networking, leadership, public speaking, and social media experience. Ambassadors will also receive specialized Dairy Promotion training, a stipend, food and lodging during the Wisconsin State Fair.
“We are excited to provide this new opportunity for dairy promotion enthusiasts, both with dairy cow and dairy goat experience! The impact that Dairy Lane has on fairgoers each year is so rewarding and would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, staff, and volunteers. We are looking forward to adding ambassadors to this list of influential dairy promoters!” shares Nicole Barlass, President of the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board.
How To Apply
To learn more about the position and to apply to become a 2024 Dairy Lane Ambassador, visit: wsfdairypromo.org/dairy-lane-0. Application deadline is May 15th.
The Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board is made up of individuals passionate about promoting Wisconsin’s $45.6 billion dairy industry during the Wisconsin State Fair. Providing educational opportunities for attendees with its interactive Dairy Lane exhibit and cow and goat milking demonstrations while also managing the Real Wisconsin Cheese Grill and Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction, the board helps fund scholarships for students pursuing careers in the dairy industry, and offers volunteer opportunities for dairy youth to get involved. For more information, visit wsfdairypromo.org or follow @WSFDairyPromoBoard on Facebook.
Need The Training – DATCP Has The Money
Keeping the food chain safe is serious business.
UW-Madison is hosting a Basic Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) for Meat and Poultry Establishments Short Course. The event’s scheduled for May 29-30, 2024 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery building. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will be providing tuition reimbursement for qualifying participants that reside in Wisconsin through the Meat Talent Development Program, a $5 million program created by Gov. Evers.
The training is critical for the meat processing industry on all levels. They’ll discuss HACCP principles and the development and implementation of HACCP plans and programs, including new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations for meat and poultry establishments. Aside from offering classroom curriculum, there will also be a hands-on opportunity to develop HACCP program components. This course all satisfies the training requirement specified in the 1996 Pathogen Reduction/ HACCP regulation.
Participants that complete the training will receive a certificate of completion, and their name will be added to a registry of HACCP trained individuals. That database is maintained by the International Meat and Poultry HACCP Alliance.
The good news for participants is that the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture is making grants available to pay for this training entirely. Participants that reside in Wisconsin can request tuition reimbursement through DATCP’s Meat Talent Development Program during check-in at the event. Tuition reimbursement is limited to three participants per meat establishment.
The training allows for up to 60 participants. Registration will remain open until the course is filled. Find additional information and register at https://meatsciences.cals.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/371/2023/08/Basic-HACCP-for-Meat-and-Poultry-Short-Course.2024.pdf. Questions about the training should be directed to University of Wisconsin-Madison Meat Science and Animal Biologics Outreach Program Manager Colleen Crummy at (608) 890-0587 or colleen.crummy@wisc.edu.
First CWD Wild Deer In Pierce County
Pierce County has joined a legion of others with its first CWD wild deer detection.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed test results came from a deer within 10 miles of the Dunn and St. Croix county borders. The animal was humanely dispatched in the town of Spring Lake. The deer was a 4-5-year-old doe.
What Happens Now
This detection will cause the following:
- Pierce County will begin a three-year baiting and feeding ban on May 15, 2024.
- St. Croix County will begin a two-year baiting and feeding ban on May 15, 2024.
- Dunn County will renew the ban already in place.
The DNR and the Pierce County Deer Advisory Council plan to host a public meeting. More details will be provided on the DNR’s Hearings and Meetings Calendar. At the meeting, DNR staff will provide information about CWD in Wisconsin and local testing efforts within Pierce County.
State law requires that the DNR enact a three-year baiting and feeding ban in counties where CWD has been detected, as well as a two-year ban in adjoining counties within 10 miles of a CWD detection. If additional CWD cases are found during the lifetime of a baiting and feeding ban, the ban will renew for an additional two or three years.
People are being reminded that baiting or feeding deer encourages congregating. This normally wouldn’t happen and brings animals together where infected deer can spread CWD through direct contact. Sick deer can also leave behind infectious prions in their saliva, blood, feces and urine. More information regarding baiting and feeding regulations is available on the DNR’s Baiting and Feeding webpage.
CWD is a fatal. It can infect deer, moose, elk and reindeer/caribou. It belongs to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases. The DNR began monitoring the state’s wild white-tailed deer population for CWD in 1999. The first positives were found in 2002.
Think Something Special For Mom
Whether it’s Mother’s Day, a wedding, birthday, or any other special occasion, be careful shopping online That’s the advice from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) cautions consumers to pay attention and confirm websites are legitimate before ordering.
Online shopping can make it easy for deceptive sellers to misrepresent who, what, and where they are. For example, consumers searching or viewing ads online for a florist might see a professional-looking website that claims to be local. Often, however, they may have no physical presence in town and may actually be from another community or state. These businesses may ship flowers from far away. By the time your bouquet arrives, it might already be wilted. Other thief’s will actually hat wilt by the time they from a real local florist on your behalf while raising prices and pocketing the difference.
Sometimes, real businesses are impersonated by scammers who build near-identical copies of their websites. They lure consumers with claims of great deals and massive discounts. Their goal – trick consumers into making fake purchases that provide them with personal and payment information. These imposter websites can be difficult to identify. They may mimic large and small businesses. By the time consumers realize what has happened, their credit cards or bank accounts may already be compromised.
What To Look For
To avoid a fake or dishonest business when gift shopping online, DATCP recommends consumers take the time to verify everything is in order prior to entering information on any website – even familiar ones. Pay close attention to website addresses to identify typos or other irregularities that could indicate an imposter scam. Check a company’s verified social media accounts for direct links to their website and confirm the address is the same. If it is a small business, find its street address and conduct an internet search to confirm it really exists there. Call them to ask questions like their location, hours of operation, and availability for weekend or holiday deliveries so you can confirm the business is legitimate and their services fit your needs.
For high-quality gift products you can guarantee are real and local, consider purchasing Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW). The Something Special from Wisconsin program has helped consumers connect with genuine Wisconsin products since 1983. The program’s nearly 500 members are local businesses certifying that at least 50% of a product’s ingredients, production, or processing is from or completed in Wisconsin. Members offer products such as gorgeous floral arrangements, sweet treats, handmade pieces, and delectable dining options. Something Special from Wisconsin products are easily recognizable on the shelves with the red and yellow program logo. Consumers can also visit somethingspecialwi.com to search for products or learn more.
Aviation Option Out For WI Corn
Wisconsin corn farmers are disappointed by an announcement from the U.S. Department of Treasury that will limit corn-based ethanol’s contribution to decarbonizing the aviation sector.
The update to the Department of Energy’s Argonne GREET model says that corn- based ethanol must be grown with additional on-farm conservation practices to apply for tax credits available in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
New measurements involve land use changes connected to commodity production. The changes, according to the Wisconsin Corn Growers are are not justified. WCGA says the new formula puts a negative spin on carbon scores for ethanol making. That means it’s more difficult for corn to qualify as a feedstock. The updated model will also require farmers to use no-till practices. Other elements involve fertilizers and cover crops. Not all those practices are practical for all corn acres.
“Wisconsin farmers have been implementing farming practices on their own farms to suit the needs of their land and crops, ” according to James Giese, Wisconsin Corn Grower Association President, and Alma Center farmer. “Wisconsin farmland changes with the landscape of our state and to enact rules that can impede on practicality and needs may deter potential opportunities.”
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) shared the same frustration on the announcement.
“We are deeply disappointed that this updated model requires farmers to implement environmental practices that are not practical for all acres of the large and varied geographic region in which corn is grown,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “This requirement in GREET will significantly hinder the chances corn growers have in accessing the sustainable aviation fuel market, even as higher blends of corn ethanol offer great promise in the country’s fight against greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.”
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022, allocates tax credits for biofuels that can demonstrate that they cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% or more. After the law was passed, Treasury and EPA were charged with choosing a model that would measure emissions throughout the life of biofuels.
Jerome Family Honored Again
Lawrence F. Jerome has been posthumously named the 2024 Wisconsin Distinguished Agriculturalist by the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Jerome was the owner of Jerland Farms until his passing earlier this year.
The award was presented to Jerome’s family at the 58th Annual Scholarship and Awards Program. It drew a crowd of more than 200 students, donors, faculty and staff.
CAFES Dean Michael Orth, asked Emeritus Professor of Animal Science, Gary Onan, to say a few words. Onan had nominated Jerome. He described Jerome as a true Renaissance man. He was an accomplished musician, a highly regarded motivational speaker, a person of strong faith who embraced a diversity of cultures, and a very talented and successful animal breeder.
“Larry was so good at animal selection and planning appropriate matings that it was almost as if he was born with an advanced degree in animal breeding,” said Onan.
Jerome was most noted for his work with Holstein cattle, Arabian horses and German Shepherd dogs. He also had herds of Shorthorn and Main Anjou beef cattle from time to time. Other interests included Brown Swiss dairy cattle and Belgian horses. Jerland dairy genetics, Jerland Arabians and Jerland dogs are found around the world.
Jerome had numerous class champions and at least one Supreme Champion at World Dairy Expo, and two premier Arabian stallions whose offspring have garnered at least 46 national championships. For his work with Arabians, Jerome was honored with the World Cup Top Five Breeder Award and as a Breeder of Distinction, and in 2023 with the Arabian Horse Breeders Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award.
Onan first became acquainted with Jerome at the Barron County Fair. He said there, at the fair, you saw Jerome’s long-standing commitment to youth livestock programs. He worked with 4-H, FFA and the Barron County Fair.
Jerome was always interested in technological advances too. He personally funded and oversaw a project to install a state-of-the-art scanning system. It helped provide immediate visual feedback for exhibitors. It was the most sophisticated system at any fair in the state and possibly the nation.
The Wisconsin Distinguished Agriculturalist Award was established in 1970 to recognize individuals who have provided leadership, service and other contributions to the broader agricultural community.
The family was presented with a framed copy of the charcoal sketch of his portrait that hangs in the Agriculture Hall of Fame in the Agricultural Science building on campus. Visit www.uwrf.edu/CAFES/Awards.cfm to see previous honorees, which include Wallace H. Jerome, Larry’s father. They are the second father and son to receive the Wisconsin Distinguished Agriculturalist Award.
