What is the future for Wisconsin agriculture? I recently attended the Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum at UW-Madison where economists and experts shared their insight. Many hoped for better times to come, but there are several variables in the industry. Exports, technology, weather and labor are just a few of the complicated factors that impact our farmers and processors. The theme of this year’s forum was dairy farm consolidation. I was nervous to dive into this topic be

For weeks, some of the largest news stories have focused on our nation’s federal government shutdown. No matter where people stand on the political spectrum, we are all united by the need for a safe, wholesome and secure food supply. If federal employees are not working, does that mean federal food inspections halt as well? Growing up on a dairy farm, my family has always been subject to state and federal inspections to make sure we provide the highest quality of milk for con

It is hard to believe we are more than two weeks into 2019. Every year, I make a resolution to learn something new. Being Alice in Dairyland certainly helps as I constantly have the opportunity to network with agribusinesses leaders in a variety of industries. Coming from a family dairy farm, I was quick to remember my June Dairy Month trivia. July brought fun facts about locally-grown produce. By the Wisconsin State Fair in August, I needed no notes to quiz youth on everythi

Jan. 2 was a bittersweet day as applications for the 72nd Alice in Dairyland were released. Some women have been mapping a path for this moment with the destination of becoming Alice clear. Others may get spur-of-the-moment inspiration to take the wheel and apply. Perhaps there is a candidate out there who will sit at a fork in the road undecided until applications are due Feb. 4. Regardless of where your starting point is, I want to share the story of my bumpy road to becomi