Potatoes may have originated thousands of years ago and even traveled to outer space, but here in Wisconsin, they’ve become a down-to-earth staple of home cooking. With our cool climate, quick spring warm-up, and sandy soils, Wisconsin naturally produces some of the nation’s finest spuds. So, it’s no surprise we rank third in the country for potato production, and first for states east of the Mississippi River. But beyond the fields and harvest equipment, the real story of Wi

A new year brings many fresh starts - new recipes, new routines, new friendships, and new goals. For the Alice in Dairyland program, it also brings one of our most meaningful annual traditions: the search for the next woman who will serve as Wisconsin’s official agricultural ambassador. Each January, the Alice in Dairyland program reaches its midpoint for the current “Alice” and begins to look ahead toward who will represent Wisconsin agriculture in the coming year. In the be

In America’s Dairyland, it’s hard not to love all things dairy! I have a deep appreciation for the cattle, the farm families that take care of them, dairy products such as cheese and butter, and dairy research. The Dairy Innovation Hub harnesses research and development at UW–Madison, UW–Platteville, and UW–River Falls campuses to keep Wisconsin’s $52.8 billion dairy community at the global forefront in producing nutritious dairy products in an economically, environmentally,

The holiday season often brings families and friends together over delicious food. Whether you enjoy a holiday ham, delicious desserts, or something in between, many of our favorites include an important Wisconsin staple – rich and creamy butter.   In November and December each year, butter sales peak as home cooks prepare their holiday recipes to share with loved ones. Retail butter sales are generally about 50% higher than average in these two months compared to the rest of

Growing up, one of my favorite fall traditions was carving pumpkins for Halloween. This usually meant covering the kitchen table with newspapers, dusting off my handy-dandy carving tools, helping my mom scoop out the insides of the pumpkin, and creating a simple yet scary face using basic shapes. We enjoyed roasting the resulting pumpkin seeds in the oven, too. I can still smell the nutty scent of those seeds getting crisp while nestling in to watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin, C

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.  We’ve all heard this adage, telling us that if we eat our apples, we could avoid a trip to the doctor’s office. This always got me thinking, what’s so special about an apple, anyway? In many aspects, apples are a unique fruit. According to the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association, apples are one of the best sources of pectin, a type of fiber. Research indicates that pectin limits the cholesterol the body absorbs and may be an important li

I can’t believe I have already completed my first three months as Wisconsin’s 78 th Alice in Dairyland! It feels like my first day was just yesterday, but since I began, I have traveled over 11,000 miles and smiled more times than I can count. I’ve also learned and experienced more than I could ever imagine. As I write this, the leaves are just beginning to shift to golden, amber, and red hues while there’s a familiar hum of harvest in the air as we wrap up September. This t

For many Wisconsin farmers, this change in the seasons means harvest is upon us. You may have seen large tractors and machinery on the roads making their way to their next harvest destination, and be sure to drive carefully when near them. This year, National Farm Safety and Health Week  is being held September 21-27, 2025 , with the theme “Safety First, Avoid the Worst.” This annual promotion is led by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS). It acknowl

In the blink of an eye, August came and went with so many beautiful places, people, and products that I had the chance to interact with and promote!   174th Wisconsin State Fair My August began right off the bat with the best 11 days of summer, the 174th Wisconsin State Fair! I attended every day of the fair and each experience filled my cup to the brim with joy and richness. My first day started bright and early with media interviews and opening ceremonies, followed by a sto