What are you doing for the holidays this year? Some people are looking for new ways to celebrate from home, including many who will be unable to be with their usual family and friends. No matter how you plan to celebrate, there’s one option for making the holidays special, while also supporting and giving thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses. Since 1983, the Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program has been trademarked through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Keep an eye out for products bearing the SSfW logo. The oval-shaped logo with a red background and white and yellow lettering carry a meaningful message: when you see it, you can be assured at least 50 percent of the item’s ingredients, production, or processing has come from right here in Wisconsin. With nearly 450 participating in the SSfW special program, there is bound to be something for everyone. One of my favorite things to do before, during, and after the holidays is snack on tasty foods that are made right here in Wisconsin. Slide Gourmet Potato Chips are not your average chip. These chips are deep-fried in canola oil, sprinkled with sea salt, and come in different flavors including dill pickle, spicy BBQ, ranch, curry garlic, and more. Slide Gourmet Potato Chips is a women-owned company and uses local Wisconsin grown potatoes. For more than four generations, Pine River, based in Newton, has been crafting award-winning cheese spreads that are perfect to go with chips or crackers. With flavors such as aged asiago, port wine, mango habanero, Pine River cheese dips make a great addition to any snack spread or gift box. Every year after getting our Christmas tree my family strings together popcorn and cranberries as a garland for the tree. We occasionally snack while doing it. Palo Popcorn, from Sheboygan Falls, is made with REAL cheese and pure coconut oil. Their popcorn comes in a wide variety of flavors including white cheddar cheese, bacon cheddar, and Mexican street corn. Keep the crew happy and snacking with this delicious, one of a kind popcorn from Palo Popcorn. If you are looking for the perfect snack stocking stuffer, Addicting Pretzels has your crunchy snack needs. Available in three different sizes and with flavors like cinnamon & sugar, chipotle, buffalo ranch, and caramel pumpkin there are options for everyone at your table or on your Christmas shopping list. By purchasing Something Special from Wisconsin products, you are not only supporting local producers and processors, but you are also supporting the Wisconsin way of life by keeping those dollars in the local economy. To find more local flavors, visit somethingspecialfromwi.com, and you can give thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses all year long. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

With the holidays fast approaching, many of us are thinking about how we will celebrate this year. Some people are looking for new ways to celebrate from home, and others are unable to be with their usual family and friends. Stay connected by sending a piece of Wisconsin to everyone on your shopping list this year. Look no further than the Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program for all of your unique gifting needs. Since 1983, the SSfW program has been trademarked through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). As you shop the aisles or your computer for your holiday ingredients and gifts this year, keep an eye out for the yellow and red SSfW sticker. This sticker carries a very special meaning. When you see it you can be assured that at least half of the product ingredients, production, or processing has come from right here within our state. With nearly 450 companies participating in this special program, there is bound to be something for everyone. Many SSfW companies have prepared gift boxes perfect for sending in the mail. For the coffee lover in your circle of friends, consider Beans n Cream coffee from Sun Prairie. Beans n Cream coffee is ethically sourced and roasted in-house on an energy efficient roaster with zero emissions. Coffee beans are roasted and shipped to order to ensure the best tasting, freshest product is delivered in a beautiful seasonal box ready for gifting. The smell of this coffee alone will bring a smile to anyone’s face. Another SSfW gift option to send to family and friends is Poppin’ Z’s Gourmet Popcorn. With sweet and savory flavors everyone will want to get their hands on these. The boxes are beautifully packed with popcorn collections for any occasion including colors for your favorite team game day, popcorn buffet for events, and more. With over 50 flavors to choose from it will be hard to narrow down what variety to choose. There are only a few things I have trouble saying ‘no’ to and caramels are one of them. Cream City Caramels and Confections, based in Wauwatosa, are made with REAL butter and heavy cream! These delicious treats melt in your mouth and are finished with chunky salt to bring out all the flavor. Cream City Caramels also offer a Craft Beer Caramel Assortment box with five beer flavors: - Imperial stout, India pale ale, vanilla porter, Weiss bier, pumpkin ale, surprisingly delicious! By purchasing Something Special from Wisconsin products, you are not only supporting local producers and processors, you are also supporting the Wisconsin way of life by keeping those dollars in the local economy. To find more local flavors, visit somethingspecialfromwi.com, and you can give thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses all year long. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

My family loves baking during the holidays. November 29th is National Lemon Cream Pie Day, the perfect opportunity to share one of our favorite recipes, Lemon Sour Cream Pie. Below is a list of ingredients and some easy-to-follow directions. I hope your family enjoys this pie, and don't forget to include Wisconsin dairy products in your holiday celebrations! Ingredients: 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch 1 1/4 cups milk 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten 1 tsp. grated lemon zest 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup butter 1 cup sour cream 1 baked 9-inch pie shell whipped cream (heavy cream, vanilla extract, powdered sugar) Directions: Combine sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk and stir with a whisk until smooth. Add egg yolks, lemon zest, and juice. Stir until smooth. Add butter. Cook slowly over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool. Fold in sour cream. Pour into baked pie shell. Chill. Serve with whipped cream and a large glass of milk! Enjoy!

With the holidays fast approaching, you may be looking for new and creative ways to celebrate. At my house, the holiday season means food and lots of baking. Glorious smells of cinnamon waft through the air as pies bake in the oven. Cookies fill the freezer in preparation for guests, and the struggle to find a spot in the fridge for anything gets more difficult every day. Although this year is looking a bit different and there are still so many ways to spice up your holiday celebrations with Wisconsin products. One thing my family always has on the table during the holidays (and throughout the year) is butter. Whether you put butter on a fresh warm roll or use it for baking, there are so many ways to use this delicious dairy product. One way to spice up your butter dish is by making flavored butter. Just by adding a few simple ingredients like honey and cranberry sauce can create a whole new sweet condiment. Looking for a more savory option? Try adding parmesan cheese, garlic, Italian spices and paprika. This savory butter is perfect on potatoes or for preparing meat and vegetables. They always say, everything is better with butter and there are so many ways to make your butter unique for the holidays. Link to Cranberry Honey Butter Recipe Link to Garlic Parmesan Butter Recipe The perfect butter to gift (or to keep for yourself), is LuAnn’s Homemade Butters, located in East Troy., Wisc.. LuAnn makes all her own butter with locally sourced ingredients. With a variety of flavors including cinnamon and traditional Honey Butter – who wouldn’t love this sweet and creamy gift? LuAnn’s Homemade Butters is also a member of the Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. When family comes together to celebrate the holidays, one of my favorite things to prepare is a cheese and meat platter. Here in Wisconsin we are known for our cheese, and with over 600 varieties to choose from there are options for everyone. Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese is also a member of SSfW and their cheeses are made right on the family farm in Waterloo, Crave Brothers fresh mozzarella has a fresh taste that easily pairs with many cheese board fixings, while their chocolate mascarpone is hard to pass up and is delicious on top of fruit or used to top a cake. On my cheese board I also like to include some slices cheeses to go with a cracker or apple slice. Widmer’s Cheese Cellars is a fourth generation owned and operated (SSfW) cheese operation, located in Theresa. Here they specialize in brick, Colby, and cheddar cheese handcrafted in small batches to produce high quality, delicious cheese. Widmer’s Cheese Cellars offers a variety of gift packages options great for gifting or snacking. Now that your brain is filled with cheese board pairing ideas, you’ll need something to display your plethora of cheeses. Jewell Hollow Woodcraft is a SSfW company that creates beautiful cutting boards for any reason or season. They offer unique customization options and can personalize your board with laser engraving. Jewell Hollow cutting boards are beautiful and make wonderful gifts, kitchen tools, or decorations. By purchasing Something Special from Wisconsin products, you are not only supporting local producers and processors, you are also supporting the Wisconsin way of life by keeping those dollars in the local economy. To find more local flavors, visit somethingspecialfromwi.com, and you can give thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses all year long. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

As we approach the holidays in this whirlwind year many of us are thinking about the things we are most thankful for. I am most thankful for my family and being able to spend time with them. Across Wisconsin, many households are beginning to plan for the holidays as the most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner and many families are looking for new ways to celebrate from their homes. How could you make your holiday celebrations even more special? Supporting and giving thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses is a great way to showcase the diversity of Wisconsin products. You can make sure that your dollars are staying right here in America’s Dairyland. Since 1983, the Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program has been trademarked through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. As you shop the aisles or your computer for your holiday ingredients and gifts this year, keep an eye out for the yellow and red (SSfW) sticker. The oval logo is easy to spot. It has a bright red background and white and yellow lettering, allowing you to easily identify a (SSfW) product. This sticker carries a very special meaning, for when you see it you can be assured that at least half of the product ingredients, production, or processing has come from right here within our state. With nearly 450 participating in this special program, there is bound to be something for everyone. One of my favorite things to prepare during the holidays is a cheese and meat platter – no matter how many people are around the house (even if it’s just me). Incorporate Scholze Family Beef into your holiday snacking celebrations. Their summer sausage and cranberry beef sticks will add a twist to your charcuterie preparation. All of the Scholze Family Beef products are raised on their farm and the gift boxes are one of a kind. There are so many great options that are sure to “meat” your snacking expectations. It’s getting cold in Wisconsin and what better way to keep warm than with alpaca products from Fevolden Farm. Their handcrafted alpaca hats are luxuriously soft and would make the perfect gift for a friend or family member. Alpaca is a natural fiber and is warmer than sheep’s wool. Fevolden Farm also offers alpaca yarn, perfect for your crafty friends, and alpaca dryer balls that are non-chemical and leave clothes with fewer wrinkles. There are a plethora of (SSfW) cheeses to choose from including sheep cheese from Phlox Farm and Eckerman Sheep Company. Phlox Farm’s 100% Sheep milk cheese is rare, aged artisan cheese that makes a “ewe”nique gift for anyone. Spice up your holiday snacking with smooth and creamy sheep milk cheese. This unique and bold flavored cheese are great for Hors d’ oeuvres and pairing with wines (or beer!). By purchasing Something Special from Wisconsin products, you are not only supporting local producers and processors, you are also supporting the Wisconsin way of life by keeping those dollars in the local economy. To find more local flavors, visit somethingspecialfromwi.com, and you can give thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses all year long. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

When is the last time you ate a cranberry? Was it the holidays last year? Or maybe dried cranberries in your lunch? Here in Wisconsin cranberries are a big deal. The earliest memories I have about cranberries are stringing them together with popcorn as a garland for our Christmas tree. These tart berries have a rich history that dates back to the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Native Americans used cranberries for food, various medicines and as a beautiful dye. Although we might not use cranberries to treat the common cold, cranberries are making a big splash in many other ways. Wisconsin is known for its rich history of producing a safe, wholesome, and secure food supply for your families, the nation, and the world. Cranberries are now in the spotlight as the fall harvest begins, decorating the landscape with pops of bright red color. The cranberry was discovered by early settlers, who called it a “crane-berry” because its blossoms resembled the head and beak of a sandhill crane. Cranberry harvest is underway and you’ll see beds around the state flooded to float these berries to the surface. Contrary to popular belief, cranberries don’t grow in water. They are grown on low-lying vines in well-drained, sandy soils with a low pH. However, these cranberry marshes are established near an adequate water supply, both for irrigation and for harvest purposes. This water supply can also be used to protect the berries from harsh Wisconsin weather as a thin layer of water over the vines can provide frost protection in early fall. Cranberries have quite the reputation in Wisconsin as it is the number one fruit crop both in size and economic value. Our great state grows over 60 percent of the nation’s crop, making Wisconsin the top cranberry producing state in the nation. Produced by roughly 250 farmers, cranberries are grown on 21,100 acres across Wisconsin counties. Cranberries pack a punch when it comes to supporting Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture portfolio, but also this little red berry is making a big impact globally. Wisconsin leads the nation in the export of prepared and preserved cranberries. Travelling across the world you will find cranberry tea in China, cranberry chutney in India, and spicy cranberry salsa in Mexico. Not only do cranberries offer a delicious and unique flavor, but this special berry also offers a low calorie, high vitamin, and high mineral fruit with great fiber content. These traits are important in today’s health conscious society. The popularity of cranberries is increasing as we discover just how versatile this tangy, tart, and delicious little red berry is. Wisconsin’s native fruit continues to be cultivated and integrated into new food creations that excite people’s taste buds. Whether you try them dried as a snack, in muffins, or in a sauce, there are so many tasty ways to enjoy and benefit from Wisconsin’s state fruit. I encourage you to try something new with cranberries this fall, whether you choose a new recipe or experiment with fresh cranberries, this Wisconsin treat is sure to satisfy! I am so excited to have the opportunity to wade in a bog and learn first-hand from Wisconsin’s cranberry farmers.

Chocolate milk is the Official Beverage of Halloween and it is perfect added into your breakfast routine, as an afternoon snack, or heated to warm you up on a chilly fall evening. Not only is chocolate milk delicious, but it is also nutritious! This sweet and satisfying beverage is a treat that children and parents can agree on. Chocolate milk isn’t just for snack time, it can be incorporated to almost any meal. One great way that chocolate milk can be added to breakfast is right on top of your cereal. You can also make Chocolate Milk Overnight Oats. Fill your cup with oats, chia seeds, a pinch of salt, and add in chocolate milk. In the morning this delectable dish will be ready and waiting for you and is perfect topped with chocolate chips! Another breakfast chocolate milk recipe is Chocolate Pumpkin Pancakes. This recipe is sure to satisfy the pumpkin and chocolate lovers in your home. Not only does this recipe make delicious pancakes, but my mom used the leftover batter to make muffins (if you choose to do this, you may want to add some sweetness). This recipe is festive and a great way to use Halloween’s official beverage! One more recipe that I recently tried that also uses chocolate milk is Chocolate Milk Cupcakes with Chocolate Milk Frosting. This recipe is perfect for National Chocolate Cupcake day which just so happens to fall on October 18th. Watch the video on how you can make them at home! Dairy products like chocolate milk, cheese, and yogurt are packed with nine essential nutrients including protein, calcium, and vitamin D. The high-quality protein found in dairy helps to build strong muscles while calcium works to strengthen bones and teeth. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that people age nine and older include three servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods in their diet, and chocolate milk can serve as one of the three! As temperatures begin to cool down chocolate milk in the form of hot chocolate (topped with whipped cream) is the perfect treat to warm you up! While you are in the dairy section of the grocery store, be sure to look for the Proudly Wisconsin Badge or the number “55” on milk cartons to ensure you are buying fresh, locally produced chocolate milk from right here in Wisconsin. Looking for hands-on activities to share with teachers, families and on social media? “Mess with Your Milk – Halloween Edition” are kid-friendly activities to celebrate Halloween while recycling chocolate milk cartons.

Growing up on a dairy farm, I didn’t know much about hog farming until my little sister decided she wanted to exhibit two pigs at the county fair. That summer she was devoted to raising her pigs and preparing them for the show. I learned about how pigs are cared for and behave, and how they develop into maturity. Today, I often find myself enjoying pork by eating bacon for breakfast or preparing a pork roast, but this month I plan to use pork new ways. Pork is often easy to prepare or add into a dish. October is National Pork Month and it’s the perfect time to experiment with new recipes. Pork is an excellent source of protein and provides several important vitamins and minerals. Did you know that pork is the most widely consumed and versatile protein in the world? A 3-ounce serving of pork is a great source of thiamin, selenium, protein, niacin, vitamin B-6 and phosphorus, and a good source of zinc, riboflavin and potassium. Pork is also considered to be heart-healthy as it is naturally low in sodium and can help regulate blood pressure. Pork can be used in a variety of ways but it is also available in many different forms. From spiral ham during the holidays, to bacon in the morning, to charcuterie meats on cheese boards, pork can be eaten as a snack or meal any time of year. In December, 2018 there were 325,000 hogs and pigs on Wisconsin farms. Every day Wisconsin farmers work hard to care for and produce high quality products for consumers around the world. Through changes in feeding and breeding techniques, pork producers have responded to consumer demand for leaner pork. Today’s pork has 16 percent less fat and 27 percent less saturated fat as compared to 1991. Many cuts of pork are now as lean as a skinless chicken breast. This year, many farmers faced hardship as COVID-19 impacted supply and demand across the nation. To assist farmers, the Wisconsin Pork Association and the Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) created a program, called “Passion for Pork”. This program works by connecting Wisconsin pork producers with smaller, local meat processors who are working to process and package pork to help meet the growing demand for food bank and food pantry resources. Wisconsin food banks are getting the pork into the hands of those in need. This month as you grocery shop, I encourage you to seek out new pork options and try new recipes. Whether you are interested in making ground pork tacos, oven baby back ribs, or trying a pork roast in a crockpot, pork is easy to prepare and is perfect to fuel families while working, or attending school, from home. Buying local products keeps dollars in our state and supports our farmers, processors communities and economies. You can find a variety of pork recipes and information about different cuts of pork on the pork checkoff website pork.org. Photos courtesy of the National Pork Board, Des Moines, Iowa.

With summer coming to an end it’s the perfect time to get your food fix while supporting Wisconsin farmers! It's the perfect time to fire up the grill before winter sets in (although I've heard many Wisconsinites say they grill all year long) and Wisconsin pork has the variety you need. Not only is it the perfect time to grill, but it is also the perfect time to stock up for National Pork Month in October. Pork is an excellent source of protein and provides several important vitamins and minerals. It is also a heart-healthy food and is low in sodium.With seven common cuts of pork that are 16 percent leaner and have 27 percent less saturated fat than 20 years ago, pork lets you eat healthy and enjoy the delicious flavors you love. Pork is the most widely consumed and versatile protein in the world! It’s easy to cook and adaptable to just about any recipe. Check out these 5 different recipes using pork! Pork Brats Ground Pork Tacos Baby Back Ribs List of Ingredients for the marinade used to make Julia's Pork Ribs olive oil ketchup Worcestershire sauce garlic powder onion powder brown sugar red pepper flakes pineapple juice Cheesy Pork Chops and Rice Link to Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Rice Rosemary Garlic Pot Roast Link to Rosemary Garlic Pork Roast Recipe These recipes are easy to prepare at home and it is perfect to fuel families while they are working or attending school from home. One way is by purchasing a Pork from your local grocery store which directly benefits farmers. You can find a variety of pork recipes on pork checkoff website which is pork.org.

Wisconsin farmers are on the clock 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. When the COVID-19 pandemic closed or reduced hours of operation of a significant number of Wisconsin businesses and restaurants many farmers and food processors faced much smaller markets for their products. With no kids in school to drink cartons of milk, no restaurants open to make extra cheesy pizzas, and no barbecue joints serving pork sandwiches, many farmers have been impacted by contraction of some of their traditional markets. The Wisconsin Dairy Recovery and Passion for Pork Programs are two programs which were launched earlier this year to help farmers, while also benefiting food banks and food pantries during this time of need. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) joined forces with the state’s leading antihunger organization, Hunger Task Force, to create the Wisconsin Dairy Recovery Program. This program helps provide relief to the growing numbers of underfed and unemployed by connecting milk to emergency food organizations throughout the state. During COVID-19 many restaurants and food-service businesses have been closed creating a drop in demand for food products. Through the newly created Wisconsin Dairy Recovery Program, Wisconsin dairy farmers are being paid to supply milk to farmer-owned dairy cooperative Kemps, who will be processing thousands of gallons of milk at its Cedarburg facility. The Hunger Task Force has distributed milk to free and local partner food banks and food pantries through the Hunger Relief Federation of Wisconsin, a statewide association that supports food distribution in local communities. Hunger Task Force is Wisconsin’s leading anti-hunger organization, serving 50,000 people each month, nearly 40 percent of whom are children. Founded in 1974 by a group of parent advocates who were fighting for a school breakfast program in Milwaukee Public Schools, the organization eventually became Milwaukee’s first food bank. Visit www.HungerTaskForce.org/dairy to learn more. Another program helping farmers is the Passion for Pork. Developed by the Wisconsin Pork Association (WPA) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) the program works by connecting Wisconsin pork producers to local meat processors, consumers and the growing number of people experiencing food insecurity during COVID-19. The Passion for Pork program has helped to process over 69,000 pounds of Wisconsin pork. Hog farmers are working with local meat processors, who have agreed to extend hours to process pork for food banks and food pantries. Wisconsin food banks are getting the pork into the hands of those in need. Along with shipping the processed pork to food banks and food pantries, the local meat processors also sell the pork at their retail stores. The Passion for Pork program also helped to fuel the Pork Schoppe which operated for four days at the Wisconsin State Fair during the first weekend of the Fair Food Drive Thru. The Pork Schoppe sold 4,440 sandwiches and 200 pork bundles! The sale of these pork products benefits the farmers whose hogs have gone into the Passion for Pork program. If you are interested in learning more about the program visit https://www.wppa.org/passion-for-pork-campaign/.

Breakfast has always been one of my favorite meals and the month of September is Better Breakfast Month. From pancakes and eggs to cereal, I have always loved waking up in the morning and eating something that tastes good to fuel the start of my day. I’ve heard many people talk about how they are too busy or don’t have enough time to make breakfast in the morning, but there are so many ways to plan ahead and make breakfast easy. I like to make a pan of egg bake and then freeze pieces of it for an easy re-heat ready to eat meal. Another easy breakfast to-go option is hard boiled eggs. It is easy to make a dozen hard boiled eggs at one time to prepare for a busy week. Eggs are a breakfast classic and can be used and incorporated into a balanced meal in many different ways. Whether you prefer a scramble with veggies and topped with cheese, or a simply fried, eggs are a great way to ‘round’ out breakfast. In 2018, Wisconsin ranked 16th in the nation for egg production. The American Eggs Board says that eggs each have six grams of protein and zero carbs. Eggs also contain choline which promotes normal cell activity, liver function, and is key in the development of infant’s memory functions. Eggs are a great addition, scrambled or sunny side up, to any breakfast plate. When I have more time on my hands I like to get fancy with my breakfast. Ever since I was little I have enjoyed making breakfast for my family after a long morning of farm work (it helped that I was able to come in from farm-chores a little early). Pancakes were my go-to and by the age of 10 I had memorized my Mom’s buttermilk pancakes recipe. We top our pancakes with plenty of real butter and everything from maple syrup, Wisconsin jam, and (my personal favorite) fresh berries and REAL whipped cream. I love using real dairy products because I know they are produced by real dairy farmers, just like my family, who care for animals, land and water resources… I also think real dairy tastes better. To finish off my plate I like to include meat. Breakfast meats are probably some of the most craved breakfast food – well at least in my house. When the bacon comes sizzling off the pan it’s usually a fight for who will get the first (and last) piece. From bacon and sausage to ham and steak, all are a perfect addition to in your morning meal or incorporated into scrambled eggs. Eating Wisconsin’s safe and nutritious meat products supports farmers and processors and strengthens Wisconsin communities. I encourage you to participate in Better Breakfast Month by filling your plate with Wisconsin products and topping off your coffee with real dairy creamer. To find great breakfast recipes visit wisconsincheese.com!

During my second week as the 73rd Alice in Dairyland, I was excited to put some miles on ‘Kernel’, the flex-fuel Ford Explorer, as I traveled to see the United Wisconsin Grain Producers (UWGP) ethanol production facility in Friesland. I learned that UWGP uses over 20 million bushels of corn every year for ethanol production and that yeast plays a key role in the process.The type of corn used to make ethanol is “No. 2 Yellow.” It is not the sweet corn or the canned corn found in grocery stores. Only 3 percent of this corn goes directly into food products as corn meal, oil, syrup or starch. In fact, ethanol may help lower the cost of all food items in the grocery store as one of the largest factors in food prices is transportation. Ethanol also reduces the cost of fuel. I was able to get an inside look at the process as Dan Wegner, UWGPs Commodities Manager, explained how ethanol is produced and showed me the machinery that is used. Ethanol is an alcohol produced by fermentation of sugar and is made when ground plant material is mixed with water, then fermented. This process takes about 70 hours from when the corn is ground to when it’s finished fermenting, according to Wegner. Microbial fermentation works directly with sugars that are found in the starch and cellulose of plants like corn, sorghum, and sugar beets. Corn is the predominant crop used for ethanol production. UWGP has a laboratory on site where they periodically test their products to monitor the fermentation process and to better understand how to increase the efficiency of their operation. “Ethanol production is different than the oil industry in the fact that we are biological,” said Wegner. “We rely on a living organism – yeast – to do our work for us.” UWGP uses their spent yeast and grain-derived gluten proteins to create a premium feed ingredient, called A+ Pro Yeast, to be used as a protein source for animal feed. They are currently one of only three ethanol plants in the world that does so. The spent yeast component also makes this a highly palatable product, well suited for use in any livestock feed or pet food. The product that goes into animal foods is meticulously tested to make sure it is safe for animals to eat and free of toxins. During my tour I realized ethanol production is similar to the brewing process for making beer. “When we dump the fermenters there is an oversize tank – we call it the ‘beer well’,” Wegner said. “So really we are very similar to beer brewers but we are brewing for volume and not taste.” UWGP began producing ethanol in 2003, when it became the 83rd ethanol plant built in the nation. UWGP’s mission is to add value to locally grown grains, provide members with a good return on investment, and be good stewards to their employees and community. Looking into the near future, ethanol is a cost-effective renewable source of fuel in comparison to natural gas. UWGP aims to improve processes, explore new technology, and maximize energy while minimizing the overall impact on our environment. Learn more about the United Wisconsin Grain Producer on their website.