Welcome to the International Wisconsin Ginseng Festival! This weekend guests from near and (very) far gather in Wausau, Wis., to celebrate cultivated ginseng. Ginseng is an important crop here in Wisconsin as this state ranks number one in the nation for the production of cultivated ginseng as we produce 95 percent of the nation’s crop. The festival consists of many educational and recreational events. Today we went Heil Harvest were we “Dug our Own Roots” and had the chance to learn more about ginseng and how it is grown. Marathon County, (also known as the capital of the ginseng industry) ginseng cultivation began in the late 1800s at the turn of the 20th century in Marathon County by the Fromm Brothers, but has been used in eastern cultures for its healing properties for over 5,000 years! There are over 185 ginseng producers in the county. The rolling hills, virgin soil and cool summers grow unique roots very high in ginsenosides. Wisconsin Ginseng contains very high levels of ginsenoside, the active ingredient in ginseng. When compared to other ginseng grown outside of the United States, Wisconsin ginseng generally averages higher levels of ginsenoside and also offers the highly-desired bitter taste. Ginseng grown in Wisconsin can be recognized by a trademarked seal that ensures the product is of the highest Wisconsin quality. At the root of the name, no pun intended, is the genus name Panax meaning “heal-all” in Greek. Ginseng is known for its balancing health benefits that help to boost immunity, increase stamina, and decrease stress. A study performed at Mayo Clinic also found that ginseng aids in reducing fatigue for cancer treatment patients. American Ginseng and its relative Asian Ginseng correlate with the ancient “Yin and Yang” philosophy. The American variety takes on the “Yin” characteristics and has a cooling effect that calms and refreshes while the Asian Ginseng is known for its “Yang” characteristics that have a warming effect that stimulates and energizes. Wisconsin is so proud to host this event and together we can learn more about ginseng and sample many products. We’re proud to showcase this special crop and spread the news about ginseng and its many benefits!

Like many of you, my Facebook newsfeed is filled with adorable pictures of kids going back to school. The first day of school was always terrifyingly frightening and exciting at the same time (even in college!). New teachers, new responsibilities, new friends and new routines all encompass the back to school week. As kids go back to school I can’t help but wonder if they are still enjoying “milk breaks.” Back in the day, that was one of my favorite parts. When the clock would strike 2:15 pm we would always squirm with excitement and anticipation to who got to go to the milk cooler with our classes crate. Like the rest of my peers, I always picked chocolate milk because now and back then, chocolate is one of my favorite food groups! Chocolate milk, strawberry milk, and other flavored milks all contain the same great nutrient-rich package as white milk. A glass of milk contains the nutrients of vitamin D, calcium, and potassium that the USDA deems under-consumed by most Americans. These nutrients, along with six others, are perfect for building bright minds and strong bones. As kids go back to school this week, I encourage all parents to ask their kids about their “milk breaks” and perhaps even check in with their classrooms. Click here for great resources for your teacher’s classroom!

I can’t get over how much fun I had at the Wisconsin State Fair and the fantastic people I had the opportunity to meet. All 11 days I was reminded how Wisconsin farmers, agriculturists, volunteers, and even fair-goers care about their fair and its importance for our state and Wisconsin agriculture. At the Wisconsin State Fair I had the privilege of partaking in many unique activities. From welcoming crowds, presenting the Mapping a Healthy Wisconsin presentation, riding in a Clydesdale six-hitch, to even mimicking a pig at the Governor’s 4-H Foundation Auction, I had a blast. I even had the chance to go on the WonderFair Wheel with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Governor Scott Walker. If I had to pick my favorite part of the Wisconsin State Fair – Hands down it was meeting hundreds of people and livestock behind the scenes. Interviewing different animals and their owners, describing their personalities, and sharing facts about the respective species, I made a lot of new friends. Another way that I met people was through the Wisconsin Product Pavilion. While exhibiting dairy at the fair, I always wanted “wholesome” food…especially after the first day when I ate as many deep fried foods as possible. #HumansofWIAG and #HumansofWIStateFair allowed unique interviews to take place and to get a behind the scenes look at the Wisconsin food that has fair-goers flocking every year. Of course I sampled my favorites, but also expanded my horizons. After three days of sleep, lots of vegetables, and eating anything except deep-fried food, I’m ready to hit the road again. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the most Wonder-fair time of the year.

Yesterday I had the honor of attending the All for One Swine Show at the 2017 Wisconsin State Fair. Youth and teens with an intellectual disability had the opportunity to show a pig and be paired with at least two youth mentors and pig to use for the show. All for One participants had the opportunity to gain the real-life experience of showing a pig. Everyone had a blast learning about their pig. From naming, brushing, and learning how to walk their pig, each and every person in and outside the show ring had a smile on their face. Each participant left with a t-shirt, animal brush and a purple ribbon. These types of events prove that farmers and agriculturists across this great state deeply care about their community. Agriculture truly unites us all!

The last few weeks I’ve had the opportunity to visit many county fairs across the state. Meeting exhibitors, various fair board members, and visitors has been the highlight of my month. While visiting these fairs, many people expressed their concern for continuing the tradition of their local fair. How can we encourage more participation from 4-H, FFA and open class exhibitors to showcase the importance of county fairs? The county fair’s importance dates back to a time when people loved to get together and celebrate. From showcasing their harvest, crafts, pies and more; it brought the community together. It makes me sad when I see a historical tradition on the verge of fading away, as most of my favorite memories began at my local county fair. I was the kid who tried everything. I showed dairy, horses, and brought an entire van filled of projects to the fair. Some projects were special as they got the nod to head to the Wisconsin State Fair…while others turned out to be a great learning experience. County fairs are vital for rural communities. Here are 5 reasons why county fairs are more important than ever: There is more than just ribbons I’ll be the first to say that I learned way more from a white or red ribbon than a blue ribbon. Of course I tried my best to get a blue, but the projects that I received anything less than a blue, I tried so much harder the next year. Without competition, there would be no reason to showcase the best and learn from the best. Working towards being your best self and doing your best work is what helps youth continue to work hard for years to come. Our state rewards hard work. In fact, in 2016 Wisconsin Fairs paid a total of $814,287 in premiums to youth and adult exhibitors based on their placement in their participating categories. Many lessons happen in the show-ring. Whether it was learning how to present yourself and you project in front of a judge or reaching out to businesses prior to the fair and asking them if they would be interested in buying it at the meat animal sale, fairs bring people together for friendly competition and life lessons. Brings the community together each and every year “More than 3 million people attended 76 Wisconsin county/area fairs in 2016.” - Wisconsin Association of Fairs Annual Report I’m guilty of saying “I’ve been so busy,” or “things have been crazy.” It seems like life’s busy schedules get in the way of friendships and fun. Each and every year at the same time, my county fair would happen. Our family would plan our entire schedule around the fair each year. We’d also have the chance of meeting up with friends we hadn’t seen in months. We’d come together to socialize, catch up on local gossip (guilty!), learn, and enjoy good food and entertainment. Explore new projects and interests “The first objective of any fair is to present a teaching/learning experience done in a way that is enjoyable for all ages.” – Wisconsin Association of Fairs Annual Report. From cattle to ceramics, there is an activity and project for everyone. Statewide the top four categories for premium payments to exhibitors were: Dairy Cattle: $92,382 Photography: $84,943 Horses: $79,447 Cultural Arts: $74,601 Besides the projects that I’d bring every year, I always would walk around the 4-H exhibit hall and look at my peer’s projects. I would find a couple projects that kids did and want to do something similar the next year. From making a broccoli salad and trying to write the ingredients as neatly as possible on a 3x5 index card, to reading books on how to make a certain type of loop for a bracelet that I was making…the county fair taught me the importance of trying new things AND patience. One new thing that I tried once was showing a pig. My pig project was supposed to be “perfect.” We picked out a couple pigs… two barrows and a gilt. At our county fair we could bring a gilt and a barrow. Unfortunately, two weeks before the fair my gilt became sick and we decided to keep her home. Raising livestock is tricky because they change so frequently from one week to the next. The barrow that I had been working with for weeks suddenly wasn’t growing at the rate that the other one had. That meant that I had to work my tail off with the better barrow… and fast. The week of the county fair, my barrow still wasn’t walking like he should. He was stubborn! I’ll never forget that showmanship class. My pig would. not. move. However, I kept smiling and showing him the best I could and actually ended up with a 3rd blue. I proudly hung up that blue ribbon on my pig’s pen with the biggest smile on my face. Brings economic activity to local small businesses If you talk to any small business owners, they’ll tell you that the county fair week is one of their biggest weeks of income. If the county fair week would be taken away, their overall growth would suffer. County fair visitors come in to the fair, but they also enjoy the hospitality of local small business. Sometimes, these businesses will even set up an area at the fair to serve their products. These businesses care about the community that they serve. Fun memories for the rest of your life My cousins and I camped at the fair. Although that might sound fun, that meant that we had even more opportunities to laugh AND fight. One night in particular – we won hermit crabs from a stand and decided to bring them into the RV. The next morning, they were gone. Soon we forgot about them and assumed that they escaped to outside. Two weeks later, I unpacked my suitcase and found the two hermit crabs ALIVE and CRAWLING in my suitcase. That story still brings up laughs at Christmas time along with many others that happened at the fair. Socializing, learning and meeting new people is fun. I’ve had so many funny memories at the county fair and even though I might have aged out, I look forward to visiting the fair and many other fairs across the state. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to gain new knowledge as one of the best parts of attending the fair is stepping outside your comfort zone and trying something new. Act now! If you’re a 4-H, FFA or open class exhibitor, I challenge you to participate in a totally new project. I promise that no matter how it turns out…you’ll look back on the memories of the process and be happy with your progress. If you’ve always wanted to try new things, meet new people, and add skills to your resume…participate in your local county fair! Glancing at the current premium book, you will get an understanding of the endless opportunities that are only a couple miles from your doorstep. Lastly, visit your local county fair and/or visit one that you’ve never gone to before. Ask exhibitors many of questions and while you’re at it…sample great food that makes each county fair extra special. Together we can continue to promote and participate at county fairs so that future generations can enjoy this special Wisconsin tradition.

It’s not every day that you’re able to travel 15 minutes down the road to enjoy race day at Road America. Established in 1955, Road America attracts over 800,000 visitors a year from all across the world. It’s legendary four-mile, 14-turn road circuit is a favorite amongst racers. Annually, over 425 events are held annually at Road America. I have fond memories of attending the race when I was little, and it great to see that the excitement and enthusiasm was still continuing on. Today I had an interview that was heard around the track (all 640 acres) and had a great time handing out awards to the winners. From interacting with locals, to explaining my role to those from other states, it was a rewarding experience to share the importance of Wisconsin's agriculture industry to all.

Ask any seasoned Wisconsinite and they will tell you that the first hamburger was created in Seymour, WI. When you enter the town of Seymour, it’s hard not to miss the elaborate structure that celebrates hamburger history. Although history is a little blurry, the legacy reveals that Charlie Nagreen served the world’s first hamburger at the Seymour Fair in 1885. He decided that instead of serving meatballs, he would flatten a meatball and place it between slices of bread to increase portability. Wisconsin now has a hamburger history to defend. Everyone has his or her ideal hamburger. In my opinion, hamburgers need cheese to make them complete. My dad insists on pickles, mustard, onions, and Swiss cheese on a Sheboygan hard roll. On the other hand, my mom prefers sharp cheddar and a lot of ketchup. Whether you like your burgers with all of the fixings or straightforward, no matter how you slice it – Wisconsin cheese is a necessity. With nearly 1,200 licensed cheese makers, over 600 types, styles, and varieties, and home to 144 cheese plants, Wisconsin is proud to be known as the “Cheesehead” state.

The last few days I have had hundreds of conversations with business owners, vendors, volunteers, attendees, and many Wisconsin residents. Hearing stories about the "good ol' days," to learning about new technology helped make my time at the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days one to remember for the rest of my life. To Kewaunee County - If any county knows how to host an event, it's this group of fantastic people. Your hospitality and kindness could be felt on the entire grounds. From golf cart rides, cheese and crackers, to just taking the time to talk, the volunteers and the executive committee truly made the difference. To the Ebert family - I've been so fortunate that our love for dairy cattle introduced us many years ago. Interacting with a family who is so committed to their community and the dairy industry makes me even more excited to represent our $43.4 billion dairy industry each and every day. Bats and Agriculture? An important combination! Meet "Rafiki," a large flying fox who is native to Africa, posed for a picture. Bats help eat agricultural pests, which in turn help reduce the pesticides needed. They love eating corn borers, corn earworm, cutworm moths, potato beetles, and grasshoppers. In turn, they are saving Wisconsin farmers between $658 million - $1.5 billion annually. I had a chance to visit the Kid's Tent today and I know that I could've spent the entire day there. From fun kid games like "pick up the manure" to meeting cute farm animals, there was something to do for kids of all ages (including myself!). One of my favorite parts was learning about the many careers in agriculture from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.

Farmers love talking about the weather. Whether it’s checking the forecast, worrying about the amount of rain for their crops, or reminiscing about the “storm that topped them all,” it’s a topic that our rural community can always count on. Rain is a popular topic, especially this summer. Although the forecast at first didn’t look forgiving, it turned out to be another fantastic day in Kewaunee County. I met more great business owners and saw a lot of familiar faces too. There's one more day to join me at the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days! In 2018 we have a lot to look forward to. One project that I can’t wait to see unveiled is Wisconsin’s Agricultural Education Center. This $13 million project will include: A 29,000-square foot discovery center with educational displays and hands-on learning opportunities. A birthing barn where visitors can watch calves being born A 300-person conference center An opportunity to tour Grotegut Farm A café’ and country store featuring Wisconsin Products and an outdoor playground An educational display showcasing the cutting-edge technologies used to serve growing populations around the world AND SO MUCH MORE! Had to get my picture with the internationally recognized and self-proclaimed “Grillologists” Mad Dog and Merrill. I had a blast at the Rural Mutual and Farm Bureau Tent today learning about the many ways we can stay safe and save lives, especially in agriculture. From a texting and driving simulation, to learning how first-responders are being trained in agriculture-related accidents, I left learning a lot more about safety. It’s not dirt, it’s soil. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service has an 80-foot soil pit to discuss all things conservation and soils.

Great conversations and lots of smiles were prevalent in Algoma, Wis., today. Farm Technology Days showcases the latest improvements in production agriculture. This event is the largest agricultural show in Wisconsin and one of the largest in the nation. Row after row you will find vendors that traveled thousands of miles, to those who have called Kewaunee County home their entire life. Opening ceremonies started our day where we thanked the many volunteers who spent countless hours on the many details of the show. From electricity, food, parking, to decorations, each detail makes this show one to remember. With over 9,000 dairy farms in Wisconsin, we are lucky to have so many great families that have opened their doors to hosting this event in the past. This year's host, the Ebert family, are filled with generosity and humbleness. I’m so thankful that our interest in dairy cattle brought us together and that now we can reconnect over the next few days. Randy, Renee, Jordan, and Whitney helped us kick off the event with a milk toast to honor their family member, Britney. Although she left our lives too soon, her presence is felt everywhere on the grounds. It is such a privilege to be able to attend these events and meet great people each and every day. It’s not every day that you receive a personalized cheese box! Meet the Dufeck family of Denmark, WI. They manufacture unique wooden containers for product packing. Follow the link to learn more! http://dufeckwood.com/ It is my honor to introduce you to the Algoma Kitchen Kids! These four 7th graders are on a mission to get Algoma eating healthier. Today they served kale chips and tomorrow I’m excited to see what they have next on their menu.

The smell of vinegar, mustard, and onions mixed with the delicious aroma of bacon and Wisconsin potatoes can only mean one thing: Grandma’s German Potato Salad. When I was little, I fondly remember making this family treat. I always opted for cooking the bacon, while my grandma mixed the other ingredients that made my eyes water. Just last week I spent time at my grandma’s house making this family tradition. Although cooking the bacon is still my favorite part, I now have a special fondness for the main event: Wisconsin Potatoes. Wisconsin potatoes are mainly grown in the Central Sands region of our state, which is located in Central Wisconsin. This region is a unique blend of natural and agricultural landscapes. Second only to California, the Central Sands region is one of the most productive growing areas in the nation for processing vegetables and specialty crops, generating billions of dollars in revenue into Wisconsin’s economy. Its landscapes include wetlands, forests, prairies, lakes and trout streams, in addition to productive, irrigated cropland. For these reasons, Wisconsin potato growers not only remain committed to protecting these natural resources, but they are also partnering up with the DNR water experts and private enterprise scientists to conduct research. As you prepare more of your favorite dishes for your Wisconsin Backyard Cookouts, make sure to remember Wisconsin Potatoes!

According to an old farming adage, the Fourth of July isn't just our nation's birthday; it's also a benchmark for corn. If all is going well, it should be "knee-high by the Fourth of July." However, with the amount of rain that we have had lately, many corn fields in Wisconsin look like they won't be meeting that benchmark. Wisconsin is proud to be one of the top corn producing states in the nation. As “Maizey” and I travel thousands of miles this summer, the vast majority of corn that I see is not meant for human consumption. A funny memory that I have of corn is during the second grade. One of my peers forgot to bring his assignment for show and tell. He decided to improvise during recess. On the far end of the playground was a cornfield. He picked the corn right off the stalk and brought it into class. Our teacher caught on right away and made him write an apology letter to the neighboring farmer. My classmate found out the difference between field corn and sweet corn the hard way. Although they might look similar, there is a big difference between the two. Grain corn is used to feed poultry, pigs, and cows. Grain corn is also used for ethanol, corn oil, cornstarch, and other non-food uses. From spark plugs to tennis shoes, grain corn is in over 4,000 different products. Another product that grain corn can be turned into is corn silage. Corn silage is chopped and fed to cows. Corn silage is an important source of forage in Wisconsin. Corn silage is a consistent feed with high yields and provides high energy to livestock. Wisconsin even leads the nation in corn for silage. Sweet corn is what you buy at the stores and can be canned, frozen, or fresh off the cob. Less than one percent of the U.S. corn crop is sweet corn for human consumption. Other countries enjoy Wisconsin sweet corn as our state leads the nation in the export of this summertime staple. Sweet corn is harvested when the kernels are soft and sweet, which makes it an incredibly tasty treat to enjoy at home or even a county fair! The way that farmers measure corn is through bushels. A bushel of corn weighs 56 pounds. A single bushel is capable of producing 18 pounds of livestock feed, 2.8 gallons of ethanol fuel, 14 pounds of corn gluten pellets, 1.8 pounds of corn oil, and 17 pounds of carbon dioxide (used in ice, the beverage industry and water treatment facilities). I can hardly wait any longer for fresh corn on the cob from the farmers market. In a couple of weeks you’ll be able to find plenty of sweet corn in the grocery stores, farmers markets, road stands, or maybe even in your next CSA box! Although you might not be able to eat a cob of field corn tonight, remember that corn still makes a positive impact on our lives in many different ways and for Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry.