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3 days ago | 
farmprogress.com | Fran O'Leary
Every year, nearly 40% of the food produced in this country is wasted, according to USDA. Food waste happens at all stages of production, including harvesting, packing and restaurant preparation. We are all guilty of wasting food. Who hasn’t had fresh produce, deli meat or leftovers spoil in the refrigerator? The same is true for a loaf of bread, a bag of chips, or a banana or two. People waste food by not eating leftovers or not finishing leftovers before they spoil in the refrigerator.
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1 week ago | 
farmprogress.com | Fran O'Leary
There’s nothing more life-renewing than playing in the dirt, getting your hands dirty and planting vegetables. Growing your own food is not only rewarding but also provides healthy options for your family. I am a lifelong gardener. When I was a kid, I remember helping my parents plant a garden each year. I pulled weeds and helped pick peas, green beans and strawberries.
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2 weeks ago | 
farmprogress.com | Fran O'Leary
From a farmer’s perspective, global agricultural commodity markets, outside of beef and eggs, have been somewhat shaky. There are a multitude of reasons why, including less-than-stellar consumer confidence that can cause a pullback on spending and market tribulation caused by tariffs and global trade. “When looking at the U.S. dairy situation, markets have potential for both upside and downside movement,” says Corey Geiger, lead dairy economist at CoBank.
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3 weeks ago | 
farmprogress.com | Fran O'Leary
It’s that time of year when a farm kid’s thoughts turn from school and homework to having fun. Most of us who grew up on farms can attest that there is no better place for kids to have some fun. I cherish the memories of endless days playing on the farm with my cousins Cathy and Carol.
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1 month ago | 
farmprogress.com | Fran O'Leary
Gardening can be a fun activity for the whole family. Teaching kids to garden also encourages them to respect nature. Most importantly, it teaches them a life skill they can use throughout their lives. If you’d like your kids to grow up loving gardening and learning how to grow their own food, it’s never too early to get started. Children are explorers who enjoy the simple pleasures of planting seeds, playing in the dirt and searching for earthworms.
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1 month ago | 
farmprogress.com | Fran O'Leary
Matt Lippert, regional University of Wisconsin Extension dairy educator for Wood, Clark and Marathon counties, says grazing dairy and beef heifers and dry cows has evolved since the 1970s and 1980s. “A lot of people recall their families grazing their cows and heifers 40, 50 years ago,” Lippert says. “The grass got green in spring, and they turned their cows out on the pasture, and they grazed. The cows kept on eating the most palatable species and they didn’t eat the weeds.
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1 month ago | 
farmprogress.com | Fran O'Leary
Dairy continues to face multiple challenges, according to Corey Geiger, lead dairy economist for CoBank. “In recent weeks, several national news outlets have called to discuss what I refer to as ‘dairy’s difficult trifecta,’” Geiger says. “This includes highly pathogenic avian influenza and its effect on cow health, human health and milk production; immigration and its impact on labor; and of course, tariffs and the changes to trade.
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2 months ago | 
farmprogress.com | Fran O'Leary
2025 MASTERS: Earning the Master Agriculturist honor this year are (back, from left) George Twohig, Honorary Master Agriculturist of Chilton, and Master Agriculturists Jeffery Kennicker of Cuba City, Ron Brooks of Waupaca, (in front, left) Don Weiss of Durand, and Bob Mitchell of Wauzeka. Fran O’Leary The Wisconsin Agriculturist, in partnership with Menn Law Firm and Compeer Financial, presented the 2025 Master Agriculturist award to top achievers in farming, community service and leadership.
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2 months ago | 
farmprogress.com | Fran O'Leary
It’s finally spring! Spreading manure and getting a jump on spring fieldwork may help take some pressure off this busy time of year. Here are eight commonsense tips to help you and others stay safe on the farm this spring:1. Check farm vehicles. Is your slow-moving vehicle sign dull? Replace it. Are your caution lights working? Double-check them. 2. Remember your phone. Having a cellphone handy at all times can save time and energy. It also provides help in case of an emergency. 3. Be ready but realistic.
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2 months ago | 
farmprogress.com | Fran O'Leary
Now that it is officially spring, this is a great time to plan what vegetables you want to plant in your vegetable garden. Some gardeners plant the same vegetables every year but change up how much they plant of each vegetable. Others like to try a few new vegetables. And then there are those who can’t make up their minds. I always plant what vegetables I know we like to eat. It sounds simple, and it is. Why grow radishes and zucchini if nobody in your family eats them?
