Farm Advocate Sees Worsening Crisis in Agriculture
Margaret Krome says government has tools to help farmers stay on their land. with Adrienne Pederson, July 21, 2019 Watch 5 minute interview here
Citizen input will improve livestock siting rules
Wisconsin’s Livestock Siting law passed over a decade ago, and although it and the rules to implement it are supposed to be subject to periodic review by technical advisors and the public, Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture has never previously held public hearings as the law specifies. But last month, the state Board of Agriculture approved […]
We need an all-hands-on-deck effort to support farmers in crisis
Photo: No more cows are milked in the old dairy barn on the Hardie family farm. by Chris Hardie/for Agriview A friend once described the most traumatic experience of her life. It wasn’t an assault, an accident or even any physical injury. As a child, her father was laid off as an air traffic controller […]
Farm Aid Grantees Help Others Grow
This past week, our efforts to support local farmers by reaching out to Michael Fields Agricultural Institute for grant assistance was recognized nationally through Farm Aid. Farm Aid’s mission is to provide great music, supporting farmers, and strengthening America since 1985. Read how MFAI and others are supporting producers here
Deadline Approaches for Farmers’ Conservation Program
Up to $700 million will be available for the Conservation Stewardship Program this year. April 29, 2019 MADISON, Wis. – The deadline for farmers to apply for the country’s largest working lands conservation program is approaching fast. The program offers financial support to farmers who keep their land healthy through conservation practices, including cover cropping […]
Farmers Taking a Gamble on Hemp
Watch video here Matt Smith, on Upfront, reports that more Wisconsin farmers are looking to grow hemp as a possible new source of revenue. Interviews include Perry Brown, MFAI Executive Director.
Advocating for Sustainable Ag Podcast
with Margaret Krome, MFAI, and Paul Wolfe, NSAC The Our Farms, Our Future podcast series brings together the sustainable agriculture community for thought-provoking conversations about the state of agriculture, how we got here, and where we’re headed. This podcast and the others in the series are available here
Michael Fields on WORT Community Radio
Perry Brown, Executive Director, of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute along with Devon Hamilton, one of MFAI’s Policy staff, discuss sustainable agriculture….including cover crops, urban agriculture, youth work, genetic contamination, and industrial hemp. MFAI focuses on sustainable agriculture research, policy, youth work, urban farming, and farmer-led watershed conservation. Recorded: January 14, 2019, 7-8pm Listen to MFAI’s […]
Questions, optimism surround hemp after federal legalization
Published Sunday, December 30, 2018, by Jim Dayton Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Executive Director Perry Brown harvests industrial hemp plants, roots and all, from their research plot in East Troy. JANESVILLE Local hemp farmers are feeling some relief from the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp production at the federal level and clarified the […]
Sustainable Agriculture’s Wins, Losses in Farm Bill
Published December 27, 2018 MADISON, Wis. – How did sustainable agriculture fare in the 2018 Farm Bill? One analyst breaks down the wins and losses. Margaret Krome, policy director for the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, says the bill provides baseline funding for beginning farmers and local food programs. It also will support research into […]
Farm Bill Positions WI Hemp to Take Off
First published online at PNS December 20, 2018 Read full article here
Farmer – Fisherman Dinner & Field Day
Nestled between the setting sun over harvested grain fields, a fire crackled in Folklore Village as smoke billowed over a cabin full of friendly, hungry faces. Fishermen from the Gulf of Mexico and farmers alike spent their afternoon laughing and cooking a meal for over one hundred guests interested in their story and work.[…]
Hemp struggles in first year, but advocates remain optimistic
By Jim Dayton, October 28, 2018 Janesville Gazette Featuring area farmers and Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. Read full story and see video of Perry Brown, Executive Director, talking hemp here
Wisconsin farmers learn how to grow healthy hemp for next growing season
APPLETON, Wis. (WBAY) – Wisconsin farmers interested in growing hemp got to learn how on October 4th, at Memorial Florist and Greenhouse in Appleton, dozens of farmers learned about the opportunities in hemp farming for the 2019 growing season. READ full article and see VIDEO here
Seeing Green, Some find business opportunities as cannabis markets grow – BizTimes
Read article online >>> Seeing Green, Some find business opportunities as cannabis markets grow October 1, 2018 By Arthur Thomas Photos: Michael Fields Agricultural Institute’s Industrial Hemp Field Day, Sept. 4, 2018
Ag Matters, Podcast with Perry Brown
Ag Matters with Jim Raymond Jim Raymond of the Rock County Ag Business Council explores the many reasons why “Ag Matters.” Tune in each Saturday morning at 5:30 or Monday mornings at 11am Click below to hear MFAI Executive Director, Perry Brown, talk with Jim. 9/23/17 – Ag Matters
Watch Wisconsin Foodie’s New Episode “The Louisiana Connection” Here
“The Louisiana Connection” online viewing at PBS.com
Most Environmentally Friendly Project
The Nature Conservancy and Michael Fields Agricultural Institute won The Milwaukee Business Journal’s Most Environmentally Friendly Project Award 2016, for their Farmland Conservation/Water Protection Project. Read the Business Journal Article here
Fishermen and farmers discuss common interests over fantastic seafood
Michael Fields’ Policy Director, Margaret Krome, describes below a creative – and delicious – cultural exchange and educational opportunity that MFAI organized last month. We brought fishermen from Louisiana’s Bayou up to celebrate the importance of on-farm conservation with the farmer-led watershed we’re working closely with in Iowa County. The fishermen’s livelihoods and lives depend […]
Wisconsin Farmers Talk about Water with Louisiana Fishermen
Producer-Led Water Conservation Group Working To Fight Runoff Published: Friday, October 14, 2016 Read the article on Wisconsin Public Radio here
Cover-Cropping: Making Money While Practicing Conservation
August 22, 2016 – Tim Morrissey, Public News Service (WI) EAST TROY, Wis. — A study just released by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute points to tangible economic benefits and positive environmental outcomes from cover-cropping. Wisconsin farmers are already familiar with the conservation, water-quality and soil-health benefits of cover-cropping, but they have also become increasingly […]
Wisconsin Foodie showcases MFAI
Wisconsin Foodie Host Kyle Cherek and Producer Arthur Ircink feature Michael Fields Agricultural Institute and Honey Valley Apiaries This episode aired on January 14, 2016, 7:30 pm on Milwaukee Public Television Were you at the Farm to Table Dinner in the Gardens? Tune in to learn more about Michael Fields and Beekeeping, revisit the evening and catch a glimpse of Chef […]