Local News

Overall Well-Being Is More Than Your Physical Health

When McKenna Reichling was 17 years old, she lost her older brother, Myles, to suicide. Although she was still in high school, she realized the critical importance of mental health and decided to take better care of her own. Since then, she has stepped into a vital role as “an…

All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes Support 100 Years Of Camp Wawbeek

Easterseals Wisconsin is celebrating its centennial year, serving children and adults with disabilities since 1926. A celebration of the 100-year milestone will take place during the Annual Pancake Breakfast event on Sunday, October 4 at Camp Wawbeek, the organization’s flagship…

Former Farmer Helps Other Farmers Deal With Depression, Stress

A farm counselor and former dairy farmer says stress and depression are weighing heavily on many farmers right now. Randy Roecker tells the Mid-West Farm Report the ag economy is as bad as, if not worse than, it was in the 1980s. “I remember growing up in the 80s, how things…

A Wisconsin Farm Family Shares Their Story of Mental Health and Hope

A fourth-generation Wisconsin farm family is sharing a deeply personal story. It focuses on the pressures of farming, mental health, and having hope. Brian Reisinger says his family’s history of overcoming hardship also comes with an expectation to keep going. But after learning…

Energy, Labor, Steel Tariffs, Competition Hurt Midwest Food Processors

Midwest vegetable growers and food processors face a perfect storm of soaring energy bills, severe labor shortages, and cheap foreign imports. Nick Novak represents the Midwest Food Products Association. He notes that rising expenses hit farmers, consumers, and food processors…

USDA Announces Value-Added Ag Grants In Wisconsin

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development office announced $800,000 in four value-added agriculture projects across Wisconsin. The investments are through USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grants program. U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Wisconsin State Director…

Council Capsule

Did you miss the September 22 Portage City Council meeting? Here are the actions that took place.

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Next A.C.R.E. Grants Boost Wisconsin Ag Education

Nearly 30 Wisconsin middle and high schools received $174,093 in grants from Compeer Financial to support agriculture education programs. Funds are used for equipment and resources that advance hands-on learning and support renovations, improvements and building projects for…

Fall Leaf Pickup Begins Oct 5

It's officially fall! While we're not seeing much for leaves yet, our Public Works crews are getting the leaf vacuum trucks ready for another season of leaf collection.

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First Fall Avian Flu Case A Reminder To Check Biosecurity Procedures

Wisconsin just confirmed its first fall case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a turkey farm near Rice Lake. With the fall bird migration underway, state officials urge farmers to immediately tighten their biosecurity procedures. Cool weather and migrating flocks…