2A Wednesday, March 2, 2011 News The Country Today

Budget/ Most towns don’t collectively bargain

tion with the private sector, and
UW-Extension the budget, we just won’t know the state retirement program.
from Page 1A in recent months we have seen a until a few months have passed,” “When we were briefed by
John Shutske, a top UW- couple good people leave, some Shutske said. the governor on this over a week
Family Farm Defenders also Extension official, said one really good young people in our ago he made it very clear that
has weighed in on the legislative recent indicator tells him the organization, and it’s something
Wisconsin’s townships he knew that a lot of towns and
gridlock in Madison. agency’s programs have value. we’re really concerned about,” Rick Stadelman, executive small villages weren’t going to
“Farmers need to stand behind “Even with the difficult econ- Shutske said. director of the Wisconsin Towns benefit by these changes and
workers and their freedom to omy, when we’ve recently had Overall, though, the agency Association, said there were going to be cuts in
collectively bargain. All farmer open agriculture positions out in has committed employees, he his organization shared revenue, but he was going
cooperatives depend upon the counties, the counties have really, said. isn’t issuing an to provide some additional flex-
same principle, so any attempt really pushed us to move quickly “We have many Extension opinion on the ibility and mandate relief for
to take away that right needs to and get positions filled,” Shutske people that have been in Exten- budget repair small communities in the state
be challenged,” Joel Greeno, the said. “When we have openings, sion for 10, 15, 20, some even as bill. budget, so we’ll have to wait to
group’s vice president and a Ken- they really do miss their county long as 30 years. They’re often “We will be see what that is,” he said.
dall dairy farmer, said in a news agent, and that’s a really positive members of the community and watching the Stadelman said he’s concerned
release. sign.” they’re very well connected to all state budget bill about cutbacks and whether
“Just because farmers are Still, with the governor’s bud- the networks that exist locally,” and how cuts are towns can keep up with con-
going bankrupt due to unfair get repair bill, dwindling bud- Shutske said. Stadelman made and for- struction and maintenance, spe-
prices does not mean workers gets and volatility in government He said he’s not sure how their mulas. We rec- cifically of roads.
should lose living wages too. jobs, Shutske said he’s con- workplace will look if the budget ognize the state’s got to balance “If you don’t keep up a certain
There is no way to repair the cerned about retaining talented repair bill passes, but he said he’s its budget, and there will be cuts. number of miles of road every
budget until we restore fairness employees. optimistic about UW-Extension’s Fairness is the question we’ll year, you fall behind, and then it
to the whole economic system,” Shutske, program director for future. have,” he said. costs more in the end to do those.
Greeno said. agriculture and natural resources “In the long term I am con- The governor’s proposals in How we maintain the roads will
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau at UW-Extension, said a crops fident we will be the preferred the budget repair bill wouldn’t depend a lot on what’s in that
Federation said it wouldn’t com- agent and a dairy/livestock agent provider of new knowledge and have much effect on town state budget,” he said. “Our rural
ment on the issue until after the recently resigned from UW- education. I’m very confident employees, Stadelman said. Few roads are facing greater and
governor’s 2011-13 budget is Extension to take agribusiness that we’ll come through. We towns have collective bargaining greater demands, as agriculture
introduced. jobs. may be a different organization. agreements, and only 170 of the has changed with larger farms
Walker was expected to pres- “One of the things we see in Until we know more specifics on state’s 1,200 towns participate in and more truck traffic.”
ent his budget proposal March 1. agriculture is we have competi-

Organic/ Nebraska farm given award

from Page 1A
Sligh said organic farmers Feb. 25 at the conference.
aren’t the only people who
should be concerned about
GMOs and their effect on
agriculture.
“This is not a fight
between farmers or between
farmers and environmen-
talists,” he said. “This is an
issue for everyone. The prob- organic wasn’t cool,” she
lem is not having federal
oversight and market clarity
in order for this to be fair.”
Sligh proposed that
responsibility for GMO con- award.
tamination cases be linked
to patent holders.
Farmer of the year
The Vetter family of The
Grain Place in Marquette,
Neb., was presented with
the 2011 MOSES Organic
Farmer of the Year award
The honor was first given
in 2003 and recognizes
farmers who practice out-
standing land stewardship,
innovation and outreach.
Jones described the Vet-
ters as a “maverick family.”
“They were organic when
said.
David Vetter, whose fam-
ily began organically farm-
ing in 1953, accepted the
“I say I was raised on an
organic farm, though at that
time there weren’t organic
standards,” he said.
Vetter’s father, Don Vet- ing organic practices after
ter, began implement-
Top organic farmers
Previous Organic Farmer of the Year winners
were:
2003: Linda Halley and Richard deWilde,
Harmony Valley Farm, Viroqua, Wis.
2004: Martin and Atina Diffley, Gardens of
Eagan, Farmington, Minn.
2005: Carmen and Sally Fernholz, A Frame
Farm, Madison, Minn.
2006: Stan Shutte, Triple “S” Farms,
Stewardson, Ill.
2007: Florence and Dave Minar, Cedar Summit
Farm, New Prague, Minn.
2008: Gary, Nicholas and Rosie Zimmer, Otter
Creek Organic Dairy, Avoca, Wis. Submitted photo
2009: Tom and Irene Frantzen, New Hampton, Becky Rochester worked as a cellar hand at wineries in
Iowa. California, New Zealand and Australia before being hired in
2010: John, Jane and Janaki Fisher-Merritt, January as grape marketing coordinator for the Wisconsin
The Food Farm, Wrenshall, Minn. Grape Growers Association. Here Rochester is pictured
inoculating yeast in Sauvignon Blanc must at Delegat’s
The Vetters implement Oyster Bay in Marlborough, New Zealand.
World War II, when he windbreaks and diverse

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questioned the science
and ethics of
chemical boom.
the post-war
crops and rotations. Edible
soybeans and dry beans,
blue and white corn, pop-
Grapes/ Coordinator
After college Vet-
ter returned to the farm
and organized the farm’s
corn, heirloom barley, flax,
amaranth, lupines and sun-
flowers all have been grown
will research varieties
organic certification in on the farm, and fruit and finding out where they are
1978. nut trees are being planted from Page 1A right now in terms of mak-
In 1979, the farm became in buffer areas to increase ing wines from Wisconsin
The Grain Place, and an biodiversity and add addi- Most recently Rochester grapes and buying grapes
on-farm processing plant, tional income. worked as direct sales man- from Wisconsin growers,”
Grain Place Foods, was Creating smaller fields ager for Willamette Valley Maenner said.
built in 1980. separated by buffer areas Vineyards in Turner, Ore. Rochester’s diverse experi-
Developing the infra- has allowed the family to Rochester said she was ences made her stand out as
structure for an organic protect soil quality, a fac- excited to see a job open a candidate, Maenner said.
grains market required tak- tor Vetter said is vital for up in the Midwest wine “Becky’s worked in vine-
ing risks, including almost organic operations. industry. yards, she’s worked in winer-
losing the farm, Vetter said. The family also raises a “I’d always hoped the ies, she’s worked with sales
“We learned through grass-fed cow-calf beef herd industry in Wisconsin would of wines, distribution of
mistakes,” he said. and uses rotational grazing grow to where it needed a wines,” Maenner said. “She
Grain Place Foods was for weed control. position like this one,” she really had all the pieces of
one of the first plants of its
615926 • 11-17-10
Nominations for the 2012 said. the puzzle for what we want
kind in the Midwest and Organic Farmer of the Year Rochester will work with her to do, which is to try
today processes organic will be accepted until Sept. the WGGA to research to get these sales channels
LOYAL SILAGE & popcorn — more than 3 15. Applications are avail-
million pounds in 2010 — able by calling 715-778-
the state’s grape and wine
industry.
working in Wisconsin.”
Rochester will continue to
FEED ELEVATORS cereal grains and specialty 5775 or online at www.
pet foods. mosesorganic.org/foy.html.
“The goal is to see where live and work from her home
we are and set a benchmark in Oregon. However, she
so we can plan for growth plans to return to Wisconsin
and help the industry as a this month for the WGGA
Built whole,” she said. Spring Vineyard School on
Tough There are more than 70 March 24 at Wollersheim
bonded wineries and 200 Winery in Prairie Du Sac.
to Last The Country Today is a rural oriented, independent newspaper mailed each week vineyards in Wisconsin, She also hopes to coor-
Exclusive boot guard to farm households and agribusinesses in Wisconsin, Illinois, Rochester said. dinate promotions at the
with agitator Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and elsewhere.
keeps material out of boot Her job will include reach- Wisconsin State Fair this
• Better engineered - stronger • Tough, corded-rubber flites with Periodicals postage paid at Eau Claire, WI 54701 ing out to growers, research- summer and attend the asso-
construction - higher capacity. extra-wide steel backs. Closer ing the types and quality of ciation’s fall walk.
• Set up and ready to go. No time spaced than many other brands for POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 701 S. Farwell St., P.O. Box 570, Eau Claire, vines grown in the state, and Rochester is optimistic
consuming bolting (just mount motor higher capacity, smoother, quieter, WI 54702. Telephone toll free 1-800-236-4004. Advertising/Editorial fax 715-858-7307. identifying demand for dif- about the future for Wiscon-
& shields). more dependable performance. ferent varieties. sin winemakers.
• Test-run at factory. • Heavy-duty, solid, full-width cross Subscription rates are: $25 for six months, $35 for one year and $55 for two years.
• Easily lengthened at a later date. shaft and stronger, roller-chain final Single copy $1.00 “We want to make sure “There are a lot of up-and-
• Heavy-gauge, rust-resistant galva- drive. that I’m finding out what the coming wineries,” she said.
THE COUNTRY TODAY is located at 701 S. Farwell St., P.O. Box 570, Eau
nized steel resists forage acids for • Greasable, bronze, pillow-block wineries are looking for in “Even this year we’re look-
Claire, WI 54702, with publishing facilities in the Eau Claire Press Company
longer life. Thick 14GA replacement bearings - resist forage acids for lon-
building at 701 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary
the future so when we have ing at two to five that will
pan slips over existing pan. ger-lasting, trouble-free operation. new growers, we’re able to be opening up or getting
• Super-slick-poly 1/4” wear liner for • Two-bearings, not just one, on each of the Eau Claire Press Co. (ISN: 0192-9658)
pan now standard ... prevents freeze tail, head and cross shaft ... for lon-
help them plant the right started.”
down - increases chain life - reduces ger sprocket, bearing and shaft life. HOME OFFICE varieties,” she said. Interest in grape produc-
noise ... and energy consumption by • Declines, covers, diverters, hoods, Pieter F. Graaskamp, Publisher .................................................. 715-833-9277 Rochester also will work tion is rising in the Midwest,
up to 30%. downspouts and clean-chute hop- Dan Graaskamp, Vice President of Sales ................................... 715-830-5821 with wineries to track the perhaps because of fresh
• Rugged, pintle or detachable, pers available. Mark Haas, Marketing Manager ................................................. 715-830-5909 retail value and number of varieties that are hitting the
single conveyor chain ... • Replacement pintle or detachable
tempered hard for longer wear. chain with flites - from $8.50 per ft.
Mike Carlson, Director of Circulation ....................................... 715-830-5885 accredited Wisconsin wines. market, Rochester said.
Circulation Toll Free Number .................................................... 800-758-9933 She also plans to bridge “There are some new vari-
LENGTH OVER 32’ Ken Jansky, Circulation, Single Copy Sales ............................... 715-830-5854
WIDTH 10’ 12’ 16’ 20’ 24’ 32’ Add
the gap between vine- eties, including the Marquette
Delivery Problems, Questions..................................................... 800-758-9933 yards with grapes for sale grape developed by the Uni-
7” $ 964 $ 1002 $ 1060 $ 1312 $ 1516 N/A N/A
Sara Bredesen, Circulation Sales, Farm Shows ......................... 715-360-7253 and potential grape buyers versity of Minnesota, that
9” 1035 1155 1337 1508 1681 $ 2028 $ 47.00/ft.
11” 1315 1407 1634 1893 2144 2700 51.00/ft. EDITORIAL and nurture other industry people are excited about,” she
13” 1441 1541 1792 2075 2354 2964 58.00/ft.
Jim Massey, Barneveld, Editor ................................................... 608-924-9909 relationships. said. “When people planted
(Includes hopper & belts - transport & motor optional) “A big part of what I’ll be five years ago they were
Megan Parker, Eau Claire, Assistant Editor ................................ 715-833-9275
Elevators can be purchased in any length desired! Jenn Bellefeuille, Eau Claire, Copy Editor ................................. 715-830-5880 trying to do is qualify peo- told to plant certain things
Heidi Clausen, Clayton, Regional Editor ................................... 715-268-7454 ple for our Wisconsin Wine just because that’s what was
Sara Bredesen, Wautoma, Regional Editor ............................... 715-360-7253 Accreditation Program,” around, but now we’re seeing
18” Double-Chain Rochester said.
POLY ELEVATOR Danielle Endvick, Boyd, Regional Editor................................... 715-830-5827 a lot more to choose from.”
Wineries producing one or Rochester’s zeal for the
— Quieter, higher-volume ADVERTISING
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Sue Bauer, Eau Claire, Retail Advertising Office Manager ........ 715-833-9276
• Declines in the state are eligible for the think I could ever get bored
Mary Brownell, Co-op Adv. Coord. and Regional Sales Account Executive ... 715-830-5876
#62 Detachable
Double-Chain
• Hoppers promotional program. in,” she said. “There’s just
• Covers JoAnn Utphall, Livestock & Inside Sales ...(Toll Free) 1-800-236-4004 Ext. 3925
Marshall Behling, New London, Account Executive ................. 920-982-4097
WGGA Executive Direc- always something going on,
VIEW FULL CATALOG • PRICES • CLOSEST DEALER ................................................................................(Toll Free) 1-800-742-3706
tor Anna Maenner said whether it’s laws that are
Rochester has been doing an changing or just things going
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exceptional job
625486 • 3-2-11 Chuck Slattery, Milladore, Account Executive .......................... 715-652-2161 on with the vineyard and
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“A main part of her job is winemaking and marketing.”
MFG Co. E-MAIL US (include name, address and day telephone number) to be a liaison between grow- Danielle Endvick can be
P.O. Box 40 1-800-472-2341 Circulation: ctcirculation@ecpc.com ers and wineries, so she’s reached at 800-236-4004,
Loyal, WI 54446 E-mail: info@loyal-roth.com Editorial: thecountrytoday@ecpc.com been doing a lot of surveying ext. 3827 or danielle.
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