Harvest Highlights - May 2024

Wisconsin School Garden Day – May 16, 2024!

Celebrate Wisconsin School Garden Day on Thursday, May 16! This day honors and celebrates all who have made garden-based education a reality and an asset in communities throughout the State! Celebrate by engaging students in a garden-based education activity such as (but not limited to) planting, observing, art, literature, STEM, or weeding. For more ideas, check out the WI School Garden Day Activity Guide.

Launch of the First Produce Processing Training!

On Tuesday, May 16, the DPI Farm to School (F2S) team visited Valders Area School District for the very first in-person Produce Processing Training session. F2S specialists Jeff Mallegni and David Schneider assisted Valders School Nutrition team members with knife skills and produce processing techniques. Valders School Nutrition Director, Sabrina Bilski, chose fresh jicama, cantaloup, and pineapple for the training demonstration. Jeff and David helped serve the sixth- grade class samples of the produce during lunch service.  Most of the students had never tried jicama and all but a few of them chose to take samples. Valders school nutrition staff was engaged with the training and are excited about expanding the fresh produce options for Valders’ students to enjoy.

Two more trainings are scheduled for the month of May for Howard-Suamico School District and the School District of Hartford.  Numerous other school districts have requested training and the F2S team will be reaching out to those schools to schedule future training visits. To request a training visit for your district, please fill out the Produce Processing Training Interest Form and a member of the F2S team will be in contact to schedule a visit. Click to view photos from the training.

Agricultural Basics from Master Gardener and Agriculturist, David Lee Schneider!

As gardening season begins in Wisconsin, a few areas to consider for planning include: soil, micronutrients, macronutrients, compost, seeds, seedlings, temperature, environment, water, pruning, weeds, pollinators, pests, animals, accessibility, diseases, and the gardener with the gardener helpers. A soil test can provide a scientific look into areas that are strong, adequate, or in need of nutrients along with the amount of organic matter present. The test results provide guidance on what nutrients and how much are needed.

Some vegetable seeds can be sown as soon as the ground can be worked because they can withstand cold weather and frosts. These include: beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, collards, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, mustard greens, onions, parsnips, potatoes, radish, spinach, and turnips. Other plants that can handle some light frosts include: escarole, lettuce, strawberries, spinach, and Swiss chard.  There are plants that cannot handle any frost and should be planted once the soil temperature warms up such as: artichokes, beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, okra, peanuts, peppers, pumpkins, squash, and tomatoes. Be careful to allow enough space in between plants to provide adequate water and nutrients, but don't overdo it. Be sure to eradicate any weeds or unwanted plants. These strategies will assist in a good harvest.

To gain a seasonal advantage, starting seeds in containers inside a hot house is practical. Surrounding the garden area with a small fence to keep out animals will provide protection for plants and adding pollinators such as a local honeybee colony could push harvest levels even higher.

Wisconsin Farm Statistics from Master Gardener and Agriculturist, David Lee Schneider!

Wisconsin is a wonderful place for agriculture. There are approximately 58,521 farms in Wisconsin of which 5,500 are licensed dairy farms and 12,971 are beef cattle farms operated by a farmer of an average age of 58 years young with an average land base consisting of 236 acres. There are many varying definitions of farm with one being $1,000 in annual sales of agricultural products. Wisconsin agriculture contributes over 104 billion dollars annually to the state’s economy.

Wisconsin farmers produce agricultural products that rank first in the nation for cheese, cranberries, corn silage, snap beans, ginseng, mink pelts, dry whey, and milk goats. Wisconsin has approximately 1,200 licensed cheesemakers who produce approximately 25% of the nation's cheese at over 3.5 billion pounds and 600 varieties. Wisconsin farmers produce approximately 60% of the nation’s cranberries at over 4.8 million barrels and are the state fruit. Wisconsin farmers also produce approximately 67,500 acres of potatoes, ranking third in the nation and a tart cherry crop of over 12.9 billion pounds annually. Wisconsin agricultural products are used, statewide, nationwide, and worldwide.

Wisconsin exports over 3.8 billion dollars in agricultural products including vegetables, dairy, sauces, and yeasts to 142 countries with top markets landing in Canada, Mexico, China, Korea, and Japan. Farmers and ranchers raise livestock such as cattle, swine, and poultry and rely on food processors to help provide consumers with animal protein in the form of steaks, ground meat, ham, bacon, and numerous other items. Yield needs to be considered important as approximately 60% of a 1500-pound bovine results in a 900-pound carcass. Food waste is a factor with estimations at 60% of the garbage being foodstuffs with composting as a viable option.

Many of these agricultural products are utilized in Farm to School (F2S) programs. F2S is a movement, promoting the use of locally and regionally grown foods in school meal programs and can include nutrition education in school classrooms as well. School gardens can provide a hyperlocal approach to utilizing the bountiful and wonderful farm products found in Wisconsin.

References

United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. NASS - National Agricultural Statistics Service

Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection https://datcp.wi.gov/

Farm to School Spotlights Featured on The Mid-West Farm Report!

The Mid-West Farm Report is an excellent source for agribusiness news throughout Wisconsin. Their daily, hour-long radio program hosted by, Pam Jahnke, can be listened to on affiliate radio stations and various podcast platforms. Articles published on their website have recently featured two Wisconsin School Districts with active Farm to School (F2S) programs. Read about the exciting work happening at Luxemburg-Casco School District and Mauston School District!

Reminder: Register for the Wisconsin Cucumber Crunch!

Summer 2024

Celebrate local foods by participating in the Wisconsin Cucumber Crunch! Pick any date this summer and have staff and students crunch into local cucumbers or another local, seasonal vegetable. Find a farmer in your area or utilize produce from your school garden for your Crunch event! For access to recipes, nutrition education, and promotional materials visit the Celebrate Summer webpage and do not forget to register your event! Registrants will receive a cucumber seed packet and Cucumber Crunch stickers, while supplies last. If you have questions, please contact DPIF2S@dpi.wi.gov. Click for the Cucumber Crunch, We Registered Badge.

FREE, F2S Promotional Materials!

Jazz up your cafeteria space and promote your F2S activities with the new F2S promotional materials, featuring the Wisconsin F2S logo! Available materials include:

Breakfast and Lunch Menu Signage (12”x17”, dry erase)
Producer Highlight Posters (12”x17”, dry erase)
Window Clings (4”x4”; 3”x5”; 5”x9”)
Paper Stickers (3”x3”)
Vinyl Stickers (3”x3”)
Magnets (3”x6”, 4”x4”)

Place your order using the Promotional Items Order Form. Materials are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Jill K. Underly, PhD, State Superintendent
201 West Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-3390 • (800) 441-4563