Action Alert: Celebrate Earth Week!

On April 15, WI DNR Secretary Dr. Karen Hyun and Governor Tony Evers visited with MFAI staff including Research Director Dr. Nicole Tautges and Research Technician Nolan Burkard at the Research Farm near East Troy. The group talked about Kernza's value as a perennial grain and enjoyed Nicole's chewy chocolate chip Kernza cookies.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, this one quite aptly tells the "WHY" of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. Last week Institute staff had the opportunity to meet WI Governor Tony Evers and DNR Secretary Dr. Karen Hyun at our Research Farm near East Troy to talk about agricultural policy, the state budget process, and the work MFAI does to help farmers of all kinds make the best possible decisions on the land. The Governor was touring the state to talk about the water quality investments and agricultural support proposals in his State Budget, and he wanted to get a look at our conservation research and practices on the ground. He also wanted to hear from staff about their programs and the work they specifically do to assist farmers, growers, and the agricultural community. Staff talked about their work and then took the Governor and Secretary into the field of Kernza and ate Kernza cookies while talking about the value and promise of this perennial grain for building soil and protecting water. For both, this was their first experience eating or learning about Kernza, a grain we've be researching for years with partners across the nation.

This moment captured the essence of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute - convening farmers, researchers, eaters, and policymakers on the land for productive discussions on how to build a better, stronger, more resilient food system that's good for the earth and for people. Skip to the end for ideas about how YOU can join the discussion and help advance conservation this Earth Week!

“It was great to hang out with Governor Evers and Secretary Hyun on a blustery spring day and get to talk about cover crops, farmer-led watershed groups, and the power of perennial agriculture, all while eating Kernza cookies," said Dr. Mrill Ingram, director of MFAI's Wisconsin Cover Crop Data Network, an initiative that collects real-world data on cover crop performance. Since 2020, over 140 farmers in 60+ counties have participated, contributing to a growing dataset that helps improve soil health, water conservation, and farm resilience.

Assistant Policy Director Chuck Anderas had arranged the visit, and welcomed the Governor by thanking him for supporting the Producer-Led Watershed Grant program, the Transition to Grazing Bill, and the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program - three initiatives MFAI has been involved in creating, promoting and implementing. Chuck introduced Ryan Martin, MFAI Executive Director, who answered the Governor's questions about the Institute's funding sources and history. Ryan introduced Dr. Ingram, Research Director Dr. Esther Durairaj, Urban Food Systems Specialist Noemy Serrano, Research Technician Nolan Burkard, Marketing and Communications Manager Coral Weinstock, Advancement Director Kriss Marion, farmer-collaborator Jim Stute, and Research Director Nicole Tautges. Each explained their work, and then Jim and Nicole led a tour of the research fields.

“We were honored to host the Governor and share the research we’re doing alongside farmers across Wisconsin. This work makes a real difference—healthier soils, cleaner water, and more resilient communities. We’re proud to be part of that story.” -MFAI Executive Director Ryan Martin

This conversation, held in real-life on our Research Fields between staff and farmers and policymakers, is a great example of why we are launching our Raise the Roof Capital Campaign to build a Research and Education Station on this land. The facility would give us a place to store our tractors and lab equipment right next to to the crop trials, but would also allow us to park, gather, share food, host education events, welcome children and school groups for conservation experiences, and bring together the community to learn and share knowledge and vision for conservation agriculture.

HOW CAN YOU CELEBRATE EARTH WEEK IN 2025?

-Engage in the WI State Budget Process by calling your assemblyperson and senator NOW

The Budget process is long and messy in Wisconsin, but what you need to know is that NOW is the time to reach out to your representatives and let them know how much you value conservation funding. Specifically, you can ask them to support funding the Transition to Grazing Bill . Find your Wisconsin representatives HERE.

You can also attend a Joint Finance Committee Listening Session or fill out a digital comment form HERE. For help telling your story, contact Chuck Anderas: canderas@michaelfields.org

-Call your Federal Representatives and ask them to support the Honor Farmer Contracts Act and the Agriculture Resilience Act NOW

Click on the links above to learn how these acts support conservation farming and resilient food systems. Find your Federal representatives HERE.

For help telling your story, contact Margaret Krome: mkrome@michaelfields.org

-Donate to the Raise the Roof Capital Campaign

-Donate to keep MFAI programs funded in the face of deep federal cuts

-Buy Kernza from the Fields Best Small Batch Grains store and start saving soil one perennial pancake at a time!

Happy Earth Week from all of us here at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute!