The Cutting Edge Podcast

A conversation with Dr. Soon Li Teh about the new Northern Glo seedless table grape varieties from the University of Minnesota. Resources University of Minnesota Northern Glo Grape Series

An interview with Leslie Schroeder, founder of Midwest Linen Revival, and Shannon Welsh, Executive Director of the North American Linen Association and Co-founder of Fibrevolution, on the status and future of flax and linen in the United States. Resources North American Linen Association Midwest Linen Revival

Dr. Shelby Ellison, Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at UW-Madison, provides an update on the research priorities her lab is focused on related to hemp. Resources Midwest Hemp Database – High Cannabinoid Midwest Hemp Database – Grain and Fiber

An update on state and federal hemp regulations currently being debated and their potential impacts on the cannabis industry in Wisconsin and beyond. Our guests are Dr. Shelby Ellison and Rob Pero. Dr. Shelby Ellison is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at UW-Madison whose research focuses on preserving, characterizing, […]

A conversation with two experienced honeyberry growers in the Upper Midwest: George Terwey of Haskap Minnesota (Stillwater, MN) and Phil Stowe of Walking Plants Orchard (Lake Osakis, MN). Register here for the Upper Midwest Honeyberry Academy on July 1, 2025!eventreg.wisc.edu/en/5f4YRxR7/g/ex…Qr17RAz/overview Resources Haskap Minnesota Walking Plants Orchard

An update on hazelnut breeding in the Upper Midwest from breeders Emily Delorean and Scott Brainard. Resources Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative Savanna Institute

An interview with three entrepreneurs in the hemp fiber and grain processing industries. Trey Riddle is the Chief Strategy Officer of IND Hemp in Fort Benton, Montana; James Forbes is Co-Founder of Tiger Fiber in St. Louis, Missouri; and Alex Mootz is the President of Complete Agronomy Solutions in Adams, Wisconsin. Resources IND HEMP Tiger […]

Recorded at the UW Arlington Agricultural Research Station during the 2023 Hemp Field Day, this episode features Assistant Professor Shelby Ellison and her students/staff as they share preliminary results from SARE and USDA SAC-NIFA grant projects. Each speaker shares their work in about 5 minutes and then takes a few questions. In the order you […]

In this third and final episode on agrivoltaics, we dive into the agronomic research studying different types of cropping and grazing systems that may be compatible with solar arrays. We talk to Sarah Moser of Savion, a solar development company, and Eric Romich of Ohio State University about their collaboration “Between the Rows.” Then we […]

In Part II of our series on agrivoltaics, we discuss the UW-Madison Kegonsa Research Campus solar project. This project is a collaboration between UW-Madison and Alliant Energy to develop a small-scale solar and agrivoltaics project for research and education purposes on the university-owned Kegonsa Research Campus in Stoughton, WI, just south of the main campus. […]

Kicking off our series on agrivoltaics – the use of land for both agriculture and solar photovoltaic energy generation – is an interview with James McCall, Energy and Environment Analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). James gives an overview of the InSPIRE project, which explores the environmental compatibility and mutual benefits of solar […]

A conversation with Anil and Smita, co-founders of the Very Mulberry brand and Habitera Farms, an 80-acre commercial mulberry farm in the Bay Area of California. Habitera Farms is the only large-scale commercial mulberry farm in the United States today. It opened for business this spring and operates primarily as a U-Pick farm. Resources Very […]

A conversation with Eliza Greenman, fruit explorer and Germplasm Specialist at the Savanna Institute, and Scott Brainard, Tree Crop Breeder at the Savanna Institute and post-doc at UW-Madison, about the history of mulberries and current research to develop improved varieties for agroforestry systems. Resources Savanna Institute Hog Tree Farm

Amaya Atucha, Associate Professor and Fruit Crop Specialist at UW-Madison, shares the latest research on day-neutral strawberries and table grapes at UW. This episode is the audio recording of a presentation Amaya gave during a winter webinar series. To watch the video recording, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5aIcZaR9qw. Resources For more information on growing fruit in Wisconsin, visit […]

Co-hosted with Jacob Grace from the Savanna Institute, this episode features Paul Dietmann, Senior Lending Officer in the Emerging Markets Loan Program at Compeer Financial, who works with farmers marketing their products directly to consumers or in value-added agriculture. Resources Compeer Financial Savanna Institute

An interview with Eric Rygg, President of Silver Springs Foods and Huntsinger Farms, the largest grower and processor of horseradish in the world, based in Eau Claire, WI. Resources Silver Springs Foods

An interview with Ruth McCabe and Emery Davis, conservation agronomists at Heartland Co-op, an agricultural co-op based in Des Moines, Iowa with over 70 locations around Iowa. Emery also farms with his family in southeastern Iowa. Resources Heartland Co-op

An interview with three people in the vanguard of winter camelina commercialization efforts as an oilseed cash crop in the Upper Midwest. Colin Cureton is Director of Adoption and Scaling at the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative. Matthew Tentis is a 3rd generation farmer on White Barn Acres near Kellogg, Minnesota focused on raising […]

Chippewa Valley Bean Vice President Charles Wachsmuth talks about the history of the family business, current markets, and what makes them unique in the world of kidney beans. Located in Menomonie, WI, Chippewa Valley Bean is the world’s largest processor of kidney beans, exports to 35 countries worldwide, and has tripled in size over the […]

An interview with Dale Hilgenkamp and Dr. Dean Duval about current and future markets for aronia berries. Dale Hilgenkamp is an aronia farmer near Omaha, Nebraska and president of the American Aronia Berry Association (formerly the Midwest Aronia Association). Dr. Dean Duval is an aronia farmer in Castana, Iowa as well as a board member […]

An interview with Dr. Heather Darby and Phillip Alberti on the latest in hemp research. Dr. Heather Darby is an Agronomy Specialist for University of Vermont Extension. Phillip Alberti is a Research Program Manager in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Resources University of Vermont Extension Hemp Research Reports Midwestern Hemp Database […]

Forrest Funmaker of the Ho-Chunk Nation talks about the significant of their partnership with UW-Madison to conduct hemp variety trials at Whirling Thunder Farm near Tomah, Wisconsin. The partnership is made possible by a Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education (SARE) grant. Forrest Funmaker is the Agricultural Researcher and Education Manager of the Ho-Chunk Nation at […]

An interview with Dr. Jed Colquhoun about his research on the Bambara groundnut. The Bambara groundnut is a new crop to the United States but commonly grown in its native Africa as a subsistence crop. Jed shares his successes and challenges during his early work breeding this legume for Wisconsin. Dr. Jed Colquhoun is a […]

Four experts from Indiana join us for a conversation on growing peppermint and spearmint for oil. Doug Matthys is a mint farmer in South Bend, Indiana at Shady Lane Farms, a fourth-generation family farm growing mint on about 1000 acres. Dr. Elizabeth Long, Assistant Professor in the Department of Entymology at Purdue University, studies plant-insect […]

A conversation with two experts on haskaps (aka honeyberries). First up is Bernis Ingvaldson, who owns and operates The Honeyberry Farm with her husband Jim in Bagley, MN, about two hours south of the Canadian border. They grow about two acres of honeyberries along with many other alternative fruit crops. Next is a conversation with […]

Dan Bussey is an apple historian, orchardist, cider maker, and author of the seven volume series “The Illustrated History of Apples in the United States and Canada.” He has a special interest in heirloom apples and loves to get creative with his cidermaking.

An interview with Hailey Shanovich about her work understanding insect pests of hazelnuts in the Upper Midwest. Hailey is a Natural Resource Science PhD Student and Research Assistant in the Department of Entomology at the University of Minnesota. Link to Hailey’s presentation at the 2022 Upper Midwest Hazelnut Growers Conference: www.midwesthazelnuts.org/uploads/3/8/…you_nuts.pdf Resources Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development […]

In this episode we get updates from hazelnut researchers Mark Hamann and Dr. Lois Braun at the University of Minnesota and Jason Fischbach at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Mark Hamann is a Research Technician at the University of Minnesota and works as an assistant to Dr. Lois Braun. Prior to working at UMN, […]

An interview with Dr. Julie Dawson, Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture at UW-Madison, and Dr. Scott Brainard, Research Associate at UW-Madison and Tree Crop Breeder at Savanna Institute, about recent progress in breeding American and hybrid hazelnuts. Resources Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative Savanna Institute

Join Jerry Clark, UW -Madison Agriculture Extension Agent for Chippewa County, as he discusses the University of Wisconsin industrial hemp trials being conducted in Chippewa County, WI.

Join hazelnut researcher Jason Fischbach as he traverses the state of Wisconsin to visit hazelnut research trials, farms, and processing facilities. Heading south from Ashland , his first stop is the Kickapoo Culinary Center in Gays Mills where Pete Lammers describes hazelnut feeding trials in cooperation with Iowa State University. Then Paul Ronsheim, grower and […]

Join Mike Breckel an elderberry farmer from Vernon County and Dr. David Handley, Fruit Crop Specialist  from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension as they discuss production and marketing potential of elderberry.

Join Eric Canania and Mark Rassmussen from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Jerry Clark from UW-Madison Division of Extension  Chippewa County as they discuss the why and how to establish a wildlife food plot.

The Vermont saffron researchers are back for episode three, this time with a focus on saffron production in the field or high tunnel.  Listen to Margaret Skinner, Brian Leven, Jon Pylpiv, and , Arash Ghalehgolabbehbahani as they talk everything saffron.

Jason Fischbach, Agriculture Agent with Ashland and Bayfield Counties visits with Eric Wolske, PhD candidate, at the University of Illinois about growing currants and market opportunities.

Jason Fischbach, Agriculture Agent in Ashland and Bayfield Counties and Jerry Clark, Agriculture Agent in Chippewa County discuss carbon farming and everything carbon with Tim Baye, Professor of Business Development and State Energy specialist with the Division of Extension UW-Madison.

Alana Voss, Agriculture Agent with Juneau and Sauk Counties and Carl Duley, Agriculture Agent in Buffalo County discuss wild rice with Jason Fleener, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Wildlife Management and  and Chris Johansen, District Wildlife Supervisor for the Wisconsin DNR.

Jason Fischbach, Agriculture Agent in Ashland and Bayfield Counties and Linda Grimo from Ontario, Canada discuss hazelnut breeding and her nursery’s long history working with hazelnuts.

Jon Pylypiv, Margaret Skinner, and Arash Ghalehgolabbehbahani are back by popular demand! This time, they are joined by Parker Shorey, owner of LemonFair Saffron Co., in Vermont. Parker shares his experience buying saffron from his grower partners, dyring it, and selling to customers. Hosted by Jerry Clark and Evan Henthorne.

Tiffany Cade of Deep Rooted Organics in Westby, WI and Heidi Hensel-Buntrock of Willow Creek Farm and gardens in Wautoma, WI join hosts Ashley Olson and Alana Lynn Voss to discuss growing and marketing fresh cut flowers.

Lady J (Kehaulani Jones) of Rowley Creek Lavender joins hosts George Koepp and Alana Lynn Voss to discuss growing and marketing lavender in Wisconsin.

Hosts Jerry Clark and Evan Henthorne interview Jon Pylypiv, a saffron grower at Bread Basket Farm in Hortonville, WI and Margaret Skinner and Arash Ghalehgolabbehbahani, researchers at the University of Vermont North American Center for Saffron Research and Development.

Roger Smith of Prairie Grove Chestnut Growers joins host Jason Fischbach to discuss chestnut processing and marketing. Prairie Grove is a processing and marketing company with more than 60 chestnut growers in the Midwest.

Tom Wahl of Red Fern Farm joins co-hosts Jason Fischbach and Jerry Clark to discuss chestnut production.

Hosts Jerry Clark and Jason Fischbach discuss chestnut breeding with Dr. Ron Revord and Dr. Greg Miller. After years of producer-led recurrent selection, chestnut production in the Midwest is coming into its own. A new program from the Center of Agroforesty seeks to build on that success and ramp up chestnut breeding and production.

Hosts Jason Fischbach and Ashley Olson discuss winter production of spinach in high tunnels with Chris Duke of Great Oak Farm and Bill Warner of Snug Haven Farm. Have a high tunnel greenhouse that sits empty all winter? Tune in and learn about the winter spinach option.

Host Jason Fischbach is on site with UW-Madison researchers Dave Bohnhoff and Scott Sanford testing mechanical harvesters on hedgerows of hybrid hazelnut shrubs. Is mechanical harvest of hazelnuts possible? Listen in.

Hosts Jason Fischbach and Carl Duley interview Chris Patton of the Midwest Elderberry Cooperative and Natasha Simeon of Regeneration Acres about elderberries. The interview covers production, products, marketing, and information about the elderberry cooperative.

Hosts Ashley Olson and Jerry Clark interview Dr. Shelby Ellison about ongoing work to commercialize industrial hemp for CBD in Wisconsin.

UW-Madison Extension Agriculture Agent and UMHDI hazelnut researcher walks around his hazelnut field (in a storm) in late-July and provides information on doing yield ratings, getting ready for harvest, scouting for wildlife, and (ouch!) bald-faced hornets.

Hosts Carl Duley and Jerry Clark interview Dr. Pat Hayes, Post-doc Brigid Meints, and Dr. Lucia Gutierrez about a nationwide effort to develop naked (hulless) barley into a food crop.

Hosts Joe Zimbric and Jerry Clark interview Iowa State’s Tim Youngquist and Omar de Kok-Mercado about Prairie STRIPS (Science-Based Trials of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips).  Prairie STRIPS are strategically placed native prairie plantings designed to intercept stormwater, build soil, and provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife in row-crop fields.

Hosts Carl Duley and Jerry Clark interview Dr. Pat Hayes and his malting barley crew at Oregon State University about breeding and growing malting barley for terroir-based flavor.

Hosts Carl Duley and Jason Fischbach interview guests Colin Cureton, Supply Chain Development Specialist with the University of Minnesota Forever Green Initiative and Valentin Picasso, UW-Madison Assistant Professor of Forage and Grazing. The interview covers efforts to develop intermediate wheatgrass into a crop for the Upper Midwest.

Hosts Carl Duley and George Koepp interview Peggy and Randy Urness of Fine Bine Farms.  Peggy and Randy discuss how they grow, harvest, process, and sell hops in Wisconsin.

Hosts Jerry Clark and Ashley Olson discuss hazelnuts in the Upper Midwest with guests Jason Fischbach, UW-Extension Agriculture Agent, and Lois Braun, Research Scientist with University of Minnesota.  Lois and Jason have coordinated the Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative since 2007.

Hosts Jerry Clark and Carl Duley discuss industrial hemp with guest Dr. Heather Darby, Extension Agronomy Specialist with the University of Vermont.