Cutting Edge Podcast: Recent Episodes
Cutting Edge
Phil Stowe of Walking Plants Orchard in Lake Osakis, MN, reflects on the 2026 honeyberry season.
An interview with Anna Teeter, Novel Oilseed Program Manager at Cargill, and Sam Bibby, Will Fulwider, and Anastasia Kurth from UW-Madison Extension.
Reflections on the 2026 honeyberry season with Brett Amundson, Farm Manager of Farm Lola in Wrenshall, Minnesota.
A conversation with Margaret Skinner, Research Professor and Extension Entomologist, and Richard Bamford, Research Scientist, at the University of Vermont about growing and marketing saffron.
An update from Randy Urness of Fine Bine Farms about what he's seeing in his hop yard right now and doing for management.
The first in a series of episodes on honeyberry production. Steffen Mirsky, UW Extension's Emerging Crops Outreach Program Coordinator, talks through the bird netting strategy at the UW cultivar trials.A video showing bird netting installation at the West Madison Ag Research Station:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eBaLESobdASupply list:- 6 foot t-posts- T-post brackets- 1 x 4 inch common board- 3/4 inch panhead screws (for screwing t-post brackets to vertical sections of cross bars)- 1 1/4 inch exterior wood screws (for screwing together vertical and horizontal cross bar sections)- 14 inch heavy duty zip ties- Sisal twine- 1 inch diameter polyethylene tubing- Tubing couplers- Tubing end caps- C-grip netting clips
The first in a series of episodes on hops production with Randy Urness of Fine Bine Farms, a 5 acre hop yard near Rosholt, Wisconsin.
A conversation with Dr. Soon Li Teh about the new Northern Glo seedless table grape varieties from the University of Minnesota.
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.North American Linen Association: https://northamericanlinen.org/Midwest Linen Revival: https://www.wisconsinlinenrevival.org/
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.
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, and utilizing genetic diversity in hemp and other alternative crops.Rob Pero is an entrepreneur, visionary creative director, and advocate dedicated to creating economic opportunities for Indigenous communities. He is founder of multiple organizations and businesses, including Perodigm, Indigenous Business Group, Canndigenous, Ripley Green Apothecary, and the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association.
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). Haskap Minnesota: https://www.facebook.com/people/Haskap-Minnesota/100082913367876/Walking Plants Orchard: https://www.walkingplantsorchard.com/Register here for the Upper Midwest Honeyberry Academy on July 1, 2025!https://eventreg.wisc.edu/en/5f4YRxR7/g/extension/upper-midwest-honeyberry-academy-5a2TQr17RAz/overview
An update on hazelnut breeding in the Upper Midwest from breeders Emily Delorean and Scott Brainard
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.IND Hemp: https://indhemp.com/Tiger Fiber: https://tigerfiberhemp.com/Complete Agronomy Solutions: https://www.completeagsolutions.com/
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 hear them, the speakers and their topics are:Shelby Ellison - Grain/fiber trialsCheyanne Mattie - Midwest hemp pest surveyPhillip Alberti - High cannabinoid hemp variety trialSean Kim - Anthocyanin productionAdemola Aina - Feral hemp collectionGrace Connolly - Companion croppingDan Heider (Research Program Coordinator) - IR4 programShelby Ellison lab: https://alternativecrops.horticulture.wisc.edu/Emerging Crops hemp webpage: https://cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu/hemp/
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 talk to Brad Heins, Associate Professor of Dairy Management at the University of Minnesota, to get the latest information on grazing cattle underneath solar panels.
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. Joining us are Josh Arnold, Campus Energy Advisor with the UW Office of Sustainability, and Amanda Thomas, Engineer and Project Manager at Alliant Energy.
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 development with agriculture and native landscapes. The InSPIRE project is funded by the US Department of Energy and managed by NREL. For more information on the program, check out https://openei.org/wiki/InSPIRE
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.
For pictures of the farm and the Himalayan Purple Mulberry, visit: https://cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu/programs/the-cutting-edge-podcast/
Very Mulberry: https://verymulberry.com/about/
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.
https://www.savannainstitute.org/
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.For more information on growing fruit in Wisconsin, visit https://fruit.wisc.edu/More information and resources on day-neutral strawberries and table grapes can be found at www.emergingcropswi.org
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.Compeer Financial: https://www.compeer.com/specialists/emerging-markets-industry-expertsSavanna Institute: https://www.savannainstitute.org/perennialaf/
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.
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.https://www.heartlandcoop.com/
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 cattle and regenerative agriculture.David Kiesner is Director of Business Development at Millborn Seeds, a specialty seed company dealing with over 1200 unique species of seed, located in Brookings, South Dakota.https://forevergreen.umn.edu/https://www.driftlessgrown.com/members/white-barn-acreshttps://www.millbornseeds.com/
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.Chippewa Valley Bean, located in Menomonie, WI, is the world's largest processor of kidney beans, exports to 35 countries worldwide, and has tripled in size over the last 12 years. They are two-time winners of the Governor's Export Achievement Award.Chippewa Valley Bean: https://www.cvbean.com/
An interview with Dale Hilgenkamp and 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. Dean Duval is an aronia farmer in Castana, Iowa as well as a board member of the association with a focus on research and development.American Aronia Berry Association: https://americanaronia.org/
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.
Ho-Chunk Nation website: https://ho-chunknation.com/
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 https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/research
Midwestern Hemp Database https://extension.illinois.edu/hemp/midwestern-hemp-databases
Ellison Lab, UW-Madison https://alternativecrops.horticulture.wisc.edu/
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 Professor in the Department of Horticulture and IPM Program Director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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 interactions to inform IPM strategies in specialty crops, with a focus on the Asiatic garden beetle grub in mint fields.
Petrus Langenhoven is a Horticulture and Hydroponic Crop Specialist at Purdue University working on the management of verticillium wilt in mint.
Dr. Stephen Meyers, Assistant Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue University, conducts research on weed management strategies in mint.
Links: https://ag.purdue.edu/department/arge/industry/mint/mint-growers.html
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 Dr. Bob Bors, Assistant Professor of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan and North America's premier haskap breeder. Bob has been breeding haskaps for over 20 years, with a focus on mechanical harvesting, and has released 10 varieties in that time.
The Honeyberry Farm website and online nursery: http://honeyberryusa.com/index.html
University of Saskatchewan Fruit Program https://research-groups.usask.ca/fruit/?utm_source=fruit&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=2019-02-28
An interview with Dan Bussey and Deirdre Birmingham about cider apples and hard cidermaking.
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.
Deirdre Birmingham and her husband own and operate The Cider Farm, an organic cidery in Mineral Point, WI. Together, they craft fine ciders and apple brandy from true cider apples grown on their farm.
Links: www.theciderfarm.com/ www.jakkawpress.com/book/the-illust…ates-and-canada
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: https://www.midwesthazelnuts.org/uploads/3/8/3/5/38359971/umhdi_2022_bugs_driving_you_nuts.pdf
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, he worked at Badgersett Research Farm in Canton, MN.
Dr. Lois Braun is a Research Scientist in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota and works on hazelnut breeding, agronomics and propagation. She is also co-leader of the Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative.
Jason Fischbach is an Outreach Specialist with UW-Madison Extension who focuses primarily on hazelnut research and commercialization efforts and co-leads the Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative.
Links: https://www.midwesthazelnuts.org/
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.
A day in the life of hazelnut researcher, Jason Fischbach, as he traverses the state of Wisconsin working on and thinking about hazelnuts.
A conversation with Jerry Clark about the University of Wisconsin industrial hemp trials being conducted in Chippewa County, WI.
A conversation about establishing wildlife food plots on your property using both conventional crops and native plants.
The Vermont saffron researchers are back for episode three, this time with a focus on saffron production in the field or high tunnel.
A conversation with Eric Wolske with the University of Illinois about black, red, and white currant production.
A conversation with UW-Madison Energy Specialist Tim Baye about ways farms can participate in the carbon economy.
A discussion about harvesting and care for natural wild rice with guests from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
A conversation with Linda Grimo from Grimo Nut Nursery in Niagra-on-the-Lake, Ontario about hazelnut germplasm they sell.
A conversation about production and sale of cut flowers for CSA, farmstands, and weddings.
An interview with University of Vermont researchers about growing saffron in the northern United States
A conversation about chestnut processing and marketing with Roger Smith of Prairie Grove Chestnut Growers
An interview of Ron Revord and Greg Miller about breeding chestnuts for the Midwest USA
Hosts Jason Fischbach and Ashley Olson interview Chris Duke of Great Oak Farm and Bill Warner of Snug Haven Farm about production and sale of spinach in high tunnel greenhouses during the winter months in Wisconsin.
On site in southern Wisconsin testing olive and blueberry harvesters in hedgerows of hybrid hazelnuts.
An interview with Chris Patton and Natasha Simeon about elderberries in the Upper Midwest.
A discussion on efforts to establish hulless (aka naked) barley as a new food crop for WI (and the USA)
Field notes from Jason Fischbach on doing yield ratings, harvest timing, and wildlife scouting
A conversation with the Oregon State malting barley team about the emerging field of terroir-based barley production
An interview with Colin Cureton and Valentin Picasso about Kernza, a new perennial grain.