We are very sorry to hear that local organic dairy pioneer Castle Rock Organic Dairy is closing down. Castle Rock was one of the first dairies in the area to ship organic milk in returnable glass bottles and has since expanded to produce ice cream, eggs, and butter.

For centuries, gardeners have depended on tradition and long-honed folk knowledge to inform their spring planting decisions. Although many American gardeners may still prefer to sow their seeds guided by the advice of their forebears today they have another source of information.

A maelstrom of economic and demographic forces are hammering Wisconsin's dairy farmers. But what's causing such exceptional distress in one of the state's iconic industries? Here are six charts — and a map — that can help make sense of these complex trends.

During the Heartland Forum in Storm Lake Iowa several of the presidential candidates took part in informal press gaggles during the event.  These are interesting events, with a large number of TV and Radio reporters fighting for room near the interviewee. As is obvious from the video, I did not always win that battle, but bear with that. There are two interviews, one with Julian Castro and one with Amy Klobuchar.