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 quick note - the Eau Claire County Beaches are now all open, so let the water skiing and other activities begin. Bacteria levels have finally dropped to acceptable levels. And the road buckling on Highway 53 is now fixed, so it's all clear on the roads as well. On the other hand there is the weather to deal with, as the weather bureau has placed the area under an enhanced risk for severe weather tonight. Take it from my friend Rosanne Rosannadanna, it's alway something.
It's summer in the Chippewa Valley, which can only mean one thing - Music Festivals. There will be no Eaux Claires this summer, but that won't mean there's any shortage of music. Two are coming up in the next few weeks, and they're some of my personal favorites.
The Blue Ox Music Festival runs June 13-15, bringing you some of the best in Bluegrass and related genres. This year's lineup includes Pert Near Sandstone, Trampled by Turtles, The Del McCoury Band, and a whole lot more.
We have made some changes to commenting policy on the site. In the past no comments could be made on the site unless you have previously created an account with us and signed in. For at least the time being, comments can be made by people without accounts, but they will be held for moderation until an editor approves them. We hope this will promote a lively discussion in the community without allowing a free-for-all of spam and other problems.
For the second year, Menomonie Market Food Co-op has awarded grants to local farmers to promote the growth of regional farming, food processing, and product development in the Chippewa Valley.
90% of the farms in the US are classified as small according to the USDA. Although an increasing amount of our food comes from large agricultural concerns, small farms help to maintain our rural economies, steward our resources and are incubators for new agricultural opportunities.
The city of Eau Claire has issued a warning about potential flooding in the city. At 5 AM today the Chippewa River gauge at Grand Avenue read 770.6 feet, approximately three feet below the flood stage reading.
The current crest projection is 771.7 feet for Tuesday, May 21. Some of the Chippewa River Trail will be below water at that point.
As a safety precaution, the following areas are closed:
The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000, thanks to a sustained public health effort built around near universal use of a safe and effective vaccine. But less than two decades later, measles is back, and at a level not seen for a quarter-century, meaning a generation of healthcare workers have little experience with the disease.
A stubborn slump in milk prices is hammering Wisconsin's dairy industry. In 2015, prices plummeted, and have yet to recover. In 2018, the state lost dairy herds at a record-breaking pace, and led the nation in farm bankruptcies.
