Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

Wisconsin pig farmer holds on at Wonderfarm as Washington breaks a promise

Jess D’Souza had hoped to finally turn a profit this year, aided by a federal program to bolster local food systems. The Trump administration canceled the program, upending her plans.

By Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

/ 7 Jul 2025

Wisconsin pig farmer holds on at Wonderfarm as Washington breaks a promise

Wisconsin town of Eureka sued over large farm regulations

The state’s biggest business lobby helps two residents challenge a Polk County town’s restrictions on livestock feeding operations.

By Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

/ 9 Aug 2024

Wisconsin town of Eureka sued over large farm regulations

Could the Mississippi River benefit from Chesapeake Bay’s strategy to improve water quality?

Sluggish progress on reducing nutrient runoff into the Bay marks an inconvenient truth, but offers lessons for others seeking to clean their watersheds.

By Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

/ 19 Jun 2024

Could the Mississippi River benefit from Chesapeake Bay’s strategy to improve water quality?

Midwest maple syrup producers adapt to record-warm winter, uncertainty in face of changing climate

This year’s record-warm winter caused sap in some places to flow early, bringing challenges for syrup producers.

By Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

/ 1 Apr 2024

Midwest maple syrup producers adapt to record-warm winter, uncertainty in face of changing climate

How AI and satellites can detect illegal manure spreading

Imagery collected by inexpensive satellites is ushering in an era of real-time monitoring of manure-spreading practices at big farms -- including illegal winter applications that can cause harmful runoff. Some advocates want Wisconsin regulators to utilize the technology.

By Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

/ 7 Mar 2024

How AI and satellites can detect illegal manure spreading

The watchdogs: After Wisconsin landowners discover plans to spread pig manure without consent, critics call for stronger oversight

State leans on citizens to scrutinize big farms’ manure plans. Opponents fear serious environmental harm.

By Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

/ 13 Dec 2023

The watchdogs: After Wisconsin landowners discover plans to spread pig manure without consent, critics call for stronger oversight

The businessman: Pig farm developer gains little trust in Wisconsin town. He doesn’t particularly care.

Critics accuse a developer of disregarding local concerns in his push to construct the state's largest pig farm. He calls himself the victim of 'selfish' residents.

By Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

/ 12 Dec 2023

The businessman: Pig farm developer gains little trust in Wisconsin town. He doesn’t particularly care.

The chairman: How a plan to develop Wisconsin’s largest pig farm upended a small town’s politics

A proposal for a $20 million concentrated animal feeding operation sowed distrust in Trade Lake as opponents accused the town’s chairman of backroom dealings to facilitate construction.

By Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

/ 11 Dec 2023

The chairman: How a plan to develop Wisconsin’s largest pig farm upended a small town’s politics

Threat to sue town in Wisconsin over large farm regulations revives local control fight

Two northwest Wisconsin residents are threatening to sue their town unless elected officials repeal rules governing the operation of large livestock farms.

By Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

/ 31 Oct 2023

Threat to sue town in Wisconsin over large farm regulations revives local control fight

Wisconsin towns brace for next fight on local control over large farms

A proposed pig concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) spurred five northwest Wisconsin towns to regulate big farms — triggering heated debate. A lawsuit against one of those towns was dropped after it rescinded its ordinance.

By Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

/ 12 Jul 2023

Wisconsin towns brace for next fight on local control over large farms

Midwest drought: Corn and soybeans suffer as forecasters expect no quick relief for farmers

Arid conditions are expected to persist in eastern Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. River barges are affected, too.

By Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

/ 26 Jun 2023

Midwest drought: Corn and soybeans suffer as forecasters expect no quick relief for farmers

Midwest river towns looking for answers after forever chemicals found in water

Earlier in November, the EPA announced that PFAS contamination from the 3M factory has created “an imminent and substantial endangerment” of public and private drinking water supplies.

By Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch and Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco, Harvest Public Media

/ 22 Nov 2022

Bennet Goldstein, Wisconsin Watch

Wisconsin pig farmer holds on at Wonderfarm as Washington breaks a promise

Wisconsin town of Eureka sued over large farm regulations

Could the Mississippi River benefit from Chesapeake Bay’s strategy to improve water quality?

Midwest maple syrup producers adapt to record-warm winter, uncertainty in face of changing climate

How AI and satellites can detect illegal manure spreading

The watchdogs: After Wisconsin landowners discover plans to spread pig manure without consent, critics call for stronger oversight

The businessman: Pig farm developer gains little trust in Wisconsin town. He doesn’t particularly care.

The chairman: How a plan to develop Wisconsin’s largest pig farm upended a small town’s politics

Threat to sue town in Wisconsin over large farm regulations revives local control fight

Wisconsin towns brace for next fight on local control over large farms

Midwest drought: Corn and soybeans suffer as forecasters expect no quick relief for farmers

Midwest river towns looking for answers after forever chemicals found in water

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