Welcome, everybody, to Midday Magazine for this Thursday, January 30th, 2025.
Have your host, James J. Mailov here.
At 430, we're going to welcome in our friend, Allison John Jack Cranberry,
outreach specialist with UW-Madison Extension.
Right now, with us on the phone line, 77th, Allison Darryland.
Haley Heinsel joining us right now. Haley, how you been?
I've been wonderful. Thank you so much for having me today.
It's always good to have you with us,
whether it's in studio or on the phone.
We love catching up with you and hearing how things are going.
We've got a bunch of great topics today.
Got an interesting one we're going to get into, too.
But before we dive into any of that,
how have you been? How are things going?
I understand you've been doing some major traveling.
Absolutely. It has been going really wonderful.
I'm just over six months to the Allison Darryland.
That's over 20,000 miles by car so far,
traveling across the state of Wisconsin and into the Midwest.
But I did just get back from some very big travels overseas.
Actually, I was traveling to Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam,
representing all of Wisconsin agriculture
with a special focus on Wisconsin ginseng products.
Haley, what were some of the things that stood out to you about your trip?
What was really interesting is Singapore and especially Malaysia
were much newer markets for Wisconsin ginseng.
So for anyone unfamiliar,
the ginseng board of Wisconsin handles a lot of the marketing
of Wisconsin ginseng products.
Ginseng is Wisconsin's state herb.
We produce 98% of the cultivated ginseng in the United States
with 85% of that about being sent over to Southeast Asia
for consumption.
The ginseng board of Wisconsin markets
Wisconsin ginseng, but they don't actually sell it.
So they work on behalf of ginseng growers
helping to sell those ginseng products
and opening up new markets for those growers
rather than actually selling the product directly.
So we were doing kind of a trade mission of sorts
while we were over there.
Malaysia is actually brand new.
The ginseng board of Wisconsin had never been there before.
So we spent a lot of time getting to know the culture much better,
how they enjoy using Wisconsin ginseng products,
and some of those new markets that we can introduce ginseng into.
A lot of ginseng over in Southeast Asia
is used for traditional Chinese medicine.
And so we visited a lot of Chinese medicine markets
and got to see how ginseng is being sold currently.
Right now in Malaysia, they have a lot of Canadian,
Korean and Chinese ginseng.
So we're really excited to be introducing Wisconsin ginseng
into those markets.
It's fascinating, really interesting to hear.
And I don't think a lot of us knew that about Malaysia
that they're new to this and everything.
So there's an open market that we can tap into
as well.
And certainly Cranberries hit close to home for us here in Wisconsin
as Haley noted, they're 98%.
That's such a great number to hear again.
And here locally, even more local in Rapids,
I like to consider ourselves kings and queens
of Cranberries around here.
So you're really hitting some of the hits for us with this Haley.
We appreciate that.
And I got to ask real quick,
because I know that when you sign up to try to be Alice,
we're going to talk more about Alice applications
a little bit later.
You know that travel is a part of it.
Did you know that you'd be going outside of the states here
and traveling across the country?
When I was initially selected as Alice in Dairyland,
I always kind of knew it was something that was maybe possible.
But if never ever set in stone,
every year as Alice is something different.
So just because Ashley went to China,
doesn't mean that I was guaranteed a trip outside of the country.
I found out in mid fall that it was something
that was possibly going to happen,
pending lots of different approvals from different groups.
And so it was really exciting to get to do that in January.
Really the opportunity of a lifetime.
I do certainly hope to get to travel back to those countries
at some point in my life again and really experience them.
But there's only going to be one time in my whole life.
I'll ever get to travel to Asia with a tiara on.
That's a great point.
That's a really good point.
I'm happy for you and I'm happy for not just that,
but certainly there are ag industry
and being able to really make a good impression
with the whole new market.
That only leads to a better economy and a better
for our whole state, especially our ag industry.
That's very cool.
Nice work, Hayley.
Nice work to you and everybody that traveled over there.
Hayley, we're about to dive into a topic
that journalistically I have to mention.
I have come out on the air many times and mentioned.
I am not a potato guy.
I love french fries.
I like potato chips.
But something about potatoes and mashed potatoes,
it's just never really been my thing
and I've never really gotten too into them.
But in recent years, I've tried to be more of an adult
and eat more foods and try different things.
And between you and I, Hayley,
I don't mind potatoes that much anymore.
Like it turns out they're quite a bit of fun.
They're a lot of, they're really good
and there's so many different things you can do with them.
So we'll dive right into this one, Wisconsin potatoes.
And let's touch on this topic.
Yes, and it's really good that potatoes
are starting to grow on you.
Wisconsin is third in the nation for potato production.
They really lend to the diversity
of our agriculture industry that $116.3 billion.
And potatoes are playing a key role in that.
We may be third in the nation,
but we are first east of the Mississippi,
meaning that Wisconsin really dominates eastern markets.
We don't have to fight with Washington and Idaho
quite as much over here on the eastern half
of the United States.
And what I really love about potatoes
is not only do they lend to the diversity of agriculture,
there's a diverse way to use them.
Like you said, you can have them fried, mashed,
boiled, baked, stewed, and so many more ways.
And french fries and potato chips and tater tots
are absolutely great ways to enjoy Wisconsin potatoes.
No matter how you like to consume them,
you're still helping to support those Wisconsin potato growers
and Wisconsin farmers.
You hear that, mom?
See, Hayley, say, Ellison Darryl had set up still not that.
It's a great note there, Taylor.
We do appreciate that.
Now, this time of year, we are enjoying time together
and supporting our favorite sports teams.
Since Wisconsin potatoes make the perfect addition
to our celebrations, got the Super Bowl right around the corner,
can you tell us what is so special about the versatile vegetable?
Potatoes really are the perfect addition
to any indoor tailgate party this time of year
as an appetizer or as a main dish on their own.
Wisconsin farmers, we grow about six different varieties
of potatoes, russet, round white, round red, yellow,
flash, blue and purple potatoes, providing consumers
really diverse choices for all potato needs,
even when shopping local.
And not all potatoes are created equal.
Some are better for some things than others.
Like not every potato is going to make the best mashed potato.
You can find more information about that on eatwisconsinpotatoes.com.
They have a great chart on there telling you which potatoes
are for which type of baked good.
Wisconsin is the third largest potato producing state
in the nation.
And potatoes are very low in calories, high in fiber,
a great source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
My favorite fun fact about potatoes
is that they actually have more potassium than a banana.
Banana's a very good marketing team.
I'm hoping to change that.
They are a great source of potassium.
And they also help to power athletic performance.
So when you're using Wisconsin potatoes,
you're getting great nutritional benefits,
and also supporting local Wisconsin economy.
All really strong points.
And a wonderful, I love rare random facts.
Haley, that was awesome.
I didn't, I don't think I've ever heard that before
that they have more potassium.
I'm with you on this one.
I'm going to help promote that too.
I'm right by the idea on that one.
That's awesome.
It's very interesting.
And really good notes there about how different types
of potatoes, how they can benefit us in different ways.
I think a lot of people, I know for a fact,
a lot of people enjoy potatoes and everything.
But I don't know that we think that much
about the health benefits and the wide variety
of those very often.
I appreciate you breaking that down.
Yeah, and I really love that potatoes
are kind of a blank canvas when it comes to cooking as well.
Not only are you getting all those great
nutritional benefits, there's just so many different ways
you can enjoy them.
And one of my favorite pairings for Wisconsin potatoes
is of course, Wisconsin dairy products.
If we're thinking mashed potatoes or baked potatoes, sour cream,
cheddar cheese, there's so many ways
to really incorporate Wisconsin dairy
into our potato enjoyment.
And I have a really great recipe for those of us
who maybe don't enjoy potatoes as much,
but still use Wisconsin potatoes and Wisconsin dairy products.
I was in high schools last month talking about potatoes
and I did a Wisconsin potato and chocolate chip cookie
recipe.
Of course, use a Wisconsin butter.
You make chocolate chip cookies almost exactly the same way
you would make them any other time.
The flour, the butter, all that.
You're going to add into the base a half a cup
of instant mashed potatoes.
You're not going to be able to taste them.
And you're almost really not even going
to be able to tell the texture difference,
but after you bake them, they're going
to be much more tender, a soft, chewy cookie.
And if you're not the best baker in the world,
kind of like me, and you over bake the cookies on accident,
it's going to lead to a nice soft cookie.
They're very hard to over bake.
So you end up crisp on the outside, tender on the inside,
and then right before you throw those in the oven
when you mix in your chocolate chip,
you're also going to mix in a half a cup
of ruffle potato chips.
And so it's kind of like those anything
but the kitchen sink cookies, a little fleet,
a little salty, a great way to use a Wisconsin potato.
Hey, you may not know this about me.
I am a cookie kind of sore.
I am one of the go-to for information on cookies.
I have not heard of this one.
I have to try that.
That sounds amazing.
That sounds like a really good one.
And as long as we've got you going with the recipes
and everything, what is another fun recipe
you're using with Wisconsin potatoes?
This one's a little more savory,
but it's going to be a hit
if you have a big game party coming up next weekend.
A recipe I'm excited to share
is cheesy chili stuffed baby red potato bites.
They are a hardy and delicious way
to use Wisconsin potatoes.
You boil the baby red potatoes
and then you cut off the top and the bottom.
So they sit nice in the baking dish.
You scoop a little bit of potato out.
You can save that for other recipes.
Turn it into mashed potatoes.
It's really up to you.
Then you mix together chili and cream cheese.
You can make your own chili or you can buy it at the store.
Fill the potatoes with that mixture.
Top with shredded Wisconsin cheese.
I like cheddar personally.
And then you bake until the cheese is melty.
The really cool thing about this
is you can prep these ahead of time.
So you can fill them with that chili mixture.
Stick them in the fridge.
And then the day of the big game,
pull them out, tap with cheese and bake.
So they're ready to go.
They're the perfectly crisp potato, gooey cheese
and flavorful chili all combined
to make a great appetizer or a main dish.
Hey, you really knocked it out with this one.
That is, I mean, it's got a little bit of everything in it.
Absolutely.
That sounds good.
And want to remind everybody that these recipes
and these things that we're talking about,
you can find more at alessandaryland.com.
That's alessandaryland.com.
Be sure to follow them on social media.
We'll give you more of that information before we wrap up
as we are speaking with our good friend,
Haley Heinsel, 77th Alessandaryland.
And Haley, where can you go to find more information
about Wisconsin potatoes or unique recipes
like we've been talking about here?
If you're interested in learning more about Wisconsin potatoes
and ways to use them in recipes,
you can visit eatwisconsinpotatos.com.
And I've heard some people are a super cheering for the teams
that are playing next weekend.
But I like to say, if you can't root for the packers,
you can root for Wisconsin agriculture
and consume Wisconsin potatoes on that big dick.
It's a one way of still supporting your state
and really your state team, agriculture.
That's a big one right there.
Those are great notes by you.
As far as we got a little time here, Haley,
if you don't mind, I like to get some additional information
and about this subject.
So I find it really interesting
and I know the audience does too.
And we don't get the chance to talk to you as much as we'd like to.
So let's go ahead and dive into nutrition and health
of Wisconsin potatoes.
We touch on this a little bit
but just hitting these notes a little bit more.
Potatoes are great tasting and they're also great for you.
They are free of fat, gluten, cholesterol and sodium.
They can be used as a great substitute for rice
and pasta as a gluten-free option
for those of us who are a little more gluten-sensitive.
They are full of vitamins and minerals.
They have complex carbohydrates.
They're only 110 calories per serving.
So if you're being calorie conscious,
potatoes are also a good option.
They're the incredibly versatile vegetable.
One of America's favorite vegetables, I think,
just because of all of the different ways that you can use them.
And they provide the most nutrients
per penny of all vegetables.
They're incredibly affordable.
It's so easy to go to the store
and just pick up a bag of potatoes to take home.
And it's always okay if you're at the grocery store
and you're watching really support Wisconsin potatoes
but all your seeing are Idaho potatoes.
Go talk to your grocery clerk.
They are happy to point you in the right direction.
Something that's also really great
about Wisconsin potatoes is that the Wisconsin potato growers
has a healthy grown program.
Meaning that our potato farmers
are really taking care of the environment, right?
Those potatoes have to grow in the soil
and the potatoes want healthy soil just as much as we do.
And so potatoes that are part of the healthy grown program,
you know are being grown
with the best environmental practices in mind.
I appreciate you bringing that up so much.
It feels like we don't talk nearly enough
about our ag industry and how much they're working
to have a healthier, better planet,
how much attention they pay to this topic.
And that's a really interesting note about this.
Along with just the complexity of potatoes
and how much they offer,
I would think that even people
that have been eating them their whole lives
and certainly have enjoyed potatoes,
they're learning some stuff with this.
Do you have any other Wisconsin
like our potato statistics for us?
On average, Wisconsin produces about 63,000 acres
of potatoes annually.
That's a lot of spuds.
And our potato farms are multi-generational family farms.
So just like our dairy farmers working on,
you know, grandparents with grandkids
together on the same farm,
our potato farmers are exactly the same way.
Another really cool potato fun fact,
potatoes were actually the first vegetables
to be grown in space.
And not only that,
those potatoes came from Wisconsin,
from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
They have a great potato research program there.
That's fascinating.
I didn't know that.
I knew that they were grown in space,
they were the first from grown in space.
I didn't know they came from Wisconsin.
How cool is that?
Yes, I get asked a lot by kids
in the fourth grade classrooms
if we grew them out in zero gravity with no oxygen,
but that is not quite the case.
They were grown on the International Space Station
and they did quite well.
But yes, Madison's very invested
in the future of agriculture in Wisconsin.
And potatoes are a big part of that.
And nobody produces more on this side of the Mississippi.
Nope, no one produces more than us.
When you look at the top 10 producers of potatoes
in the United States,
each of the Mississippi,
like you have to go down several more states
before you'll find another state that produces
a lot of potatoes.
And as I was touching on this before,
I did want to hit on this one more time.
How are farmers are stewards of the land?
Yes, no matter what are farmers are growing,
whether they're raising dairy cattle
or growing potatoes,
our farmers care a whole lot about the environment.
They are using practices that are developed
by our universities that are doing what's best now
and they're always looking for what's best in the future.
Whether that's rotational grazing or growing of crops,
they are doing what's best for our soil,
best for our water, best for our animals,
and best for all of us when they are growing those crops.
By local support, local that includes our ag industry
and certainly includes our potatoes,
enjoy them, everybody, whether it's for the big game
or just your dinners coming up here this week
or anything.
You've got a lot of great options, thanks to Haley.
And Haley, we were really enjoying talking
with you, getting to know you and everything,
but it does feel like as quickly as we get to know
our else in Darryland,
you guys have to move on and go to the next big thing
in your lives and we appreciate the time
to be able to put into these.
We are already looking at who might be the 78th Alice
as we have applications open and just a limited time
to be able to fill those out.
Yes, it is really exciting.
I'm already six months done with my term as Alice.
That means that I only have six more months to go.
I'll be wrapping up in early July.
But that does mean we are looking for 78th Alice right now.
If you want to apply to the Alice in Darryland,
get those applications in.
They close tomorrow at 4.30 p.m.
Tomorrow, January 31st at 4.30 p.m.
You can head to the Alice in Darryland website.
There's an application on there.
And you'll email that to debtcapaliceatwisconsin.gov.
All you need is to be a woman over the age of 21 years.
You want to have at least three years of experience
in communications, education, agriculture.
And I always say you want to have a passion for what you do.
It's really hard to be Alice.
If you don't really love Wisconsin agriculture.
Yeah.
And those are great notes, Haley.
I appreciate that.
I just like to piggyback on it a little bit.
I believe that you're my fourth or my fifth Alice
that I've been able to interview.
And when I first started asking this question, this would come up.
I was curious about the type of people
that would be really good suited for this.
You touched on it a little bit there.
One thing that I've come to learn is,
if you hit those qualifiers that Haley just mentioned there,
all are welcome.
People from all kinds of different walks of life
have been really excelled at Ellison, Darrylana,
being the Ellison, Darrylana.
Absolutely.
During my year as Alice, I was the only type candidate
who didn't come from a farm or wasn't raised
with a farm background.
And that's AOK.
I still became Alice.
But our Alice has come from dairy farms, from beef farms,
from vegetable farms, or from no farm at all.
Alice really can come from anywhere.
And some people who run for Alice
have wanted to be Alice since they were in Caner Garden,
or maybe even before that.
And others like myself only found out
about the Alice program two or three years ago.
It really is just about being a passionate person,
a people person, an agriculture person,
and wanting to share the message
that supporting our local economy through agriculture
is about the best thing you can do.
And as we've heard over the years from our Alice in Darrylana,
this is so much about being the face of our ag industry
and really being able to promote it on a different level
that we just appreciate and see the benefits of so much.
But I did want to take a moment and just talk about the individuals
and how much this benefits them.
And really the platform this gives you,
the experience this gives you,
for whatever you do the next stage in your life,
the things that you've been able to gain from this
are only going to help you excel at whatever it is
that you do next daily.
Would you say that?
100%, it's the opportunity of a lifetime.
And we have those six top candidates
who buy for the role of Alice in Darrylana.
Even if you just make it through the top candidate process,
the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
awards you a marketing communication certificate,
which is something you can put right on your resume
or your link in, which is already going to help you
with your next career move.
But if you become Alice, there is so much
professional development throughout the year.
Just in the last six months, it's incredible how far
I've come from those first couple radio interviews.
You really get, you hit the ground running,
learning more about being an ambassador and being on TV
and the radio and social media and writing.
And there's just so many skills that you gain so quickly
in such a short period of time.
And not only are you doing a lot of learning,
you're also having a lot of fun while you're getting paid
to do it.
I don't think everyone realizes this is my full-time job
for one year.
So I do work for the Department of Agriculture,
the job pays $45,000 a year.
That's fully public information for anyone to know.
But you're also getting to work with big companies
and share agriculture on sometimes a national
and international stage, which not many people at my age
have the opportunity to do that.
All strong points, Hayley.
And the opportunity for young people to make connections,
it doesn't happen that often.
With something like this, you are just doing
that almost every day.
It's all noteworthy and a great opportunity
for any young person out there.
Encourage you to find out more about this.
Whether you'd like to invite Alice to an event
or you want to become the 78th Alice in Darryland,
all that information is available for you
at Alice in Darryland.com.
Hayley, if people have other follow-up questions,
is there other ways to get in touch with you
or find out recipes or other things?
The best way to get more information from me
is emailing.com, Alice at Wisconsin.gov.
We're happy to answer any question you have
about applications or otherwise.
Or you can head to the Alice in Darryland social media pages.
That's Alice in Darryland on Facebook and Instagram.
I'm always doing something new and fun,
having an event here in Wisconsin agriculture.
And I love to share with everybody.
And do a favor here, everybody.
When you see those posts, subscribe to her pages
and all the social media.
And share them on your pages.
You just never know who might see them otherwise.
We appreciate you, Hayley, so much.
Already looking forward to hanging out again real soon.
Thank you very much.
Safe travels out there.
Take care.
We will be back with more Midday Magazine right here
at 97.5 FM 13.20 AM, WFHR, locally grown radio.
