A look into the outdoors, recreation and agriculture of the Lower Wisconsin River Valley and the larger Driftless Area.
Wandering the Driftless: Cactus in Wisconsin?
The Prickly Pear Cactus blooms in Wisconsin offer a unique seasonal experience for nature lovers in Wisconsin. While often overlooked, these flowers thrive in the sandy soils of the Wisconsin River valley. Peak blooming occurs in late June, and the red fruit produced is also edible.
Sauk County Gardener: Using Degree Days to Implement Integrated Pest Management
The article discusses insect monitoring and management in gardening, focusing on the importance of degree days (DD) to predict insect life cycles, particularly the imported cabbageworm. It outlines Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, including monitoring, prevention, and control. The author encourages community engagement through events by the Sauk County Master Gardeners Association.
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: First Teal
After this past weekend and many decades of doing it, I have figured out that my favorite way to spend time is helping to introduce kids to new outdoor activities. I helped start KAMO in 2007, helped start NOAC in 2023 and though both overload my schedule, I do not seem to be backing off.
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River Valley School Fair brings community together for 61 years
The River Valley School Fair, created 61 years ago by Lawrence Eberle, continues to thrive, set for September 27 in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Initially aimed at unifying the community post-school consolidation, the fair has expanded significantly, promoting agriculture education and showcasing student talents, while preserving its pioneering spirit and tradition.
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Rocky Mountain Adventure
This week’s column has good news and is loaded with adventure. As you may know, my 23-year-old daughter Selina Walters has been hired by the USFWS as a biologist in Montana. Selina graduated from UW Stevens point last December and I helped her to move to Missoula in January. Selina and I communicate almost daily,…
Savanna Institute promises (agroforestry and silvopasture) fun, profit and—perhaps—to save the planet
The Savanna Institute, a non-profit based in Wisconsin and Illinois, promotes agroforestry for sustainable agriculture, recently held an open house at their Spring Green Campus. The Institute aims to integrate tree crops into farms, helping farmers increase profitability and ecosystem benefits. Through open events, research, and technical assistance, the institute supports farmers in adopting agroforestry…
Meeting Our Needs: Dairy Breakfasts — Eggs and Pancakes and Sausage – Oh Yeah!
…and don’t forget the milk, yogurt, and cheese! Dairy Breakfast time in Wisconsin is right around the corner, check the dates, set your alarm, make sure your GPS is working, and get your “fat pants” out. Good times, and good food are coming.
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Mississippi Duck Hunt/The Best of Times
“Fifty-one opening days of duck hunting ago I was a very young boy in a very low income, single parent family, and my dad was raising my brothers Mike, Tom, myself, my sister Lynn and sometimes my brother Bob. We lived kind of like I do now, which is a very busy life that is…
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Success on the Bear Hunt
“This week’s column is about a successful conclusion to my 2022 bear hunting season that has absorbed large parts of my time, thoughts, and pocket book since I began running baits in northern Juneau County as well as southern Jackson on April 15th.”
Follow along each week on the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated…
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Ten Sunsets on a Bear Stand
“This week’s column is a short summary of the first ten days of my bear hunting situation in which I did not miss a day sitting in a tree.”
Follow along each week on the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated outdoor adventure columnist who lives in Necedah, Wisconsin. He began writing his column, An…
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Operation Musky 2022
Follow along each week on the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated outdoor adventure columnist who lives in Necedah, Wisconsin. He began writing his column, An Outdoorsman’s Journal, in 1989. It includes hunting, fishing, lots of canoeing and backpacking. He currently writes for around 60 newspapers on a weekly basis. He hopes you enjoy reading…
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Independent Living 101
Follow along each week on the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated outdoor adventure columnist who lives in Necedah, Wisconsin. He began writing his column, An Outdoorsman’s Journal, in 1989. It includes hunting, fishing, lots of canoeing and backpacking. He currently writes for around 60 newspapers on a weekly basis. He hopes you enjoy reading…
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Volunteers
Follow along each week on the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated outdoor adventure columnist who lives in Necedah, Wisconsin. He began writing his column, An Outdoorsman’s Journal, in 1989. It includes hunting, fishing, lots of canoeing and backpacking. He currently writes for around 60 newspapers on a weekly basis. He hopes you enjoy reading…
Valley Sentinel launches Impulse Initiative
Valley Sentinel lends platform in print and online to foster community ideas
We are pleased to announce the (soft) launch of Valley Sentinel’s Impulse Initiative. It has always been our goal to build community and over the past year plus we’ve been talking to area residents every day about their wants, hopes and dreams for…
PSC reconsidering permit for Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission lines after potential conflict of interest surfaces
The Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to reconsider the controversial Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission line project July 1, following secret messages between a former regulator and employees of the utilities involved in the projects came to light.
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