Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

DATCP has exciting news: the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin election results are certified! The Ginseng Board of Wisconsin is composed of seven at-large producers who administer funding collected from state ginseng growers to support the industry through research, education, and promotion of Wisconsin-grown ginseng. Learn more at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Media/2024GinsengBoardElectionResults.aspx.

DATCP has certified the 2024 Wisconsin Potato Industry Board election results!

Did you know that the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board is composed of nine growers in three districts across the state? Learn more at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Media/2024PotatoIndustryBoardElectionResults.aspx. 🥔

Did you get a message on social from an “artist” asking to pay you for permission to paint your photo? It’s a scam. They don’t want to pay you — they want you to deposit a fake check so they can take your money. Learn more from the FTC’s latest consumer alert.

Scammers target young adults on social media with fake check scam Did you get a message on social from an “artist” asking to pay you for permission to paint your photo? It’s a scam. They don’t want to pay you — they want to take your money.

Congratulations to Sheri Walz on being named one of DATCP’s 2024 Employees of this year! Thank you for all your valued contributions to the team and hard work.

With an extensive education background, Sheri received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Iowa. Then, she graduated from Indiana University with a Master of Public Affairs and Master of Science in Environmental Science, and she received her Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Sheri is an Assistant Legal Counsel at DATCP. She provides legal services for the Division of Food and Recreational Safety and the Office of the Secretary. She also provides legal review of responses to public records requests, administrative rules, and records management and serves as legal representative for the DATCP Emergency Response Group. What Sheri enjoys most about her job is helping others to prevent and resolve problems. “Every day brings new and interesting work,” said Sheri.

Thank you for your commitment, knowledge, and talent that you bring to the team. Congratulations, Sheri!

Can you believe it’s already back-to-school shopping season? Whether shopping online or in-store, review the fine print! Check for restrictions on quantities, return and exchange policies, and verify that your item rings up at the correct price.

¿Puede creer que ya es la temporada de compras para el regreso a la escuela? Ya sea que compre en línea o en la tienda, ¡revise la letra pequeña! Verifique las restricciones de cantidades, las pautas de devolución y cambio, y verifique que su artículo tenga el precio correcto.

Although Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) has not been detected in Wisconsin, it is infesting maples and other hardwoods in New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, and South Carolina. ALB are large beetles with shiny black and white spotted wings, long striped antennae, and bluish legs. If you think see it, send a picture to [email protected].

Today is National Ice Cream Day in America’s Dairyland. Secretary Romanski, Ashley Hagenow, the 76th Alice in Dairyland, and Halei Heinzel, the 77th Alice in Dairyland, all enjoyed some delicious ice cream cake to celebrate.

Let us know your favorite ice cream flavor in the comments! 🍨

DATCP’s Farmer Wellness Program provides multiple options so you can get the support you need:
⦁24/7 helpline
⦁Phone or video counseling sessions
⦁Vouchers for in-person counseling

Agriculture is part of Wisconsin's past, present, and future heritage. Make sure to slow down and be respectful on our roads this . Learn more tips from Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Today, we’re highlighting one of DATCP’s 2024 Employees of the Year, Jenna Ouradnik. Congratulations on this accomplishment and thank you for making a huge impact in our communities and at DATCP.

Jenna is an Environmental Health Sanitarian at DATCP. A typical day in Jenna’s role is spent in the field at various businesses conducting inspections from restaurants, swimming pools, campgrounds, summer camps and more. She also licenses new businesses and trains new sanitarians on how to conduct inspections, write reports and provide education on public safety. “The most special moments in my role are those where I get to license a new business that an owner has been dreaming of for years,” said Jenna.

Jenna has learned that no matter your public health background, there is a way to effectively communicate and build understanding for a safer end product. “I love the variety and mobility of my job – every day I get to go to new establishments, meet new people and am learning something new,” said Jenna.

Thank you, Jenna, for your passion for public health and continued efforts at DATCP.

Spotted lanternfly (SLF), an invasive plant pest, is rapidly spreading but is not yet established in Wisconsin. Be on the lookout for it and report sightings at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/60711c6caf8d4004835a244021785df9.

Be mindful of the many native lookalikes, including large milkweed bugs and sphynx moths, as most are beneficial to the environment. For more information on SLF and common lookalikes, check out the MISP website at https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/id-report/insects/spotted-lanternfly/look-alikes.

You won the lottery! All you need to do is open an account at a private bank with a minimum deposit of $5,000, then claim your winnings within 24 hours. Sound fishy? That’s because this is a common form of a foreign lottery scam.

¡Te tocó la lotería! Todo lo que necesita hacer es abrir una cuenta en un banco privado con un depósito mínimo de $5,000 y luego reclamar sus ganancias en un periodo de 24 horas. ¿Suena sospechoso? Esto se debe a que se trata de una forma común de estafa de lotería extranjera.

Driving in rural Wisconsin? You may encounter flagging operations if roads are being worked on, as detours are not always an option in rural areas. These work zones usually involve a lane closure on a two-way road, and traffic takes turns traveling through the only available lane. Here’s a reminder on what to do when approaching flagging operations:

1. Watch for road work signs and slow down. Be prepared to stop completely.
2. Follow the instructions of the flagger (work zone crew member).
3. If a flagger instructs you to stop, stop behind the designated line or cone. Stay patient and do not proceed until the flagger directs you to do so.
4. When instructed to move through the work zone (usually by a sign that reads, “SLOW”), slowly navigate through the work zone, don’t pass other vehicles, and watch for workers.

Don’t forget to include your best pal in your evacuation plan. Ensure your pets' safety and learn more at: https://www.fema.gov/blog/do-you-know-how-keep-your-pets-safe-during-disaster

According to the Federal Trade Commission, imposter scams were the number one form of fraud targeting military consumers in 2023. Always verify a request is legitimate before sending money – even to a trusted institution or someone you know. Learn more: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Publications/ImposterScams214.aspx

Según la Comisión Federal de Comercio, las estafas de impostores fueron la principal forma de fraude dirigida a consumidores militares en 2023. Verifique siempre que una solicitud sea legítima antes de enviar dinero, incluso si se tratase de una institución confiable o alguien que conozca. Conozca más al respecto: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Publications/ImposterScamsSPANISH886.aspx

Going on vacation? Don’t let spotted lanternfly hitchhike back with you on your next summer road trip to Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, or eastern states. SLF is an invasive planthopper with an appetite for grapevines, hops, roses, maples, and walnuts. Complete this SLF checklist before driving back so you don’t bring it home to Wisconsin: https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/quarantine/Documents/SLF_Checklist_for_Residents.pdf.

Are you thinking about transitioning your farm to the next generation? If so, the Wisconsin Farm Center can help! Call us at (800) 942-2474 or visit our website at farmcenter.wi.gov to learn how.

Vacation scammers are using private social media groups to lure victims into a false sense of security. Remember, sending money to a stranger through an app comes with risk. Learn more: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Publications/MoneyScams437.aspx

If your new online friend or romantic interest says they have an emergency and need financial help, they may be a scammer trying to steal your money. So, how can you tell if an online “friend” is a fraud? Learn more from the FTC.

Does a friend you met online need money for an emergency? That’s a scam If your new online friend or romantic interest says they have an emergency and need money, it might not mean they have bad luck. It’s more likely they’re a scammer trying to grab your money. So, how can you tell if an online “friend” is a fraud?

Today is National Swimming Pool Day! 🏊 Did you know DATCP’s Division of Food and Recreational Safety licenses and inspects approximately 3,500 public pools in Wisconsin, including public swimming pools, whirlpools, therapy pools, water attractions, and water slides? This helps ensure these pools and attractions meet industry standards and are safe for all Wisconsinites to use, so you can enjoy pool days one splash at a time. 🌊

Naturally occurring caterpillar diseases, such as NPV and E. maimaiga, can reduce invasive spongy moth populations. Learn more about what these diseases look like and help us collect data on where spongy moth populations are declining. Take pictures and report sightings using the QR code or this link: https://arcg.is/ni4eu.

Wisconsin is known for its agriculture industry. In 2023, Wisconsin grew 6.75 million cwt of this green produce. Can you guess the produce? Swipe to find out.

If you’re considering adding solar panels to your house, be wary of unrealistic prices, businesses that do not provide completion date estimates or lien waivers, and use high-pressure sales tactics. Do your research before choosing a contractor. Learn more: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/SolarPowerBuyingTips.aspx

Si está considerando agregar paneles solares a su casa, tenga cuidado cuando encuentre precios poco realistas, o empresas que no brindan estimaciones de fechas de finalización, o exenciones de gravámenes y utilizan tácticas de venta de alta presión. Investigue antes de elegir un contratista. Conozca más al respecto: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Publications/SolarPowerBuyingTipsSPANISH973.aspx

Happy National Cow Appreciation Day! Did you know that Wisconsin is home to about 5,500 dairy farms and 1.28 million cows? We appreciate cows today and every day. 🐄🥛

Going camping? ⛺ Always use heat-treated or seasoned, certified firewood or buy and gather firewood where you burn it. Moving untreated firewood allows hitchhiking pests like spongy moth to spread. Find certified firewood dealers here: https://datcp.wi.gov/Documents2/CertifiedFirewoodDealers040224.pdf.

Remember to practice good biosecurity to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). For more information and resources on HPAI in poultry: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/HPAIWisconsin.aspx

DATCP understands farming can be challenging. That is why the Farmer Wellness Program is designed to provide farmers and their families access to services that can help them navigate life's challenges. Learn more at farmcenter.wi.gov.

Happy 4th of July! DATCP offices are closed today, July 4.

A partner in agricultural innovation, Chor Lee of School Road Farm recently collaborated with DATCP and other organizations to offer a Hmong Farmer Workshop in Eau Claire, sharing how he installed solar panels to move his farm toward self-sufficiency. The workshop also explained how to build a low-cost walk-in cooler and shared grant opportunities with participants.

Learn more from this U.S. Department of Agriculture article and access a video [https://youtu.be/_nLgHp5lGFA] about School Road Farm’s involvement in a -to-school event hosted by Central Rivers Farmshed in Stevens Point, WI.