Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

This week, we are celebrating Groundwater Awareness Week and the work DATCP staff does to protect our water resources. Today, we are highlighting Sam Brockschmidt, hydrogeologist with DATCP’s Environmental Quality Unit within the Division of Agricultural Resource Management. ? Sam got his bachelor’s degree in geology from Purdue University in 2022 and his master’s degree in hydrogeology from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He spent the second half of 2024 working as a research fellow with UW-Madison and DATCP on a project that evaluated atrazine prohibition areas in Wisconsin. ? In Sam’s current role, he oversees the surface water sampling and targeted sampling program. He travels around the state collecting water samples from streams, springs, and private wells in Wisconsin, which staff then test for over 100 different pesticides and related compounds. Sam said, “My favorite days are spent out in the field – sampling from locations all around Wisconsin means I get to travel to many really beautiful parts of Wisconsin and interact with all kinds of people from around the state.” ? Sam said what he likes most about his job is, “that I get to do science that is unambiguously for the good of the public. At DATCP, our priority is the wellbeing of all the people of Wisconsin, and getting to be a part of that effort is really rewarding!” ? Thank you, Sam, for all the work you do to make an impact in our communities and for protecting our water resources! ? #EmployeeSpotlight #GroundwaterAwarenessWeek #EmployeeAppreciation #DATCP

Are you seeking a career opportunity where you can help others on a daily basis? We may have the perfect opportunity for you! We are hiring a Financial Consulting and Farm Transition Specialist. This position assists farmers by delivering services as a member of the Wisconsin Farm Center. Learn more and apply today at wisc.jobs by searching job #17060. #JobOpportunity #WeAreHiring #WisconsinAgriculture #WisconsinFarmCenter #DATCP

Applications are now open for the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council for the 2025-2026 school year! Jordan Berg, a current council member from Neillsville said, “My term in the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council has made me realize that I want to pursue a career in agriculture policy, something I had not considered before this experience.”? ?? Apply today and learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gyzN3xDK. ?? #WisconsinAgricultureYouthCouncil #Apply #DATCP?

Are you interested in working with a collaborative team and making an impact in our communities? We are hiring and have the perfect opportunity for you. Learn more and apply today at wisc.jobs. #WeAreHiring #JobOpportunities #DATCP

From being a voice for Wisconsin agriculture to an educator on the go and a public relations professional, Alice in Dairyland uses a variety of talents to showcase Wisconsin's agriculture industry. The top six candidates to be the 78th Alice in Dairyland have just been announced! Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gga8fEtY. ? #AliceinDairyland #TopCandidates #WisconsinAgriculture #DATCP

Thank you to our employees for your hard work, collaboration, and dedication to make a difference in our community every day. We appreciate you and the passion you have for your work!? ? #ThankYou #Dedication #Employees #Appreciation #DATCP?

It’s time to learn about the top five consumer complaints of 2024! DATCP's Bureau of Trade and Consumer Protection works hard to ensure safety of all consumers. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gXPUVWpW. #ConsumerProtection #Top5ConsumerComplaints #DATCP

Did you know that applications are open for the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council (WAYC) for the 2025-2026 school year?? ?? Madison Wiese is a current member from Greenleaf and is enjoying her time on the WAYC. Apply today and learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gyzN3xDK. ?? #WisconsinAgricultureYouthCouncil #Apply #DATCP?

In a recent Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council (WAYC) meeting, Makayla Staudinger, WAYC member from De Pere, was the social media manager. She shared that Natasha Kowalchuk of DATCP spoke to members about her job as a dairy inspector. Natasha explained how they follow state administrative codes ATCP 65 and ATCP 82 to make sure the milk from Wisconsin’s about 5,300 dairy farms is produced in safe and sanitary conditions. Learn more about WAYC at: https://lnkd.in/gyzN3xDK. #WisconsinAgricultureYouthCouncil #WisconsinAgriculture #DATCP

DATCP responded to 11,374 written consumer complaints in 2024.? The resulting mediations, enforcement actions, and settlements returned over $23 million through refunds and restitutions directly returned to Wisconsin consumers. Learn about some of the most common consumer complaints filed in 2024, and tune in tomorrow to learn about the top five consumer complaints of 2024. ? #ConsumerProtectionComplaints #DATCP?