Survey: Iowa farmland values rose in 2009 (The Fairfield Ledger) A survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago shows the value of good quality Iowa farmland rose by 3 percent during the last quarter of 2009 and 4 percent during the year.

Johnson will be ag agent (Watertown Daily Times) JEFFERSON - Heidi Johnson will begin work as the full-time agriculture agent for the Jefferson County University of Wisconsin-Extension on April 1. She has been acting as the part-time, interim agent since May of 2009.

Southeast counties among unhealthiest (The Fairfield Ledger) Southeast Iowa counties, including Jefferson and Van Buren counties, rank near the bottom in the state in a county-by-county health-ranking list released recently.

Illinois-Wisconsin Preview (AP via Yahoo! Sports) The absence of Jon Leuer for nine games may have cost Wisconsin a chance to win a share of the Big Ten title. The way Leuer's playing now, though, the 13th-ranked Badgers should be filled with confidence as they pursue their second tournament championship in three years. In their second meeting in a week, Wisconsin takes on Illinois in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals at Conseco Fieldhouse...

Broad support for regional transit in Wisconsin (AP via Yahoo! Finance) A broad coalition of Wisconsin business and labor officials, mayors, environmentalists and others urged the Legislature on Thursday to approve regional transit systems to ease congestion, improve transportation and create jobs.

Raw milk consumers seek law in Wisconsin (UPI) MADISON, Wis., March 11 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin legislative hearing was packed with raw milk advocates who said they seek the right to sell and purchase unpasteurized dairy products.