>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "IN
WISCONSIN."
I'M KATHY BISSEN FILLING IN FOR
PATTY LOEW.
THIS WEEK FAMILIES THROUGHOUT
THE STATE ARE STRUGGLING TO
FIND DENTAL CARE.
>> I'VE SEEN CHILDREN WITH
THEIR EYES CLOSED WITH LARGE
FACIAL SWELLING.
CHILDREN WHO REGULARLY GO TO
SLEEP AT NIGHT WITH TOOTH PAIN.
>> FIND OUT WHY MANY PEOPLE
CAN'T GET A DENTIST TO ACCEPT
THEM AS A PATIENT.
TRAVEL TO THIS UNDEVELOPED
TREASURE IN THE NORTHWOODS AND
LEARN HOW A COUPLE FROM CHICAGO
HELPED PRESERVE IT.
AND DISCOVER WHAT IT TAKES TO
BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL BIG
CHEESE.
WE'LL ALSO TAKE YOU TO ONE OF
THE TALLEST AND OLDEST
LIGHTHOUSES STILL USED FOR
NAVIGATION IN WISCONSIN.
>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "IN
WISCONSIN" IS PROVIDED BY THE
PEOPLE OF ALLIANT ENERGY, WHO
BRING SAFE, RELIABLE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ENERGY
TO KEEP HOMES, NEIGHBORHOODS
AND LIFE IN WISCONSIN RUNNING
SMOOTHLY.
ALLIANT ENERGY, OFFERING ENERGY
SAVING IDEAS ON THE WEB.
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
PAUL B. CARBONE COMPREHENSIVE
CANCER CENTER PROVIDING CANCER
RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND
TREATMENT.
UW PAUL B. CARBONE
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER,
COMPREHENSIVE AS DESIGNATED BY
THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE.
INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE
WEB.
AND BY THE ANIMAL DENTAL CENTER
OF MILWAUKEE AND OSHKOSH.
A VETERINARY SPECIALIST WORKING
WITH PET OWNERS AND FAMILY
VETERINARIANS THROUGHOUT
WISCONSIN PROVIDING CARE FOR
ORAL DISEASE AND DENTAL
PROBLEMS OF SMALL COMPANION
ANIMALS.
>> YOU MAY FIND IT HARD TO
BELIEVE, BUT A TRIP TO THE
DENTIST COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.
LAST YEAR A 12-YEAR-OLD
HOMELESS BOY IN WASHINGTON,
D.C. DIED BECAUSE A TOOTH
INFECTION SPREAD TO HIS BRAIN.
THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE
SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT
CAN DEVELOP DUE TO A LACK OF
DENTAL CARE.
SOMETHING MANY LOW INCOME
FAMILIES IN WISCONSIN ARE
STRUGGLING TO FIND.
THAT'S BECAUSE A GROWING NUMBER
OF DENTISTS SAY THEY CAN'T
AFFORD TO TREAT MEDICAID AND
BADGER CARE PATIENTS.
BACK IN 2003 WE BROUGHT YOU A
REPORT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
NOW FIVE YEARS LATER, PRODUCER
LIZ KOERNER INVESTIGATES
WHETHER OR NOT SOLUTIONS HAVE
BEEN FOUND.
>> TODAY SECOND GRADER IMYA
GREGORY IS MAKING A VISIT TO
THE DENTIST.
SHE DIDN'T HAVE FAR TO GO
BECAUSE HER DENTIST HAS SET UP
SHOP IN HER SCHOOL.
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN MILWAUKEE.
THE DENTAL CLINIC IS TEM
TEMPORARILY SET UP IN A
CLASSROOM CALLED THE S'MART
SMILES LAB.
>> IT'S $8,000 TO $10,000 FOR A
SETUP PER SETUP.
SO IT'S FAIRLY COST EFFECTIVE
AND WE CAN GO INTO PRETTY MUCH
ANY TYPE OF A SCHOOL-BASED
SETTING AND BRING THE SERVICES
RIGHT TO THE CHILDREN.
>> THIS PROGRAM AT THE SCHOOL
TODAY IS SPONSORED BY
COLUMBIA/SAINT MARY'S HOSPITAL
AND THE GOAL IS PREVENTION.
THE DENTIST STARTS WITH AN EXAM
TO DETERMINE PROBLEM AREAS.
THEN A DENTAL HYGIENIST AND
ASSISTANT TAKE OVER.
CLEAN THE CHILDREN'S TEETH,
APPLY A FLUORIDE TREATMENT AND
A SEALANT.
>> YOU NEED TO GET THE TOOTH
DIRT OFF SO YOU DON'T GET
CAVITIES.
>> I SEE CHILDREN SIMILAR TO
THE CASES IN WASHINGTON WHERE
THE CHILD DIED BECAUSE OF AN
ABSCESS.
I'VE SEEN CHILDREN WITH THEIR
EYES CLOSED WITH LARGE FACIAL
SWELLING.
CHILDREN WHO REGULARLY GO TO
SLEEP AT NIGHT WITH TOOTH PAIN.
THERE IS A HUGE NEED HERE.
>> 70% OF OUR KIDS ARE IN
BADGER CARE, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.
WE'RE IN THE AREA TO SEE 2500
WITH 3,000 KIDS WITH THE TWO
TEAMS.
THE CHALLENGE IS THAT IN
MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IT'S
IN THE AREA OF 80,000 TO 90,000
KIDS.
>> THE PROGRAM BENEFITS FROM
THE $200,000 SPENT BY THE STATE
IN 2006 FOR DENTAL SEALANTS
THAT ARE APPLIED IN SETTINGS
LIKE THIS SCHOOL.
ACCORDING TO WISCONSIN DENTAL
ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, THIS
TYPE OF IN-SCHOOL PREVENTIVE
CARE DOESN'T SOLVE THE MAIN
PROBLEM.
ACCESS TO A DENTIST FOR
FOLLOW-UP TREATMENT LIKE
FILLINGS OR EXTRACTIONS.
>> IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT.
EVEN IF THE STUDENT OR CHILD IS
SEEN IN THE SCHOOL.
THEY CAN'T ACCESS THE CARE FOR
FURTHER TREATMENT.
HAVE WE REALLY DONE THEM A
SERVICE AND SOLVED THE PROBLEM?
I DON'T BELIEVE SO.
>> THE DENTAL ASSOCIATION SAYS
ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE IS NOT
JUST A MILWAUKEE ISSUE BUT A
PROBLEM ACROSS THE STATE.
WE FIRST COVERED THIS ISSUE
BACK IN 2003 WHEN WE VISITED
LADYSMITH DENTAL CENTER, WHICH
WAS OPERATING OUT OF TEMPORARY
QUARTERS.
AT THAT TIME THEY SAW LOW
INCOME PATIENTS WHO TRAVELED
FROM 37 WISCONSIN COUNTIES.
SINCE THEN THE SITUATION HAS
GOTTEN WORSE.
PATIENTS NOW TRAVEL FROM 47
COUNTIES.
>> PEOPLE DON'T COME FROM THAT
DISTANCE UNLESS THEY'RE IN PAIN
AND THERE IS NO OTHER
ALTERNATIVE CLOSER TO HOME.
>> THE CLINIC IS ONE OF A
NUMBER OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
CENTERS THAT PROVIDE DENTAL
CARE TO FAMILIES COVERED BY
MEDICAID AND BADGERCARE.
THEY ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES ON A
SLIDING FEE SCALE FOR THE
UNINSURED.
RECENTLY, CENTERS LIKE THESE
RECEIVED MORE THAN $4 MILLION
IN STATE FUNDING TO EXPAND
EXISTING CLINICS AND ADD NEW
FACILITIES IN PLACES LIKE IRON
RIVER, PARK FALLS AND
DARLINGTON.
THE CENTERS ARE MEMBERS OF THE
WISCONSIN PRIMARY HEALTHCARE
ASSOCIATION.
>> PEOPLE ARE STILL DRIVING FAR
TOO FAR TO GET TO SEE A DENTIST.
THE HEALTH CENTERS ARE
CERTAINLY BUILDING CAPACITY BUT
AGAIN WE REALLY RECOGNIZE THAT
WE'RE A CONTRIBUTOR TO THE
SOLUTION AND WE'RE LOOKING AT
REALLY COLLABORATIVE WAYS TO
ENGAGE MORE PEOPLE SO PEOPLE
DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL AS FAR.
>> AS AN EXAMPLE, THE WISCONSIN
PRIMARY HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION
COLLABORATED WITH THE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN'S
OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH TO HIRE
A DENTAL RECRUITER.
MARSHA SIIK HAS BEEN BEATING
THE BUSHES TO FIND DENTISTS
WILLING TO WORK IN THE PUBLIC
HEALTH CENTERS FOR THE LAST
THREE YEARS.
>> THE FIRST YEAR WE HAD FIVE
PLACEMENTS, SECOND YEAR WE HAD
TEN.
NOW WE HAVE SIX TO DATE.
WE HAVE 21 PLACEMENTS
THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
MOST -- THESE ARE ALL IN RURAL
OR UNDERSERVED AREAS.
>> WHILE THEY'RE FINDING
DENTISTS TO WORK AT THE
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, THE
POOL OF DENTISTS FROM WHICH TO
RECRUIT IS ON A DOWNWARD SLIDE.
BUT ACCORDING TO DR. HEBL, THE
PROBLEM PROMISES TO GET WORSE.
>> NOW THE BABY BOOMER
GENERATION IS HITTING SO THAT'S
A BIG GROUP OF DENTISTS THAT
WILL RETIRE.
>> NOT ONLY ARE THERE FEWER
PRACTICING DENTISTS, EVERY YEAR
FEWER PRIVATE DENTISTS ARE
WILLING TO TREAT MEDICAID
PATIENTS.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND FAMILY SERVICES' MOST
RECENT RECORDS FROM 2006 SHOW
THAT ONLY ABOUT 36% OF DENTISTS
IN WISCONSIN GOT CERTIFIED TO
TREAT MEDICAID PATIENTS.
DR. HEBL SAYS IT ALL COMES DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM LINE.
>> WE'RE ALL SMALL BUSINESS
OWNERS AND SO WHEN YOU TAKE A
MEDICAID PATIENT AND YOU ARE
REIMBURSED AT 40 CENTS ON THE
DOLLAR AND YOUR OFFICE OVERHEAD
THE THINGS TO PAY YOUR LIGHTS
AND STAFF NOT EVEN INCLUDING
THE DENTIST'S SALARY IS 65
CENTS ON THE DOLLAR IT GETS
VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE A LARGE
PORTION OF YOUR PRACTICE BE
MEDICAID.
>> THERE WAS A PROPOSAL IN THE
MOST RECENT STATE BUDGET THAT
WOULD HAVE INCREASED THE
MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATE TO
DENTISTS BUT THE LEGISLATURE
DROPPED IT.
>> IF WE'RE GOING TO PROMISE
CARE TO PEOPLE, THEN WE NEED TO
FUND THAT CARE.
>> PROVIDING ACCESS TO DENTAL
CARE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES
HAS PROVEN TO BE AN ILLUSIVE
GOAL FOR STATE OFFICIALS AND
OTHERS WHO WANT TO SOLVE THIS
HEALTHCARE CRISIS.
AND WHILE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF
STOPGAP MEASURES IN PLACE, THE
IDEA OF HOW TO PROVIDE BETTER
ACCESS IS WAITING TO BE SOLVED.
>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS A
SINGLE SOLUTION TO THIS.
THIS IS A HUGE, COMPLEX ISSUE
NOT ONLY IN WISCONSIN, BUT
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
>> GOVERNOR JIM DOYLE EARMARKED
$8.8 MILLION IN THE CURRENT
STATE BUDGET TO INCREASE ACCESS
TO DENTAL CARE.
THE GOAL IS TO COME UP WITH A
DELIVERY MODEL THAT BETTER
SERVES LOW INCOME RESIDENTS.
HOWEVER, PLANS FOR SPENDING
THAT MONEY ARE NOW ON HOLD
UNTIL LAWMAKERS CAN COME TO AN
AGREEMENT ON HOW TO DEAL WITH
THE CURRENT STATE BUDGET
DEFICIT.
>> WE REPORTED IN THE PAST ON
THE MANY TYPES OF LAND TRUSTS
IN WISCONSIN.
PRIVATE NON-PROFITS THAT
PROTECT AND MANAGE MORE THAN
200,000 ACRES IN OUR STATE.
THIS NEXT REPORT PRODUCED BY
JOANNE GARRETT SHOWS ANOTHER
WAY A LAND TRUST CAN -- IT
INVOLVES A PRISTINE WILDERNESS
IN THE NORTHWOODS AND A PAIR OF
TOURISTS FROM CHICAGO.
>> THIS IS A STORY THAT TAKES
PLACE UP NORTH, WAY NORTH.
IT'S THE STORY OF ONE WOMAN'S
WISHES FOR HER LAND AND HOW, NO
KIDDING, SOME TOURISTS FROM
CHICAGO MADE IT HAPPEN.
THE STORY STARTS HERE IN THE
CATHERINE WOLTER WILDERNESS
AREA, AN IMMENSE TREASURE TROEV
FULL OF LAKES A FEW MILES FROM
THE U.P. AND OWNED BY THE
NATURE CONSERVANCY.
MATT DALLMAN IS THE DIRECTOR.
>> 2,189 ACRES WITH 15 LAKES.
IT HAS A MAJORITY OF THE
HABITAT TYPES TYPICAL FROM
NORTHERN WISCONSIN FROM YOUNG
ASPEN TO MAPLE TO HEM LOCK AND
YELLOW BIRCH FOREST.
YOU CAN COME TO THIS PROPERTY
AND PRETTY MUCH SEE WHAT
NORTHERN WISCONSIN IS ALL ABOUT.
IT'S A PLACE TO GET AWAY FROM
THE MINOCQUA-TYPE OF AREA WHERE
YOU HAVE BUSY WATERS AND BUSY
STREETS.
>> HERE QUIET REIGNS.
THE CATHERINE WOLTER WILDERNESS
AREA IS UNDEVELOPED, WILD AND
ACCESSIBLE.
THIS PLACE ISN'T LOCKED AWAY.
VISITORS ARE WELCOME.
>> IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
WE THINK FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY
AND WANT TO PROTECT THE
NORTHWOODS THEY NEED TO BE ABLE
TO GET OUT AND TOUCH IT.
THE PUBLIC HAS THE ABILITY TO
HUNT AND FISH OUT HERE AND WILL
HAVE THE ABILITY TO HUNT AND
FISH HERE FOREVER.
>> THE PUBLIC CAN THANK THE
WOMAN IN THE PHOTO, CATHERINE
WOLTER.
>> GROWING UP I THOUGHT EVERY
GRANDMA HAD 3800 ACRES.
>> SHE HAS PASSED ON.
THIS IS HER GRANDSON, DEREK
KRESSER.
HE LIVES IN THE FAMILY
HOMESTEAD.
>> THIS IS RUDOLPH LAKE.
THIS HAS BEEN THE ONE CONSTANT
IN MY LIFE.
MY GRANDMOTHER AND GRANDFATHER
HAD THIS SINCE 1942.
MY GRANDFATHER, BECAUSE HE WAS
BORN AND RAISED IN GERMANY
DURING A TIME WHERE PEOPLE
COULD NOT OWN PROPERTY, WHICH
IS MY UNDERSTANDING, SO WHEN HE
CAME TO THE STATES ONE OF HIS
BIG GOALS IN LIFE WAS TO OWN A
PIECE OF PROPERTY.
BECAUSE HE LIKED TO HUNT, FISH
AND BE OUTDOORS IT ALL CAME
TOGETHER TO WHAT MOTIVATED HIM
TO OWN WHAT EVENTUALLY OWNED
HERE.
>> CATHERINE AND FRED CAME HERE
AS TOURISTS FROM MILWAUKEE IN
1938.
THEY LOVED IT.
THEY MOVED NORTH IN 1942 AND
HAD THE RESOURCES FROM A
MANUFACTURING COMPANY IN
MILWAUKEE TO KEEP ADDING ON BIT
BY BIT TO THEIR HOME HERE UNTIL
THEY HAD ACQUIRED 3800 ACRES.
FRED DIED IN AN ACCIDENT HERE
IN 1960.
CATHERINE STAYED ON.
>> SHE JUST LOVED THE
WILDERNESS.
SHE LOVED TO HUNT AND SHE LOVED
TO FISH.
I THINK IT WAS JUST VERY
IMPORTANT AND IN HER HEART THAT
THAT'S SOMETHING SHE HAD TO DO,
YOU KNOW, WITH THIS PROPERTY.
JUST PRESERVE IT.
>> AND SHE DID.
IN 2000 SHE MADE THIS
EXTRAORDINARY GIFT.
SHE SOLD THESE NEARLY 2200
ACRES THAT MAKE UP THE
CATHERINE WOLTER WILDERNESS
AREA TO THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
FOR A MILLION DOLLARS LESS THAN
THE APPRAISED VALUE.
IT BECAME A CORNER STONE OF A
LONG TERM PLAN TO PROTECT THE
NORTH THAT THE CONSERVANCY
CALLS THE BORDER LAKES
CONSERVATION AREA.
>> OUR PROJECT HERE IS FOCUSED
ON WHAT WE CALL LINKAGES OR
CONNECTIVE CORE DOORS.
OUR WORK IS REALLY TRYING TO
PIECE TOGETHER THE LARGE
OWNERSHIPS THAT REMAIN TO THE
OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST IN THE
NORTH, TO THE NORTHERN
HIGHLANDS TO THE SOUTH.
THE OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST IS
1.2 MILLION ACRES OF LAND.
NORTHERN HIGH LAND IS OUR
LARGEST STATE FOREST 240,000
ACRES.
GREAT WILDLIFE HABITAT AND
GREAT FOR SPECIES TO MOVE FROM
POINT A TO B.
>> AN ANIMAL HIGHWAY.
A GREEN HALLWAY PATCHED
TOGETHER THROUGH CONSERVATION
EASEMENTS OR LAND PURCHASES.
IT IS A GREAT PLAN BUT IT FACES
A CONSIDERABLE OBSTACLE.
>> IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS MOST
PLACES HAVE DOUBLED, IF NOT
TRIPLED IN VALUE.
>> LAND PRICES ARE SOARING.
CATHERINE WOLTER PASSED AWAY IN
2001.
THROUGH HER INHERITANCE THE
FAMILY ACQUIRED THIS 322 ACRE
PARCEL HERE ON RUDOLPH LAKE AND
ADJOINING THE WILDERNESS AREA.
THEY LOVED IT.
THE PLACE WAS FULL OF MEMORIES.
BUT THEY COULDN'T AFFORD TO
HANG ONTO IT.
>> THE BIGGEST SINGLE THING WAS
THE PROPERTY TAXES.
>> CATHERINE WOLTER HAD
SPECIFIED IN HER WILL THAT THE
NATURE CONSERVANCY SHOULD HAVE
THE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL
AFTER THE FAMILY IF THE
PROPERTY EVER CAME UP FOR SALE.
THE ORGANIZATION HAD JUST MADE
A BIG PURCHASE.
THEY COULDN'T SWING IT.
PLAN B.
>> THERE WAS AN OFFER ON THE
TABLE FROM A DEVELOPER THAT
WOULD HAVE PUT 24 LAKE LOTS AND
APPROXIMATELY 20 MORE BACK LOTS.
WE WERE LOOKING AT SOMEWHERE
BETWEEN 40 AND 50 TOTAL LOTS ON
THIS PARCEL.
SO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CHOCK
FULL OF DEVELOPMENT OTHERWISE.
AND, YOU KNOW, IN MY HEART I
DIDN'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN
BECAUSE I KNEW THAT GRANDMA
DIDN'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN,
EITHER.
>> SUBDIVISION WAS THE PLAN BUT
THE PLOT TURNS.
ENTER SOME TOURISTS FROM
CHICAGO.
JEFF JOHNSON AND JODY STERRET.
>> WE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF
COMING UP HERE A FEW YEARS BACK
AND FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.
THE EAGLES AND THE LOONS AND
THE SMALL LAKE JUST FELL IN
LOVE WITH THE NORTHWOODS.
IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL.
>> I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE
GREAT HIDDEN SECRETS OF THE
GREAT PLACES IN THE UNITED
STATES.
IT'S SO PRETTY UP HERE.
>> NOT UNLIKE CATHERINE AND
FRED WOLTER THIS ILLINOIS
COUPLE WANTED TO BUY LAND HERE
AND THEY HAD SOME RESOURCES.
THEY WERE IN SEARCH OF A LARGER
PARCEL.
THEY SAW THIS ONE BUT ASSUMED
AFTER SOME RESEARCH THAT THE
DEAL WITH THE DEVELOPER WAS
GOING FORWARD.
BUT MAYBE NOT.
NEXT CHAPTER.
>> WE KNEW THE NATURE
CONSERVANCY HAD A LAST LOOK AT
IT.
WE THOUGHT LET'S GO TO MADISON
AND TALK TO THE PEOPLE AT THE
NATURE CON SER VANS SEE.
IF THIS IS GONE MAYBE THEY HAVE
OTHER PIECES WHERE WE COULD
HAVE INVOLVED AND GET TO
UNDERSTAND HOW THESE TRUSTS
WORK AND HOW THE LARGE TRACTS
ARE BEING PROTECTED.
>> SPARKED AND JODY AND JEFF'S
INTEREST THE CONSERVANCY
DECIDED FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER
IN WISCONSIN TO EMPLOY A
PROGRAM OFTEN USED BY OTHER
LAND TRUSTS IN THE U.S.
IT'S CALLED THE CONSERVATION
BUYER PROGRAM.
HERE IS HOW IT WORKS.
A LAND TRUST, IN THIS CASE THE
NATURE CONSERVANCY BUYS A
PROPERTY AND HOLDS IT LONG
ENOUGH TO ATTACH A CONSERVATION
EASEMENT TO IT.
IN THIS CASE, DEVELOPMENT WAS
LIMITED TO JUST THREE HOUSES ON
THIS ENTIRE PARCEL.
ONCE THE EASEMENT IS ON THE
DEED, THE LAND TRUST
IMMEDIATELY OFFERS THE PROPERTY
FOR SALE.
NOW WITH THE EASEMENT ATTACHED.
JODY AND JEFF WERE AMONG THE
BIDDERS AND THEY WON.
THE PROPERTY WAS PROTECTED.
>> WE KNOW THAT WE WON'T HAVE
50 LOTS RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE
CATHERINE WOLTER WILDERNESS
AREA.
>> IT'S PROTECTED.
BECAUSE IT'S NOW IN PRIVATE
HANDS IT IS NOT OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC.
ONE COULD ARGUE THAT THE BEST
OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR THE
NATURE CONSERVANCY OR THE STATE
TO OWN THIS PROPERTY SO THEY
COULD PROVIDE ACCESS AND
EVERYONE IN THE STATE COULD
ENJOY IT.
STILL, IN A TIME OF TIGHT
DOLLARS, THE CONSERVATION BUYER
PROGRAM SERVED THE PURPOSE OF
PROTECTING THE LAND.
THE LAND AND THE RUDOLPH LAKE
PARCEL AND THE LAND IN THE
CATHERINE WOLTER WILDERNESS
AREA.
>> TO HAVE IT SAVED WAS THE
MOST IMPORTANT THING.
>> THE CONSERVATION BUYER
PROGRAM, ANOTHER TOOL IN LAND
USE.
TO BALANCE PROTECTION AND
DEVELOPMENT.
A TOOL FIRST USED IN THE
NORTHWOODS, A PLACE IN PERIL
BECAUSE IT'S SO DEEPLY LOVED.
>> IT REALLY IS BEING LOVED TO
DEATH.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE PEOPLE
LIKE THE JOHN SONS WHO LOVE IT
SO MUCH ARE ALSO THE ONES ABLE
TO COME BACK AND HELP US
PROTECT THE PROPERTY.
I THINK THAT THAT MODEL, I
HOPE, CAN THEN BE REPLICATED AT
OTHER PLACES.
>> THE TWO OF US SAID IT'S OUR
TURN, WHAT CAN WE DO AT OUR
LEVEL?
WE JUST FEEL LUCKY TO BE HERE.
>> WE ALL KNOW THAT HERE IN
WISCONSIN CHEESE IS BIG
BUSINESS.
AND CREATING WORLD CLASS CHEESE
IS VERY SERIOUS BUSINESS.
REPORTER ART HACKETT THREW ON A
HAIR NET AND SPENT TIME WITH
TWO WISCONSIN CHEESEMAKERS WHO
RECENTLY COMPETED IN A WORLD
COMPETITION FOR BEST IN SHOW
BRAGGING RIGHTS.
>> PEOPLE IN WISCONSIN'S CHEESE
INDUSTRY TAKE THE WORLD CHEESE
CHAMPIONSHIPS, WHICH HAPPEN
EVERY TWO YEARS IN THE SPRING,
VERY SERIOUSLY.
>> IT'S AN IMPORTANT CONTEST
FOR US.
IT IS KIND OF LIKE THE ACADEMY
AWARDS OF THE CHEESE INDUSTRY.
>> JIM NATZKE DOESN'T WEAR HIS
PRIDE ON HIS SLEEVE, IT'S ON
HIS BACK.
>> IT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL IF
YOU WON.
>> IT WOULD BE HUGE.
>> 15 MILES TO THE EAST NEAR
BRODHEAD IS ANOTHER CHEESE
PLANT THAT EVEN IDENTIFIES
ITSELF AS THE HOME OF
CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESES.
>> I ORDERED THIS BABY 17 YEARS
AND NEVER WON.
99 WAS THE FIRST YEAR I WON.
>> STEVE IS THE MASTER
CHEESEMAKER AT DECATUR DAIRY.
>> HOW OLD ARE THESE, TYPICALLY?
>> I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT, IT'S
A SECRET.
>> IT TOOK SOME TALKING TO
THESE GENTLEMEN TO LET US IN ON
WHAT CAN BE CALLED THE SECRETS
TO PICKING A CHAMPIONSHIP
CHEESE.
WE WERE LED IN A CHILLED
BASEMENT STOREROOM FILLED WITH
THOUSANDS OF ROUNDS.
ROTH KASE WILL ENTER A NUMBER
OF CATEGORIES BUT WE'LL BE
TALKING ABOUT GRUYERE.
JUST AS DAIRY CATTLE ARE JUDGED
ON THE FULLNESS OF THEIR UDDERS
AND THE HEIGHT OF THEIR BEHIND
QUARTERS THESE DAIRY PRODUCTS
WILL FIRST BE JUDGED FOR THEIR
SHAPE.
>> IT WILL NOT AFFECT THE
FLAVOR BUT IT CREATES SOMETHING
THAT THE JUDGES CAN FIND WRONG
WITH YOUR CHEESE THAT THEY'LL
MARK YOU DOWN FOR.
>> NATZKE HAS PULLED INDIVIDUAL
CHEESES THAT HAVE APPEARANCE
FLAWS THAT WOULD RULE OUT THERE
BEING ENTERED.
THESE CAN BE SAMPLED FOR TASTE.
EACH ONE IS MARKED WITH A BATCH
DATE.
>> EACH BATCH WE DO IS 130
WHEELS.
IF WE FIND ONE THAT CAN TASTES
GOOD.
WE CAN ALWAYS FIND ONE THAT
LOOKS GOOD.
>> THE SAMPLE WHEELS HAVE
NUMEROUS MARKS SHOWING THAT
SOMEONE HAS BEEN FOLLOWING
THEIR PROGRESS.
>> THIS ONE HAS BEEN PLUGGED A
FEW TIMES.
WHEN YOU FIRST PULL THAT PLUG
OUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS LOOK
FOR THINGS, PIN HOLES.
YOU SEE A FEW EYES, GRUYERE CAN
HAVE A FEW SMALL EYES IN IT.
IT'S NOT CONSIDERED A DEFECT.
>> FINALLY THE TASTE.
>> IT IS A CLEAN FLAVOR.
NO BITTER AFTERTASTE.
IT PASSES ALL THOSE TESTS.
THE FINAL THING WE LOOK FOR IS
SOMETHING THAT'S WOW.
IF I HAD TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT
THIS CHEESE I DON'T GET WOW OUT
OF IT.
I HAVE ONE MORE HERE FOUR.
A JULY 17th.
A WEEK OLDER THAN THE OTHER ONE.
>> THIS IS SHARPER STILL.
>> A FRIEND OF MINE ONCE TOLD
ME A GOOD PIECE OF CHEESE WHEN
YOU GET DONE EATING IT YOU'RE
HUNGRY FOR ANOTHER ONE.
THIS ONE LEAVES YOU HUNGRY AND
COMING BACK FOR MORE.
>> WE'VE GOT MUENSTER, I
BELIEVE THERE IS A HAR VARTY
WITH PEPPER CORN.
>> THE REST OF THESE BATCHES
WENT TO A DELI LONG AGO.
ON A SET OF SHELVES STETTLER
HAS SET ASIDE WHAT HE HOPES
WILL BE THE WINNING LOAVES FOR
THE COMPETITION.
>> WE HAVE THESE TWO YET.
I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL ENTER
THESE OR NOT.
THOSE ARE EXPERIMENTAL.
>> HE CARRIES THE LOAVES TO
TABLES IN THE NEXT ROOM.
HE'S LOOKING FOR PAIRS OF EVEN
HEIGHT WITH THE WRAPPING
PERFECTLY SQUARE.
CONTESTANTS HAVE TO HIT A
MOVING TARGET.
CHEESE IS A LIVING THING.
THE PROCESSES WHICH CREATE IT
AND GIVE IT FLAVOR WILL
CONTINUE UP UNTIL THE TIME IT
IS JUDGED.
>> I WOULD ASSUME BY THE TIME
THE CONTEST COMES AROUND IT
WILL BE SEALED UP TOTALLY WITH
THE AGING.
>> HE PULLS A LOAF WITH A
CREASE IN IT TO SLICE FOR A
TASTE SAMPLE.
>> THIS IS MY GOOD LUCK SWISS
KNIFE.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE ONE OF THEM.
PRETTY SMOOTH IN YOUR MOUTH.
>> UH-HUH.
>> AND THE FLAVOR IS REALLY
CLEAN.
>> AND THESE CHEESEMAKERS
AREN'T JUST COMPETING AGAINST
EACH OTHER OR OTHER FACTORIES
IN WISCONSIN.
>> WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST FEW
YEARS JUST THE NUMBER OF
ENTRIES EXPLODE AND A LOT OF
THOSE NEW ENTRIES ARE COMING
FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.
PARTICULARLY THE TRADITIONAL
CHEESE MAKING COUNTRIES,
FRANCE, SWITZERLAND, GERMANY.
>> YES, THERE ARE A LOT OF
ENTRIES.
THE LOAF OF MUENSTER AND THE
WHEEL OF GRUYERE FROM GREEN
COUNTY, WISCONSIN ARE AMONG
OVER 1900 ENTRIES SHIPPED TO
MADISON FOR THE WORLD CHEESE
CHAMPIONSHIP.
>> 1701.
>> OVER A PERIOD OF THREE DAYS
THEY ARE PLUGGED AND SLICED BY
THE JUDGES.
THERE ARE MORE WHITE COATS THAN
YOU'D SEE AT A CONVENTION OF
INTERNISTS.
AMONG THE BEST IN CLASS
WINNERS, DECATUR DAIRY'S LOAF
OF MUENSTER.
>> THIS WAS A BIG ONE.
IT'S GOOD FOR THE CO-OP.
WE HAVE A DAIRY CO-OP, 72 FARMS.
THIS IS REALLY GOOD FOR THEM.
>> BUT IT IS STILL SORT OF LIKE
MAKING THE SWEET 16 IN THE NCAA
CHAMPIONSHIP.
EVERYONE'S ULTIMATE GOAL IS THE
FINAL FOUR AND THEN THE
CHAMPIONSHIP.
>> HERE WE HAVE THE WORLD
CHAMPION CHEESE FOR 2008.
IT IS CLASS 26 THE GRUYERE.
>> COULD IT BE?
COULD THIS BE ROTH KASE'S ENTRY?
ALAS, NO.
>> FROM SWITZERLAND MADE BY
MICHAEL SPEICHER IN SWITZERLAND.
>> STILL, ROTH KASE HAD A
VICTORY TO CELEBRATE.
>> WE WON FIRST PLACE IN THE
SMEAR RIPENED HARDENED CHEESE
CATEGORY.
>> AN AMERICAN DEVELOPED CHEESE
SIMILAR TO GRUYERE WITH A
DIFFERENT FLAVOR.
>> I CAN'T EVER REMEMBER HAVING
A CLASS WINNER IN THIS CONTEST,
THE U.S. CONTEST JUST DOESN'T
HAVE AS MANY ENTRIES AND
SOMEHOW THERE IS A LITTLE MORE
PRESTIGE, A LOT MORE PRESTIGE.
WE'RE COMPETING WITH THE
EUROPEANS.
>> YES, YOU ARE.
THE THREE TOP CHEESES CAME FROM
SWITZERLAND AND ITALY.
IT IS WISCONSIN AGAINST THE
WORLD.
>> YOU MAY WONDER WHAT HAPPENS
TO ALL OF THAT CHEESE FROM THE
COMPETITION?
WELL, IT GETS AUCTIONED OFF.
AND BEFORE YOU PULL OUT YOUR
CHECKBOOK, CONSIDER THIS.
MANY OF THOSE WHEELS OF CHEESE
GO FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.
WE LEAVE YOU WITH A LOOK AT THE
HISTORIC WIND POINT LIGHTHOUSE
IN RACINE WHICH FIRST TURNED ON
ITS LIGHT IN 1880 USING A
KEROSENE LAMP.
FOR "IN WISCONSIN" I'M KATHY
BISSEN.
SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "IN
WISCONSIN" IS PROVIDED BY THE
PEOPLE OF ALLIANT ENERGY, WHO
BRING SAFE, RELIABLE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ENERGY
TO KEEP HOMES, NEIGHBORHOODS
AND LIFE IN WISCONSIN RUNNING
SMOOTHLY.
ALLIANT ENERGY, OFFERING
ENERGY-SAVING IDEAS ON THE WEB.
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
PAUL B. CARBONE COMPREHENSIVE
CANCER CENTER, PROVIDING CANCER
RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND
TREATMENT.
UW PAUL B. CARBONE
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER,
COMPREHENSIVE AS DESIGNATED BY
THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE.
INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE
WEB.
AND BY THE ANIMAL DENTAL CENTER
OF MILWAUKEE AND OSHKOSH.
A VETERINARY SPECIALIST WORKING
WITH PET OWNERS AND FAMILY
VETERINARIANS THROUGHOUT
WISCONSIN PROVIDING CARE FOR
ORAL DISEASE AND DENTAL
PROBLEMS OF SMALL COMPANION
ANIMALS.