Agriculture Programs

Farm Ready Research Webinars are Now Available!

Farm Ready Research is Extension’s agriculture winter webinar meeting series for farmers and ag professionals. Join the webinars to learn the most up-to-date information on topics from dairy and livestock production to farm management resources. Sessions begin December 2020 and run through April 2021. Review the program topics and descriptions, and register at: https://extension.wisc.edu/agriculture/farm-ready-research/

List of Current Programs

Upcoming programs for February and March:

The Cutting Edge: A Podcast in Search of New Crops for Wisconsin

Join UW-Madison Division of Extension as they search for new crops for Wisconsin growers, processors, and consumers. The strength of Wisconsin’s agricultural economy is its diversity…something that doesn’t just happen by chance. It is a product of the relentless drive of researchers and farmers to innovate, explore, and experiment. Join us for a glimpse into the exciting new research and development bringing new crops and diversity to Wisconsin.

Small Grain Marketing and Production in Western Wisconsin

When: February 25, 2021 11:00am-12:30pm via Zoom

Register by: February 24th, 5:00pm at https://go.wisc.edu/0ny7i3

Topics:

      • Local Markets:
        • Hard Red Spring Wheat
        • Oats – Food Grade
        • Barley – Food Grade and Malting
        • Organic Food Grade Markets
        • Rye
      • Research in Western Wisconsin
      • Quality Parameters
      • Production Basics and Q&A

Speakers

      • Jerry Clark – UW-Madison Division of Extension Chippewa County, Ag Agent
      • Carl Duley – UW-Madison Division of Extension Buffalo County, Ag Agent
      • Additional speakers invited from 5 different Small Grain companies in the Western Wisconsin region. Including both conventional and organic markets.

1.5 Certified Crop Advisor CEU Credits in Crop Management Offered

2021 Midwest Manure Summit

The 2021 Midwest Manure Summit is going virtual. This free, online event, hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Extension Dairy Team and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will be held on February 24th from 9 am to 3:30 pm via Zoom.

Speakers and Topics: 

      • Addressing Manure Odors at the Source – Dr. Erin Cortus, Associate Professor, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota
      • Ammonia Capture for the Organic Market – Dr. Robert Levine, Co-Founder and CEO, Digested Organics, LLC
      • Biochar and Manure Management – Dr. Becky Larson, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, UW-Madison
      • Biogas Upgrading – Mr. Kevin Dobson, DTE Energy, and Mr. Nick Elger, US EPA AgStar
      • Feeding Strategies to Reduce Methane – Dr. Michel Wattiaux, Professor, Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
      • I (AM) Responsible…and So Are You! Agriculture’s Role in Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance – Dr. Amy Schmidt, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
      • Pelletizing Manure Solids – Dr. Mahmoud Sharara, Department of Biolocal and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University
      • Reconnecting the Nutrient Cycle: Capture of Liquid Dairy Manure as Struvite and Its Use for Alfalfa Production – Dr. Joe Harrison, Extension Specialist, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University
      • The Role of Manure Management to Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Dairy Farms – Dr. Horacio Aguirre-Villegas, Assistant Scientist, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison
      • Systems Modeling and Optimization for Organic Waste Management – Dr. Victor Zavala, Baldovin-DaPra Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, UW-Madison
      • Wet Gasification for a Dairy Farm – Mr. Peter Wright, Agricultural Engineer, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University

Pre-registration for this free, online event is required by 5 pm, February 22, 2021 at https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/midwestmanure/registration/

Questions regarding the Midwest Manure Summit can be directed to Heather Schlesser, Extension Marathon County at heather.schlesser@wisc.edu or 715-261-1230, ext 2. 

The 2021 Midwest Manure Summit is sponsored by UW-Madison, Division of Extension and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with financial support provided by: Braun Electric, Inc, BioFirm, Dairy Business Association, Greenstone Farm Credit Services, Hoard’s Dairyman/Journal of Nutrient Management, Oxbo International Corporation, ProfitPro AG, Trident Processes, Inc, Investors Community Bank, L & L Sales and Service, Inc, Progressive Publishing and Reisterer and Schnell.

 

Polk County has a very active Youth Quality Meats Program whose educational activities and events culminate in the Quality Meat Auction held the Saturday evening during the Polk County Fair.  Many youth also take their other meat project animals (those which don’t sell at the auction) to the WI State Fair and other shows.

Contact either your 4-H Club Leader, FFA advisor, or the UW-Extension office to learn more!

If you are looking for information pertaining to the Quality Meats then go to the 4-H tab and in drop down box go to Quality meats and it is there you will find updated information pertaining to the current years Quality Meats specifications.

Farm To School Program

What is it?

The Farm to School Program is an effort to connect schools (K – 12) with regional or local farms in order to serve healthy meals using locally produced foods. Farm to School activities may vary from community to community depending upon demographics; however, the basic goals remain the same:

  • To meet the diverse needs of school nutrition programs in an efficient manner
  • To support regional and local farmers and thereby strengthen local food systems
  • To provide support for health and nutrition education.

An additional goal of the program is to reconnect consumers with their food.  Consumers both young and old have become disconnected from their food and now, when asked where their food comes from, most say “grocery stores”.  Farm to School teaches children, parents, and teachers about where their food comes from and who grows it.   The progam works to put a face to food!

Resources

Resources

Websites

Benefits

Publications, Materials, & Lessons

DHIA Polk-Burnett Scholarship

These scholarships will be made available by the AgSource DHIA Foundation for students enrolled in post high school education or planning to pursue post high school education. Applicant’s family must reside in Polk or Burnett Counties or be a present or past member of the Polk-Burnett DHI AgSource.

Preference may be given to students in agriculture related majors and students of farm families. Scholarship proceeds will not be given until student has successfully completed one semester of post high school education and a transcript is sent in showing the semester completion.  An applicant may be entering or already enrolled in post high school education programs.

Scholarship Forms HERE!

Sharing is Caring - Click Below to Share