The Conservation Professional Training Program is a program of UW–Madison Division of Extension providing conservation training courses to help you deliver smarter solutions to farmers and rural landowners. From introductory courses for new employees to advanced training for conservation advisors, we provide diverse trainings to ensure you have the skills you need to succeed.
Conservation Calendar
We offer face to face, online and blended training to conservation agencies, private sector consultants and landowners across Wisconsin, the Midwest, and the US. View conservation-related events and trainings offered by us and our partners throughout the state.
Events Key
Extension Events
Partner Events
Calendar of Events
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4 events,
Iowa Organic Conference
Save the planet through organics: Managing climate change with organic practices Info here.
Pollinators in the City
Pollinators in the City
Join for this webinar series focused on the biology and human dynamics of pollinator conservation in urban settings. 11/29 Reed Johnson, Honey Bees in the City 11/30 Gerardo Camilo, The […]
NEWSC Dredging Workshop
NEWSC Dredging Workshop
Stormwater ponds were constructed en masse several years ago, requiring only annual inspections and minor maintenance since. But they were put in place with the understanding sediment would need to […]
Manure Mondays
Manure Mondays
Manure Mondays is a webinar series that continues where the Manure Expo left off and provides the opportunity to share new technology and information about managing manure. A series of […]
2 events,
Pollinators in the City
Pollinators in the City
Join for this webinar series focused on the biology and human dynamics of pollinator conservation in urban settings. 11/29 Reed Johnson, Honey Bees in the City 11/30 Gerardo Camilo, The […]
Conservation Partnership Training
Conservation Partnership Training
Join us to learn about WI Land+Water, DATCP, DNR, NRCS, etc. Presenters will provide information about programs and topics integral to successful conservation programs over the three-day training. Training resources are posted […]
1 event,
Farm Loans: How and When to Use Debt to Finance Your Farm Business
Farm Loans: How and When to Use Debt to Finance Your Farm Business
Growing a food and farm business often requires taking on debt. Upfront capital requirements and seasonal operations expenditures can leave enterprises strapped for cash and vulnerable to disruptions. The right […]
8 events,
Floodplain 101
Floodplain 101
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting a virtual Floodplain 101 Workshop. All community floodplain zoning administrators, community officials, building officials and other development professionals are encouraged […]
Mass Timber Case Study
Mass Timber Case Study
A part of the Yale Forest Forum: The Future of Wood Building Products in a Changing Climate Wood is a renewable resource that has wide material applications in many industries. […]
Organic Confluences Conference: Connecting Organic and AgTech
Organic Confluences Conference: Connecting Organic and AgTech
The conferences will examine potential opportunities for technology to support the organic sector, pitfalls when it comes to access and equity in AgTech, historical and current examples of AgTech exacerbating […]
Cash Flow Projections for 2022
Cash Flow Projections for 2022
As we wrap up 2021, our financial management experts will share important tips to finish 2021 strong. They’ll also provide an outlook for 2022 cash flows. Episode presenters will be: […]
Strategies for Preventing and Managing Harmful Cyanobacteria Blooms
Strategies for Preventing and Managing Harmful Cyanobacteria Blooms
The Harmful Cyanobacteria Blooms (HCBs) training reviews key information found in the ITRC Guidance Document, Strategies for Preventing and Managing Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms. Cyanobacteria are microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that occur […]
Start Your 2022 Grant Strategy Off Right!
Start Your 2022 Grant Strategy Off Right!
As the calendar year begins to wind down and you think about the new year, are you also thinking about how to strengthen your grant-seeking strategy in the upcoming year? […]
Our Changing Menu: Climate Change and the Foods We Love and Need
Our Changing Menu: Climate Change and the Foods We Love and Need
Dr. Mike Hoffmann, will give a presentation based on his new book, "Our Changing Menu: Climate Change and the Foods We Love and Need," and the companion website. Written by […]
International Nature Farming Convergence
International Nature Farming Convergence
The focus of this event goes far beyond Nature Farming as a series of recipes, instead bringing in natural philosophy and going back to the traditional roots of farming. As […]
3 events,
Wisconsin Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and YFA Conference
The annual meeting brings together Wisconsin farmers, agriculture business professionals and supporters to discuss top issues impacting agriculture. One of the most important items of business at each WFBF Annual […]
Anticipating the hydrologic consequences of Emerald Ash Borer invasion in tribal forested wetlands through a sapflux network
Anticipating the hydrologic consequences of Emerald Ash Borer invasion in tribal forested wetlands through a sapflux network
Tribal communities maintain significant landholdings, including Black ash-dominated forested wetlands. These systems have not been a priority for management, but anticipated mortality induced by emerald ash borer (EAB, Agrilus planipennis) […]
6 events,
Great Lakes PFAS Summit
The goals of the Summit are to provide the most current and reliable science and policy, facilitate information sharing, and explore current and future research topics related to per- and […]
SCIENCE x Socioeconomic Dimensions of Land Management
The SCIENCEx webinar series brings together scientists and land management experts from across U.S. Forest Service research stations and beyond to explore the latest science and best practices for addressing […]
2021 Soil, Water, and Nutrient Management Updates
2021 Soil, Water, and Nutrient Management Updates
The 2021 Soil, Water and Nutrient Management Meetings will be virtual. Two sessions are offered as listed below. There will be four speakers, with 5-minute breaks between speakers. CEUs will […]
Manure Mondays
Manure Mondays
Manure Mondays is a webinar series that continues where the Manure Expo left off and provides the opportunity to share new technology and information about managing manure. A series of […]
How Do State and Local Governments Interact to Fight Climate Change?
How Do State and Local Governments Interact to Fight Climate Change?
Please join for a panel discussion on ways that state and local governments can work together to address climate change. The panel will feature these speakers: Kathy Kuntz, Director, Dane […]
9 events,
Great Lakes Expo 2021
Over three days, the program includes sessions on fruit crops, vegetable crops, other specialty crops, greenhouse crop production and marketing, farm marketing ideas and operations, farmers’ markets and organic production […]
Intertribal Agriculture Council Annual Conference
Join us as the IAC highlights Tribal producers and land stewardship efforts that lend important modeling and direction to all sectors of agriculture and land management. The Intertribal Agriculture Council […]
Angler Instructor Training Workshop
Join to learn tips and best practices to teach fishing. At this workshop, you will get certified to lead learn-to-fish programs for adults, families and youth in your community or […]
Pesticide Applicator Training Program
Pesticide Applicator Training Program
The UW Pesticide Applicator Training Program has created multiple formats for private applicator trainings to address increased training demand. A private applicator is someone that applies restricted use pesticides to […]
Evaluation of Different Sulfur Sources for Corn and Soybeans
Evaluation of Different Sulfur Sources for Corn and Soybeans
Sulfur supplementation has recently received greater interest from the crop production community. The growing desire to supplement sulfur is driven by decreased sulfur deposition from rainfall, increased yields for multiple […]
4-part Digital Dialogue: What are healthy agroecosystems?
4-part Digital Dialogue: What are healthy agroecosystems?
Grassland 2.0 is hosting a 4-part Digital Dialogue focusing on the question - What are healthy agroecosystems? The digital dialogues will be held on the third Tuesday of the month […]
Groundwater and Well Construction 101
Groundwater and Well Construction 101
In this webinar, you’ll learn about how water moves through the ground to your well and how well construction can increase contamination vulnerability. Additional questions that may be answered include: […]
13 events,
Helping Farmers to be Good Neighbors
Helping Farmers to be Good Neighbors
As rural areas become more developed it is so important for farmers to be good neighbors. New neighbors may have never been exposed to production agriculture might complain about a […]
Midwest Cover Crops Field Guide
Midwest Cover Crops Field Guide
The MCCC will hold a live, webinar to outline the updates and answer questions. To register for the webinar or view a recorded version later, go online. Attendees who pre-register […]
Brine on a Budget
Brine on a Budget
Matt Wittum, Highway Superintendent with the Town of Linn, joins us again to advise smaller municipalities or anyone interested getting into brine but running into budget issues. Info here.
Black Farmer Justice: Past, Present, and Future
Black Farmer Justice: Past, Present, and Future
Black farmers have a rich history and promising future in the United States, even though the Black history of agriculture is often reduced to slavery and cotton plantations. In Farming […]
Habitat Management and Monitoring
Habitat Management and Monitoring
This workshop will provide practitioners with technical guidance for the successful stewardship of habitat including what to expect and recommended management actions over time. This module will also provide a […]
History of Racism in US Agriculture and Organic
History of Racism in US Agriculture and Organic
Organic organizations have recognized the need for training providing baseline knowledge and common language around issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organic community. This presentation, delivered by Beth […]
Winter Tree Identification
Winter Tree Identification
Identifying trees without their leaves can be difficult. However, knowing how to use their twigs, buds, and bark can make it a lot easier. In this program, we will cover […]
How (and How Not) to Apply for Agricultural Grants
How (and How Not) to Apply for Agricultural Grants
With a wave of new grant opportunities and emergency funding for farmers, it can be tough to know where to start—or if you even should. Grants can help your farm […]
9 events,
Activate Soil Microbes to Unlock Nutrients and Improve Profitability
Activate Soil Microbes to Unlock Nutrients and Improve Profitability
Regardless of how many nutrients we apply, without healthy soil they may never make it to the plant due to timing or severe weather. It's not uncommon to experience nitrogen […]
Ladies’ Lunch ‘n Learn: Land Conservation Plans
Ladies’ Lunch ‘n Learn: Land Conservation Plans
Are you a woman landowner interested in developing a conservation plan that stewards your land for future generations? Wisconsin Women in Conservation is leading fan innovative and inaugural state-wide initiative […]
Western Wisconsin Conservation Council (WCCC) Annual Meeting
Western Wisconsin Conservation Council (WCCC) Annual Meeting
Agenda 12 p.m. Lunch 1-3 p.m. Programing WWCC year in review: Todd Doornink, WWCC board president 2020-member survey results review and The Nature Conservancy incentive program review: Steve Richter and […]
Working together and giving back
Working together and giving back
We are all contributors on the journey to effective ecological restoration. We are part of the same Earth and connected by interwoven systems that govern how we live and interact […]
6 events,
2021 Soil, Water, and Nutrient Management Updates
2021 Soil, Water, and Nutrient Management Updates
The 2021 Soil, Water and Nutrient Management Meetings will be virtual. Two sessions are offered as listed below. There will be four speakers, with 5-minute breaks between speakers. CEUs will […]
Chemical Control of Cattail in Species-Rich Wetlands
Chemical Control of Cattail in Species-Rich Wetlands
Narrow-leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia) and hybrid cattail (Typha x glauca) are aggressive invaders of wetlands in Wisconsin. Integrated Restorations, LLC, has been evaluating the use of the selectively-targeted herbicide imazapyr […]
Cultivating Your Farm’s Financial Future
Cultivating Your Farm’s Financial Future
A new program from University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension educators in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection’s Farm Center staff will help Wisconsin farmers […]
Barriers to Opportunities for Peri-Urban Farm Startups and Expansions: Navigating Access to Land, Capital, and Production Capacity
Barriers to Opportunities for Peri-Urban Farm Startups and Expansions: Navigating Access to Land, Capital, and Production Capacity
Washington State University in partnership with Oregon State University announces “Farming on the Urban Edge”, a series of online Conferences starting throughout winter 2021 through Spring 20-22 that will launch […]
0 events,
1 event,
Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Convention
The MASWCD annual convention includes business meetings, updates on current issues, a keynote address, informational sessions, a trade show, and recognition of outstanding soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) and […]
5 events,
Building Resilient Farms and Farm Families
Building Resilient Farms and Farm Families
Farm and farm families experience a variety of stressors that lead to disruptions on the farm. Building resilience is necessary to reduce the impact of stressors and strengthen the farm […]
Making Conservation Profitable
Making Conservation Profitable
Iowa County's Uplands Watershed Group supports farmers in implementing conservation strategies that protect soil, recycle nutrients, increase water infiltration, support wildlife, and hold carbon in the soil, among other benefits. […]
Manure Mondays
Manure Mondays
Manure Mondays is a webinar series that continues where the Manure Expo left off and provides the opportunity to share new technology and information about managing manure. A series of […]
Virtual Crane Viewing
Virtual Crane Viewing
Each fall, upwards of 10,000 sandhill cranes congregate along the Wisconsin River just behind Leopold's Shack—and this year is no different. The cranes are arriving by the thousands at their […]
9 events,
Missouri State Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health
This two-day virtual conference features presentations and discussion panels about cover crops and soil health. Speakers include farmers experienced with cover crops and soil health along with other soil health […]
Soil Management Summit
The Soil Management Summit emphasizes proven farmer experience and applied science. Straight from the fields, learn how heavier, colder soils aren’t necessarily the challenge they’re made out to be. Hear […]
Bridging the Gap: Connecting Farm to School
Bridging the Gap: Connecting Farm to School
Wisconsin Farmers Union and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) are teaming up to host “Bridging the Gap: Connecting Farm to School." Join us for a […]
Using Ecological Forestry to Support Bird Management Objectives
Using Ecological Forestry to Support Bird Management Objectives
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forest Ecology Working Group (FEWG) and NCTC, working in collaboration with many FWS programs and partners, have developed a monthly lecture series to address […]
Hiring practice to build and retain diverse teams
Hiring practice to build and retain diverse teams
Are you looking for ways to build a more diverse work environment? Join this workshop to learn different hiring practices that can help you build and retain diverse teams. Participants […]
Managing Tribal Fisheries and Employees on the Reservation
Managing Tribal Fisheries and Employees on the Reservation
Tribal natural resource management agencies continue to provide employment opportunities within the fisheries field, and while much is known about Western ways of managing fisheries, native culture and its views […]
Preserving Local Food Systems with Federal Financing
Preserving Local Food Systems with Federal Financing
Traditional development finance tools can be used to support food-related businesses and projects, leveraging further investment to catalyze local and regional food systems. Food can be a powerful tool for […]
Ranching with Birds
Ranching with Birds
This free webinar is part of the Ranching with Wildlife Winter Webinar Series from World Wildlife Fund’s Sustainable Ranching Initiative Team. Each monthly webinar features regional experts in different species, […]
9 events,
Discovery Farms Conference
The Discovery Farms Annual Conference is back. This year we will utilize our robust dataset from water quality monitoring over the last 20 years to assess tradeoffs of on-farm management […]
An Introduction to the Shoreline Stabilization Outreach Project
An Introduction to the Shoreline Stabilization Outreach Project
Each of the 72 Wisconsin land conservation departments received a box of printed pamphlets created based on practices used in Northern Wisconsin lakes' projects. This webinar will discuss the process and participants […]
Private Well Assessment and Outreach for EHPs
Private Well Assessment and Outreach for EHPs
This 4-hour online workshop covers the use of a new assessment tool for the evaluation of private well vulnerability to contamination and best practices for well owner outreach. Participants will […]
Classical Biological Control of Weeds – About Misconceptions and Untapped Opportunities
Classical Biological Control of Weeds – About Misconceptions and Untapped Opportunities
Modern classical biological control (or importation biological control) of invasive non-native weeds aims to mitigate their negative impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services and human well-being. It implies the deliberate release […]
Soil Stability Maps to Improve Management for Soil Health and Carbon Markets
Soil Stability Maps to Improve Management for Soil Health and Carbon Markets
The December Soil Health Nexus Digital Cafe will feature Bruno Basso from Michigan State University. Info here.
Seven Best Practices for Risk Communication
Seven Best Practices for Risk Communication
Understanding risk is a key component for initiatives focused on helping communities prepare for and respond to weather and climate hazards. This interactive webinar introduces participants to seven best practices, […]
New and Emerging Plant Diseases
New and Emerging Plant Diseases
Brian Hudelson, Director of Diagnostic Services at the UW-Madison Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic. In this session, you will learn about plant diseases that have recently arrived in Wisconsin and have […]
4 events,
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to […]
Understanding and Reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in Agriculture & Forestry
Understanding and Reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in Agriculture & Forestry
Forest Management for Climate Change Mitigation in New York Land management offers the potential for climate change mitigation through sequestration of carbon, especially in the forest sector. This webinar will […]
Cover Cropping for Drought Resiliency
Cover Cropping for Drought Resiliency
Madera-Chowchilla RCD in California and collaborators are hosting a virtual cover cropping workshop discussing key strategies for starting and managing cover crops on your farm system for water and soil […]
Cover Crop Field Day: Cover Crop Dos and Don’ts – Lessons Learned About Cover Crops, Corn Growth, Diseases and Pests
Cover Crop Field Day: Cover Crop Dos and Don’ts – Lessons Learned About Cover Crops, Corn Growth, Diseases and Pests
The field day will explore the potential benefits and impacts of planting corn into a living winter cereal rye cover crop. While the field day will primarily focus on the […]
4 events,
Visual Merchandising
Visual Merchandising
Join Mike Demchik, Ph.D. and Tigerton Lumber Co. as we follow three trees from standing stock to milled wood. In this workshop we will explore how defects move through a […]
Trellising currants and gooseberries: The cordon method
Trellising currants and gooseberries: The cordon method
Two Onion farm, located in Belmont Wisconsin, shares their findings from their on-farm research trial to evaluate the cordon trellising method which is used in Europe to improve fruit quality […]
Life Hacks over Lunch: A Meet-up Series for Watershed Professionals
Life Hacks over Lunch: A Meet-up Series for Watershed Professionals
This free, virtual meet-up series is a peer-learning opportunity for watershed professionals to share ideas and advice for solving real-life challenges of watershed projects. If you work with farmers and […]
The Interplay Between Manure and Compaction
The Interplay Between Manure and Compaction
Manure is an extremely valuable input to soil health and crop production because it supports so many functions including water movement, microbial growth, nutrient cycling, and adds micronutrients. However, because […]
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2 events,
Farm Finance Check Up
Farm Finance Check Up
Financial management is a topic often identified as a stressor for farm businesses. This session will discuss end of the year financial activities that you can do now to plan […]
The Scoop on Snowfall in the North Central US
The Scoop on Snowfall in the North Central US
Are your dreams of a White Christmas likely to come true? What is the snowiest month of the year? How far into spring do you need to keep that snow […]
1 event,
Eco-literacy and Conservation: The Convergence of Research, Policy and Education
Eco-literacy and Conservation: The Convergence of Research, Policy and Education
Join us for a brief foray into the intersections of science, policy and education. This webinar will explain how ecologists and conservation biologists use the scientific process, how those results […]
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Great Lakes PFAS Summit
The goals of the Summit are to provide the most current and reliable science and policy, facilitate information sharing, and explore current and future research topics related to per- and […]
SCIENCE x Socioeconomic Dimensions of Land Management
The SCIENCEx webinar series brings together scientists and land management experts from across U.S. Forest Service research stations and beyond to explore the latest science and best practices for addressing […]
Great Lakes Expo 2021
Over three days, the program includes sessions on fruit crops, vegetable crops, other specialty crops, greenhouse crop production and marketing, farm marketing ideas and operations, farmers’ markets and organic production […]
Intertribal Agriculture Council Annual Conference
Join us as the IAC highlights Tribal producers and land stewardship efforts that lend important modeling and direction to all sectors of agriculture and land management. The Intertribal Agriculture Council […]
Angler Instructor Training Workshop
Join to learn tips and best practices to teach fishing. At this workshop, you will get certified to lead learn-to-fish programs for adults, families and youth in your community or […]
Helping Farmers to be Good Neighbors
As rural areas become more developed it is so important for farmers to be good neighbors. New neighbors may have never been exposed to production agriculture might complain about a […]
Midwest Cover Crops Field Guide
The MCCC will hold a live, webinar to outline the updates and answer questions. To register for the webinar or view a recorded version later, go online. Attendees who pre-register […]
Brine on a Budget
Matt Wittum, Highway Superintendent with the Town of Linn, joins us again to advise smaller municipalities or anyone interested getting into brine but running into budget issues. Info here.
Black Farmer Justice: Past, Present, and Future
Black farmers have a rich history and promising future in the United States, even though the Black history of agriculture is often reduced to slavery and cotton plantations. In Farming […]
Habitat Management and Monitoring
This workshop will provide practitioners with technical guidance for the successful stewardship of habitat including what to expect and recommended management actions over time. This module will also provide a […]
History of Racism in US Agriculture and Organic
Organic organizations have recognized the need for training providing baseline knowledge and common language around issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organic community. This presentation, delivered by Beth […]
Winter Tree Identification
Identifying trees without their leaves can be difficult. However, knowing how to use their twigs, buds, and bark can make it a lot easier. In this program, we will cover […]
Conservation News
Northern Soil Compaction Conference
Do you feel like soil compaction is squeezing your yields? Are you wondering what you can do about it? The University of Minnesota Extension is proud to partner with Manitoba Ag and Resource Development and North Dakota State University to bring you the Northern Soil Compaction Conference. This virtual event will be held on June 22nd and 23rd from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm CT.
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