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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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,
2022 Online Nutrient Management Training Dates
The DATCP and the Nutrient and Pest Management team is excited to announce the 2022 Online Nutrient Management Trainings. They will be offering four different 10 am - 3 pm […]
2022 Agronomy Update Meeting
2022 Agronomy Update Meeting
The 2022 Agronomy Update Meetings will be virtual this year due to COVID-19. The meetings will present the latest information on hybrid/variety performance, an analysis and discussion of last year's […]
0 events,
2 events,
NR 151: Background, History, and Intent (Abridged)
NR 151: Background, History, and Intent (Abridged)
Do you know the history, background, and intent of the standards in Administrative Code NR 151, Wisconsin's runoff management rule? Chances are, even if you have been around for a […]
2022 Agronomy Update Meeting
2022 Agronomy Update Meeting
The 2022 Agronomy Update Meetings will be virtual this year due to COVID-19. The meetings will present the latest information on hybrid/variety performance, an analysis and discussion of last year's […]
0 events,
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2 events,
2022 Master Naturalist Trainings: Registration Opens
Registration will open Monday, January 10 at 9:00am! Registration is first come, first serve. We do have a waiting list once a training fills, but it’s best to register as […]
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 […]
6 events,
Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic
The Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic is Wisconsin's premier agribusiness industry event drawing interest and participation from all confluences of the industry from throughout the Midwestern states. The program is held at […]
Animal Care Starts with the Calf
Animal Care Starts with the Calf
Jennifer Van Os will discuss “Successful pair-raising of calves”. Pair or group housing of calves is growing in popularity due to research showing benefits for calf growth, development, and welfare. […]
Agri-voltaics – Combining Productive Farmland with Solar
Agri-voltaics – Combining Productive Farmland with Solar
Solar and agriculture do not have to be mutually exclusive. Work across North America and around the globe has proven that farming, pollinator habitat, and other conservation practices can be […]
Growing School Food Gardens
Growing School Food Gardens
To kick off this work, we surveyed 542 school garden leaders in a preliminary needs assessment designed to gather ideas and feedback for expanding teaching tools and resources specifically for […]
People, Pipelines, and Water Protectors: Native American Sacrifice Zones – Conversations about Conservation
People, Pipelines, and Water Protectors: Native American Sacrifice Zones – Conversations about Conservation
Join us for our first Conversations About Conservation of the new year! We will be joined by Patricia Loew, a Professor at the Medill School of Journalism and the Director of the […]
SRW A new year, a new ewe perspective
SRW A new year, a new ewe perspective
Todd Taylor, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Sheep Research Program Manager for the Arlington Agricultural Research Station Sheep Unit, will discuss the most complex sheep on the farm, the ewe. As […]
10 events,
Native Plant Materials Virtual Conference
Successful habitat restoration depends on an adequate supply of native plant materials. Planting a diversity of native species provides ecosystem services for pollinators, wildlife, and people, as well as increasing […]
Facilitation Basics for Coastal Managers
Productive meetings are essential to effectively plan for and manage the diverse interests and needs in our coastal communities. In this course, participants will learn basic facilitation skills, tools to […]
Changing How We See Algal Blooms
Changing How We See Algal Blooms
Over the past decade several advancements in harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring approaches and technologies have expanded scientists’ and regulators’ ability to monitor and study algal blooms. BloomOptix is a […]
On Trees: A Conversation with Peter Wohlleben, Jessica J. Lee, and Sumana Roy
On Trees: A Conversation with Peter Wohlleben, Jessica J. Lee, and Sumana Roy
The Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment and Orion Magazine present a second event in a series to celebrate Orion's new anthology, "Old Growth". "On Trees" will […]
Dairy Margin Protection Update
Dairy Margin Protection Update
USDA Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) update from Mark Stephenson, Director for the Center for Dairy Profitability and Dairy Policy and Analysis at UW Madison. What you need to know for […]
Grazing Public Lands 101: A Multi-State Discussion on How to Build A Public Lands Grazing Program
Grazing Public Lands 101: A Multi-State Discussion on How to Build A Public Lands Grazing Program
Are you a public land manager or administrator in the Upper Midwest looking to integrate grazing as a land management tool? Join the Pasture Project and Wisconsin Department of Natural […]
Emerging Contaminants: A Look at Microplastics
Emerging Contaminants: A Look at Microplastics
Often when we think about plastic pollution we think of grocery bags, straws, and bottles. However, the small fragments, known as microplastics, have become ubiquitous in our lakes, rivers, and […]
Economic Guidance for Coastal Management Professionals
Economic Guidance for Coastal Management Professionals
When coastal managers need to estimate project value and incorporate economic data, they have several approaches to consider. This training provides information about a benefits-cost analysis, economic impact analysis, cost-effectiveness […]
Abridged Monarch Essentials
Abridged Monarch Essentials
Monarch Essentials is a series of comprehensive online courses organized by Monarch Joint Venture which cover various topics including monarch biology, migration, threats, plant and insect ecology, research and conservation, […]
13 events,
Carbon Farming Connection
Carbon Farming Connection
Agricultural carbon markets are growing—and so are the opportunities to produce ag carbon credits and earn additional revenue. Many farmers wonder: How can producing carbon credits benefit my operation? What […]
Soil to palate stories that weave us together
Soil to palate stories that weave us together
This dialogue of different perspectives is about the power that comes from deciding which ingredients to use in cooking, the phenology that can be found in the kitchen and the […]
Lambing, Kidding, and Calving on Pasture
Lambing, Kidding, and Calving on Pasture
Join to hear how we handle lambing, kidding, and calving, including what to have on hand, helpful tools, recognizing imminent birth, how a normal birth proceeds, and when and how […]
Collaborating for a Carbon Neutral Built Environment
Collaborating for a Carbon Neutral Built Environment
Reducing emissions across all sectors is critical if we are to combat climate change. With the passage of the infrastructure bill and the urgent need to improve and expand our […]
How to Make the Most of Smart Phones-Farmer Roundtable
How to Make the Most of Smart Phones-Farmer Roundtable
Tune in for a roundtable discussion with dairy farmers on how to make the most of smart phones, including apps for managing herd and financial data, coordinating schedules and staying […]
Resiliency Forum – Time & People Management for Specialty Crop Growers
Resiliency Forum – Time & People Management for Specialty Crop Growers
Resiliency Forums for Specialty Crop Farmers Join us for a series of online forums this winter to address resiliency on our farms. From the changing climate to the external and […]
Road Detention Structures: Adapting Current Infrastructure for Flood Resiliency and Nutrient Reduction
Road Detention Structures: Adapting Current Infrastructure for Flood Resiliency and Nutrient Reduction
The virtual field day will highlight one of the unique sites within the watershed that is adapting existing infrastructure to provide increased water storage, as well as water quality improvement […]
America’s Public Gardens: A Resource for Native Plants
America’s Public Gardens: A Resource for Native Plants
Take a journey to several of the nation’s public gardens. From gardens that grow exclusively native plants to others that have worked them into their diverse collection, get an in-depth […]
3 events,
Grass-Fed Winter Workshop
Hear from managed grazing and perennial based agriculture experts, local farmers, along with representatives from area butcher shops, Wisconsin Meadows, and the Livestock Compass. Learn about the Livestock Compass with […]
Habitat restoration and bird monitoring on the Oneida Nation reservation
Habitat restoration and bird monitoring on the Oneida Nation reservation
Since the early 2000s, the Oneida Nation has restored nearly 3,000 acres of agricultural lands to native wetland, grassland, prairie, and forest, providing important habitat for wildlife and helping to […]
Lunch and Learn: One Good Idea
Lunch and Learn: One Good Idea
One Good Idea is a new online platform and campaign to help farmers get started and have success with soil health and regenerative practices. Created by a multi-state team of […]
0 events,
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1 event,
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 […]
8 events,
12th Annual Winter Ag Conference
The event is free to all dairy and crop farmers. ARM Services, a risk management agency based in Barron, Wis., is bringing together industry thought leaders to share their perspectives […]
What Do We Know About Permeable Pavement?
What Do We Know About Permeable Pavement?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has been evaluating the water quality and quantity benefits of permeable pavements at a site in Madison, Wisconsin since 2014. USGS monitoring efforts have […]
What Do We Know About Permeable Pavement?
What Do We Know About Permeable Pavement?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has been evaluating the water quality and quantity benefits of permeable pavements at a site in Madison, Wisconsin since 2014. USGS monitoring efforts have […]
Seeing the Forest for the Trees: An Overview of Forestry Taxes
Seeing the Forest for the Trees: An Overview of Forestry Taxes
Join this webinar for an overview of forestry taxes including a summary of the different types of taxes that forest landowners pay, terminology used and more! This presentation will also […]
Effectiveness Monitoring – Evaluating the Effects of Forest Management on Bird Populations
Effectiveness Monitoring – Evaluating the Effects of Forest Management on Bird Populations
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 […]
Basic Hydrology
Basic Hydrology
This training will cover the basic concept of determining hydrology for common conservation practices. We will review concepts such as runoff, curve numbers, peak discharges, and hydrographs. Students will learn […]
Use of volunteer-collected data for scientific applications
Use of volunteer-collected data for scientific applications
In this webinar, we’ll hear two stories of how volunteer-collected data is used for watershed restoration projects in Wisconsin. Hannah Vorrie, Watershed Restoration Coordinator for the Wisconsin DNR, will be […]
High-Producing Organic No-Till
High-Producing Organic No-Till
High-producing organic no-till has long been identified as the Holy Grail of soil health. Join Brett Israel for an evening of sharing as he highlights the successes and challenges 3Gen […]
9 events,
EcoFarm Conference Rooted in Resilience
An annual gathering of agriculturalists working to advance just and ecological farming and food systems. Join us for visionary keynote speakers, skill-building workshops, pre-conference events, our expo, seed swaps, networking, […]
Wisconsin Cranberry School
The Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association (WSCGA) Board agreed Tuesday, January 5 to move their annual Winter Meeting from an in-person format to a virtual one. The event is held […]
Dairy Strong
The conference brings together farmers, corporate professionals, government and university representatives, and other partners to learn, network, celebrate, and explore challenges and opportunities in the state’s signature industry. Dairy Strong’s […]
Fertilizer Prices High? How Soil Microbes Can Improve Fertilizer Efficiency
Fertilizer Prices High? How Soil Microbes Can Improve Fertilizer Efficiency
Did you know that over 50% of fertilizer that is applied is lost? Many farmers are producing more while using less fertilizer by leveraging soil microbes to increase fertilizer efficiency, […]
SnapPlus Version 3 Update
SnapPlus Version 3 Update
Description: Join us for a sneak peek of what SnapPlus Version 3 is going to look like. The SnapPlus developers will be walking us through some of the new and […]
Public Rights in Milwaukee’s Fresh Coast
Public Rights in Milwaukee’s Fresh Coast
A lunchtime virtual event where we will explore the past, present, and future of Milwaukee’s Fresh Coast. Much of the city’s coastline and riverfronts are not original — they were […]
Smart Climate Communication in Complicated Times
Smart Climate Communication in Complicated Times
The Wisconsin Academy is pleased to present our first lunch-hour Climate & Energy talk of 2022, "Smart Climate Communications in Complicated Times," with speaker Jane Elder. Elder, the former executive director […]
Farrowing Sows on Pasture
Farrowing Sows on Pasture
Join to learn best practices when it comes to pasture-based farrowing, including considerations for infrastructure needs, scheduling/timing, and animal health and safety. Info here.
The History and Effectiveness of Injurious Wildlife Listing under the “Lacey Act”
The History and Effectiveness of Injurious Wildlife Listing under the “Lacey Act”
As part of the original Federal law known as the “Lacey Act” passed in 1900, injurious wildlife has been amended several times, but the purpose has always been to protect […]
13 events,
30th GrassWorks Grazing Conference
We are excited to be planning a live, in person conference again for 2022. We have learned a lot this past year and are looking forward to incorporating some amazing […]
Expanding the Scope of Landscape Design: People, Ecology, and Time
Landscape designers who successfully employ an ecology-based approach typically draw from a variety of sources. The inextricable link between people and ecology only increases the need to broaden the investigative […]
Agroforestry Symposium: Food, Fire, & Agroforestry for the Future: Ecological Knowledges for Climate Resilience
The 13th Annual Agroforestry Symposium theme for this year’s event is Food, Fire, & Agroforestry for the Future: Ecological Knowledges for Climate Resilience. We highlight this topic to bring attention […]
Basic Hydrology
Basic Hydrology
This training will cover the basic concept of determining hydrology for common conservation practices. We will review concepts such as runoff, curve numbers, peak discharges, and hydrographs. Students will learn […]
Supporting Mental Health: Northeast WI
Supporting Mental Health: Northeast WI
As women farmers, landowners and conservationists, we wear multiple hats and juggle various responsibilities and commitments, including a strong vision of increasing stewardship practices on our land. And we all […]
Outreach and Education for Trash Free Waters – What Makes a Successful Campaign?
Outreach and Education for Trash Free Waters – What Makes a Successful Campaign?
When does outreach and education actually change the way people consume products and dispose of their waste? During this webinar, three expert speakers will discuss how education and outreach campaigns […]
The Impacts of Flooding and Business Activity and Employment: A Spatial Perspective on Small Business
The Impacts of Flooding and Business Activity and Employment: A Spatial Perspective on Small Business
Severe flooding events often cause significant damage to an area, including affecting the local economy, disrupting transportation, and damaging infrastructure. While raw statistics offer some understanding of crop and property-related […]
Agriculture Policy – Building Native Agriculture
Agriculture Policy – Building Native Agriculture
The beginning of a webinar series designed to assist individuals and Tribes by sharing proven methods which can be used as building blocks for Indigenous agriculture systems, providing a road […]
How’s My Waterway
How’s My Waterway
How’s My Waterway has added several new features over the past year that will be featured in this webcast. Communities use How’s My Waterway to learn about their watershed. When […]
Solar Pollinator Habitat Discovery
Solar Pollinator Habitat Discovery
Warren County SWCD (OH) will describe their new pollinator habitat garden and walking trail. The trails surround a solar panel farm and contain seven self-guided interactive learning stations for local […]
5 events,
Farm Pulse Program, Make Sense of Financial Management
Farm Pulse Program, Make Sense of Financial Management
Long-term success for a farm business begins with a strong financial foundation. Kevin Bernhardt, Extension Farm Management Specialist and Katie Wantoch, Extension Educator, Dunn County will discuss the Farm Pulse […]
Cleanout for Lagoons and Anaerobic Digesters
Cleanout for Lagoons and Anaerobic Digesters
Lagoons and digesters are efficient components to help treat manures and realize an economic revenue. However, they have to be maintained regularly through cleanout by removing sludge to ensure enough […]
3 events,
Indigenous Food Ways with Dan Cornelius, UW Madison Law School
Indigenous Food Ways with Dan Cornelius, UW Madison Law School
“Indigenous Foodways” grows out of Cornelius’s work with the Intertribal Agricultural Council to bring a diverse array of historic seeds back to indigenous communities, to reconnect with the land through […]
0 events,
6 events,
Dive into the gene pool: Using environmental DNA to detect invasive species
Dive into the gene pool: Using environmental DNA to detect invasive species
How can you find an aquatic invasive species that you can’t see? You sample the water where it might be and search for its DNA instead! Join Nick Frohnauer of […]
National Climate Assessment: Midwest Chapter Engagement Workshop
National Climate Assessment: Midwest Chapter Engagement Workshop
The National Climate Assessment is a Congressionally mandated quadrennial report led by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). The report evaluates how climate change affects people and places in […]
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 […]
Intro to Vegetable Garden Crops and Specialized Gardening Techniques – Green Thumb Gardening
Intro to Vegetable Garden Crops and Specialized Gardening Techniques – Green Thumb Gardening
The Green Thumb Gardening class series will give you the practical knowledge to keep your home garden thriving! Dane County Extension educators and local horticulture experts will provide in depth […]
8 events,
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 […]
2022 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum
2022 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum
2022 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum Presentations Paul Mitchell – Farm Income Situation & Outlook – PDF – Video John Heinberg – Grain Situation & Outlook – PDF – Video Tamas Houlihan – Specialty Crops Situation […]
Basics of Timber Basis: Re(setting) the Table
Basics of Timber Basis: Re(setting) the Table
Join this webinar to learn more about one of the most important financial aspects of timber management that often goes unnoticed or underappreciated. Timber basis is how much you have […]
The Monarch Migrating Mural Project
The Monarch Migrating Mural Project
Jane will discuss her ongoing Monarch Migrating Mural campaign, a series of public installations that highlight monarchs along their migration corridors, and the habitat conservation actions the campaign has inspired. […]
Evaluating Air Quality Resource Concerns
Evaluating Air Quality Resource Concerns
Join us as we discuss how to identify air quality resource concerns and effective mitigation strategies to address observed air quality resource concerns. During this webinar, air quality resource concerns […]
Diving Into Dairy Data Projects
Diving Into Dairy Data Projects
Brief overview of the Dairy Brain project-a software being developed to provide status of their operation and herd health; Dairy Farm Data Ecosystems- a description of the value of data […]
Social Media Training for Farmers
Social Media Training for Farmers
Using social media can be a valuable and cost effective way to drive business for your farm—join this workshop to pick up some communications tips and have an opportunity to […]
3 events,
Northern Soil Compaction Conference
Every operation on agricultural fields has the risk to cause compaction and drag down your yields and profit. Making each pass work for you is essential for maximizing your crop […]
Focus on Forage
Focus on Forage
This three-webinar series begins January 26th with presentations running from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. All webinars are free and registrations are collected on Extension’s Farm Ready Research site. Flyer here. Info […]
1 event,
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
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 […]
1 event,
Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Webinar Series
Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Webinar Series
You are invited to attend the Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Webinar Series – a five-part webinar series on assessing and enhancing coastal wetland resilience between February 1 and March 2, […]
1 event,
Focus on Forage
Focus on Forage
This three-webinar series begins January 26th with presentations running from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. All webinars are free and registrations are collected on Extension’s Farm Ready Research site. Flyer here. Info […]
2 events,
2022 Organic Vegetable Production Conference
This producer-initiated conference is designed for advanced growers and attracts participants from throughout the Midwest and beyond. Participants who register by January 3 will receive a conference packet with handouts […]
Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Webinar Series
Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Webinar Series
You are invited to attend the Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Webinar Series – a five-part webinar series on assessing and enhancing coastal wetland resilience between February 1 and March 2, […]
1 event,
2022 Organic Vegetable Production Conference
This producer-initiated conference is designed for advanced growers and attracts participants from throughout the Midwest and beyond. Participants who register by January 3 will receive a conference packet with handouts […]
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WI Salt Awareness Week 2022
Join Wisconsin Salt Wise for the full, SALTY week! Info here.
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 […]
2022 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum
2022 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum Presentations Paul Mitchell – Farm Income Situation & Outlook – PDF – Video John Heinberg – Grain Situation & Outlook – PDF – Video Tamas Houlihan – Specialty Crops Situation […]
Basics of Timber Basis: Re(setting) the Table
Join this webinar to learn more about one of the most important financial aspects of timber management that often goes unnoticed or underappreciated. Timber basis is how much you have […]
Evaluating Air Quality Resource Concerns
Join us as we discuss how to identify air quality resource concerns and effective mitigation strategies to address observed air quality resource concerns. During this webinar, air quality resource concerns […]
The Monarch Migrating Mural Project
Jane will discuss her ongoing Monarch Migrating Mural campaign, a series of public installations that highlight monarchs along their migration corridors, and the habitat conservation actions the campaign has inspired. […]
Diving Into Dairy Data Projects
Brief overview of the Dairy Brain project-a software being developed to provide status of their operation and herd health; Dairy Farm Data Ecosystems- a description of the value of data […]
Social Media Training for Farmers
Using social media can be a valuable and cost effective way to drive business for your farm—join this workshop to pick up some communications tips and have an opportunity to […]
Northern Soil Compaction Conference
Every operation on agricultural fields has the risk to cause compaction and drag down your yields and profit. Making each pass work for you is essential for maximizing your crop […]
Focus on Forage
This three-webinar series begins January 26th with presentations running from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. All webinars are free and registrations are collected on Extension’s Farm Ready Research site. Flyer here. Info […]
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 […]
Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Webinar Series
You are invited to attend the Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Webinar Series – a five-part webinar series on assessing and enhancing coastal wetland resilience between February 1 and March 2, […]
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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