Conservation Professional Training Program

44th Annual Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention
2022-04-06 - 2022-04-08
Many times we discuss ways to manage or lessen some of the damage we have done to our lakes and rivers. Whether it be trying to control invasive species, restoring shoreland, or limiting the capture of certain fish species, we’re often playing “catch-up.” While all of those restorations and mitigation strategies are necessary, it is also important to protect our waterways that are still healthy! That’s the theme surrounding this year’s Wisconsin Lakes & Rivers Convention: Protecting What We Love for the Future. The hands-on workshops and engaging presentations during this year’s event will be centered around this theme of protecting our water resources. Our look “to the future” means we will also be focusing on success stories and recommendations of resilience, adaptation, and action in a changing climate. We will also be intentional about highlighting efforts and ideas that support diversity, equity, and inclusion in water resource protection and management. Mark your calendars and join this unique group of citizen scientists, businesses, and lake, river, and wetland professionals.
Info here.

Mechanization of Reduced Tillage Systems at Aurora Del Camp Farm, Spain
2022-04-12 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Gilad Buzi of Aurora Del Camp Farm with discuss mechanization for his no-till peri-urban farm. His system uses compost, ramial wood chips, and a high degree of mechanization. In Europe, Gilad has access to a different range of small scale tools, which can make organic no-till more efficient, and gives those of us in the US plenty to think about.
Info here.

Should I be planting soybeans first, planting green? Pros and cons and a calculator to compare the economics of conventional vs soil health field practices
2022-04-13 12:30 - 13:30
The Badger Crop Connect series provides agronomists, crop consultants and farmers timely crop updates for Wisconsin.
Info here.

Gardening in Community Gardens - Get Ready and Grow
2022-04-19 17:30 - 18:30
Gardening in community gardens or small spaces can have challenges in addition to those that every gardener faces. In this program, we will talk about soil health, proper planting techniques, and weed control so you can improve the health and productivity of your garden plot for the upcoming growing season. This is a free and in-person program. No pre-registration required, please arrive on time.
Info here.

The Soil Health Matrix Decision Tool
2022-04-20 14:00 - 15:00
The April edition of the Digital Cafe series will feature Brian Dougherty, Field Agricultural Engineer with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Brian is a part of the Soil Health Nexus team that worked to develop the Soil Health Matrix Decision Tool – a 101 tool for producers who are considering implementing a new soil health practice. The tool – which is currently in the pilot phase – it’s methodology and use will be discussed.
Info here.

Lake Superior Collaborative Spring Symposium
2022-04-27 - 2022-04-29
The purpose of the Lake Superior Collaborative Symposium is to share and discuss information on projects and data, provide networking opportunities among professionals working on conservation, restoration, and climate-adaptive projects in the Lake Superior Basin of Wisconsin, and to provide space for group input and action planning for the future.
The 2022 Symposium will include a combination of virtual presentations, in-person field trips, and networking opportunities that center the Lake Superior basin of Wisconsin. Attendees will also have the opportunity to join break-out discussion groups focusing on future planning for specific project areas.
Info here.

Best Practices for Watering Yards and Gardens
2022-05-10 12:00 - 12:30
Do you know that there is a right way and a wrong way to water your plants? Join us to learn about the water requirements for most plants, how proper watering practices can prevent plant diseases, and different ways to conserve water for your yards and gardens.
Info here.

SRW - All about Arlington
2022-05-10 19:30 - 20:30
Join Todd Taylor, the University of Wisconsin – Madison Sheep Research Program Manager at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station Sheep Unit, and Extension Educators for an in-depth look into sheep research, teaching, and extension activities and events at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station.
Info here.

2022 County Officials Workshops
2022-05-12, 2022-05-16, 2022-05-18, 2022-05-19
Join the University of Wisconsin-Extension Local Government Education Program and the Wisconsin Counties Association for our County Officials Workshops (COWS), which will be held in person in 2022.
THIS ONE-DAY WORKSHOP is a unique opportunity for both newly elected county government officials and veterans of the county board to learn from experienced educators about best practices and avoiding the pitfalls of governance.
TOPICS INCLUDE

Roles & Responsibilities
Budgeting
Open Meetings Law
Public Records Law
Ethics & Conflicts of Interest
Running Effective Meetings
Agendas & Minutes

Info here.

Shoreland Zoning to Protect Property, Fish, Water
2022-05-17 12:00 - 13:00
Want to SEE what shoreland zoning standards accomplish? We’ve developed a new graphic to illustrate the benefits to fish, lakes and rivers. We’ll take a photo tour of waterfront properties and discuss how they are likely to impact the lake or river.
Info here.

Strategies for Identifying and Managing Plant Diseases
2022-05-31 12:00 - 13:00
Plants can be affected by fungus, bacteria, viruses and other factors. Join us to learn about how to look for symptoms of plant disease and what you can do. We will also talk about different control methods and options.
Info here.

Planting for Pollinators at Pollinator Palooza
2022-06-04 10:00 - 14:00
Have you heard the latest buzz? Aram Public Library is hosting our very first Pollinator Palooza!
There will be speakers, organizations sharing their stories, raffles, and a pollinator costume contest! Bring the whole family down for a BEE-utiful day, celebrating pollinators of all sorts!
Info here.

Pollinator Week 2022
2022-06-20 - 2022-06-26
Statewide webinars about pollinators and pollinator habitats. Local activities for all ages. Resources to learn more about pollinators in Wisconsin.
Info here.

Bee-utiful Planting for Pollinators
2022-06-22 18:30 - 19:30
While wildlife gardening is now one of the biggest gardening trends, the decline of pollinators and other insects still remains urgent. Learn how to help pollinators thrive and create refuge for them, and how to enhance local food productivity by adding native plants to urban and suburban yards.
Info here.

UW Small Grains Field Day
2022-07-06 10:00 - 12:00
Small grain resiliency trial plot tour: What can we effectively grow? – Haleigh Ortmeier-Clarke Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Agronomy
Disease management in Wisconsin: What works and what doesn’t! Damon Smith Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Plant Pathology
UW winter wheat variety trials: Tour and management update Shawn Conley Soybean & Small Grains Extension Specialist, Department of Agronomy

Info and registration here.

UW Cover Crop Management in Conventional Corn-Soybean Production Systems Plot Tour
2022-07-06 13:00 - 15:30
Join us on July 06 from 1:00PM-3:30PM at Arlington Ag Research Station to visit our cover crop research plots, check equipment and exchange knowledge with University Specialists and fellow farmers adopting cover crops in their crop production systems.
Meet at 12:45PM
Public Events Building, Arlington Agricultural Research Station
N695 Hopkins Road, Arlington, WI
Need additional information? Please feel free to contact me (rwerle@wisc.edu) and/or Nick Arneson (njarneson@wisc.edu).

Climate Intersections Conference
2022-07-12 - 2022-07-14
The North Central Region Water Network is excited to announce that we are hosting a regional conference exploring the ways climate intersects with our lives, our water and our land!
Info here.

Tips & tricks learned along the way with grazing
2022-07-14 18:00 - 19:00
Hosted by Bill Powers at N2641 Burns Rd, Mauston. The focus of this pasture walk will be coming together to share tips & tricks learned along the way with grazing.
Info here.

Organic Weed Control Intensive
2022-07-24 09:00 - 16:00
Join Kat Becker from Cattail Organics and Sam Tilton from Lakeshore Technical College to re-envision weed control on your vegetable farm. In this full day, workshop-style event you will build your knowledge of weed management systems, view and try a wide variety of tools, and learn from Kat, Sam, and other experienced farmer peers right in the field. You will leave with the strategies you need to develop a detailed, comprehensive, and actionable plan for managing weeds into the future.
Info here.

Water Management During Drought
2022-08-10 14:00 - 15:00
Drought is continuing to intensify across portions of the Midwest this year, and over the past several years severe drought has plagued much of the upper Midwest and northern Plains. This month’s edition of The Current Webinar Series will discuss water management during drought – from the latest irrigation technologies to livestock water management. Tune in to hear updates on the latest research and programs addressing drought.
Info here.

Agronomy and Soils Field Day
2022-08-31
Details TBD

Field Day at Gehrke Family Farm
2022-09-08 10:00 - 13:00
Join for a field day learning about Diverse Species Cover Crop Mixes, Using Chemicals on Interseeding Plots, and Soil Health.
Event Topics:
DIVERSE COVER MIXES AFTER WHEAT – Options and management of diverse cover crops after wheat and how to plan for the following cash crop.
INTERSEEDING CHEMICAL PLOT – Seeing and discussing different chemical options when interseeding cover crops into corn.
SOIL HEALTH DISCUSSION – Discussing soil health, how it can be implemented on your farm as well as impacts to your operation.
Info here.

Life Hacks Over Lunch: A Meet-up Series for Watershed Professionals
2022-09-16 11:30 - 12:30
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 communities on watershed-scale projects to improve water quality and have ever found yourself thinking, “I don’t want to recreate the wheel,” this meet-up series is for you.
In each meet-up, one person kicks things off by presenting a challenge or issue to the group to “hack.” Conversation, collaboration, and commiseration will ensue.
Info here.

Soil Health-Waushara Co
2022-09-21
Soil Health – Waushara County
Location: Lake Poygan/ Pine River
Field driveway just west of N1742 County Rd D, Berlin, WI
Date: September 21, 2022
Time: 9:30am – 3:00pm
Join us to discuss practices that benefit your farm and help water infiltrate into your soil. See how different management practices conserve soil and nutrients, and witness the results in real time with a rainfall simulator.
Get an earthworm’s view of the field from a soil pit and learn how to assess your own fields’ soil health; participating farmers will also be able to take a free soil-health test kit back to their farm to measure compaction, infiltration and soil stability, compliments of a grant.
Lunch is included in the registration. Pre-registration by Sept 19 is requested to ensure enough meals and handouts for all participants.
Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email.
Please complete one form for all participating from your farm or business
There is no registration fee.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to limited funding, priority for attendance (and soil health kits) will be given to those who farm in and adjacent to the Lake Poygan/Pine River watersheds. If capacity limits are reached, those outside the target area may be placed on a waiting list.
Register here.

Soil Health - Dry Run / South Kinni Watersheds
2022-09-22
Soil Health – Dry Run / South Kinni Watersheds
Location: Huppert Brother Farms, 855 Chapman Drive, River Falls
Date: September 22, 2022
Time: 9:30am – 3:00pm
Join us to discuss practices that benefit your farm and help water infiltrate into your soil. See how different management practices conserve soil and nutrients, and witness the results in real time with a rainfall simulator.
Get an earthworm’s view of the field from a soil pit and learn how to assess your own fields’ soil health; participating farms will also be able to take a free soil-health test kit back to their farm to measure compaction, infiltration and soil stability, compliments of a grant.
Lunch is included in the registration. Pre-registration by Sept 19 is required to ensure enough meals and handouts for all participants.
Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email.
Please complete one form for all participating from your farm or business
There is no registration fee.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to limited funding, priority for attendance (and soil health kits) will be given to those who farm in and adjacent to the Dry Run/South Kinni watersheds. If capacity limits are reached, those outside the target area may be placed on a waiting list.
An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements. For information on this program, or to request accommodations, contact Kevin.Erb@wisc.edu.
Register here.

Soil Health-Peshtigo River Watershed
2022-09-23
Soil Health – Peshtigo River Watershed
Location: Harmony Arboretum & Strutz Farm, N3890 Cty E, Peshtigo
Date: September 23, 2022
Time: 9:30am – 3:00pm
Join us to discuss practices that benefit your farm and help water infiltrate into your soil. See how different management practices conserve soil and nutrients, and witness the results in real time with a rainfall simulator.
Get an earthworm’s view of the field from a soil pit and learn how to assess your own fields’ soil health; participating farmers will also be able to take a free soil-health test kit back to their farm to measure compaction, infiltration and soil stability, compliments of a grant.
Lunch is included in the registration.
Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email. There is no charge to participate.
The event is co-sponsored by UW Madison, Division of Extension and the Marinette County Land & Water Conservation Division.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to limited funding, priority for attendance (and soil health kits) will be given to those who farm in and adjacent to the Peshtigo River Watershed. If capacity limits are reached, those outside the target area may be placed on a waiting list.
Register here.

Soil Health- Pine Creek Watershed
2022-09-27
Soil Health Workshop- Pine Creek Watershed
Location: Libertyland Farms – Greg Gries, Hwy 42
Date: September 27, 2022
Time: 9:30am – 3:00pm
Join us to discuss practices that benefit your farm and help water infiltrate into your soil. See how different management practices conserve soil and nutrients, and witness the results in real time with a rainfall simulator.
Get an earthworm’s view of the field from a soil pit and learn how to assess your own fields’ soil health; participating farmers will also be able to take a free soil-health test kit back to their farm to measure compaction, infiltration and soil stability, compliments of a grant.
Lunch is included in the registration. Pre-registration by Sept 24 is requested to ensure enough meals and handouts for all participants.
Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email.
Please complete one form for all participating from your farm or business
There is no registration fee.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to limited funding, priority for attendance (and soil health kits) will be given to those who farm in and adjacent to the Pine Creek watershed. If capacity limits are reached, those outside the target area may be placed on a waiting list.
Register here.
