Conservation Professional Training Program

Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
2022-12-21 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | SD
Tax professionals will provide the basics about the program, the tax consequences, tax management methods to consider, and farm management considerations.
Info here.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conversation Innovation Grant Program
2023-01-06 14:00 - 15:00 | SD
The USDA National Agroforestry Center plans to deliver 10 webinars starting in September 2022. Participants will hear from both USDA program specialists and people who have used these programs to support their agroforestry work. Each of the 10 webinars will focus on a single USDA program. Registration is available for each webinar, and recordings will be available once the live event has occurred.
Info here.

2023 Virtual Nutrient Management Training for Farmers
2023-01-09 10:00 - 15:30, 2023-01-28 10:00 - 15:30, 2023-02-07 10:00 - 15:30, 2023-03-07 10:00 - 15:30, 2023-03-28 10:00 - 15:30 | SD
The Nutrient and Pest Management Program (University of Wisconsin-Madison) is offering a virtual training for farmers interested in writing their own nutrient management plans. This training provides both the basics of nutrient management and an introduction to SnapPlus. The same training will be offered on 5 different dates: Jan. 9, Feb. 7, Feb. 28, Mar. 7, Mar. 28.
See the flyer for more details.

Driftless Region Beef Conference
2023-01-26 - 2023-01-27 | SD
Extension specialists in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin are again cooperating to present the annual Driftless Region Beef Conference at the Grand River Convention Center in Dubuque, Iowa on January 26 and 27, 2023. This conference brings together beef producers for an educational program that focuses on the needs of this unique production region. Select from 8 different workshop topics to develop a customized program. Visit with the many conference sponsors in the display area and learn about products and services they offer. Visit with fellow beef producers from the region. This is an informative and enjoyable event you won’t want to miss.
Info here.

Equipment Considerations in Cover Crop Systems
2024-02-15 11:30 - 12:30, 2024-02-22 11:30 - 12:30, 2024-02-29 11:30 - 12:30, 2024-03-07 11:30 - 12:30, 2024-03-14 11:30 - 12:30 | Online
Starting February 15, 2024, the Farmers for Soil Health education team, supported by Soil Health Institute and Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture presents a webinar series focused on cash crop planting and equipment considerations in cover crop systems. The first webinar will kick off with a moderated discussion among leading experts. In each successive webinar, a farmer with cover crop experience will be featured and engage in discussion with webinar participants.
Register for our interactive lunch and learn format webinars where you will have the opportunity to learn about different farmer’s unique methods for ensuring successful cash crop planting.
Equipment Considerations in Cover Crop Systems with Steve Groff & Barry Fisher moderated by Abbey Wick
February 15th Webinar, 12:30 – 1:30 EST
This webinar spotlights Steve Groff and Barry Fisher’s work with cover crops in Pennsylvania and Indiana, respectively. Dr. Abbey Wick will serve as our moderator.
REGISTRATION

Equipment Considerations in Cover Crop Systems with Ryan Britt
February 22nd Webinar, 12:30 – 1:30 EST
This webinar spotlights farmer Ryan Britt and his experience with cover crops in North Central Missouri. You can view Ryan’s video in advance here.
REGISTRATION

Equipment Considerations in Cover Crop Systems with Michael Vittetoe
February 29th Webinar, 12:30 – 1:30 EST
This webinar spotlights farmer Michael Vittetoe and his experience with cover crops in Washington County, Iowa. You can view Michael’s videos here: Part One | Part Two
REGISTRATION

Equipment Considerations in Cover Crop Systems with John Pike
March 7th Webinar, 12:30 – 1:30 EST
This webinar spotlights farmer and consultant John Pike and his work with cover crops in Marion, Illinois. You can view John’s video in advance here.
REGISTRATION

Equipment Considerations in Cover Crop Systems with Christopher Hudson
March 14th Webinar, 12:30 – 1:30 EST
This webinar spotlights Christopher Hudson and his work with cover crops in Middletown, Missouri. You can view Christopher’s video in advance here.
REGISTRATION

Climate Smart Mitigation and COMET Tools
2024-02-27 09:00 - 16:30 | Online
This course will provide an overview of climate science principles, terminology, and resources, focusing on best management strategies for engaging clients in effective dialogue around climate smart land management practices.
Participants will become familiar with the current and predicted future impact of weather extremes and climate change on Wisconsin’s working lands, as well as the use of climate smart conservation practices to address mitigation and adaptation strategies to promote resilient working lands.
Participants will be exposed to verification tools and models used to demonstrate efficacy of implemented conservation practices in sequestering carbon or abating GHG emissions in agriculture, grazing, and forestry systems.

Midwest Covers and Grains Conference
2024-03-04 | Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, Minnesota, United States
The Midwest Covers & Grains Conference brings together Midwestern farmers, supply chain buyers and researchers to promote successful farming with extended rotations and cover crops. The conference includes opportunities to network with those who buy and sell small grains and cover crops, and offers sessions for both beginning and experienced cover crop practitioners.
PFI’s Midwestern small grains network extends across five states including Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Land + Water Annual Conference
2024-03-06 - 2024-03-08 | KI Convention Center, 333 Main Street, Green Bay, WI, 54301, United States
Wisconsin Land + Water’s annual conference provides valuable networking opportunities, forums to discuss current work and new ideas with colleagues, a chance to build technical knowledge, and space to be re-inspired by the passion for conservation across the state.

Great Lakes Forage and Grazing Conference
2024-03-07 | Agro Liquid Conference Center, 3055 M-21, St Johns, MI, 48879, United States
Everyone with an interest in forage crops or grazing is invited to join the Michigan Forage Council and Michigan State University Extension at the 2024 Great Lakes Forage and Grazing Conference on Thursday, March 7, 2024. The packed agenda has something for everyone.
The keynote speaker is Chad Hale of Byron Seeds and past president of the American Forage and Grassland Council, who will discuss yield and quality improvements of new forage grasses for hay, haylage and pasture use. During the afternoon breakout sessions, he will also address the future of the forage seed industry including alfalfa in the face of consolidation of seed companies and what that may mean to U.S. farms.
Other topics and speakers include:

Weed control in hayfields and pastures – Erin Burns, MSU
MSU forage research update – Kim Cassida, MSU
Winter bale grazing’s impact on soil health – Jeremy Sweeten, Understanding Ag consultant
Fertilizer markets for 2024 and fertilizer application strategies – John Elzinga, MI Ag Commodities, and Gary Carmichael, Carmichael Farms
Winter feeding mud management reduction strategies – Boyd Byelich, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Michelle Sweeten and Kable Thurlow, MSU Extension educators

The Midwest Soil Health Summit
2024-03-13 - 2024-03-14 | Courtyard Marriott Mankato, 901 Raintree Road, Mankato, MN, 56001, United States
This is Sustainable Farming Association’s biggest soil health event of the year, drawing together local and national experts in the field with attendees for discussion, networking, and education. Farmers, ag resource professionals, agency staff, hungry learners and more – all are welcome to attend and learn together.

Growing Climate-Smart Ag in Northeast Wisconsin
2024-03-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Oshkosh Food Co-op, 155 Jackson St, Suite 101, Oshkosh, WI, 54901, United States
Are you curious about climate-smart agriculture? Do you want to advance sustainable practices in Northeast Wisconsin? Join us to learn more about the new Farm Climate Smart WI project, interact with other interested community members, and meet Wisconsin Farmers Union staff. This event is family-friendly, indoors, and open to all.

DEIJ COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE FOR WISCONSIN CONSERVATION
2024-04-03 12:00 - 13:30 | Online
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Community of Practice is a network of Wisconsin conservation organizations committed to engaging in and collectively advancing DEIJ work.
Established in 2021, the goal of this Community of Practice is to provide an intentional space to learn together, to set goals for personal and professional growth and improvement, and to catalyze action for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within Wisconsin’s conservation sector.
We recognize that the conservation field historically has not been inclusive, equitable, or diverse, and we want to take action to change this. This Community of Practice will support organizations with goals such as integrating DEIJ into their operations and programs; making the conservation field more inclusive and diverse; and building relationships with, amplifying the voices of, and supporting the work of communities that have historically been excluded from conservation.

Oneida Nation Farm Pasture Walk
2024-06-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Oneida Nation Farm, N6010 County Rd C, Seymour, WI, 54165, United States
Glacierland RC&D Council offers this free opportunity to visit the Oneida Nation Farm in Seymour, Wisconsin. Hear from livestock managers and Audubon Society on grassland bird habitat within rotational grazing.
See the Oneida Nation Black Angus cow/calf herd managed by TJ Swiecichowski and Karla Habeck. We will also be hearing from Ashly Steinke and Tom Prestby from the Audubon Society on how rotational grazing can benefit grassland bird habitat. Oneida Nation Farm will also provide snacks and beverages.

Wisconsin Agroforestry Demonstration Farm Tour
2024-06-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Savanna Institute North Farm, E6856 Wisconsin 60 Trunk, Spring Green, WI, United States
Savanna Institute’s North Farm is located directly north of the Wisconsin River, and contains an almost complete watershed, making it valuable as a site for water quality research, as well as silvopasture and alley cropping approaches. With the largest acreage among the farms, the North Farm is dedicated to demonstrating large-scale commercial farming.

Dig into the Why of Soil Health
2024-06-25 09:00 - 12:30 | Sauk County Farm, S4555 County Rd CH, Reedsburg, WI, 53959, United States
Join the Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and American Farmland Trust for a field day digging into the “why” of soil conservation. Topics will include defining soil health, the “whys” of implementation, cover cropping, rotational grazing, soil health test plots, and more. This event is for conservation professionals, farmers, landowners, and anyone interested in learning about soil health implementation.

hands with soil Soil biological health is dependent on soil properties and management
2024-06-27 10:00 - 10:30 | Online
How does tillage influence soil biology and overall soil health? Does higher crop diversity influence soil microbial composition and abundance? We examined soil biological health properties and field history data from 310 grower-managed fields in Michigan to help answer these questions. This webinar features research published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal.

Rockfest
2024-07-31 10:00 - 15:00 | EL-NA Farms LLC, E4029 Pheasant Rd, Algoma, WI, 54201, United States
Join Kewaunee County LCD, WAPAC, PPF and DATCP on July 31st from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at EL-NA Farms (4029 Pheasant Road, Algoma, WI 54201) (NW corner of Cedar Rd and Pheasant Rd) for a field day learning about verification of depth to bedrock strategies and technologies! See attached flyer for more details!

2024 Nutrient Management Regional Meetings
2024-08-20 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-21 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-04 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-05 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-10 09:00 - 13:00 | SD
Registration for the second annual nutrient management regional meetings is now open! DATCP has partnered with, NRCS, the Nutrient and Pest Management team and the SnapPlus team to bring you updates and information related to all things nutrient management!
These meetings are free to attend and will run from 9am-1pm. Light lunch and refreshments will be sponsored by the WI CCA Board and WI Land and Water.
