Submitting Your Data in SWIMS
2021-11-16 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
In this online meeting, we will provide a quick refresher on how to submit your monitoring data into SWIMS. We will share our screen and walk through the data submission process, show you the most common data submission errors, and open it up for questions!
Info here.

Dairy Innovation Hub
2021-11-17 - 2021-11-18
In just two years, the Dairy Innovation Hub has funded more than 100 research and outreach projects at UW-Madison, UW-River Falls and UW-Platteville. Please join the Dairy Innovation Hub virtually for two dynamic events dedicated to sharing the aspirations and outcomes from this important work. All sessions will be recorded and posted to our YouTube channel for on-demand viewing.
Info here.

Badger Swine Symposium
2021-11-17
Wisconsin may be known as the dairy state, but ties to swine production in Wisconsin run deep. Historically, immigrant populations demanded pork for the manufacture of sausage and other products, leading to as much as 80% of all Wisconsin farms having pigs on the farm in the early twentieth century. Pig farming looks different today with less total farms that have pigs on them, but raising pigs continues to be an important part of agriculture in Wisconsin.
Info here.

Native Landscape and Green Infrastructure Design for Stormwater
2021-11-17
Gain an understanding of how to analyze, design, implement and manage effective and innovative stormwater management systems using native landscape for a variety of sites – large, small, rural and urban.
Learn about how a thorough site analysis of soils, terrain and hydrology can influence the design approach using native and naturalized plant selections. Several case studies of built projects are presented – giving you firsthand knowledge of how to approach site design, plant selection, construction and maintenance.
Info here.

How Farming Systems Impact Bionutrients
2021-11-17 13:00 - 14:00
How plants are grown can have an immense effect on nutritional content. A healthy, high functioning soil will produce crops that are flavorful, aromatic, and nutritious. Studies have reflected this by showing that organic production can result in higher antioxidant levels. However, nutrition is still not well understood, and the actual nutrient levels in of crops can vary dramatically with farmer, season, and seed. This webinar will discuss what we know – and don’t know – when it comes to crop nutrition and highlight new technology and campaigns to better understand how to maximize the nutrition of our food.
Info here.

USGS and USFWS collaborative project to conduct a national horizon scan for organisms in trade
2021-11-17 13:00 - 14:00
Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to the United States (U.S.) biodiversity and have cost the U.S. over $120 billion in damages each year (Pimental et al. 2005). The impacts of invasive species range in size and scope from small-scale and localized up to broad shifts in ecosystem function and can influence economically essential species and those of conservation concern alike. The consequences of an invasion include not only degradation of the natural ecosystem but also economic repercussions and effects on human and wildlife health in the invaded areas.
The focus of this project is to conduct a global horizon scan to help identify alien vertebrate species within the Organisms in Trade Pathway at greatest risk of entering the country, establishing populations, and becoming invasive in the U.S. Our work will address arrival, establishment, and impact via consideration of propagule pressure, climatic similarity to occupied range, and prior invasion history of the focal species and its relatives, respectively.
Info here.

Northwest, WI - Pest Management Update Meetings
2021-11-17 13:00 - 16:00
For 2021, the Pest Management Update Meetings will be a hybrid event with (3) in-person meetings and (1) virtual option, hosted by the UW-Madison, Division of Extension and UW-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management Program (NPM). All in-person meetings will be held from 1- 4pm local time at the venue listed for each location below. Check in will begin at 12:30pm with light refreshments available during the event.
This year’s speakers include: Mark Renz, Perennial Cropping Systems Extension Weed Specialist; Rodrigo Werle, Annual Cropping Systems Extension Weed Specialist; Nick Arneson, Weed Science Outreach Specialist; PJ Liesch Extension Entomology Diagnostician; and Damon Smith, Extension Field Crops Pathologist. Topics will include updates in the area of weed, insect and disease management. A panel discussion and Q&A regarding the pest management challenges related to planting soybeans early will follow.
Info here.

Farmland Preservation Tax Credit Update for Tax Professionals
2021-11-17 13:30 - 14:30
Join the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and Department of Revenue for a virtual presentation covering the farmland preservation tax credit for tax professionals. Presentation topics include:

Basics of the farmland preservation tax credit
Review of Wisconsin Schedules FC and FC-A
Documentation required to claim the credit and what must be attached to the taxpayer’s return
How taxpayers can participate in the program

After the presentation, we will invite the audience to ask questions about the program and farmland preservation tax credit. The session is open to anyone interested in learning more about the farmland preservation tax credit and farmland preservation program.
Info here.

Central Impacts of Manure on Soil Health Indicators
2021-11-17 14:00 - 15:00
The November Soil Health Nexus Digital Cafe will feature Dr. Amy Schmidt from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. The talk will focus on the impacts of manure on soil health indicators.
Info here.

Pond Treatment with Spent Lime to Control Phosphorus Release from Sediments
2021-11-17 14:00 - 15:00
Sedimentation ponds that accumulate particles and phosphorus in stormwater runoff are a standard and widely applied storm water best management practice. However, just as internal loading occurs in
lakes during warm summer periods when the potential for oxygen depletion is greatest, aging ponds have the potential to release more phosphorus than is captured during summer months (Watershed
Protection Techniques, Technical Note 102). Dredging is a potential, but expensive, option to improve pond performance, but phosphorus release may occur long before a pond is filled with sediment. Areal
applications of alum and iron can control phosphorus release, but incur raw material production costs.
In cooperation with SPRWS, City of White Bear Lake, RWMWD, and VLAWMO staff, Barr Engineering proposes this study to evaluate the application of spent lime (amorphous calcium carbonate from
drinking water treatment) to pond sediments to reduce phosphorus release during warm summer months. Spent lime can reduce phosphorus release by forming calcium phosphate and potentially by
increasing the pH of the treated sediments to facilitate iron and aluminum phosphate binding. This study includes a laboratory and a field component and is intended to validate large-scale applications.
The laboratory component includes the addition of spent lime at a range of doses to phosphorus rich pond sediment to determine optimal spent lime dosing. The field component involves the addition of spent lime to two ponds and monitoring to determine the magnitude of reduced phosphorus release, evaluate cost-effective methods for areal application and quantify the benefits of this water treatment byproduct.
Info here.

Farmer Veteran Stakeholders Conference
2021-11-18
‘Farm to Market: Opportunity Knocks’ – the 7th Farmer Veteran Stakeholders Conference hosted by Farmer Veteran Coalition. This year taking place in two regional locations rather than one national gathering, with the Tennessee and Washington FVC state chapters serving as hosts. Featuring two days of education, workshops, distinguished speakers, guest panels, networking and more.
Info here.

Social Impacts of Extractivism and the Promise of Community Enterprise
2021-11-18 10:30 - 11:30
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. Wood products sourced from sustainably managed forests store carbon and can play an important role in combating climate change. Recent innovations in the use of wood have led to the development of new products that can replace traditional fossil-based carbon-intensive materials, particularly in the construction and energy sectors. Understanding the potential environmental impacts and societal implications of increases in both conventional and emerging wood products across their respective life cycles, as well as their possible reuse in a circular construction economy, is critical in assessing the climate mitigation potential of wood vs. other materials.
What is the future role of forest products in addressing climate, resources, societal, and environmental challenges? What are the environmental, economic, and societal implications for using more forest products? Hear from speakers representing forestry, industrial ecology, architecture, conservation, and academia.
Info here.

Pest Management Update Meeting
2021-11-18 11:30 - 16:00
UW–Madison Division of Extension, Outagamie County
Place: Liberty Hall
800 Eisenhower Dr, Kimberly
Cost: $50/person – meeting & meal
CEUs: The meeting counts towards three hours of CEU credits in pest management for certified crop advisors
Information will be supplied to all registered participants. The packet will include handouts and a copy of the “A3646 Pest Management in Wisconsin Field Crops.” This year ONLY, all in-person attendants will also receive a free copy of “A Farmer’s Guide to Wheat Diseases” a $30 value.
Speakers:

Mark Renz, Perennial Cropping Systems Extension Weed Specialist
Rodrigo Werle, Annual Cropping Systems Extension Weed Specialist
Nick Arneson, Weed Science Outreach Specialist
PJ Leisch Extension Entomology Diagnostician
Damon Smith, Extension Field Crops Pathologist

Topics will include updates in the area of weed, insect and disease management along with a panel discussion and Q&A regarding the pest management challenges related to planting soybeans early.
Info here.

How Your Organization Can Buy Paris Agreement-Verified Rainforest Carbon Credits for the First Time
2021-11-18 12:00 - 13:00
As governments step up efforts to strengthen the Paris Agreement at COP26 and tackle the climate emergency, corporate action has never been more critical. Join our webinar and learn how, for the first time, corporations can achieve carbon neutrality, protect tropical rainforests, and directly support the global climate agreement.
Formalized in Article 5 of the Paris Agreement, the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) Mechanism was designed to “slow, halt and reverse forest cover and carbon loss” globally. The initiative has led to sequential declines in emissions and helped protect over 90% of the world’s tropical rainforests for over two decades.
Previously only available through the UNFCCC to governments and multilateral banks, Paris Agreement-verified rainforest carbon credits can now be purchased directly from countries by corporations, institutional investors, and consumers. In March this year, Papua New Guinea was the first country to join a new trading platform called REDD.plus when it onboarded 9 million metric tons of carbon reductions. These credits will be followed by over 110 million tonnes from Belize and Gabon in the next twelve months.
Info here.

NE Wisconsin Pest Management Update Meeting
2021-11-19 09:00 - 12:00
For 2021, the Pest Management Update Meetings will be hosted by the UW-Madison, Division of Extension and UW-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management Program (NPM).
This year’s speakers include: Mark Renz, Perennial Cropping Systems Extension Weed Specialist; Rodrigo Werle, Annual Cropping Systems Extension Weed Specialist; Nick Arneson, Weed Science Outreach Specialist; PJ Liesch Extension Entomology Diagnostician; and Damon Smith, Extension Field Crops Pathologist. Topics will include updates in the area of weed, insect and disease management. A panel discussion and Q&A regarding the pest management challenges related to planting soybeans early will follow.
Info here.

State Natural Areas at 70: Still Protecting Wisconsin Wetland Gems
2021-11-19 10:30 - 11:30
Join conservation biologist Thomas Meyer to learn about the Wisconsin DNR’s State Natural Areas Program, the oldest and largest state-wide nature preserve protection program in the nation, celebrating its 70th year in 2021. Thomas will give a brief history and highlights of the program and then take a virtual tour of some of the state’s most outstanding natural areas — from old-growth forests to vibrant prairies to biologically diverse wetlands — and learn more about what makes them so special.
Thomas Meyer is a conservation biologist with the Wisconsin DNR. His 35-year career with the Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation in Madison has focused on protecting native ecosystems and habitat for rare species of plants and animals. He helps guide the State Natural Areas Program, which protects some of the best remaining ecological communities in the state (some of which are also Wetland Gems®!).
Info here.

Life Hacks over Lunch: A Meet-up Series for Watershed Professionals
2021-11-19 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 will kick things off by presenting a challenge or issue to the group to “hack.” Conversation, collaboration, and commiseration will ensue.
Join us for these informal gatherings of peers who share a passion for watershed work – and bring your lunch!
Info here.

Listening Session: Climate Impacts on Farmworkers
2021-11-19 12:00 - 13:00
A recent report by the Union of Concerned Scientists indicates that outdoor workers, particularly farmworkers, are 20 times more likely to die of heat-related illnesses than other workers. With increasingly extreme weather, the number of unsafe outdoor workdays is likely to climb.
The Biden administration recently announced an effort to protect workers from heat stress, including plans to develop a federal heat standard. How is this issue being addressed at the state level? What steps can farmers take to lessen or mitigate the impacts on workers?
Join us for a virtual lunchtime discussion with a group of panelists who’ll address this issue from the farmer, farmworker, and policy perspectives.
Info here.

Weeding the Worries Out of Manure
2021-11-19 13:30 - 14:30
Introduction of weeds is often a major concern for farmers that are considering manure application to their fields. Fortunately, there are several methods that reduce weed seed viability both before and after animal digestion. In this webinar we’ll take a look at a few studies that show what works and what doesn’t for minimizing introduction of weeds. Additionally, we’ll discover how to determine how much of what weeds will be a problem in the manure product being used.
Info here.

Understanding disparities in farmland ownership
2021-11-19 15:30 - 17:00
Land is foundational to food production, and access to land is a critical issue for the next generation of farmers. Yet ownership of farmland in the United States is vastly unequal, with White people owning 98%. This webinar – the first of two on the topic of land justice – will explore how present day trends in farmland ownership are rooted in colonization, land appropriation/theft, discrimination, and violence. The webinar will also recognize ways in which Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color in California have always resisted racism and affirmed lasting ties to the land. Part two – the final webinar in our 6-part series, to be held in December – will highlight organizations working towards land justice solutions and how extension professionals might engage them.
Info here.

Winter Sow Workshop
2021-11-20 09:00 - 22:00, 2021-11-21 11:00 - 12:00
Winnebago Waterways will be hosting two winter sowing workshops in November. Both workshops will be held at the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance’s office.
During this workshop you will learn how to create mini greenhouses to grow native plants.
These plants will be used by participants, shoreline property owners and part of a fundraiser.
Info here.

Hear from someone who's done it - A new hemp venture
2021-11-20 11:00 - 12:00
Learn how ZION Growers evolved from a CBD focused venture to a fiber based processor, the pitfalls they encountered, the market research they did to assess and confirm the potential for their current iteration. For growers seeking to grow bulk fiber learn what it takes.
Info here.

Managing Weeds With Less Chemical Use in No-Till Systems
2021-11-23 13:00 - 14:30
Join us for this webinar during which the presenters will discuss a variety of management techniques and practices used to control weeds that producers can apply to enable them to reduce chemical treatments while continuing to practice no-till.
Many producers are interested in continuing to apply good soil health practices on their farms. They are, however, concerned about the continual use and amounts of chemicals used to control weeds in their system. This webinar will examine management techniques and practices that producers can apply to reduce the amount chemicals that they rely on while building healthy soil systems.
Info here.

November Wetland Knowledge Exchange
2021-11-24 13:00 - 14:00
Across the planet, subarctic environments are warming faster than the southern regions, partly due to the loss of the highly-reflective surfaces of snow and ice. This amplified warming is having measurable impacts on marine and land ecozones, and on communities who live and rely on them. At the boundary of the discontinuous and continuous permafrost zones, and at the northern extent of the boreal forest, the coastal subarctic ecoregion known as the Hudson Bay Lowlands represents the largest contiguous wetland complex in Canada, and third largest in the world, spanning an area of 373 700 km2. The Hudson Bay Lowlands is a prime example of a geography poised to experience dramatic rates of climate change in the coming decades. We carried out a survey of existing research to determine (1) what are the impacts of climate change on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in the Hudson Bay Lowlands? and (2) how do environmental processes in this region mediate these impacts? To address these research questions, four illustrative case studies have been selected which span a range of interconnected subsystems within the Hudson Bay Lowlands: snow, trees, ponds, and frogs. Using existing thresholds identified in the literature for these key impacts and mediating factors, we investigate how different climate change scenarios may (or may not) lead to the crossing of key ecological tipping points, and also show how this approach can be applied across contexts to examine how wetlands and their thresholds respond to environmental changes.
Info here.

Iowa Organic Conference
2021-11-28 - 2021-11-29
Save the planet through organics: Managing climate change with organic practices
Info here.

Pollinators in the City
2021-11-29 09:00 - 10:00, 2021-11-30 09:00 - 10:00
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 City as a Refuge for Insect Pollinators
12/1 Mary Gardiner, Vacant Lots as Urban Bee Habitat
12/2 Scott MacIvor, Constructed Green Infrastructure to Support Wild Bees: Does it Work?
12/3 Damon Hall, Policy Dimensions of Insect Pollinator Conservation
Info here.

NEWSC Dredging Workshop
2021-11-29 09:00 - 15:00
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 be removed in a 15 to 20-year cycle, and many ponds have reached that point. Because of the long cycle, it’s not uncommon for municipal staff to be unfamiliar with the dredging process, nor is it surprising that there is little industry experience with dredging in Wisconsin.

Stormwater pond design, maintenance, and vegetation have been the topic of past NEWSC workshops. Now, we welcome you to join us and our panel of experts for a comprehensive exploration of the dredging process. Workshop sessions include: regulatory background, dredging examples and technical guidance, sediment depth measurement processes, and a residential pond dredging exemplar. This one-day workshop can help fulfill up to 5 PDHs.
Info here.

Conservation Partnership Training
2021-11-30 09:00 - 12:00
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 on our website which provide additional information on the programs included in this training along with other programs.
Check out the draft agenda for more information.
You are not required to attend the entire morning’s session, and you are welcome to join us whenever you can. There will be different Zoom links provided for each day, so you need to register for each day separately.
Register by Wednesday, November 24, at https://conta.cc/3A0JYeX
