Tools for Minimal-Till Market Farming and Diversified Vegetables: Virtual Field Day
2021-07-09 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
In their eighth year of CSA and farmers market sales from their 13-acre farm, Anna Raines and the crew at Rains and Sun have curated a rich collection of tools critical to their certified organic diversified vegetable production.
This virtual event will focus on season extension / protected production (high tunnels, caterpillar tunnels, row cover); bed prep (walk-behind tractor and implements, broadfork); seeding and planting (jang and earthway seeders, dibbler for transplanting); weeding and cultivating (landscape fabric, hand tools); irrigation (drip tape, overhead sprinklers); infrastructure (greenhouse, packshed), and consumable products (seeds, amendments, potting media).
Find more information here.

The Dairy Experience Forum
2021-07-12 11:00 - 16:00 | Online
The Dairy Experience Forum is an innovative, disruptive event that will examine the key trends impacting consumers and opportunities to grow dairy sales. The forum brings together key stakeholders and dairy industry leaders at a time when consumer trends are changing, new technologies are emerging, and the demand for transparency is increasing.
Topics will focus on how to drive sales growth by understanding consumers’ needs and becoming more relevant to them through innovation, partnerships, and marketing. Discussions will address questions such as, “What global trends can I capitalize on as more dairy is shipped outside the U.S.?” and “What’s next for dairy?”
Follow this link to learn more.

Designing wetland restoration seed mixes
2021-07-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Kelly Voigt, TTCP Training Conservationist, will demonstrate how to design and evaluate wetland restoration seed mixes using the latest version of the NRCS seeding and certification calculator.
Follow this link for more information.

Digester optimization for co-digestion & biogas production
2021-07-13 10:00 | Online
There is a huge untapped potential to capture energy and nutrients from food waste, animal manure & wastewater biosolids. According to the American Biogas Council, more than 10,000 facilities across the United State could implement digester & biogas plants to better utilize these resources.
In cooperation with The Water Council & Wisconsin Biogas Council, the Danish Trade Council Biogas & Water Technology Alliances have joined forces to offer this webinar to explore some of the possibilities of expanding the biogas sector in Wisconsin.
Follow this link for more information and registration.

Regenerative agriculture: What every agricultural professional needs to know
2021-07-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
Regenerative agriculture is more than a buzzword. Agricultural professionals may be called upon to help clients implement regenerative agriculture practices, including to meet requests from important buyers of crop and livestock products. Key elements of regenerative agriculture include a focus on farmer bottom line rather than maximum yields and a reduced reliance on purchased fertilizers and crop protectants through natural nutrient cycling and the biological controls of weeds, insects, and diseases. If called upon to help a client implement regenerative agriculture systems, agricultural professionals should be prepared to answer questions from clients and others about regenerative agriculture, and they should have a plan for accessing expertise, pursuing professional development, and minimizing client risk. Business models may need to be adjusted to ensure healthy revenue from expertise and services to replace reduced input sales revenue.
Follow this link to learn more.

Planting new ideas, growing conservation: Rotational grazing
2021-07-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
This webinar will focus on when to move cattle to new paddocks during the spring flush versus the “summer slump,” managing weeds at different times of the year, as well as cattle nutrition considerations in grass-based systems in spring versus mid-summer.
Follow this link to learn more.

Women in Government: Breaking through barriers
2021-07-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Women serve as heads of state in only 22 countries, and 119 countries have never had a female leader. At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years. This staggering statistic needs to change. Join us to learn:

Best practices from women government leaders who have successfully navigated the career ladder
What to do if you feel your career is being stymied by gender
How to overcome words like bossy, loud, or pushy

Follow this link to learn more.

On what social science can tell us about engaging private landowners in riparian forest buffer work
2021-07-13 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
This presentation will be followed by breakout discussions focused on challenges, strategies, and other issues germane to implementing riparian forest buffers in the following Ecological Provinces in the Midwest: Laurentian Mixed Forest / Midwest Broadleaf Forest / Prairie Parkland / Central Interior Broadleaf Forest.
Follow this link for registration.

Cyanobacteria and our lakes
2021-07-14 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
Join us to hear from one of Wisconsin’s leading algae experts discuss the infamous photosynthetic bacteria: cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Native to every lake and river in Wisconsin, excessive cyanobacteria growth has major impacts on public health, lake accessibility, and the ecosystem as a whole.
Follow this link to learn more.

USDA-NRCS public conservation virtual meeting
2021-07-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Wisconsin has announced one statewide virtual Local Working Group (LWG) meeting with a feedback survey to follow.
One of the main programs discussed at the meeting will be the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a federal conservation program that helps agricultural producers in a manner that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. EQIP offers technical and financial assistance to help landowners with needed conservation practices for water quality, soil health, wildlife and other natural resources.
Follow this link to learn more.

Farmland to Shoreland
2021-07-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Wisconsin
This event is for all watershed residents. We will be showcasing how practices utilized by local farmers are protecting local water quality and how you can help at home. Our speakers will provide more details about the types of farming practices, their importance to soil health, and how you can improve the soil health and decrease the runoff at your residence.
Follow this link to learn more.

Harmful algae management
2021-07-14 12:00 - 13:30 | Online
As part of comprehensive strategies to protect drinking water, direct control of harmful algae through various integrated strategies can reduce their density at drinking water intakes and decrease pressure on treatment plants to remove these organisms and their toxins.
The first presentation by Dr. West Bishop will review the use of USEPA-registered algaecides in rapid responses to restore water resource uses when nuisance or harmful algae are discovered. The second presentation by Dr. Kaytee Pokrzywinski-Boyd and Dr. Mandy Michalsen will review non-traditional HAB management strategies including physical and biological control techniques.
Follow this link to learn more.

Preparing for and Adapting to Future Floods with Natural Flood Management
2021-07-14 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Are you curious about opportunities to mitigate flood risks to communities and infrastructure with cost-effective, nature-based solutions? In this session, participants will learn about Natural Flood Management (NFM), an emerging concept that involves using a combination of multiple practices, in different parts of the watershed, to increase the landscape’s ability to store and manage water. You’ll hear about watershed-scale risk assessments and NFM demonstration projects that are underway in Ashland County to identify infrastructure vulnerabilities and prioritize where flood risks can be minimized through upstream hydrologic restoration actions. The panel will also discuss benefit-cost data, screening tools, infrastructure design approaches, and other resources that can help your community tap into hazard mitigation, disaster recovery, and climate adaptation funding.
Follow this link to learn more.

Practical resilience and systems thinking workshop
2021-07-14 14:00 - 17:00 | Online
Are you a member of a lake association, lake management agency, or partner organization working in the Midwest? Interested in learning how to protect your lake and keep it healthy into the future? Join researchers from Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability for a virtual workshop on long-term lake management planning where you will:
1. Learn key resilience and systems thinking concepts
2. Build a tool box of practical skills for lake management
3. Develop a network of peers within your state
Find more information here.

Professional Dairy Producers Dairy Robotics Tour
2021-07-15 09:00 - 16:00 | Shawano Community High School, 220 Cty Rd. B, Shawano, WI, 54166
Explore and learn more about robotics used on three Wisconsin dairy farms. Learn from dairy producers and an experienced tour facilitator on how technology has helped improve cow comfort and increase farm productivity and performance. In addition to meeting the managers and owners of Horsens Homestead, Shawland Dairy and Olson Dairy Farms, Inc., attendees will engage in dairy business discussions during travel to and from host farms and over lunch.
Find out more here.

Poultry agricultural sustainability
2021-07-15 10:00 | Online
During this virtual field trip, we will give an overview of the sustainability practices used by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Poultry program. Arkansas’ poultry production history, challenges, farm sustainability efforts, and future will be discussed. Tyson will share their sustainability journey and how they collaborate to encourage sustainability.
Follow this link to learn more and register.

Improving watershed health through agricultural-municipal partnerships
2021-07-15 14:00 - 15:15 | Online
Watersheds can benefit when municipal water treatment plants invest in conservation practices on nearby farms. These agricultural-municipal partnerships reflect a commitment to integrated planning across the complete water cycle with a strong emphasis on a highly collaborative and inclusive approach to watershed health improvement.
You will have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of the City of Boise, Ohio’s Miami Conservancy District, and Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment.
Register at this link.

WWCC Field Day
2021-07-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Friendshuh Farms, 465 75th St, Clear Lake, WI, United States
Join the Western Wisconsin Conservation Council (WWCC) for a casual conversation about conservation practices. All are welcome!
The topic will be the impact of spring and fall manure application on no-till fields planted in rye, including examination of the sub-soils.
Find more information here.

Grain Place Foundation field day
2021-07-17 11:00 - 12:30 | Online
This field day will give you an opportunity to tour the farm and grain processing plant and to hear David R. Montgomery in conversation with experienced local organic farmers about what’s new in regenerative, organic agriculture.
Find out more here: http://www.grainplacefoundation.org/fieldday/

GrassWorks pasture walk
2021-07-17 11:00 - 12:30 | Wisconsin
Andy Jaworski was motivated to begin grazing practices on his parents farm in 2008 after being inspired to explore ideas during a Grassworks grazing conference he attended in 2007. In 2014, he began operating his organic dairy business and Andy’s Organic Acres LLC was formed.
The operation utilizes a Lely robotic milking machine in conjunction with managed intensive grazing practices during the grazing season. Cows are housed in coverall style free-stall barn in addition to the diverse pasture acres. Come see how old technology can be incorporated with new!
RSVP to Rachel at bouressafamilyfarm@gmail.com

Managing Impacts of the Invasive Emerald Ash Borer on Wisconsin’s Wooded Wetlands
2021-07-19 10:30 - 17:00 | Online
Join WDNR forester Brad Hutnik to learn about the threat posed to wetlands by the invasive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Brad will cover some of the basics about this invader, share insights about how best to assess potential impacts, and discuss what can be done pre and post ash loss to mitigate these impacts on wetlands.
Learn more by following this link.

Recruiting minority candidates to conservation positions
2021-07-20 09:00 | Online
Learn effective tips and techniques for recruiting minority candidates to conservation positions in your state with active recruitment and involvement that would embrace diversity, equity and inclusion in operations, leadership, staffing, program involvement and development.
Find out more and register here.

Mid-season fundamental ag update
2021-07-20 10:00 | Online
This has been a summer of extremes–either too wet or too dry. As such, July provides a good opportunity to assess this year’s crop potential, while balancing that against early indications of Chinese demand for the 2021 crop. How is China doing in keeping its commitments for the current year, and what does that tell us about the year ahead? What is the expected response from Brazil farmers as they prepare to plant their crops that will be harvested in six months?
Register here.

Equipment demonstration, soil health, and drought resiliency
2021-07-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Wisconsin
Join Martin Larsen at his farm to learn about his equipment. Larsen will be showing his interseeder, no-till drill, and corn planter. Larsen will also discuss how to continue to prioritize soil health even in years with extreme weather conditions and how soil health has made his farm more resilient to these conditions.
Read more here.

The habitat matrix: Stepping down bird management from landscape to stand
2021-07-20 12:00 | Online
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 the 50-year decline of 3 billion birds through partnerships, conservation science and forest management. The series tells a compelling story about forest bird population declines, partnership opportunities, and forest management actions that can support bird population recovery and sustainability.
Follow this link to learn more.

Septic Systems 101
2021-07-20 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
In this webinar training hosted by The Private Well Class, you’ll learn about septic system management as part of a larger strategy to protect the water in your private well. We will provide answers to common questions, such as:

What is safe to flush down my drains?
Do I need to put additives in my septic tank?
How do I prolong the life of my system?

Follow this link to learn more.

Wagner Fields Farm Day
2021-07-21 10:00 - 14:00 | Wagner Farms, N6928 County Rd BB, Oconto Falls, WI, 54154
Come see corn planted into rye, interseeded covers, have a grass forage discussion and see the rainfall simulator. Lunch will be provided at noon with ice cream for dessert!
More information here.

Do healthy soils grow healthier food?
2021-07-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
It seems logical that healthier soil could grow healthier food. But how do we measure this and demonstrate it scientifically? Exploring links between the nutrient density of food and the soil it was grown in remains a young field of study—we often have more questions than answers.
The Bionutrient Institute is a collaborative project that seeks to shed light on this topic. In 2018 they began analyzing crops and soil samples from a wide range of farms across the country to help us understand connections between soil health and food nutrition. Pasa partnered with Bionutrient Institute in 2020 to measure the nutrient content of crops grown by farmers participating in our Soil Health Benchmark Study. These analyses can help us understand whether different approaches to field management can produce healthier food.
Follow this link for more information.

From intake to the tap
2021-07-21 12:00 - 13:30 | Online
Toxin-producing cyanobacteria blooms are a growing concern for water utilities that use surface water supplies across the country. To make informed decisions about how to limit exposure to cyanotoxins, water utilities need to understand (1) cyanotoxins occur; (2) their presence in a given water source, (3) management strategies to reduce cyanotoxins in source waters, and (4) treatments to prevent cyanotoxins from reaching customers.
The first presentation by Ms. Tricia Kilgore will review Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority’s experience with algae blooms, taste and odor, the development of an algae monitoring plan for two drinking water reservoirs, and algae bloom treatment in the reservoir and in the plants. The second presentation by Dr. Erik Rosenfeldt provides insight on which techniques are effective for addressing cyanotoxins present within intact cyanobacteria cells (intracellular), and which techniques are effective for removing cyanotoxins that are dissolved in the water (extracellular).
Follow this link for more information.

Best management practices for pesticide applications
2021-07-21 13:00 | Online
To use pesticides legally and effectively, the first step is to identify the pest, then determine your pest management strategy. If a pesticide or mixture of pesticides is the best choice, the pest manager must read, understand, and follow the pesticide product’s label.
This presentation will walk through a number of key label statements. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of assuring the site is allowed on the label, environmental hazard statements, mixing compatibility and jar tests, and sprayer clean-up procedures.
Follow this link to learn more and register.
