One Water Summit
2022-09-12 - 2022-09-15 | WI
The US Water Alliance’s One Water Summit gathers the most diverse group of water stakeholders in the country for a completely unique and urgent conversation about the future of water through engaging plenaries and workshops, dynamic institutes and site-visits, and plenty of networking time between individuals, organizations, and delegations. Our Summit also serves as a time to award the US Water Prize, where we recognize outstanding One Water leaders across the nation.
Info here.

Soil Health and Sustainability for Field Staff
2022-09-13 - 2022-09-15
Course Description:
This training is designed to provide field level conservationists and resource soil scientists with an overall understanding of soil health and sustainability principles to guide them with recommendations for land management. The training can be tailored by land use or specialty emphasis area using modules for cropland, pasture, range, eastern forests, sod and nursery crops, organic specialty crops, and/or salinity and sodicity. Upon completion of this course participants will be able to evaluate soil health, have an understanding of soil quality/soil health indicators and their relationship to onsite/offsite effects of management; communicate soil health concerns to employees, partners and land managers through conservation technical assistance and planning that complies with national policy; and apply soil health and sustainability principles and conservation technology holistically to supply safe, healthy and abundant food and fiber and sustain ecosystem functions on agricultural lands.
Target Audience:
NRCS staff in the 400 & 800 Series and Partners, particularly those involved in resource inventory and conservation planning with land managers or assessment of dynamic soil properties for soil survey.
Primary Objectives:
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
Define or describe soil health terms and basic concepts to develop an understanding of the soil ecosystem, soil biology, and soil functions;
Discuss soil chemical, physical, and biological properties and the soil functions they affect;
Evaluate and compare management practices for limiting physical and chemical disturbance;
Apply agroecology technologies that build or degrade soil function
Be knowledgeable of soil features that indicate good soil health using field observations;
Use farmer input (goals) and background data to initiate inventory and assessment of soil resources;
Analyze collected data to identify soil health problems and priorities for improvements;
Understand how improving soil health improves productivity and profitability;
Understand the costs of poor soil health on air and water quality; and
Use soil health demonstrations to promote conservation.
NE Area: Waupaca, WI. Tuesday-Thursday Sept 13-15, sign up here.
SE Area: Fond du Lac, WI. Tuesday-Thursday Sept 27-29, sign up here.

Soil Health and Sustainability for Field Staff
2022-09-13 - 2022-09-15, 2022-09-27 - 2022-09-29
This training is designed to provide field level conservationists and resource soil scientists with an overall understanding of soil health and sustainability principles to guide them with recommendations for land management. The training can be tailored by landuse or specialty emphasis area using modules for cropland, pasture, range, eastern forests, sod and nursery crops, organic specialty crops, and/or salinity and sodicity. Upon completion of this course participants will be able to evaluate soil health, have an understanding of soil quality/soil health indicators and their relationship to onsite/offsite effects of management; communicate soil health concerns to employees, partners and land managers through conservation technical assistance and planning that complies with national policy; and apply soil health and sustainability principles and conservation technology holistically to supply safe, healthy and abundant food and fiber and sustain ecosystem functions on agricultural lands.
Primary Objectives
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

Define or describe soil health terms and basic concepts to develop an understanding of the soil ecosystem, soil biology, and soil functions;
Discuss soil chemical, physical, and biological properties and the soil functions they affect;
Evaluate and compare management practices for limiting physical and chemical disturbance;
Apply agroecology technologies that build or degrade soil function
Be knowledgeable of soil features that indicate good soil health using field observations;
Use farmer input (goals) and background data to initiate inventory and assessment of soil resources;
Analyze collected data to identify soil health problems and priorities for improvements;
Understand how improving soil health improves productivity and profitability;
Understand the costs of poor soil health on air and water quality; and
Use soil health demonstrations to promote conservation.

Info here.

WI Soil and Water Conservation Society Fall Conservation Tour
2022-09-14 10:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
Join SWCS for their 2022 fall conservation tour – starting at Big River Resources (N10185 370th Street, Boyceville, WI). Find the flyer here.
Info here.

Certified Organic Mushroom Production
2022-09-14 13:00 - 14:00
Certified organic mushroom production is a gray area in the National Organic Program. Is it a crop? Or is it something else entirely? The answer is a little complicated. Incorporating certified organic mushrooms into your operation can offer an opportunity to diversify cashflow and markets. Dive into the standards with one of Rodale Institute’s organic regulatory experts, Zach West, to learn more about how these fungi can benefit your production.
Info here.

Turning IPM into an Educational Board Game Simulation
2022-09-14 14:00 - 15:00
The IPM Hour is a monthly online seminar covering a variety of IPM-related topics and research. It is held the second Wednesday of each month at noon Pacific Time and features a presentation (or two) with Q&A and discussion.
Info here.

Conservation Connections: An introduction to NRCS and FSA resources and programs - Half the 40 Acres
2022-09-14 16:00 - 18:00
Join farmer Robert Pierce for a tour of his farm, Half the 40 Acres, south of Madison and learn about various programs and opportunities to enhance conservation practices on your land. Learn about soil health and see Robert’s composting operation.
“For me, it’s pretty simple; everything starts with healthy soil. To grow good food you need good soil and that has always been my priority here on the farm.” Farmer Robert Pierce
Tour Robert’s new high tunnel and gain information on potential NRCS EQIP funding for such farm enhancements.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency FSA and other conservation staff will be on hand to answer questions and help connect you to additional resources and opportunities.
Info here.

Language of the Land: Bringing Nature Home
2022-09-15 20:00 - 21:00
Did you know that how we landscape our yards affects nature far beyond property lines? Join Douglas Tallamy, author of Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard, to learn how the small actions we take as individuals can make a big environmental impact. Tallamy will discuss how native plants best support local wildlife and will provide tips on how to simultaneously garden and benefit local ecosystems.
Info here.

Native Plant ID and Pollinator Habitat Training
2022-09-16
This training will cover plant ID of native species that are commonly used in pollinator plantings, components of a good pollinator habitat, some discussion on habitat assessment, common weeds to look out for, and a field tour to practice our plant ID in multiple different habitat types. Lunch will be provided. Please bring a water bottle, and dress for hiking.
Info here.

Survey 123 Basic Requirements and Outline
2022-09-16 09:00 - 12:00
Entry level instruction on how to use ArcGIS Survey 123 to create mobile-based apps for collecting data in the field. Students will use their own laptop and smartphone or tablet in class to create and deploy an app to collect sample data. Basic instruction and emphasis on using ArcGIS Online resources, learning GIS software terms and workflows. Focus on building an app from an existing template, making basic modifications, publishing the report, collecting data, and how to create reports.
Who should take the class:
Geared toward conservation staff with basic to intermediate ESRI GIS skills. Some knowledge of ArcGIS Online is helpful, intermediate understanding of excel. Students will need an ArcGIS Online account either through their organization or a personal account.
Equipment/Software Required for Training

Laptop with MS Office (Excel)
Smartphone or tablet (Apple or Android)
Survey 123 Connect Installed on Laptop
MS Office with Excel on laptop
Survey 123 installed on mobile device
ArcGIS Online Account

Find the full outline and description here.
Andy Maracini, Winnebago County Land Conservation Department, will be running the training.
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.

Urban Growers Collective Farm Tour
2022-09-17 13:00 - 16:00
Join the MOSES 2022 Changemaker Award recipients as we tour two of their farms. Urban Growers Collective is a Black- and women-led non-profit farm in Chicago, Illinois working to build a more just and equitable local food system. They aim to address the inequities and structural racism that exist in the food system and in communities of color. Hear about the exciting programs they are implementing to not only raise delicious, healthy food, but also to help create systemic change and economic opportunities for their urban community. Come see their well-established South Chicago Farm, and a newer farm project close by called Green Era Urban Farm and Renewable Energy Campus that will support local compost development.
Info here.

2022 WCA Annual Conference
2022-09-18 - 2022-09-20
Wisconsin Counties Association 2022 Annual Conference
Info here.

Great Lakes Coastal Symposium
2022-09-19 - 2022-09-21
The Coastal Symposium will feature presentations, networking opportunities, workshops, and field trips. Over three days, participants will explore the state of our coastal systems in the face of a rapidly changing climate, discuss current topics related to coastal wetland management, and provide input on management and conservation approaches for this upper Great Lakes setting. Participants will spend time in the classroom and in the field sharing experiences and best practices for managing coastal waters, vegetation, and wildlife.
Info here.

NASCA Webinar - Two-Plus Years Later - Best Practices Adopted
2022-09-20 09:00 - 22:00
NASCA Webinar featuring Best Practices for programs, operations and communications from across the nation that were adopted by state conservation agencies and conservation districts during the pandemic, and will be continued to be utilized in a new way of doing conservation and state agency business.
Info here.

Introduction to Flood Insurance through the NFIP
2022-09-20 09:30 - 10:30
This webinar will introduce to you key concepts of the National Flood Insurance Program including:
1) Flood insurance compared to disaster assistance
2) Eligibility to purchase flood insurance
3) Coverages
4) Loss settlement (claims) and appeals
While the new pricing methodology is not the main focus of this webinar, some aspects of Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action will be discussed.
Info here.

Utilizing Fire and Grazing to Manage Invasive Perennial Grasses
2022-09-20 13:00 - 14:00
Presented by: Chris Helzer, Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska
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.

NASECA-WI/MECA Rice Lake Field Event 2022
2022-09-21 - 2022-09-22
This popular annual event has been hosted since 2005 in partnership with the American Excelsior Company ErosionLab, one of only a few erosion control testing laboratories in the U.S. This event allows attendees to learn from experienced professionals and view product testing under a variety of control measures set up as stations around the ErosionLab.
Info here.

NextGen
2022-09-21
NextGen is a movement. It’s about inspiring, developing and preparing emerging leaders in government. It’s about providing training and leadership opportunities for rising leaders in government. It’s about preparing new managers, supervisors and project leaders to excel in the government of the future. It’s about creating the absolute best next generation of government.
Info 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.

Wisconsin Permaculture Convergence
2022-09-23 - 2022-09-25
The Wisconsin Permaculture Convergence is a yearly event that brings people together to network, build community, skill share and celebrate life.
Info here.

Great Lakes Legislative Caucus Annual Meeting
2022-09-23 - 2022-09-24
The meeting will consist of a full day of programming that will include presentations on strategies to promote climate resilience in coastal communities; efforts to reduce nutrient pollution in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region; the cleanup and removal of toxic substances; strategies to promote a sustainable Blue Economy; recent developments at the federal level in the U.S. and Canada; and more. The agenda will also include a special luncheon presentation to be delivered by Professor Lynne Heasley (author of The Accidental Reef and other Ecological Odysseys in the Great Lakes) ; a Caucus business session; and a roundtable discussion of recent legislative developments in the Great Lakes states and provinces.
Info here.

The role and application of prescribed fire in Wisconsin wetlands
2022-09-23 10:30 - 11:30
Many wetlands in Wisconsin burned frequently as part of the historical fire regime, often lit by the indigenous peoples of the area. Join Hannah Spaul, Director of Land Management for The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin, to learn about the historic role of fire in the state’s wetlands. She’ll also talk about how today’s managers apply prescribed fire as a critical management tool to promote native species, control invasive ones, and manage for woody brush encroachment. Tune in to hear more about the opportunities, challenges, and successes of the use of fire in wetlands in Wisconsin.
Info here.

Sturgeon Fest
2022-09-25 12:00 - 14:00
The Return the Sturgeon Program is back to celebrate with you in Milwaukee’s Harbor District! Join us to hand-release a Lake Sturgeon into Lake Michigan during Sturgeon Fest, a part of Harbor Fest.
Enjoy family fun and help return a breeding population of Sturgeon to Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River!
Info here.

Climate Crisis- Discussion and Tour of Geothermal Greenhouse
2022-09-25 14:00 - 16:00
Come out for some social time and a tour. This farm has a Geothermal Greenhouse to showcase.
Info here.

Farm & Fiber Tour Stop 3
2022-09-25 15:00 - 18:00
Join Three Rivers Fibershed (TRF) and Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) local chapters for a series of on-farm events highlighting local fiber farms, soil-to-soil farming practices, and regional textile systems in Wisconsin! Featuring WFU and TRF members/stewards, attendees will have the chance to connect with local farms and shepherds engaging in climate-beneficial, pasture-based farming practices and learn about TRF and WFU and their work to support farmers and cooperative efforts to promote local agricultural systems. Events will feature farmer-led pasture walks, hands-on fiber activities, and educational booths hosted by partners.
Info 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.
