This page provides a listing of upcoming workshops for producers, funding resources, grazing information, organic transitioning resources and an overview of the national agencies that support agricultural and food production.
Farming Workshops 2011 – 2012
Second Annual Southern Wisconsin Vegetable Workshop Planned for Area Growers
The 2012 Southern Wisconsin Vegetable Workshop will be held on Tuesday, Feb 7th at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. The workshop will feature sessions on crop production methods, weed control, safe handling practices and a variety of marketing opportunities. Presentations will feature area farmers, UW Extension Vegetable Specialists, DATCP staff, and others.
Registration is just $40 for an individual and $20 for each additional person from the same farm. A continental breakfast, lunch and workshop materials are included. More information including the agenda and online registration are available on the Dane County UW Extension website at http://dane.uwex.edu/ or call 608-224-3706 to request a registration form.
This workshop is sponsored by Dane County UW Extension, DATCP, Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition, Michael Fields Agriculture Institute, and the Wisconsin Fresh Market Vegetable Growers Association.
For more information call Carrie Edgar at the Dane County UW Extension office at 608-224-3706.
Producers First Accepting Applications
Now accepting applications from Wisconsin local food producers to work on their farm business this winter. To learn more click here. A fill in the blank web form makes it easier to apply Click Here.
What does Producers First offer? Producers First provides one-on-one technical assistance for Wisconsin food producers from a consultant of their choosing.
Could I apply?Any Wisconsin farmer or producer may apply for Producers First. Producers for local markets are encouraged to apply. Applications are reviewed monthly.
What kind of assistance is available? Examples of technical assistance provided by Producers First include but are not limited to: accounting and financial organization, business planning, food safety, grant writing assistance, legal services, market development, packaging and label development, whole farm planning, etc.
Producers First will pay up to $3,000 to a consultant(s) for providing this assistance. A matching payment to the consultant(s) of 10% is required from producers. For questions about Producers First, please contact Keefe Keeley by email, at datcpproducersfirst@wisconsin.gov, or by phone, at 608-306-0844
Grazing Resources
“Benefits of Management-intensive Grazing” by Jim Gerrish, Research Assistant Professor, University of Missouri-Forage Systems Research Center
The Vernon and Richland County Graziers Group which feature pasture walks and resources to support grazing systems. Contact: Ben Wojahn at bwojahn@vernoncounty.org or 637-5482.
The Great River Graziers Group (Crawford County) which feature pasture walks, facilitated and discussion and resources to support grazing systems. Contact: Vance Haugen at 608-326-0223 Click Here for the 2011 schedule.
The Southwest Wisconsin Grazing Assistance Program is an effort to address the large number of requests for grazing plans in Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, and Vernon counties. The Southwest Badger Grazing Specialist assists landowners in developing managed-intensive grazing plans at no cost to the landowner. Click Here to learn more. Contact: Dennis Rooney at 608-326-7179 Ext. 113 or dennis.rooney@ces.uwex.edu
DATCP offers support to producers interested in incorporating grazing into their farm. To learn about the grants, resources, events, marketing and conservation programs click here.
GrassWorks is a grassroots non-profit membership organization. GrassWorks provides leadership, education and resources for grass-based farmers and regional organizations that support graziers. We represent graziers and work to make farm policy fair for managed grazing farmers.
Funding Opportunities
Cost-share for Nutrient Management Plans is available through Vernon County Land & Water Conservation Department to pay $28/acre . Cost-share is limited. These funds are only open to Vernon County producers. Contact:Ben Wojahn at 637-5482 with interest or questions.
The Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities guide is written for anyone seeking help from federal programs to foster innovative enterprises in agriculture and forestry in the United States. Specifically, the guide addresses program resources in community development; sustainable land management; and value-added and diversified agriculture and forestry.
Chart for the 2008 Farm Bill Programs and Grants lists all of the deadlines. This information is updated regularly by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC).
The Wisconsin Farmers’ Resource Guide is a directory for farmers and rural citizens to find helpful information and services offered by public and private agencies across the state.Whether you need legal aid or want to apply for a loan, seek job training or financial counseling, this guide will help you find the right person to talk to.
The Grants and Financial Aide Section of the WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection offers a variety of resources.
Grants, Loans and technical assistance for farmers and producers are offered through the USDA Office of Rural Development for WI.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture offers additional grants for farmers and food processors and related businesses, this is an agency with in the USDA.
Farm Aide, or visit Farm Aid’s Farmer Resource Network.If you’re a farmer dealing with natural disaster, take a look at our Disaster Assistance for Farmers page for a list of potential resources. Farm Aide can connect you to direct services of many kinds and will do their flat out best to help you find the assistance you need to support your farm and help it thrive.
Transitioning to Organic Resources
The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) provides a diverse menu of FREE and affordable resources for farmers interested in learning more about organic farming.
In the News:
Seventy–eight percent of U.S. families say they purchase organic foods. To read more click here.
Resources for Farmers
This page provides a listing of upcoming workshops for producers, funding resources, grazing information, organic transitioning resources and an overview of the national agencies that support agricultural and food production.
Farming Workshops 2011 – 2012
Second Annual Southern Wisconsin Vegetable Workshop Planned for Area Growers
The 2012 Southern Wisconsin Vegetable Workshop will be held on Tuesday, Feb 7th at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. The workshop will feature sessions on crop production methods, weed control, safe handling practices and a variety of marketing opportunities. Presentations will feature area farmers, UW Extension Vegetable Specialists, DATCP staff, and others.
Registration is just $40 for an individual and $20 for each additional person from the same farm. A continental breakfast, lunch and workshop materials are included. More information including the agenda and online registration are available on the Dane County UW Extension website at http://dane.uwex.edu/ or call 608-224-3706 to request a registration form.
This workshop is sponsored by Dane County UW Extension, DATCP, Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition, Michael Fields Agriculture Institute, and the Wisconsin Fresh Market Vegetable Growers Association.
For more information call Carrie Edgar at the Dane County UW Extension office at 608-224-3706.
Producers First Accepting Applications
Now accepting applications from Wisconsin local food producers to work on their farm business this winter. To learn more click here. A fill in the blank web form makes it easier to apply Click Here.
What does Producers First offer? Producers First provides one-on-one technical assistance for Wisconsin food producers from a consultant of their choosing.
Could I apply?Any Wisconsin farmer or producer may apply for Producers First. Producers for local markets are encouraged to apply. Applications are reviewed monthly.
What kind of assistance is available? Examples of technical assistance provided by Producers First include but are not limited to: accounting and financial organization, business planning, food safety, grant writing assistance, legal services, market development, packaging and label development, whole farm planning, etc.
Producers First will pay up to $3,000 to a consultant(s) for providing this assistance. A matching payment to the consultant(s) of 10% is required from producers. For questions about Producers First, please contact Keefe Keeley by email, at datcpproducersfirst@wisconsin.gov, or by phone, at 608-306-0844
Grazing Resources
“Benefits of Management-intensive Grazing” by Jim Gerrish, Research Assistant Professor, University of Missouri-Forage Systems Research Center
The Vernon and Richland County Graziers Group which feature pasture walks and resources to support grazing systems. Contact: Ben Wojahn at bwojahn@vernoncounty.org or 637-5482.
The Great River Graziers Group (Crawford County) which feature pasture walks, facilitated and discussion and resources to support grazing systems. Contact: Vance Haugen at 608-326-0223 Click Here for the 2011 schedule.
The Southwest Wisconsin Grazing Assistance Program is an effort to address the large number of requests for grazing plans in Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, and Vernon counties. The Southwest Badger Grazing Specialist assists landowners in developing managed-intensive grazing plans at no cost to the landowner. Click Here to learn more. Contact: Dennis Rooney at 608-326-7179 Ext. 113 or dennis.rooney@ces.uwex.edu
DATCP offers support to producers interested in incorporating grazing into their farm. To learn about the grants, resources, events, marketing and conservation programs click here.
GrassWorks is a grassroots non-profit membership organization. GrassWorks provides leadership, education and resources for grass-based farmers and regional organizations that support graziers. We represent graziers and work to make farm policy fair for managed grazing farmers.
Funding Opportunities
Cost-share for Nutrient Management Plans is available through Vernon County Land & Water Conservation Department to pay $28/acre . Cost-share is limited. These funds are only open to Vernon County producers. Contact:Ben Wojahn at 637-5482 with interest or questions.
The Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities guide is written for anyone seeking help from federal programs to foster innovative enterprises in agriculture and forestry in the United States. Specifically, the guide addresses program resources in community development; sustainable land management; and value-added and diversified agriculture and forestry.
Chart for the 2008 Farm Bill Programs and Grants lists all of the deadlines. This information is updated regularly by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC).
The Wisconsin Farmers’ Resource Guide is a directory for farmers and rural citizens to find helpful information and services offered by public and private agencies across the state.Whether you need legal aid or want to apply for a loan, seek job training or financial counseling, this guide will help you find the right person to talk to.
The Grants and Financial Aide Section of the WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection offers a variety of resources.
Grants, Loans and technical assistance for farmers and producers are offered through the USDA Office of Rural Development for WI.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture offers additional grants for farmers and food processors and related businesses, this is an agency with in the USDA.
Farm Aide, or visit Farm Aid’s Farmer Resource Network.If you’re a farmer dealing with natural disaster, take a look at our Disaster Assistance for Farmers page for a list of potential resources. Farm Aide can connect you to direct services of many kinds and will do their flat out best to help you find the assistance you need to support your farm and help it thrive.
Transitioning to Organic Resources
The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) provides a diverse menu of FREE and affordable resources for farmers interested in learning more about organic farming.
In the News:
Seventy–eight percent of U.S. families say they purchase organic foods. To read more click here.