The Extension Crops and Soils Program provides timely resources and information to help Wisconsin crop producers and their agricultural consultants manage crops efficiently and profitably.
You can find information on:
- Crop Production and cropping systems for corn, soybeans, forages, nutrient management, soil science, commercial vegetable, and cover crops.
- Pest Management: Information on the management of weeds, insects, and disease in Wisconsin cropping systems.
- Ask Extension: Your opportunity to talk directly with Extension specialists and staff
Discovery Farms, a program of UW-Madison Division of Extension, is a farmer-led research and outreach program focused on the relationship between agriculture and water quality. The program is unique in that it conducts research on privately-owned farms throughout Wisconsin. Discovery Farms works with the U.S. Geological Survey to gather credible and unbiased water quality information from monitored sites.
Discovery Farms develops on-farm and related research to determine the economic and environmental effects of agricultural practices on a diverse group of Wisconsin farms; and educates and improves communications among the agricultural community, consumers, researchers, and policymakers to better identify and implement effective environmental management practices that are compatible with profitable agriculture.
Pesticide Applicator Training
Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing
As a Private Applicator you have to study the training materials and get certified by passing the private applicator test if you use Restricted-Use Pesticides (RUPs). If you are not going to use RUPs then you do not need to be certified. A Private Applicator is a person who applies pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity AND pesticides are applied on property that they own, rent or their employer owns or rents. If an applicator does not meet BOTH parts of the definition, they are considered commercial applicators. Example of commercial applicator: Lawn care company or County Highway employee. Certification is good for 5 years.
To receive training and certification, purchase the appropriate manual from the University of Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Training Online Store: https://patstore.wisc.edu/secure/default.asp
Mail order form for the book – https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/pat/files/2019/05/Private-Order-Form.pdf
Refer to the UW Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) Program website for further details: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/pat/
NOTE: Do not purchase commercial Field & Vegetable Crops, Greenhouse & Nursery or Fruit Crop manuals. Select General Farming, private Greenhouse & Nursery or private Fruit Crop. Manuals are $40 per book and they are assigned to the applicator, so each must have their own. Manuals will be sent to the applicator using UPS and are usually delivered within four business days. UPS does not deliver to P.O. boxes. If you have questions go to patprogram@mailplus.wisc.edu or 608-262-7588.
Commercial Applicators
Refer to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection website for training and testing details.
https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx
Do you know your Private Applicator Certification expiration date?
County Extension Offices will no longer be sending you a letter alerting you of when your certification expires. Please be aware that you are going to have to be responsible for knowing this.
Please check your card to identify when your certification expires. If you cannot see the date, go to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s website and look yourself up. If you are not there, then your certification has expired.
http://www.kellysolutions.com/WI/Applicators/index.asp
TRAINING
UW Extension Private Applicator Training website
https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/pat/private-applicator-training/
In-person training with Test sites – Requires 50% passing score. ($10/person)
https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/pat/events/
Online Training Courses – Start in November. Requires 50% passing score. (No charge)
https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d4DVfjmVBmP1ZRA
Zoom Webinar Training (at home) – One training per month will be offered January 13, February 3, March 3, April 7. Requires 50% passing score. (No charge)
https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8IZiyW1KursvGaq
TESTING
County Testing-only Sites – UW Pesticide Applicator Training Program Testing Sites website (no charge) – https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/pat/county-testing-sites/
Testing requirements at Juneau County Extension office (no charge). Testing with Self Study requires 70% passing score. Testing with Online or Zoom training requires 50% passing score.
Exam requirements for tests taken at Extension Office
In-person Training with Test sites ($10/person). Requires 50% passing score. https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/pat/events/
Online testing with Pearson Vue testing company. Requires 70% passing score. You get test results at end of test. Certification is sent by mail within 3 business days. ($45/person)
https://home.pearsonvue.com/wi/agriculture
UW-Madison Certification Exam website – https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/pat/exam/
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Soil Testing
The links below give you the cost, standard analysis test, optional analysis tests and cost, sampling guidelines, submission sheet, and sample soil test report. You may pick up a soil test packet which includes the bags at the Juneau County Extension office at the address below and return the filled bags to the Extension office for submitting to the UW Soil and Forage Lab in Madison. Test results will be mailed or emailed directly to you. Postage cost is $10.20 for a USPS small flat rate box which holds up to 2 bags.
Soil Sample process-Field
Soil Sample process-Lawn & Garden
Soil Sample process-Wildlife Food Plots
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For more information please contact:
Extension Juneau County
Courthouse
220 E. State Street, Room 104, Mauston, WI 53948
Phone: (608) 847-9329
