Upcoming Events



Camelina Conversation – March 19, 10 am-2:30 pm

Location: Club 60 Supper Club | W2164 WI-60 Trunk, Columbus, WI 53925

Registration and information: https://go.wisc.edu/p7s31m

Participants will learn about winter camelina, hear results from a nitrate leaching study conducted locally, farmers with various levels of growing experience, and cash crop opportunity with Cargill. A hot lunch will be provided by Club 60.



Manure 101 – Hands-On Training for Safer Manure Application

The Manure Applicator training is an interactive session for those who apply manure (to their own farm or for hie) focused on spill response, safe operation, and proactive solutions. There is a small fee so check with the location that interests you. More information and registration.

Contact: Kevin Erb, Conservation Professional Training Program Director, 920-391-4652, kevin.erb@akkurth

  • Abbotsford – March 23
  • Barron – March 5
  • Birnamwood – March 18
  • Chilton – March 3
  • Chilton – March 12
  • Dodgeville – February 9
  • Jefferson – February 24
  • Kewaunee – March 12
  • Luxemburg – February 23
  • North Freedom – February 10
  • Manitowoc – March 2
  • Menomonie – March 9
  • Oconto Falls – March 19


Annual On Farm Soil Health Workshop

Annual On Farm Soil Health Workshop on February 3, 9 am – 3:30 pm at Frank Fischer Senior Center, 20 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy S, Wisconsin Dells. $20/person, lunch included. Register online or mail by January 30, 2026: https://www.sswig.org/events See details below.

This workshop will feature keynote speaker Tom Cotter of Cotter Farm in southern Minnesota. He’s become a vocal advocate for conservation practices that can enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, increase carbon sequestration, boost farm resiliency, ensure financial viability, and revitalize rural communities. Guest speakers include Randy Zogbaum of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and Craig Ficinec of the Sand County Foundation. Attendees will hear Tom Cotter’s story and how diversity and cover crops work on his operation, learn state producer led findings from the past year from Randy Zogbaum, hear about a new producer led funding opportunity from Sand County Foundation, and more!

Everybody has a story to tell. Keynote speaker, Tom Cotter, a fourth‑generation farmer from southern Minnesota, shares his story of turning a century of full tillage into living‑roots agriculture. Tom Cotter believes that when you do good things, other good things happen. He’s seen it firsthand. After he and his dad saw drastic differences four feet down with cover crops in the late 1990s, Tom added diverse cover‑crop “cocktails” after canning crops that are also grazed. As the First certified Clean Water Farm in Mower County, he raises crops and grass‑fed beef and shares practical lessons nationwide: observe, adapt, and improve.



Agritourism Business Development Training

6 modules available between Jan. 31-Feb. 25, 2026. Enroll in the entire cohort or attend single sessions. For more information go.wisc.edu/agritourism



2026 Annual CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) Update

NEW for 2026: 1) Virtual option on Thursday, February 19, and 2) Bonus Extension session on February 3, 12-1 pm for the CAFO audience: “Supporting economic and water quality opportunities through expanded dairy heifer grazing” featuring Sarah Lloyd Jordan Mathews (Rosy-Lane Dairy) and Ron Schoepp

For more information about this program: Contact Kevin Erb at 920-391-4652 or Kevin.erb
@wisc.edu

For questions on registration or payment: Email: extension@browncountywi.gov | Phone 920-391-4610



Private Pesticide Applicator Training-Feb. 26 or March 17, 2026

Location: Sauk County Extension Office, 505 Broadway, Basement Conference Room, Baraboo, WI 53913

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Registration: https://go.wisc.edu/patregistration

Session includes training and test.



Cultivating Your Farm’s Future – Workshops

Winter 2026 Virtual Workshops: Thursdays from 6:30-8 PM in February – 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, and 2/26 – Optional session on March 19, 2026 – REGISTRATION deadline: January 16, 2026

REGISTRATION: go.wisc.edu/cyff



Shoebox to Strategy – Organizing Your Farm’s Legacy

Every farm knows it should organize essential documents and financial information – but the task is easy to delay. This online workshop series from UW-Madison Extension helps you finally get it done.

By gathering and organizing your farm’s vital records, you’ll be better prepared for meetings with attorneys, accountants, and transition planning professionals – saving you time, money, and stress.

The series combines guided virtual instruction, open office hours, and one in-person workshop to help you move from “I need to do this someday” to “It’s finally done.”

Learn more and register at: go.wisc.edu7/shoebox or click on QR code in flyer below.

Required Virtual Sessions:

  • Friday, Jan. 30 from 12-1:30 pm
  • Friday, Feb. 13 from 12-1:30 pm
  • Friday, Feb. 27 from 12-1:30 pm

Required In-Person Workshop: Friday, March 13 from 10 am-3 pm – Phoenix Center, 100 S. Orange Street, Richland Center, WI 53581

Optional Follow-up Virtual Session: Friday, April 3 from 12-1:30 pm

Cost: $175/farm through Dec. 31, 2025 | $225/farm starting on Jan. 1, 2026

Register Soon! Registration deadline is Jan. 16, 2026. This workshop is limited to 20 farms.

Questions? Contact: joy.kirkpatrick@wisc.edu, 608-263-3485