Are you interested in learning about and collecting data on the bee community pollinating vegetable blooms on your farm? The Gratton Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has a new smartphone app for growers to help collect data on wild bee pollination. The abundance and diversity of wild bee communities varies from farm-to-farm, making local data necessary for understanding […]

MFAI is hosting a FREE live virtual field day, Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (CST). MFAI’s Agroecologist and Agronomist are teaming up to share their 2020 field research! Agenda with Topics and Q&A time: 1:00 – 1:05 pm  Introduction MFAI Research Farm Tour 1:05 – 1:25 pm Soybean + Rye Interseeding […]

MFAI is the recipient of a $250,000 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) program for perennial crop development efforts (see USDA’s announcement here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDANIFA/bulletins/291fdfc). MFAI was a member of a diverse coalition of more than 15 institutions, including universities, NGOs, farmers, bakers, and governmental agencies throughout the […]

Do you enjoy being outside in the summer? Working with plants? Starting in July, we will be hiring. This is a temporary position with our Research Department. Our organic corn breeding program uses classic plant breeding and modern screening methods to develop alternative corn varieties that perform well in organic systems, have elevated levels of […]

The USDA is asking for the public’s opinions and suggestions about how best to transform agriculture to both increase production and reduce its impact on the environment.  The agency specifically sought input on four priority areas, but comments on other areas are also encouraged. MFAI’s Policy Director was invited by three groups – the National Sustainable […]

The School for Urban Agriculture (SUA) is a collaborative effort of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) and Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC), Rooted (formerly the Center for Resilient Cities and Community GroundWorks), and the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI). Back in 2018, MFAI was involved with SUA to assist […]

Or you’re already doing it? These courses are for you. The Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy & Livestock Farmers (WSBDF) has been providing educational opportunities to beginning/intermediate farmers in the Midwest for the past 25 years. WSBDF is there to help you get started, or continue, to farm. Here is a link directly to their […]

Certified organic dairy or livestock farm available for a long-term lease in SE Wisconsin. The land is owned by Yggdrasil Land Foundation (www.yggdrasillandfoundation.org), with an agricultural conservation easement held by the Geneva Lake Conservancy. The farm consists of 407 acres. Most are productive silt loam soils. 240 acres are fenced with improved lanes and a […]

Every year, every season, brings its challenges. This year has been like no other; shuffling seeds back and forth to my home office during a pandemic as I helplessly watched my home state become the epicenter in the U.S., followed by being propelled into grief and mourning as a far more dangerous virus, systemic racism, […]

Application is now closed in Wisconsin. This a national response, other states may still have funding available, google “Farmer Resilience Initiative in Response to COVID-19 apply” to find your state’s availability and application. Family farmers in the Great Lakes region impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can now access much-needed relief. Farm Aid, in partnership with […]

Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will provide direct relief to producers who have suffered losses during the 2020 marketing year due to COVID-19. About the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance […]

Hello Michael Fields Community, We’re hoping that you and your family are doing well during this increasingly tough time. The COVID-19 pandemic is touching nearly every part of our lives – including food and agriculture. We are compiling a list of resources for farmers and for consumers, below.  Thank you to the organizations, government agencies, […]

  While COVID-19 is exposing fundamental flaws in the global food and agriculture system, it is creating the opportunity to reimagine honoring farmers and food workers and producing healthy, nutritious food. The virus is forcing people to press pause on their daily lives, so Food Tank has compiled a list of 34 movies and series […]

Heads-up to farmers interested in enrolling in the USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program: The program sign-up has not been canceled, even with the pandemic! The Wisconsin NRCS announced today that their application deadline for 2020 enrollment is May 29, 2020. Other states’ deadlines will likely vary. A few things to think about: – If you haven’t […]

It’s all free!       The National Center for Appropriate Technology, home of the ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program, is pleased to announce it is now providing all the technical resources on the ATTRA website at no cost. This means that you no longer need to pay an annual subscription fee or individual publication fee […]

Two weeks ago, the Uplands Watershed Group met – by video conference, of course. Among other topics, we learned a lot about composting, from basics to refinements.  Thanks to Iowa County Agricultural Extension agent Gene Schriefer and several farmers with extensive experience in composting for educating us.   Here is Gene’s presentation.

In light of the uncertainty in the organic grain markets and others, the Wisconsin Organic Advisory wants to let  producers know about the following two loan programs available. Having the capacity to store commodities allows for more options in terms of marketing, which can be very valuable in these times of depressed commodity prices. The […]

Direct Seeding Dioecious Hemp in a Row Cropping System March 26th, 2020,  10am-12pm CST/11am-1pm EST Please join for this free online webinar to learn about hemp genetics, seed certification and regulations, novel planting methods and agronomics for cannabinoid production, transportation, and return on investment for this novel production model. Register: Novel CBD Production Webinar Contact: […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages people and groups wanting to protect agricultural lands and grasslands to consider enrolling their property into conservation easements. The 2018 Farm Bill has provided USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) with technical and financial assistance to help private landowners, tribes, land trusts, and other groups protect these valuable […]

Featured Panel: Soil Carbon & Ecosystem Service Markets Rescheduled to Monday and Tuesday, March 8-9, 2021 Join NCAT at their upcoming Soil Health Innovations Conference for a rare chance to see four leaders in the Soil Carbon & Ecosystem Service Market! This panel discussion will explore how these markets can help farmers and the environment. […]

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) released an information alert for farmers and ranchers interested in renewing their Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts. This information alert provides comprehensive planning assistance for those who enrolled in CSP in 2014, 2015, or 2016 and wish to renew those contracts, as well as those wishing to enroll in […]

This forum has been cancelled amid growing virus concerns, declared state of emergency.  Learn more about the effort to elevate rural issues at Wisconsin Farmers Union    

Farmers who plant productive trees between row crops to diversify yields, reduce erosion, protect wildlife habitat, and store carbon have a new source of potential support, thanks to funding made available by The Nature Conservancy’s Natural Climate Solutions Accelerator Program and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. This week $250,000 was awarded to the Savanna Institute, […]

February 20, 2020 Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is sponsoring this years WI Cover Crops Conference in Stevens Point, WI.  Farmers and agricultural professionals from around the state are coming together to share & learn about all things cover crops. Whether you’re a seasoned cover cropper or an absolute beginner, there will be something for everyone. […]

Are you dreaming about your garden?  Join us at our 4th Annual Seed Swap! Saturday, March 7, 2020, 9 am – Noon How does it work? Bring your extra seeds. Bring your friends. Go home with your friend’s seeds. No seeds to share? No problem! Join us for this free, family friendly event! There will […]