One of the great things about being a certified organic farm is that we are required by law to “maintain or improve the natural resources of the operation, including soil and water quality.” Natural resources in this context means the “physical, hydrological, and biological features of a production operation, including soil, water, wetlands, woodlands, and […]

It’s been a great experiment – a social, political, climatic, public health, and agricultural experiment, but I think it’s time for us to break up. A lot has changed, and I don’t think we’re a good fit for each other anymore.  We had our “Get big or get out” moment in the 1970’s, when you […]

All farmers are eligible to contact Farm Center staff consultants through the Farm Center Helpline at 1-800-942-2474. All of the Farm Center’s services are free and confidential. The Wisconsin Farm Center works with farmers one-on-one to provide free and confidential services, including: • farm financial consulting • farm succession planning • farm business entry or […]

Calling all farmers and ranchers: do you want to know more about cooperative development, farm insurance, business planning, energy efficiency, and accounting? Growing for the Future, a FREE online conference, offers all that and more. Register today for access to farmer-to-farmer webinars, live Q&A session, an online resource center, and free giveaways: https://nfu.org/growing-for-the-future/     […]

Want to learn more about agroforestry and meet perennial farmers from across the Midwest? Join the Savanna Institute for this year’s Perennial Farm Gathering on December 6th and 7th, 2019 at the Sinsinawa Mound Center near Dubuque, Iowa! This year’s PFG will feature keynote speaker Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquín (President and CEO of Regenerative Agriculture Alliance), panels […]

The annual farm-supporting musical and cultural extravaganza that is Farm Aid came to MFAI’s doorstep this month. Last Thursday, advocates from around the nation gathered in Lake Geneva for a day of exploring topics as diverse as empowerment histories of many Peoples of Color in this country to the ongoing farm crisis to the history […]

The Pecatonica Pride Producer-Led Watershed Group will be meeting at Shepard’s View, the Voegeli’s Family farm in Argyle on Sept 23, 2019 at 1pm, 12183 Trotter Rd. Argyle, WI, 53504 The Pec Pride gathering will include local farmers, landowners, and the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Services).  Dairy Farmer Dustin Voegeli and Lafeyette NRCS will be […]

Be part of the national Women in Sustainable Ag Conference Oct. 17-19 at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront hotel hosted by the Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES). The event features workshops, demos, and networking opportunities for women from all aspects of sustainable agriculture, focusing on leadership skills and farm business success. Appetite for Change food justice […]

Tuesday, October 29th & Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 | $45 or $90* Angelic Organics Lodge, 1936 Rockton Rd, Caledonia, IL 61011 Attend this 2-day intensive to improve your farm marketing strategies, learn how to reach new customers, and dig deep into your marketing questions – all in a small setting. Leave with practical next steps […]

Friday, September 6th, 2019, 8:30 am – 1:00 pm, $20 This event will focus on growth comparisons of 10 -15 different high CBD oil Hemp cultivar lines with comparative CBD/THC tested levels, grain hemp production and a visit to an 8+ acre direct seeded high CBD oil hemp field. The tour starts at Michael Fields […]

This field day is SOLD OUT. Friday, September 13, 2019, 1-5 pm This CBD hemp field day, organized by West Star Organics, Circadian Organics, UW-Madison Horticulture and Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, will focus on the harvesting, processing, and markets of CBD hemp. Included in the afternoon will be a panel discussion led by experienced producers, […]

Michael Fields and our partners announce two dates scheduled for day-long grantwriting workshops in September – September 17 in Marshfield and September 26 in Dodgeville, with one more possible in SE Wisconsin yet to be determined. Our partners are USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, USDA’s Rural Development agency, UW-Cooperative Extension, Wisconsin’s Department […]

Do you enjoy being outside in the summer? Working with plants? 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 protein and amino acids and can reject […]

FREE workshops August 23-28, hosted by The Pasture Project. These events include 3 workshops on grazing cover crops and a 2-day intensive on adaptive grazing. Grazing Cover Crops for Soil Health with Dr. Allen Williams:  Join us for 3 FREE full day workshops on grazing cover crops with Dr. Allen Williams and host farms in […]

  The Savanna Institute has announced its field day lineup for 2019. Featuring tours of agroforestry production systems throughout Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, this year’s lineup highlights Midwestern farms that are leading the way in agroforestry practices such as silvopasture, forest farming, and fruit and nut crop production. Visit the Savanna Institute’s “Events” […]

When: Wednesday, September 18, 2019 | 8:30a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Where: Gwenyn Hill Farm, W294 N130 Bryn Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188 How Much: $40 through August 25; $50 after August 25 (includes lunch) Register: https://thelandconnection.org/event/mechanicalweedcontrol2019/ Successful weed management can seem like an uphill battle, especially for organic farms. Learning about the basic principles and available […]

Registration is open for Practical Farmers of Iowa’s third annual small-grains conference, “Rotationally Raised: Making Small Grains Work,” which will take place Aug. 15-16 at the Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin (60 North Gasser Road). The two-day conference starts at noon on Thursday, Aug. 15, and will feature twelve breakout sessions […]

2019 – 2020 Applications Period Now Open Apply by September 1st to Receive $150 Off Your Tuition! Apply for Stateline Farm Beginnings to launch or improve your farm business. This yearlong training program helps WI and IL farmers evaluate and refine their farm business, learn sustainable farming practices used on real farms, develop a tailor-made […]

Farm Aid board artists Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young. Photo © Marc Hauser Each year, Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host a Farm Aid festival to bring together a wide variety of artists, farmers and fans for one mission: keeping family farmers on […]

Photo: No more cows are milked in the old dairy barn on the Hardie family farm. by Chris Hardie/for Agriview A friend once described the most traumatic experience of her life. It wasn’t an assault, an accident or even any physical injury. As a child, her father was laid off as an air traffic controller […]

Please join UW Extension, DATCP, and Michael Fields Agricultural Institute for the second in a series of webinars on industrial hemp production on August 7th, 2019 from 4 – 7:30 pm. This webinar builds from prior presentations and will address current research being conducted around the state, DATCP sampling protocol and timelines, grower questions from […]

Conversations with farmers, crop consultants and crop insurance providers lead us to the conclusion that prevented plant will be claimed on significant acreage in 2019, especially since the full coverage crop insurance deadline for corn has passed. While this situation is difficult, especially in the current farm economy, it’s important to plan ahead and use […]

You are invited to Southwest Wisconsin for a rich exploration of why small grains like wheat, barley, oats and rye matter.  Join us on Meadowlark Farm, Ridgeway, WI on Sunday, June 30, from 10:30 to 3:00.  Take Exit 52 off of US Hwy 18/151, then follow the signs to the nearby farm. We will tour […]

This past week, our efforts to support local farmers by reaching out to Michael Fields Agricultural Institute for grant assistance was recognized nationally through Farm Aid. Farm Aid’s mission is to provide great music, supporting farmers, and strengthening America since 1985. Read how MFAI and others are supporting producers here

July 24-25, 2019 Crawfordsville, IN WHAT: Agronomy training in Organic corn, soy, and small grain production using a science-based curriculum. FOR: Agronomists, certified crop advisors, extension agents, and technical service providers serving transitional and certified organic grain producers. COVERING: • Organic Production Methods: weed control, nutrient management, crop rotation • Organic marketing and crop diversity […]