- 4-H animal projects develop strong character, ethics and life skills
Middle and high school students who care for animals as part of UW-Extension 4-H projects gain skills that benefit them for a lifetime — accepting responsibility, communicating effectively, developing relationships, making decisions, organizing their work, setting and achieving goals — all grounded in the strong technical knowledge and values they acquire during their years of participation.
- Better pest management helped producers reduce pesticides and save money on $184 million Wisconsin soybean crop
Soybean producers and agricultural professionals who participated in University of Wisconsin-Extension Pest Management Education programs bettered their practices for managing the soybean aphid. By improving control of the pest while minimizing use of chemical pesticides, these farmers minimized crop damage, saved time and money and protected the environment.
- Constructive dialog on land use concerns helps farmers weigh their interests with those of their non-farm neighbors
As farm and non-farm populations converge, Wisconsin enacted Livestock Facilities Siting legislation encouraging constructive dialogue among rural neighbors. UW-Extension assessed research-based performance standards for new and expanding livestock operations, and engaged public involvement. In 2005, county educators and community partners presented workshops helping elected officials understand the state law for revising local ordinances. In four of the counties involved, 181 farmers and elected officials developed or modified local livestock facility siting plans or land use policies that complied with local and state regulations.
- Extension Response to June 2008 Floods
In June 2008, record rains on saturated soils caused widespread flooding, costing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Thirty southern Wisconsin counties were declared disaster areas. Backed by campus specialists, county extension faculty helped their neighbors assess damage and document losses even as floodwaters were rising. They contributed to positive impacts for farmers, families, homeowners, businesses, agencies and communities, from reduced losses, risks, stress and anxiety, to improved local and state agency performance.
- Fostering professional practices among commercial manure applicators
For-hire manure applicators manage about 4 billion gallons of dairy manure each year, making them major partners in regulatory compliance. UW-Extension responded to their request for professional development with an interagency-industry collaboration to train new and existing firms. The industry now enforces professional standards under UW-Extension guidance, regulators and trained applicators are building mutual trust, and certified firms save on insurance.
- Low-cost dairy modernization helps risk-averse farmers stay in business
Competition hands thousands of dairy farmers the tough choice of whether to keep farming or quit the business. UW-Extension offers options to help them make sound decisions, and planning support for those who decide to keep farming. As a result, new and retrofit facilities on small farms are increasing dairy profitability statewide, and easing the back-breaking labor of milking cows.
- Managed grazing improves pasture yields and small farm profitability
Wisconsin’s small dairy and livestock farms make a big contribution to the state’s economy, yet remain vulnerable to market forces. With UW-Extension education through local partners and grazing networks, dairy and livestock producers are securing federally cost-shared pasture improvements, selecting economical forage varieties, adding fencing, controlling aggressive weeds, practicing land stewardship on hillsides, exploring niche markets and writing business plans.
- Milk quality teams increase profitability throughout the dairy community
When sick cows put farm income at risk, UW-Extension gathers a local milk quality team of professionals to support herd management practices that prevent costly mastitis infections. As a result, producers are keeping better records; developing standard, written milking routines; consulting with dairy professionals; adopting team management — and taking bigger milk checks to the bank.
