MADISON — Farmers can learn more about cover crops and dairy grazing during two field days planned from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 2 and 4 in Lafayette County.

The Oct. 2 field day will focus on cover crops. It will be in Gratiot, at the Peter Cernek farm on County Road KK a half-mile south of Wisconsin 11. Cernek has used cover crops for over 10 years, with experience using different tillage methods and protecting against weather extremes. There will be a soil pit to show the benefits of cover crops to soil health and rainfall simulator demonstrations. There will be a light lunch at noon.

The Oct. 4 field day will focus on rotational grazing, cover crops, and designing cattle paths and field roads. It will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Leonard farm, 6461 County Line Road, Blanchardville. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

The events are free, but attendees should RSVP to Lafayette County Land Conservation Department by phone or email: 608-776-3836, dana.lawrence@swbadger.org. 

Both events are part of the Lafayette County Water Quality Improvement Project. The five-year project, funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, provides $600,000 through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The USDA-NRCS is joining with 12 regional partners to provide technical and financial assistance to landowners to install or adopt conservation practices. Cost-share money is in addition to that already available in the county. The partners include government agencies, conservation organizations, agricultural groups, and local civic groups. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is taking the lead.

The lands eligible for participation are those within two agricultural enterprise areas: the Pecatonica AEA and the Southwest Lead Mine Region AEA. AEAs are productive agriculture areas that have been designated by the state at the request of landowners and local governments. As a part of the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, AEAs strive to support local farmland protection goals. About 200 landowners petitioned to be included in these two AEAs.

The project offers workshops, field days and demonstrations, and provides opportunities for citizen science to monitor water quality. 

Staff from the conservation agencies are working with landowners to provide technical assistance in developing conservation practices and help them access cost-sharing.

More information about AEAs and this project is available at datcp.wi.gov; search for: RCPP or AEA.