MONROE - Programs related to drought, the dairy industry and sustainable agriculture were among the top outreach efforts at the University of Wisconsin-Extension office in Green County in 2012, according to the agency's annual report released earlier this month.
More than 350 farmers and agribusiness representatives attended meetings held last summer to learn about drought-related issues such as nitrate levels, corn pollination, pricing and proper harvest time.
"By mid-July many farmers were panicking and harvesting drought-stressed corn too early because the corn appeared to be dying," wrote ag agent Mark Mayer. In total, he reports receiving more than 400 phone calls and emails with inquiries about the drought between July and August.
Mayer responded by offering testing of plant samples to help farmers decide when to harvest and how to use the harvest.
"These actions prevented over 4,000 acres of drought-stressed corn silage in the county from being chopped prematurely," he reported. "By delaying harvest, farmers received increased forage and grain yields from the rains that came in late July."
UW-Extension programs also reached hundreds of non-farmers. During Cheese Days in September, 687 urban residents went on dairy farm tours.
"The majority of the participants had never visited a farm and developed a higher level of understanding regarding animal care on farms as a result," he wrote.
Other programs in 2012 included a cattle-handling workshop for Spanish-speaking employees on dairy farms. Sixteen employees participated in this workshop at a Blue Star Dairy Farm milking facility in Columbia County, co-led with a translator.
The Cheese Days tours weren't the only opportunity for city dwellers to experience farm life for a few hours. Several hundred people visited women-led farms across the area as part of a "Soil Sisters South Central Wisconsin Women in Sustainable Agriculture Farm Tour Day," organized by Cara Carper, who has since left the agency.
Stops on the tour included Circle M Farm in Blanchardville, Grassroots Farm in Monroe and Scotch Hill Farm in Brodhead.
"These women farmers represented a diverse mix of seasoned growers and beginning farmers, ranging from under five years to over 15 years in business and representing an age span of 20s through 60s," Carper reported. "Farms earned up to $700 of income from on-farm sales that day."
Other highlights of 2012 reported by UW-Extension Green County:
• A record $13,500 was collected through the Green County Fair dairy auction, with 50 percent paid directly to the youth involved and the other half going to a scholarship fund.
• In York and New Glarus townships, 88 residents chose to get their drinking water tested as part of a groundwater education program. Results were provided during a "standing-room-only" educational program.
• About 590 youth members and 260 adults volunteers participated in Green County 4-H. This is about 30 youth members less than the overall average since 1990. Participation in 4-H has fluctuated since then between a low in 1990 of 481 and a high in 1997 of 729.
• Family living educator Bridget Mouchon reports she is expanding parenting classes by adding programs and certifying more trainers.
"Technology, changing cultural values and less first-hand knowledge of infants and children on the part of new parents make parenting a significant challenge," she wrote.
- Katjusa Cisar
More than 350 farmers and agribusiness representatives attended meetings held last summer to learn about drought-related issues such as nitrate levels, corn pollination, pricing and proper harvest time.
"By mid-July many farmers were panicking and harvesting drought-stressed corn too early because the corn appeared to be dying," wrote ag agent Mark Mayer. In total, he reports receiving more than 400 phone calls and emails with inquiries about the drought between July and August.
Mayer responded by offering testing of plant samples to help farmers decide when to harvest and how to use the harvest.
"These actions prevented over 4,000 acres of drought-stressed corn silage in the county from being chopped prematurely," he reported. "By delaying harvest, farmers received increased forage and grain yields from the rains that came in late July."
UW-Extension programs also reached hundreds of non-farmers. During Cheese Days in September, 687 urban residents went on dairy farm tours.
"The majority of the participants had never visited a farm and developed a higher level of understanding regarding animal care on farms as a result," he wrote.
Other programs in 2012 included a cattle-handling workshop for Spanish-speaking employees on dairy farms. Sixteen employees participated in this workshop at a Blue Star Dairy Farm milking facility in Columbia County, co-led with a translator.
The Cheese Days tours weren't the only opportunity for city dwellers to experience farm life for a few hours. Several hundred people visited women-led farms across the area as part of a "Soil Sisters South Central Wisconsin Women in Sustainable Agriculture Farm Tour Day," organized by Cara Carper, who has since left the agency.
Stops on the tour included Circle M Farm in Blanchardville, Grassroots Farm in Monroe and Scotch Hill Farm in Brodhead.
"These women farmers represented a diverse mix of seasoned growers and beginning farmers, ranging from under five years to over 15 years in business and representing an age span of 20s through 60s," Carper reported. "Farms earned up to $700 of income from on-farm sales that day."
Other highlights of 2012 reported by UW-Extension Green County:
• A record $13,500 was collected through the Green County Fair dairy auction, with 50 percent paid directly to the youth involved and the other half going to a scholarship fund.
• In York and New Glarus townships, 88 residents chose to get their drinking water tested as part of a groundwater education program. Results were provided during a "standing-room-only" educational program.
• About 590 youth members and 260 adults volunteers participated in Green County 4-H. This is about 30 youth members less than the overall average since 1990. Participation in 4-H has fluctuated since then between a low in 1990 of 481 and a high in 1997 of 729.
• Family living educator Bridget Mouchon reports she is expanding parenting classes by adding programs and certifying more trainers.
"Technology, changing cultural values and less first-hand knowledge of infants and children on the part of new parents make parenting a significant challenge," she wrote.
- Katjusa Cisar