Outreach

On the ground, sharing what we know.

Good research doesn’t mean much without good outreach and extension – we use innovative tools and various venues to get information into the hands that need it most. We seek to share relevant findings, consult and advise where appropriate, and perhaps most importantly, build farmer-to-farmer networks where we can learn alongside the growers we serve.

OGRAIN

Organic Grain Resource and Information Network

The Organic Grain Resource and Information Network (OGRAIN) offers an educational framework for developing organic grain production in the Upper Midwest. Whether you farm 10 acres or 10,000, are an experienced organic grower or just considering the transition to organic, OGRAIN provides learning opportunities to improve your organic row crop and small grain operation. From weed control to marketing, grain storage to termination of specific cover crops, the OGRAIN community of experienced growers, researchers, industry experts and others is here to support you.

The Seed to Kitchen Collaborative connects plant breeders focused on organic systems to Wisconsin farmers and chefs, to create delicious, well-adapted vegetable varieties for local organic production. This collaboration presents a unique opportunity to focus on vegetable variety characteristics important to local food systems, such as flavor, fresh-market quality and agronomic performance on smaller-scale diversified farms.

A recently-launched initiative, the WI On-Farm Research Network, is working to connect farmers throughout Wisconsin with each other and to the University with the following goals in mind:

• Collaborate with farmers to gather better information to answer their own questions about agronomic practices related to soil health goals.
• Connect farmers to share findings and learn from one another.
• Engage growers in existing projects, adding replications and valuable ‘real world’ applications.

Farm 2 Facts (F2F) is a farmers-market data collection toolkit backed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

F2F assists farmers markets and market managers in aggregating, interpreting, and reporting data that they’re likely collecting already. F2F helps markets hone their decision-making, communicate with stakeholders, and secure funding. The F2F team has a one-on-one relationship with every customer, and develops software based on client feedback.

Extension Specialists

Many professors at UW-Madison hold multiple appointments, often some combination of teaching, research, and Extension. The faculty below are all Extension Specialists, focusing, at least in part, on organic agriculture. You can reach out to any of them with specific questions.