List of organizations and programs involved in small farm work

UW Center for Integrated Agriculture
Description: Research, farming practices, profitability, rural vitality, environment

*Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers

*Wisconsin School for Beginning Market Growers

Division of Agricultural Development WI Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection Program
Description: Marketing, Business Planning, and Diversification Information
website: http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/mktg/business/marketing/val-add/

Farm Center WI Dept of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection Program
Description: An assistance and referral organization that provides free confidential consultation on a wide range of farm concerns plus several publications on farm related topics.
website: http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/core/agriculture/farm-center/

UW-Extension Emerging Agricultural Markets Team The EAM Team
Description: Marketing, value-added agriculture, direct-marketing meat, artisan dairy processing
website: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/agmarkets/

Farm Business and Production Management Program
Description: Farm Business and Production Management offers training in farm management, marketing, and financial skills to farm owners, managers, renters, or workers with decision-making responsibilities. The program consists of 45 hours of classroom group instruction and special field trips followed by 12 additional hours of application of that instruction on the individual's farm each year of the six-year program. Group instruction is based on a preplanned curriculum and offered in local training centers throughout the District. Individual instruction is also preplanned, scheduled by appointment, and applies what has been taught in class. About the Program: Graduates will be awarded a certificate of completion; Program is completed with a six-year plan; Part-time day and evening instruction is available as scheduled by the instructor; Program Admission Requirements; Students should be actively engaged in farming; Helpful Academic Background; Good math and science skills; Program Outcomes. At the completion of this six-year program, graduates will be able to: complete and implement a farm plan; establish a financial and production record keeping system; manage and evaluate farm business profitability; use the farm marketing and risk management systems advantageously; locate and use appropriate resources in solving problems; implement knowledge and skills in feeding, housing, and caring for livestock; practice appropriate soils and crop management strategies; manage farm equipment and practice farm safety; communicate effectively in rural government, farm organizations, and the community.
website: http://www.witc.edu/pgmpages/farmbus/wtcs/index.htm

Funding sources

Websites

Wisconsin Dairy Career and Business Development Center - http://producer.wisdairy.com/_devcenter/default.asp

Wisconsin Farm Center - http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/core/agriculture/farm-center/

Wisconsin Dairy Artisan Network - http://www.wisconsindairyartisan.com/artisan/

Publications

Available from: Farm Center Wisconsin Dept of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection, 800-942-2474, e-mail: farmcenter@datcp.state.wi.us

Hiring a Farm Consultant (What to look for and expect from a consultant)
Nurturing the Next Generation of Wisconsin's Dairy Farmers -
http://www.wisc.edu/cias/pubs/nextgen.pdf
*Direct Marketing Meat A resource for Direct Market Meat Producers in Wisconsin
http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/fs/business/food/publications/
*Retirement & Estate Planning A Guide for Wisconsin Farmers
*Farm Transfers in Wisconsin A Guide for Farmers
*Listing of Wisconsin's Financial Resources

Newsletters

Regular events (annual workshops, field days, tours, etc.)

UW Cooperative Extension, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha, Walworth Counties & Emerging Ag Markets Team

FarmDirect - A workshop on Direct Marketing of Agricultural Products - mid-January

GrassWorks Inc (non-profit grass-farmers organization) - February

Annual Grazing Conference - a forum of information about management intensive grazing

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service - Upper Midwest Organic Farming - February

UW Cooperative Extension, Langlade County - "Options for Small Farms" - February

UW-Extension Emerging Agricultural Markets Team, Southwest Badger RC&D and Small Acreage Options Conference - November
Southwest Badger RC&D Council includes Grant, Crawford, Vernon, La Crosse, Richland, Sauk, Iowa, Lafayette and Green counties. Country Today Newspaper

Other Small Farm Resources