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Pesticide Applicator Training Information

There are some important changes to the Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) program for 2024. Visit our Pesticide Applicator Training page here to learn all of the details!


Thinking about Farm Succession?

You know you should make plans for the future of the farm, but maybe you’re not sure where to start? Or maybe you’ve had a few conversations with your family or farming partners, but that conversation drifts to other more pressing matters about the operation. 

If you’ve been thinking about farm succession and want to learn more about the steps and the basic vocabulary of succession and estate planning, UW-Madison Division of Extension has a 3-hour farm succession planning program to help you learn more. Joy Kirkpatrick and Kelly Wilfert, both Extension Farm Management Outreach Specialists, will provide a framework to help farms identify risk and begin those first conversations around succession planning.

These workshops will be offered in four locations in late March/early April:

  • Thursday, March 21, 2024, 9:00 am – Noon in Dodgeville at the Iowa County Law Enforcement Center, 109 E. Leffler Street, Dodgeville, WI
  • Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 6:00 – 9:00 pm in Montello at the Marquette County Services Center, 480 Underwood Avenue, Montello, WI 
  • Thursday, March 28, 2024, 9:00 am – Noon in Abbotsford at the Public Learning Center, Abbotsford City Hall, 203 N 1st St, Abbotsford, WI 
  • Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 1:00 – 4:00 pm in Green Bay, at the Weyers-Hilliard Branch of the Brown County Library, 2680 Riverview Dr., Green Bay, WI.

These workshops are free; however, we would appreciate registrations. We will accommodate walk-ins on the day of the workshops where possible. To register online use this form: https://bit.ly/SuccessionSpring2024 

If you prefer to register by phone:

  • Dodgeville location: Iowa County Extension Office 608-930-9850
  • Montello location: Marquette County Extension Office 608-297-3141
  • Abbotsford location: Taylor County Extension Office 715-748-3327 ext. 3
  • Green  Bay location: Kewaunee County Extension Office 920-388-7141

For more information, contact joy.kirkpatrick@wisc.edu 608-263-3485 or kelly.wilfert@wisc.edu 608-263-5798. If you need an accommodation to attend this event, please contact Joy.kirkpatrick@wisc.edu or call 608-263-3485. 


The USDA began accepting applications for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program February 28, 2024, for enrollment in 2024.  The DMC program is designed as a risk management program, offering protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed price (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer.  The deadline to apply for this program is April 29, 2024.  More information on the DMC program can be found on the Farm Service Agency’s website page at https://go.wisc.edu/v7957z.

UW-Madison Division of Extension will be hosting a virtual meeting featuring Leonard Polzin, Extension Dairy Markets and Policy Outreach Specialist.  Polzin will cover what a producer needs to know for the 2024 DMC sign-up.  He will walk-through changes to the DMC program that could affect current and previous years’ coverage from the program.  Polzin will discuss the DMC decision tool that was developed to help producers decide on the level of coverage necessary, with a variety of conditions, to help determine the strongest financial safety net for their farm.

The program will be held on Friday, March 22nd at 11:00 am online utilizing the Zoom platform.  Please visit https://go.wisc.edu/495058 to register for the meeting.  If you need assistance registering, please call Jackie McCarville, Regional Dairy Educator, at 608-576-0147.


Ewe won’t want to miss this! The UW-Madison Arlington Research Station Sheep Unit and Division of Extension is going all out for a two-day in-person workshop. Here’s a taste of what’s on the menu:

  • Basic health and parasite management
  • Biosecurity
  • Breeds and breed classification
  • General handling, facilities, and equipment
  • Genetic selection
  • Pasture management/grazing
  • Reproduction
  • Record keeping

Guest presenters will be Rusty Burgett, NSIP Director, and Dr. Scott Bowdridge, West Virginia University.

Email Todd Taylor at toddtaylor@wisc.edu or Carolyn Ihde at carolyn.ihde@wisc.edu to register for the BADGER SHEEP SHORT COURSE or visit https://livestock.extension.wisc.edu/2024/02/14/2024-badger-sheep-short-course/?fbclid=IwAR2hM1VwHu81cIn5IQUlqwcvWddifVoMMfhymxQ_3C6HpKosTxk0cgg0-kU to print and mail the registration form.

Enjoy learning from UW-Madison Sheep Research Station, Division of Extension, and guest speakers through discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences. We will conclude the Badger Sheep Short Course with a lamb cookout on Friday evening!

Adults $75.00, Youth $15.00. Registration includes meals and materials.

Stay another day and attend the WISCONSIN SHEEP BREEDERS COOPERATIVE ARLINGTON SHEEP DAY! Separate registration and fees apply. Contact Todd at toddtaylor@wisc.edu or call 608-846-5858.


Planning AHEAD is a 7-session course (one hour each) for people who have lost a loved one, are in the process of losing a loved one and are dealing with the transition, or are interested in planning for the end of life to make things easier for family members. This course features a free workbook to help people with the tasks and decisions associated with end-of-life.

The program will be held virtually on Zoom each Thursday from April 4th to May 16th, 11am to noon each day. NOTE: Thursday, March 28 will be a required tech check.

Please register at: https://go.wisc.edu/2509pv by Monday, March 25th. Connection information will be sent to registered participants. Space is limited. For more information, contact Life Span Program Manager, Sara Richie by email at sara.richie@wisc.edu. Click here for a printable flyer.


Badger Dairy Insight Series

Join the University of Wisconsin-Madison – Division of Extension’s Dairy Program on the third Tuesday of each month from 11am-12 pm CST for the Badger Dairy Insight webinar series. New this year, we are switching our webinars to a monthly platform.  We are featuring your local Extension Dairy Program Educators and UW Specialists as they present on current dairy topics. Take the opportunity to learn from and discuss with experts on the dates below. To learn more about Badger Dairy Insight and the Extension Dairy program please visit https://dairy.extension.wisc.edu

March 19th: Strategies for improving reproduction in dairy herds

Drs. Fricke and Martins will discuss their new latest research on optimizing use of sexed and beef semen in dairy herds, managing heifer growth and reproduction, and optimizing re-synchronization programs in lactating dairy cows.

April 16th: Grazing your way to reduced heifer cost and better sustainability

Back to our roots with grazing dairy heifers with Jason Cavadini, Extension Grazing Outreach Specialist

Just a few generations ago nearly all dairy heifers spent part of the year on pasture. Today, most dairy farmers choose not to implement grazing. But there’s good reason for dairy farms to consider going Back to Our Roots with grazing of dairy heifers. It’s important to understand the distinctions between managed grazing and other types of grazing management. The three foundational principles – the Three R’s – are what make managed grazing different. This presentation will discuss how Rotation, Rest, and Residual influence forage production, animal performance, and cost savings for heifer raising programs.

Advancing sustainable grazing: quantification of greenhouse gas emissions from pastures using a “flying” air analyzer with Nesli AkdenizLivestock Controlled Environments Extension Specialist

The Rotational Grazing Handbook (A3529) recommends that all pastures with less than 40% legume content require N fertilization for optimal growth. Fertilizer application not only contributes to additional forage growth, allowing for a longer grazing period but also enhances pasture yields leading to increased carbon sequestration. However, nitrogen fertilizer should be applied in a way that minimizes the emissions of greenhouse gases and their precursors. In this presentation, we will discuss the quantification of greenhouse gas emissions from dairy pastures using a “flying” air analyzer. We will also explore the effects of split N application and drought conditions on these emissions.

Badger Dairy Insight

There is no charge to participate in the sessions, however pre-registration is required to allow access. Register online at go.wisc.edu/bdi2324


Extension Horticulture & Gardening Resources for You

Do you have a question relating to horticulture or gardening?  Iowa County does not have a dedicated Horticulture Educator, but the UW-Madison Division of Extension does have an online form that you can fill out.  Simply provide basic contact information and ask your question, and your inquiry will be responded to by an Extension staff member or a Master Gardener Volunteer in your area.  You can even upload up to three photos to submit with your question!

A link to the online submission page is located to the right (scroll down to where it says “Ask a Gardening Question” and click on the “W” shield logo underneath it).  Click here for an instruction sheet that details how to fill out and submit the online form.


Click here for Covid-19 Resources


Latest News from Extension Iowa County

Virtual StrongBodies – Fall 2023 Session

Join us for the StrongBodies Program! StrongBodies has been shown to increase strength, muscle mass, and bone density. Classes are held twice weekly and include progressive resistance training, balance training, and flexibility exercises. Dates: October 10 through December 21 Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 – 10:15 am How to Sign Up: Register online at https://go.wisc.edu/6693j7 […]

Classes for Woodland Owners

Ross DeWitt, Iowa and Lafayette Counties Forester, is hosting a series of Learn About Your Land webinars. These classes cover many topics relevant to woodland owners. All sessions will go from 6-7:30pm. Space is limited, so pre-registration is necessary. Registration fee is $15 per person, which includes all three webinars. Attendees must register by September […]

Badger Dairy Insight Series

Join the University of Wisconsin-Madison – Division of Extension’s Dairy Program on the third Tuesday of each month from 11am-12 pm CST for the Badger Dairy Insight webinar series. New this year we are switching our webinars to a monthly platform.  We are featuring your local Extension Dairy Program Educators and UW Specialists as they […]

Planning AHEAD

Planning AHEAD is a 7-session course (one hour each) that guides participants through the topics of handling financial changes, advance medical and legal directives, estate planning, choices in end-of-life care, final wishes, and understanding grief. This course features a free workbook to help people with the tasks and decisions associated with end-of-life planning. This program […]

Palmer Amaranth Workshop

UW-Madison Division of Extension and the UW NPM program are sponsoring an educational workshop focused on Palmer amaranth identification, prevention, and control in WI grain cropping systems.  The workshop will take place at Woodworth Organic Farms (15556 Cty Rd W, Shullsburg, WI  53586). Workshop Highlights: Identification of Palmer amaranth, characteristics of this plant, risk of […]