Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin: 2014 Research Report

In cooperation with farmers from around the state, researchers from CIAS and DATCP share the findings and progress of 23 studies into organic farming practices, products, and marketing in their recently-published (February) report, "Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin".  Among the projects highlighted are those that examine specialty and varietal crop trials, assess cropping systems and no-till methods, and recommend tools for education and farm management.

Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin: 2014 UW-Madison Research Report (PDF)

Authors: Erin Silva, Lisa Bauer and Laura Paine
CIAS (Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, UW-Madison)
DATCP (Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection)

Food Day with Slow Food UW

Celebrate Food Day 2012 with Slow Food UW!  National Food Day (October 24), as conceived by CSPI and a coalition of leaders in the movement toward just and sustainable food-ways, presents an opportunity to appreciate a good meal and to engage with the issues and policies that speak to heath, hunger, and agricultural practice. 

Slow Food UW events include:

• Introductory remarks from Barlett Durand regarding products from Black Earth Meats as well as his involvement with Red Meat Market
• "Meet your Meat" spin board for prizes
• Information table and raffle with REthink Wisconsin to support its Farm Mobbing project
• Free samples from Bloom Bake Shop (bacon brownies and other treats--including options for vegetarians)
• Visit from Bucky Badger
• Free swag from the Office of Sustainability and We Conserve

When:  October 24 (11:30 AM - 2:00 PM)
Where: Slow Food UW Café (1127 University Avenue)

Eat Real!  Health + Sustainable + Affordable + Fair

Dirty Dozen Redux

When is it a good idea to consider purchasing organic produce?

According to the staff with the Environmental Working Group, you may wish to splurge (that is, buy organic) on those produce items that bear a heavy pesticide burden when grown using contemporary "conventional" methods.

In tough economic times, it may not always be possible to shop organic 100% of the time, therefore one strategy is to pick and choose your food products wisely using such tools as the Dirty Dozen (Plus) and Clean 15 Shopper’s Guide.

The Dirty Dozen (Plus) for 2012 (buy these organic)

1.  Apples

2.  Celery

3.  Sweet bell peppers

4.  Peaches

5.  Strawberries

6.  Nectarines-imported

7.  Grapes

8.  Spinach

9.  Lettuce

10.  Cucumbers

11.  Blueberries-domestic

12.  Potatoes

Plus

Green beans

Kale/Greens 

The Clean 15 for 2012 (lowest in pesticides when grown conventionally)

1.  Onions

2.  Sweet Corn

3.  Pineapples

4.  Avocado

5.  Cabbage

6.  Sweet peas

7.  Asparagus

8.  Mangoes

9.  Eggplant

10.  Kiwi

11.  Cantaloupe-domestic

12.  Sweet potatoes

13.  Grapefruit

14.  Watermelon

15.  Mushrooms

Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin, Status 2012

The 2012 Status Report for Wisconsin’s organic producers states that "Wisconsin boasts the second largest number of organic farms in the U.S., ranks first among the states for the number of organic dairy and beef farms, and is third in the nation for organic vegetable farms."

Given these auspicious figures, do consult the report for a full accounting of this sector, its challenges and future.  The report has been prepared by staff and associates with the UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems(CIAS) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection(DATCP).

Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin: 2012 Status Report (PDF)
Authors: Erin Silva, Laura Paine, Matt Barnidge, Cris Carusi and Ruth McNair