Barn Dance (June 27)

Kick up your heels and benefit CIAS research and instruction with a celebratory barn dance, Friday, June 27, 2014. As part of its 25th Anniversary celebration, CIAS (Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems) will welcome students, staff, alumni and friends to Schuster’s Farm in Deerfield for an evening that will feature, in addition to dancing, the music of Thirsty Roots (aka Graminy), a silent auction and refreshments.

The event runs from 7:00-10:30 PM.  Tickets ($10 in advance; $15 at the door) can be purchased from Brown Paper Tickets or at the CIAS office (phone 608-262-8018 or email for hours). Do note that there will not be a credit-card option at the event.  Ticket prices for children ages 5-12 will be $5.00; those younger than 5 attend for free.

Ride to Farm, 2014

Plan now to hop on your bike to benefit the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers with the eleventh annual "Ride to Farm" (Saturday, May 31).  Visit the Event Information page to learn more about the two route options for this year’s ride.  Both routes, which include rest-stops at area farms with a sampling of treats, will begin and end at Birch Lake Park in Barneveld.

For more information, 2014 highlights, and to register, visit the Ride to Farm site.  The Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers is a program managed by the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and the Farm and Industry Short Course.

Where the Locovores go...

Go where the locovores go and benefit REAP in the process by using a selection of coupons to area restaurants and vendors.  The REAP Coupon Book is a "must have" item for Madison-area food lovers who enjoy saving on items purchased from area farmers’ market vendors, restaurants and shops.

The coupon book can be purchased at the REAP Food Group office for $10.00, ordered online, or from participating area groceries, Coops.  Proceeds from the sale of coupon books serve to benefit the Buy Fresh, Buy Local program. To learn more, visit the REAP Food Group site.

Get Your Farm Fresh Atlas!

The 2014 edition of the Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas has been released! Pick up your copy from any of several university and area locations, including Steenbock Library (look for copies at our service desks and information kiosks).

Use the Atlas to locate farms, markets and restaurant partners who bring you fresh, area-grown produce and food products. Do note that many of the area growers welcome visitors with special events, u-pick options, hay-rides and tours.

Should you be looking for options apart from the southern Wisconsin area, consult the site for Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlases or nationally, using the Local Harvest site.

Nourish the links between land and table!  Learn more about the REAP Food Group!

AWA Breakfast on the Farm (Apr 27)

The annual Breakfast on the Farm will be served Sunday, April 27 from 8:00 AM until noon at the campus Stock Pavilion (1675 Linden Drive). Breakfast will include hearty fare with ice cream for dessert.

Tickets can be purchased at the door; $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+), $5 for students (K-UW) and $3 for children (5 years and younger). A dollar discount will be granted from the price of breakfast with a donation of three canned-food items. All donations will go to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin.

This event, sponsored by the Association of Women in Agriculture, includes an educational area, petting zoo, and entertainment.

Come hungry; stay for the fun!

See other CALS Week Events here.

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)

Meet Your Farmers (CSA Open House)

CSAs are alive and well in the Madison area!  The FairShare CSA Coalition will host its annual open house at the Monona Terrace, Sunday March 23, from 1:00-4:00 PM. A "CSA" (Community-Supported Agriculture) is a community venture in which participants pledge their support for a farm’s food production efforts and, in turn, receive a share of the product in various installments.  The CSA model has been extended to include (and support) other small grower/producer products including craft beer, coffee, and seafood.

At the open house, you will be able to chat with farmers and evaluate the different share options--often weekly or every-other-week deliveries of seasonal produce, eggs, cheese, honey or meat depending upon share plan and CSA farm. (And, many of these same folks participate in the area farmers’ markets).

In order to plan ahead, take a look at the Farm List to consider farms and share options that will best satisfy your appetite for produce and level of participation. Many of the farms have application forms that you can submit now.

In addition to supporting a local economy and savoring the fresh produce, there are some other incentives for students and staff. Many health plans furnish rebates for CSA participation. Shares can also be donated to assist families in our community in need. And, less we forget, there are opportunities to volunteer and to learn more with a job or internship at an area farm or FairShare event.

Welcome to Campus, Farm & Industry Short Course

Steenbock Library welcomes CALS Short Course students to campus. The Farm & Industry Short Course, founded in 1885, is a 16-week program of study designed to prepare its students for careers in agriculture.  For more information about this exceptional program’s history, take a look at the publication, A History of the Farm and Industry Short Course, 1885-2010 and accompanying picture archive.

Steenbock Library with its collections, staff, and proximity to the residence halls is prepared to assist students with finding and using resources to complete class projects.

The library also supplies lab and group study spaces and access to recreational materials from the entire campus library system.

Barn Dance (Oct 19)

Celebrate the fall with live music, cider, a pie-raffle and more when the Cates Family Farm hosts its Barn Dance, Saturday, October 19.  The Barn Dance will, of course, feature dancing in tune with music from the Kettle Creek String Band with proceeds from the occasion benefiting student research in the Agroecology program. 

The event runs from 7:00-10:00 PM with doors opening at 6:00 PM.  Tickets ($10 for students and $15 for general public) can be purchased from Brown Paper Tickets.

There will be free camping on-site for those who wish to "make a night of it".  Find the Cates Family Farm at 5992 County Road T, Spring Green.

Join the event on Facebook.

World Dairy Expo (Oct 1-5)

Find yourself at the "Center of the Dairy Universe" with the annual World Dairy Expo, hosted in Madison at the Alliant Energy Center and Dane County Coliseum.  
The Expo provides an opportunity for producers, industry representatives, and members of academic and professional organizations to meet, compete, showcase and exchange ideas regarding all things dairy.

Information, for dairy enthusiasts who wish to attend this unique event, can be found at the Expo’s Attendee Information page.

Or, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

UW-Madison Day at the Fair (Aug 7)

Save the date! Come celebrate UW-Madison’s history and tradition of service by visiting its Wisconsin State Fair event, Wednesday, August 7. Located on the fair ground’s Central Mall, the "UW-Madison Day" will feature staff and alumni demonstrating their expertise and inviting fair-goers to "jump around" and experience all that the university has to offer--whether that be to pose with campus personalities (Bucky, perhaps?!) or to witness the Wonders of Physics, among other activities and amusements.

Be sure to look for your Steenbock librarians and their campus library colleagues! We will be on hand to distribute some library-themed fun and to answer your questions about how you may visit and access library resources.

Your attendance at the fair can also serve to benefit Milwaukee-area school-children.  Bring a new, unopened school supply item to an Admissions gate.  Those donating to this school supply drive will receive $4 off adult admission until 4:00 PM.

For more information about UW-Madison Day at the State Fair, visit this page.

Harvest Handouts

Enjoy fresh, locally-grown produce from the F.H King Student Farm! 

Every Friday, beginning at 1:00 PM (June-October), student farmers distribute their produce, free, to students and UW-Madison community members.

In order to transport harvest handouts from the Eagle Heights farm location to the distribution site on East Campus Mall, the students are using Full Cycle Freight bikes and trailers.

To learn more about the Student Farm, the F.H King Students for Sustainable Agriculture and their events, projects and opportunities to visit and volunteer, visit the Website and follow them on Facebook.

Ride to Farm

Plan now to hop on your bike to benefit the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers with the tenth annual "Ride to Farm" (Saturday, June 1).  The 100km ride will take you through rolling, rural Iowa County with rest stops at area family farms for a sampling of local treats. 
There are fabulous prizes for top fundraisers and a celebratory end-of-ride gathering at Birch Lake Park, Barneveld. 

For more information, 2013 highlights, and to register, visit the Ride to Farm site.  The Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers is a program managed by the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and the Farm and Industry Short Course.

Farm Fresh Atlas, 2013

The 2013 edition of the Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas has been released! Pick up your copy from any of several university and area locations, including Steenbock Library (look for stacks at our service desks).

Use the Atlas to locate farms, markets and restaurant partners who bring you fresh, area-grown produce and food products. Do note that many of the area growers welcome visitors with special events, u-pick options, hay-rides and tours.

Should you be looking for options apart from the southern Wisconsin area, consult the site for Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlases or nationally, using the Local Harvest site.

Nourish the links between land and table!  Learn more about the REAP Food Group!

CSA Open House (March 10)

Meet your farmers!  The FairShare CSA Coalition will host its annual open house at the Monona Terrace, Sunday March 10, from 1:00-4:00 PM.

At the open house, you will be able to chat with farmers and evaluate the different share options--often weekly or every-other-week deliveries of seasonal produce, eggs, cheese, honey or meat depending upon share plan and CSA farm. (And, many of these same folks participate in the area farmers’ markets).

In order to plan ahead, take a look at the Farm List to consider farms and share options that will best satisfy your appetite for produce and level of participation. Many of the farms have application forms that you can submit now.

In addition to supporting a local economy and savoring the fresh produce, there are some other incentives. Many health plans furnish rebates for CSA participation. Shares can also be donated to assist families in our community in need. And, less we forget, there are opportunities to volunteer and to learn more with a job or internship at an area farm or FairShare event.

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

Slow Food Cafe

Craving a delicious lunch?  If so, then mark your calendars for Wednesdays at the Slow Food Café!  The staff with the Café offers a selection of home-made, sweet and savory lunch items using ingredients sourced locally.  Lunches are served from 11:30 AM until 2:00 PM at the organization’s downstairs space in The Crossing, 1127 University Avenue.

Slow Food UW is non-profit organization run by students and volunteers committed to an appreciation of healthy and sustainable food-ways. Follow Slow Food UW on Twitter or Facebook.

Drought

There is no denying that southern Wisconsin, as well as many parts of the upper Midwest, is experiencing critical drought conditions with significant and, potentially, long-lasting implications to the success of the farming sector and to those who benefit from its production. 

In response to the various concerns arising from farmers and their communities, the UW-Extension, Cooperative Extension has developed on online guide, Drought 2012.  Visit this guide for news, maps, human health and livestock care.  Consult, additionally, with your Extension agents for advice on how to best manage resources in light of exceptional and challenging circumstances.

Bike the Barns, 2012

Benefit the Partner Shares program (FairShare/MACSAC) with a challenging, yet picturesque ride to local farms in the Verona, Cross Plains and Blue Mounds communities. 

The Sixth Annual Bike the Barns event is scheduled for Sunday, September 16.  Register soon as there is limited capacity!  At each farm stop, enjoy delicious treats provided by the Underground Food Collective. 

Visit the event site and its Facebook community for additional information regarding route, start-times, pledge-sheets, merchandise, and training opportunities.

Life on the Farm

Plan a visit to Old World Wisconsin, this summer, to experience Life on the Farm--in 19th Century style!  Costumed interpreters will introduce visitors to the Kruegers who emigrated from Pomerania to Dodge County, Wisconsin in 1851. In addition to meeting the family, visitors will be able to lend a hand to some of the daily farm chores.

The Kruegers carefully documented their farm experience in photos, assorted papers, and stories.  Today, that collection of materials is maintained by the Wisconsin Historical Society Archives.  The family’s story has also been chronicled in the book Six Generations Here: A Farm Family Remembers by Marjorie L. McLellan, Wright State University.  Find the book in campus libraries.

Explore online and plan your visit to Old World Wisconsin.