Mentors needed for beginning livestock farmers in Wisconsin
DODGEVILLE, WI – A program to connect beginning and experienced livestock farmers for farmer-to-farmer training in Southwest Wisconsin begins March 1, 2017. “The one-year program helps new farmers get started on their own on rented land under the guidance of an experienced farmer” says Robert Bauer, Program Director for Southwest Badger RC&D.
The program is called the Mentorship Program for Future Livestock Farmers. The program builds on existing resources like the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers at the University of Wisconsin and the Southwest Wisconsin Grazing Broker Project to help recent graduates start farming independently.
The kickoff is scheduled for March 4, 2017 from 3:00-6:00 pm at Clyde Community Center, 6281 State Road 130, Avoca, Wisconsin, where the Program Director will host an orientation for current and prospective participants in the program. The Grazing Broker will provide training on how to negotiate pasture rental. And participants are invited to bring a side dish to share for a potluck supper. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Grass-fed Beef Cooperative. The event is free and open to the public but RSVP is required at 608-732-1202 by March 1st.
Click here to read the news release about the program.
Click here for a flier about the potluck and orientation.
The program is called the Mentorship Program for Future Livestock Farmers. The program builds on existing resources like the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers at the University of Wisconsin and the Southwest Wisconsin Grazing Broker Project to help recent graduates start farming independently.
The kickoff is scheduled for March 4, 2017 from 3:00-6:00 pm at Clyde Community Center, 6281 State Road 130, Avoca, Wisconsin, where the Program Director will host an orientation for current and prospective participants in the program. The Grazing Broker will provide training on how to negotiate pasture rental. And participants are invited to bring a side dish to share for a potluck supper. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Grass-fed Beef Cooperative. The event is free and open to the public but RSVP is required at 608-732-1202 by March 1st.
Click here to read the news release about the program.
Click here for a flier about the potluck and orientation.
New Stewardship Specialist brings Wildlife Management Experience
Tyler Dvorak began work at Southwest Badger RC&D on June 28, 2017. Tyler hails from West De Pere, WI, just outside of Green Bay. He attended UW-Stevens Point and completed a Bachelor’s of Science in Philosophy and Environmental Ethics. His professional interests are broad ranging, having published scientific articles on plants as well as wildlife, in terrestrial and marine settings. He spent the past seven years working as a biologist for a large land conservancy out west on Catalina Island. His work as a wildlife biologist involved trapping foxes as part of an endangered species recovery program, deer and bison management, and studying birds. Tyler also worked as a professional deer guide. Of all the hunters he’s had the pleasure of working with, some of his fondest memories involve guiding wounded warriors and Navy Seal Foundation charity hunts and anytime he was lucky enough to be with someone when they got their first deer.
Tyler loves land and the diverse ecosystems and natural beauty that go along with it. His goal is to constantly educate himself and, in turn, others, on how to better manage our natural resources. He enjoys forming partnerships and collaborations in order to connect as stewards of the landscape. These connections are very natural, even necessary, in effectively managing the complex and inherently interconnected landscapes and organisms which sustain the world we know.
In his free time, Tyler works on his property in Richland County, plays guitar, and bowhunts. Though these activities merely sit atop a long, revolving list of other pastimes --- or obsessions.
Tyler loves land and the diverse ecosystems and natural beauty that go along with it. His goal is to constantly educate himself and, in turn, others, on how to better manage our natural resources. He enjoys forming partnerships and collaborations in order to connect as stewards of the landscape. These connections are very natural, even necessary, in effectively managing the complex and inherently interconnected landscapes and organisms which sustain the world we know.
In his free time, Tyler works on his property in Richland County, plays guitar, and bowhunts. Though these activities merely sit atop a long, revolving list of other pastimes --- or obsessions.
Sites Selected for Grazing Demonstrations
The grazing demonstration sites will be rented at reduced rates to beginning livestock producers. A total of 118 acres will be available to rent. The sites will also host educational events. Rental fees generated by the project will be invested in grazing education and implementation of grazing best management practices in Southwest Wisconsin. The project is funded by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Contact Robert Bauer at 608-732-1202 or robert.bauer@swbadger.org for more information.
Serving Southwest Wisconsin
Welcome to Southwest Badger Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council, Inc. Southwest Badger RC&D is a conservation organization serving Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, LaCrosse, Lafayette, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon counties. Our mission is to implement natural resource conservation, managed growth, and sustainable rural economic development in our area. Our vision is to be an incubator for innovative, economic, and sustainable use of natural resources in the Southwest Badger RC&D area. We are a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization based in Platteville, Wisconsin. Please click on the Contact Us link above for more information.
Southwest Badger RC&D is one of seven RC&D councils in Wisconsin. Each of these RC&D Councils is committed to improving Wisconsin's economy while conserving its rich resources.
Southwest Badger RC&D is one of seven RC&D councils in Wisconsin. Each of these RC&D Councils is committed to improving Wisconsin's economy while conserving its rich resources.
- Presentations from the February 7th Whole Farm Planning Workshop - click here
- 2017 Tree Shelter Order Form - click here
Help support natural resource conservation and economic development in southwest Wisconsin. Donations to Southwest Badger RC&D Council are welcome at any time of the year. If you would like your donation to go towards a specific program, please note the program in the "add special instruction to seller" section. All gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
All programs and services of Southwest Badger RC&D Council are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or political beliefs.
