News & Events
Southwest Badger is Hiring!
Southwest Badger RC&D has an immediate opening for a full time Stewardship & Outreach Coordinator. Click here for job description and application information.
Southwest Badger RC&D has an immediate opening for a full time Stewardship & Outreach Coordinator. Click here for job description and application information.
2017 Southwest Badger RC&D Workshops & Events
Month of April
Fencing Workshop (Sauk City)
April 22, 2017, 10 am-12 pm
Gasser Farm, E7415 Spring Drive, Sauk City, WI
Cutler Fencing will lead a public demonstration of fencing for a grass-fed beef operation. During the afternoon, participants in the Mentorship Program for Future Livestock Farmers (supported by funding from USDA-NIFA) will have the chance to learn fencing one-on-one with the Cutler Fencing crew. Morning event is free and open to the public. RSVP requested by May 17 at 608-732-1202.
Click here to read the press release about the event.
Click here for the photo of Dale Gasser at the farm.
Prescribed Burn of Former Conservation Reserve Program Acres to Enhance Prescribed Grazing
Twice during the month of April
Mainwaring Farm, 2991 County Road I, Avoca, WI
Landowners with previous experience with prescribed fire are invited to participate in a prescribed burn of former CRP grasslands. Participants will be expected to attend a pre-burn meeting to check equipment and review the burn plan. Contact Robert Bauer at 608-732-1202 for details or fill out this volunteer form: https://goo.gl/forms/KcK8dcMpZlJPE4aA3.
Month of May
Kids Fly-fishing Workshop (Viroqua)
May 13, 2017
Kickapoo River, Viroqua, WI
This event will take place the weekend following trout opener and will provide an excellent opportunity for parents and children to get hands-on fishing experience and would cater to anglers at all skill levels. We can provide: casting demonstrations, fly/hatch descriptions and comparisons (tied fly vs. the actual species), AIS information (AIS card handouts, descriptions of gear/equipment cleaning techniques and importance of not transporting invaders, etc.), some background on the natural history of the area, background on the organization and food.
Growing Your Livestock Farm Business with an FSA Loan (Dodgeville)
May 17, 2017, 6-8:30 pm
Iowa County Health and Human Services Building, 303 W Chapel St, Dodgeville, WI
Loan officers from USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) will describe their loan programs and how to apply. A panel of livestock producers will describe their experience applying for FSA loans. Networking time with a snack will follow the presentation. Workshop held in partnership with Angelic Organics Learning Center. RSVP requested by May 12 at 608-732-1202.
Click here to read the press release about the event.
Farm Tour and Seafood (Spring Green)
May 25, 2017, 9:30 am-12 pm
5044 Wiest Road, Spring Green, WI
Come see and discuss grazing practices – grazing rotations, a demonstration of moving fence, no-till drilling for pasture improvement, goats for brush control, stream stabilization and crossings, overwintering fields in recovery, challenges with erosion and runoff, and a rainfall simulator showing impacts of land cover on erosion. Then enjoy brats, plus seafood caught by fishermen in the Gulf – whose challenges with nutrient build-up and biological die-off in the Gulf Dead Zone we seek to help through our conservation practices. Event held in partnership with Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, UW Extension, and NRCS. Rainfall simulator funded by a Professional Development Program Grant from NCR-SARE.
Pecatonica Paddle Event
May 27 @ 10:00 a.m.
Invasive species are a major threat to Wisconsin’s wetlands and waterways. What you do locally can make a difference in preventing their spread. Pecatonica Pride Producer-led Watershed Association and Southwest Badger RC&D are seeking interested and adventuresome folks to enjoy a paddle on the beautiful Pecatonica River. Participants will learn to identify aquatic invasive species such as Purple loosestrife, Rusty crayfish, Japanese hop, and other threats that degrade our precious river resources, and what can be done about it. Event Location: Meeting location is at River Road Boat Landing. We will paddle down to Argyle (approximately 2 1/2 hours). All participants should RSVP at the number below. In the event of inclement weather the rain date will be May 28th. Same time, same location.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact Don Barrette, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator at don.barrette@swbadger.org, or leave a message at (608) 348-7110. Please include your name, e-mail, phone #, the number in your party, and whether or not you want to rent a canoe ($15 each) or you may bring your own.
Month of June
Pine River Restoration Paddle (Richland Center)
June 3rd from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This event will take place in on the Pine River. This event was attempted last year with limited attendance. This will be an enjoyable water recreation and educational opportunity. Paddlers (with or without experience) will receive a guided tour of the river and learn what impacts are destroying habitat and what can be done. This event is for everybody wants clean water, scenic shorelines and great biotic diversity, and greater accessibility to the river.
Month of August
Kickapoo River Purple Paddle (La Farge)
August (details to be determined) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This event will take place in on the Kickapoo River. This event was attempted last year with limited attendance. This will be an enjoyable water recreation and educational opportunity. Paddlers (with or without experience) will receive a guided tour of the river and learn what impacts are destroying habitat and what can be done. This event is for everybody wants clean water, scenic shorelines and great biotic diversity, and greater accessibility to the river.
Pasture Walk on Pasture Soil Health, Contract Grazing, and Grazing Planning (Ferryville)
August 8, 2017, time TBD
12041 Severson Rd, Ferryville, WI
Paddock design, pastures for pollinators, contract grazing dairy heifers, and grazing in the woods will be the topic of this pasture walk held in partnership with Crawford County Graziers and supported by a Professional Development Program Grant from NCR-SARE.
Pasture Walk on Pastured Poultry (Mineral Point)
August 12, 2017 (time TBD)
Bryant Family Farms, 5179 Hwy 39, Mineral Point, WI
Comparison of raising guinea fowl in mobile hutches versus shipping container with rotated paddocks will be the topic of this pasture walk held in partnership with UW Extension and supported by a NCR-SARE Farmer-Rancher Grant.
Month of October
Pasture Walk on Extending the Grazing Season and Pasture Soil Health
October 4, 2017 (tentative)
Monticello, WI
Managed rotational grazing for grass-fed beef, integrating edible fruit and nut trees into perennial pasture, effect of annuals and stockpiled pasture on pasture soil health, and more will be the focus of this pasture walk, held in partnership with USDA-NRCS, The Savanna Institute, and UW Extension with funding from a Professional Development Program Grant from NCR-SARE.
Month of April
Fencing Workshop (Sauk City)
April 22, 2017, 10 am-12 pm
Gasser Farm, E7415 Spring Drive, Sauk City, WI
Cutler Fencing will lead a public demonstration of fencing for a grass-fed beef operation. During the afternoon, participants in the Mentorship Program for Future Livestock Farmers (supported by funding from USDA-NIFA) will have the chance to learn fencing one-on-one with the Cutler Fencing crew. Morning event is free and open to the public. RSVP requested by May 17 at 608-732-1202.
Click here to read the press release about the event.
Click here for the photo of Dale Gasser at the farm.
Prescribed Burn of Former Conservation Reserve Program Acres to Enhance Prescribed Grazing
Twice during the month of April
Mainwaring Farm, 2991 County Road I, Avoca, WI
Landowners with previous experience with prescribed fire are invited to participate in a prescribed burn of former CRP grasslands. Participants will be expected to attend a pre-burn meeting to check equipment and review the burn plan. Contact Robert Bauer at 608-732-1202 for details or fill out this volunteer form: https://goo.gl/forms/KcK8dcMpZlJPE4aA3.
Month of May
Kids Fly-fishing Workshop (Viroqua)
May 13, 2017
Kickapoo River, Viroqua, WI
This event will take place the weekend following trout opener and will provide an excellent opportunity for parents and children to get hands-on fishing experience and would cater to anglers at all skill levels. We can provide: casting demonstrations, fly/hatch descriptions and comparisons (tied fly vs. the actual species), AIS information (AIS card handouts, descriptions of gear/equipment cleaning techniques and importance of not transporting invaders, etc.), some background on the natural history of the area, background on the organization and food.
Growing Your Livestock Farm Business with an FSA Loan (Dodgeville)
May 17, 2017, 6-8:30 pm
Iowa County Health and Human Services Building, 303 W Chapel St, Dodgeville, WI
Loan officers from USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) will describe their loan programs and how to apply. A panel of livestock producers will describe their experience applying for FSA loans. Networking time with a snack will follow the presentation. Workshop held in partnership with Angelic Organics Learning Center. RSVP requested by May 12 at 608-732-1202.
Click here to read the press release about the event.
Farm Tour and Seafood (Spring Green)
May 25, 2017, 9:30 am-12 pm
5044 Wiest Road, Spring Green, WI
Come see and discuss grazing practices – grazing rotations, a demonstration of moving fence, no-till drilling for pasture improvement, goats for brush control, stream stabilization and crossings, overwintering fields in recovery, challenges with erosion and runoff, and a rainfall simulator showing impacts of land cover on erosion. Then enjoy brats, plus seafood caught by fishermen in the Gulf – whose challenges with nutrient build-up and biological die-off in the Gulf Dead Zone we seek to help through our conservation practices. Event held in partnership with Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, UW Extension, and NRCS. Rainfall simulator funded by a Professional Development Program Grant from NCR-SARE.
Pecatonica Paddle Event
May 27 @ 10:00 a.m.
Invasive species are a major threat to Wisconsin’s wetlands and waterways. What you do locally can make a difference in preventing their spread. Pecatonica Pride Producer-led Watershed Association and Southwest Badger RC&D are seeking interested and adventuresome folks to enjoy a paddle on the beautiful Pecatonica River. Participants will learn to identify aquatic invasive species such as Purple loosestrife, Rusty crayfish, Japanese hop, and other threats that degrade our precious river resources, and what can be done about it. Event Location: Meeting location is at River Road Boat Landing. We will paddle down to Argyle (approximately 2 1/2 hours). All participants should RSVP at the number below. In the event of inclement weather the rain date will be May 28th. Same time, same location.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact Don Barrette, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator at don.barrette@swbadger.org, or leave a message at (608) 348-7110. Please include your name, e-mail, phone #, the number in your party, and whether or not you want to rent a canoe ($15 each) or you may bring your own.
Month of June
Pine River Restoration Paddle (Richland Center)
June 3rd from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This event will take place in on the Pine River. This event was attempted last year with limited attendance. This will be an enjoyable water recreation and educational opportunity. Paddlers (with or without experience) will receive a guided tour of the river and learn what impacts are destroying habitat and what can be done. This event is for everybody wants clean water, scenic shorelines and great biotic diversity, and greater accessibility to the river.
Month of August
Kickapoo River Purple Paddle (La Farge)
August (details to be determined) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This event will take place in on the Kickapoo River. This event was attempted last year with limited attendance. This will be an enjoyable water recreation and educational opportunity. Paddlers (with or without experience) will receive a guided tour of the river and learn what impacts are destroying habitat and what can be done. This event is for everybody wants clean water, scenic shorelines and great biotic diversity, and greater accessibility to the river.
Pasture Walk on Pasture Soil Health, Contract Grazing, and Grazing Planning (Ferryville)
August 8, 2017, time TBD
12041 Severson Rd, Ferryville, WI
Paddock design, pastures for pollinators, contract grazing dairy heifers, and grazing in the woods will be the topic of this pasture walk held in partnership with Crawford County Graziers and supported by a Professional Development Program Grant from NCR-SARE.
Pasture Walk on Pastured Poultry (Mineral Point)
August 12, 2017 (time TBD)
Bryant Family Farms, 5179 Hwy 39, Mineral Point, WI
Comparison of raising guinea fowl in mobile hutches versus shipping container with rotated paddocks will be the topic of this pasture walk held in partnership with UW Extension and supported by a NCR-SARE Farmer-Rancher Grant.
Month of October
Pasture Walk on Extending the Grazing Season and Pasture Soil Health
October 4, 2017 (tentative)
Monticello, WI
Managed rotational grazing for grass-fed beef, integrating edible fruit and nut trees into perennial pasture, effect of annuals and stockpiled pasture on pasture soil health, and more will be the focus of this pasture walk, held in partnership with USDA-NRCS, The Savanna Institute, and UW Extension with funding from a Professional Development Program Grant from NCR-SARE.
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