News from the UW-Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources program:

• UW-Extension hosts Integrated Pest Management workshops for grape growers
• Field Day Series to help farmers understand soil quality
• Workshop offers information for rural landowners, horse enthusiasts and farmers
  

Integrated Pest Management workshops for grape growers
Grape growing has become widespread throughout Wisconsin with more than 400 acres under cultivation. As grape acreages expand, pest complexes also intensify. Most growers rely on a calendar or phenology-based pesticide schedule to protect the crop. Integrated pest management (IPM) offers an effective alternative to relying solely on pesticides. The University of Wisconsin-Extension is hosting three one-day sessions about Integrated Pest Management. Each workshop has a morning classroom session and an afternoon field session. For more information, see the news release at www.uwex.edu/ces/news/cenews.cfm?ID=3214

Field Day Series to help farmers understand soil quality
A series of field days will be held on farms around the state this summer to help farmers understand how cropping systems and management affect the quality of their soil and the environment. These field days are designed to help people understand some of the characteristics of soils such as water infiltration and aeration, bulk density/compaction, soil structure and aggregate stability, and biological activity. There will also be a discussion about the living organisms in soils and how they interact with organic matter supplies, tillage, and cropping systems to affect crop yields and environmental quality.Soil Quality Field Days are scheduled at several locations in Wisconsin representing a variety of soils and farming systems. For more information, see the news release at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/news/cenews.cfm?ID=3215.

Workshop offers information for rural landowners, horse enthusiasts and farmers
The Southeast Wisconsin Rural Landowner Workshop and Expo is a day-long program designed for rural landowners, horse owners/enthusiasts, existing farmers as well as individuals who are thinking about getting involved in a farm/agricultural enterprise. The workshop takes place Saturday, Sept. 6 at Burlington High School, begins with a keynote presentation from Will Allen of Growing Power on composting. For more information, see the news release at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/news/cenews.cfm?ID=3216