Important Pesticide Applicator Training Information

There are some important changes to the Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) program for 2023. The first change is that the training manuals will NOT be sold out of the Extension Office as in previous years. Training manuals cost $40 and must be purchased online through the UW PAT store and paid for via credit card here: Pesticide Applicator Training (wisc.edu). There is a paper order form available that you can mail in with a check, which can be found here: https://go.wisc.edu/patbook. The manuals will be shipped to you directly, usually the same day that they receive the order.

You may attend a Private Applicator Certification Training as a Zoom Webinar this year. Counties will be hosting the Zoom Webinars, however, each individual must still go online to purchase their book. To register for the County Zoom Webinar, please sign up in advance. Participants must be present for the whole training and the test afterward. Cost is free for the online webinar trainings. Following the Zoom Webinar, counties are able to offer the testing option immediately following the webinar. There will be in-person training sessions (via Zoom) and testing offered at these locations/dates (all will begin at 9am and are scheduled through 4pm):

• January 13th in Darlington
• February 3rd in Monroe
• March 3rd in Lancaster
• April 7th in Dodgeville

There will also be test-only sessions (without training) offered at these locations/dates:

• January 25th in Darlington (12:30-3:30pm)
• February 14th in Monroe (1:00-4:00pm)
• March 15th in Lancaster (12:30-3:30pm)
• March 20th in Dodgeville (1:00-4:00pm)

Registration for these in-person Zoom training/testing and test-only sessions can be made at this link: 2023 Private Pesticide Applicator Certification (google.com)

You may choose a ZOOM training on the PAT Store website. If you do, you will receive a zoom link and password a few days before the class. The class will start at 9am and end at approximately 12:30pm, and you can do this from home as your own personal ZOOM session. After successful completion of the online training, you will receive a receipt that you must bring with you to the test site when you take the test. This is required for the option of scoring 50% on the test.

Online training – Available again this year!   MUST STILL TAKE TEST IN PERSON!
To navigate the online options, visit the PAT Store at https://patstore.wisc.edu. Scroll down to “Private Applicator Training” and select General Farming 100/101. Then chose B. “Online Private Applicator Training.” Online training can take the place of in-person training. From time of starting you will have 14 days to complete the training. Please keep the email with link to get back to the training if you leave it. Online training can be taken at any time. You will have access to training for 120 days of registration. The certification exam is given by the Extension office. Once you have completed the training, you will receive a Completion Receipt that you must show to the test proctor to be coded as attended a training.

Pre-registration and purchase of materials is required for all the sessions.  To request special accommodations please do so at least one week in advance.  The manual should be reviewed in advance of taking the class.

Bring these materials to the testing session:

1. Large manual – “Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Training Manual-General Farming”
2. Number 2 pencil
3. Calculator (Optional, but must be something other than a Smart Phone as they are not allowed for use during the testing period.)
4. Know your social security number

For a printable flyer with this information, click here.

---

If interested in attending, click here for the registration form.

---

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a federal program gave FoodShare members extra benefits, plus the regular amount. Now, due to recent changes to federal law, the extra amounts are ending. February 2023 is the last month members
will get extra benefits. Qualifying families will continue to get their regular FoodShare amounts.

For news, updates, and resources, please click here for a printable information sheet.

---

“I’m a Farmer, Too” Workshop Slated for Two Locations on March 2 and March 23.

Women are a key aspect of the agriculture industry and are responsible for many facets of the farm. This program is geared toward women and the many hats they wear in the agricultural industry. Planning for the unknown, farm biosecurity, telling your farm story, and farm safety topics will be presented.

Presenters and topics are as follows:

Planning for the Unknown with Joy Kirkpatrick, Farm Succession Outreach Specialist – Joy will discuss how to organize contingency plans for unexpected events, both short-term disruptions and catastrophic events; and will give a brief primer on what happens to property and other issues when there is no plan at the time of an unexpected event, such as death or disability.

Farm Biosecurity by Carolyn Ihde, UW-Extension Ag Educator Crawford and Richland Counties – With so many ways for diseases to come in contact with your livestock, implementing a few low-cost biosecurity measures can decrease the risk of transmission and allow for the tracing of disease movement in the case of highly contagious animal disease outbreaks. Take the small steps now to ensure proper biosecurity.

Telling your farm story with Amanda Cauffman, UW-Extension Regional Livestock Educator – Grant, Green, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties – Using your farm story to be an Ag Advocate and educate our communities about agricultural practices.

Farm Safety presented with Jackie McCarville, UW Extension Regional Dairy Educator- Grant Green, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties – Considerations on how to keep children and adults safe on the farm.  Exploring the potential hazards and dangerous areas while still having fun on the farm.

Participants will also be completing a craft project while they learn. Craft projects are Beef, Dairy, Sheep, and Pig themed. There will also be door prizes.

The following are the dates, locations, and county extension offices for registering for each location. The cost of the program is $35 dollars and covers materials, lunch, and craft supplies. Checks can be made payable to UW-Extension. RSVP and registration fee is required a week before the program date. We may cancel due to low enrollment, calling those who have registered. Please contact the host county Extension Office for that specific location for more information.

• March 2nd – Mineral Point, 9:30 a.m. registration, program begins at 10:00 a.m. The Walker House, 1 Water St., Mineral Point.  RSVP by February 23 by calling Grant County UW Extension, 608-723-2125.

• March 23rd – Gays Mills, 9:30 a.m. registration, program begins at 10:00 a.m. Gays Mills Community Commerce Center, 16381 WI 13, Gays Mills. RSVP by March 16 by calling Crawford County UW Extension, 608-326-0223.

---

Small Ruminant Webinar Series

The Small Ruminant webinar series, hosted by the UW-Madison Division of Extension, provides a research-driven view of popular sheep production issues that connect sheep and goat producers around the state. This series also connects producers to useful tools, techniques, and tricks of the trade & tips from the field.

Join this monthly webinar via Zoom at 7:30 PM CST on the second Wednesday of January-April. Register now at: go.wisc.edu/FarmReadyResearch.

● January 11: Getting little ones off to the right start: Tackling pregnancy toxemia and
colostrum quality.  Robert Van Saun DVM, MS, Ph.D. PennState Extension Veterinarian
● February 8: Weather the ups and downs with the UW-Madison Extension Sheep Operation
Enterprise Budget.  Carolyn Ihde and Bill Halfman, UW-Madison Division of Extension Outreach
Specialist
● March 8: Preparation for a successful breeding season. Dr. Justin Luther, Associate Professor, UW-River Falls
● April 12: Grilling and eating lamb.  Cody Hiemke

Get the most up-to-date information on dairy and livestock production, forages, and farm management resources from Extension’s Agriculture virtual education offerings. Your farm-ready research! There is no charge to participate in the sessions, but pre-registration is required to allow access. Register online at go.wisc.edu/FarmReadyResearch.

---

Badger Dairy Insight Webinar Series

Join the University of Wisconsin-Madison – Division of Extension’s Dairy Program on Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 pm CST for the Badger Dairy Insight webinar series. We are featuring your local Extension Dairy Program Educators and UW Specialists as they present on current dairy topics. Take the opportunity to learn from and discuss with experts on the dates below. To learn more about Badger Dairy Insight and the Extension Dairy program please visit https://dairy.extension.wisc.edu.

March 21^st: Stimulating Cow Conversations: Providing an Enriching Environment for Your Herd Jennifer Van Os is an Animal Welfare Specialist. During this webinar, learn that cattle have natural behaviors that may be constrained due to indoor or confined housing.  Providing environmental enrichment allows the animals to explore their natural behaviors and allows them to experience a more positive affective state, allowing them to be able to better cope with challenges.

Extension Educators Tina Kohlman and Aerica Bjurstrom will also share how transportation of any animal can be stressful, but perhaps more so for newborn calves and market cows. Best management practices can help reduce stress and improve animal welfare for those animals which go on the long haul.

Farm Ready Research

Learn the most up-to-date information on topics including dairy and livestock production, forages, and farm management resources from Extension’s Agriculture virtual education offerings. Your farm-ready research! There is no charge to participate in the sessions, however pre-registration is required to allow access. Register online at go.wisc.edu/FarmReadyResearch.

For a printable information sheet regarding these webinars, click here.

---

Wisconsin Pork Industry Needs Assessment

The University of Wisconsin Madison Division of Extension invites you participate in a Needs Assessment Survey for the Pork Industry in Wisconsin. Results of the survey will help determine the educational needs of Wisconsin swine producers. The Swine extension team can then shape programs to deliver valuable information to pork producers. Ensuring swine producers can be successful addressing the most critical challenges. All swine farmers are encouraged to participate in the survey regardless of size or type of farm. The survey can be accessed by going to the livestock.extension.wisc.edu website, going to the following link, or scanning the QR Code.

Survey link: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaAQ4FHaZBYsMke

---

Extension Horticulture & Gardening Resources for You

Do you have a question relating to horticulture or gardening?  Iowa County does not have a dedicated Horticulture Educator, but the UW-Madison Division of Extension does have an online form that you can fill out.  Simply provide basic contact information and ask your question, and your inquiry will be responded to by an Extension staff member or a Master Gardener Volunteer in your area.  You can even upload up to three photos to submit with your question!

A link to the online submission page is located to the right (scroll down to where it says “Ask a Gardening Question” and click on the “W” shield logo underneath it).  Click here for an instruction sheet that details how to fill out and submit the online form.

---

Regional Agricultural Educators Staffing Model In Effect

The University of Wisconsin – Division of Extension has moved to a Regional Agricultural Educators staffing model across the state. These positions provide research-based education to dairy, livestock, and crop producers by assessing the needs of farmers in their region and design and deliver educational programming and services to meet those needs.

Dairy, Livestock, and Crop production are the largest agricultural industries in the Southwest area of Wisconsin. The Regional Agriculture Educators have specializations in these areas and are able to offer their expertise to serve those industries and producers. Regional Agriculture Educators:

• Design and deliver educational meetings and field days in a four-county region that includes Grant, Green, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties
• Provide consultation on production challenges to farmers and agricultural consultants
• Contribute to outreach opportunities on agricultural topics through workshops, virtual trainings, symposiums, websites, social media, and publications
• Collaborate with other educators and specialists across the state and region
• Engage with Agriculture Extension Committees on progress and planning

Our region, which includes Grant, Green, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties, are served by: Dairy Educator – Jackie McCarville, Livestock Educator – Amanda Cauffman, and Crops and Soils Educator – Josh Kamps.  

Dairy Educator Jackie McCarville joined Extension in 2017. Her dairy programming will focus on dairy production management including dairy calves and heifer management, animal husbandry and well-being, nutrition, and dairy x beef crosses to help dairy producers improve productivity, profitability, and efficiency while maintaining animal well-being. “I’m excited to bring my passion and expertise of the dairy industry to our local area.”

Livestock Educator Amanda Cauffman joined Extension in 2018. Her educational programming will focus on Cow/Calf, Feeder Cattle, and Dairy x Beef cross production, Swine production, Small ruminants such as sheep and goats, as well as pasture management. “The regional staffing model allows for educators to specialize and develop areas of expertise and allows for more efficient sharing of unbiased, science based information.”

Crops and Soils Educator Josh Kamps joined Extension in 2018. His educational programming focuses on field crop decision-making that promotes soil health and limits pest resistance.  Specific areas of interest for demonstration and field research include cover cropping, forage crop rotation, manure processing technology, and weather resiliency practices. “For me the diversity within agriculture in Southwest WI is the most interesting part of Extension outreach service. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work within my specialized area of Crops and Soils while serving a diverse four county agricultural region,” says Josh.

To contact these Agricultural Educators please contact your local County Extension Office: Grant County (608) 723-2125, Green County (608) 328-9440, Iowa County (608) 930-9850 and Lafayette County (608) 776-4820.

For a printable copy of this press release, click here.

---

Click here for Covid-19 Resources

---

Latest News from Extension Iowa County