Additional Resources
RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS
Ag Marketing Resource Center (AMRC) A cooperative of universities partially funded by USDA, AMRC is an electronic, national resource for producers interested in value-added agriculture. Browse commodities and products, investigate market and industry trends, study business creation and operation, read research results and locate value-added resources. 1111 NSRIC, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3310; (866) 277-5567 www.agmrc.org
AgrAbility of Wisconsin is designed to help farm families experiencing the effects of disabling conditions. Since 1991, AgrAbility of Wisconsin has served more than 2,000 farmers and farm workers with disabilities and their families. AgrAbility can provide consultation on equipment and worksite modifications, stress management techniques, community services and health care coordination, farm job restructuring/alternative job development, peer support involvement, farm safety and secondary injury prevention, and identification of funding resources. http://bse.wisc.edu/agrability/
American Pastured Poultry Producers Assoc (APPPA) A member organization dedicated to sharing information about raising all kinds of poultry on pasture. Newsletter, website and electronic listserv. PO Box 87, Boyd, WI 54726; (888) 662-7772 www.apppa.org
Animal Welfare Approved Audits and certifies family farms that raise their animals with the highest welfare standards, on pasture or range. 1007 Queen Street Alexandria, VA 22314; (202) 546-5292 www.animalwelfareapproved.org
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) Provides assistance and resources free of charge to farmers and other agricultural professionals. P.O. Box 3657 Fayetteville, AR 72702; (800) 346-9140 http://attra.ncat.org/
Food Alliance Midwest (FAM) One of the nation's leading certifiers of environmentally friendly and socially responsible agricultural practices. FAM is a regional affiliate, certifying farms and administering a market development and public education campaign. 400 Selby Ave, Ste Y St Paul, MN 55102; (651) 265-3682 www.foodalliance.org
Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Nonprofit membership organization promoting farmland stewardship and sustainable agriculture. 821 E 35th St, Suite 200 Minneapolis, MN 55407; (612) 722-6377 www.landstewardshipproject.org
GrassWorks, Inc. Organizes the annual Wisconsin Grazing Conference and provides education and information on managed grazing. www.grassworks.org
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) Provides agricultural and food system services. W2493 County Road ES, PO Box 990 East Troy, WI 53120; (262) 642-3303 www.michaelfieldsaginst.org
Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) A nonprofit educational outreach organization dedicated to organic farming. MOSES organizes the annual Organic Farming Conference. PO Box 339 Spring Valley, WI 54767; (715) 778-5775 www.mosesorganic.org
Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) Sponsors on-farm research, educational programs, field days, conference and a quarterly newsletter about sustainable agriculture.137 Lynn Ave, Ste 200, Ames, IA 50014; (515)232-5661 www.practicalfarmers.org
Sustain Rural Wisconsin Network (SRWN) is a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving the environment while maintaining the health and economic vitality of rural communities. This site is a porthole for information, articles, studies, upcoming events and the latest news on the impacts of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. www.sustainruralwisconsin.net
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE Outreach) program is the national outreach and educational arm of the federal SARE program, which is administered by USDA-CSREES and sponsors grants for farmers, researchers and Ag professionals. SARE Outreach publishes a variety of farmer-ready handbooks, free bulletins, reports highlighting SARE projects, and resource guides.10300 Baltimore Avenue BARC West, Bldg. 046 Beltsville, MD 20705; (614) 306-6422 www.sare.org
Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Network (WEN) Provides access to the statewide network of entrepreneurial resources to create new ventures and help grow existing businesses that will enable Wisconsin to be competitive in a global economic environment. 423 Extension Building, 432 Lake Street, Madison, WI 53706; (608)263.0398 www.wenportal.org
STATE/FEDERAL AGENCIES
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFCIS) Provides online information resources, referrals and databases searching. USDA National Agricultural Library, RM 132, Beltsville MD 20705; (301) 504-6559 www.nal.usda.gov
USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) Publishes studies on nation-wide land use practices. Useful statistics summarized in reports available through the website. 1800 M Street NW Suite 4051S Washington, DC; 20036 (202) 694-5541 www.ers.usda.gov
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) This agency makes and guarantees loans and provides credit counseling to farmers and ranchers. For more information contact your local FSA office. 820 Industrial Dr. Suite 1, Sparta, WI 54656; (608) 269-8136 www.fsa.usda.gov
USDA National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) Find timely, accurate, and useful statistics provided in service to U.S. agriculture. Organized into categories by state or type of farming. USDA-NASS 1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20250; (800) 727-9540 www.nass.usda.gov
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) The primary federal agency working to protect natural resources on private lands. NRCS offers technical and financial assistance to farmers for conservation planning and practices suited to their land and operation. Wisconsin Office: 8030 Excelsior Dr Madison, WI 53717; www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov Contact Brian Pillsbury: 608-355-4470 or 608-963-3629
WI Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection (WI DATCP) Resources and information for beginning and experienced grazing farmers and handlers. PO Box 8911 Madison, WI 53708; www.datcp.state.wi.us Contact Laura Paine: 608-224-5120 or 608-516-4438
UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Center for Dairy Profitability (CDP), UW-Madison Develops, coordinates and conducts interdisciplinary educational and applied research programs emphasizing business management, human resource management, production systems, finance and marketing systems that enhance dairy profitability. 1675 Observatory Drive 266 Animal Science Building, Madison, WI 5370; (608) 263-5665 http://cdp.wisc.edu/
Center for Integrated Ag Systems (CIAS) A sustainable agriculture research center at UW-Madison that brings together farmers, researchers, and policy makers to study farming practices and profitability. 1535 Observatory Drive Madison, WI 53706; (608) 262-8018 www.cias.wisc.edu
University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Extension Forage Resource www.uwrf.edu/grazing/ Contact Dennis Cosgrove: (715) 425-3989
University of Wisconsin-Extension Grazing Resources & Research http://fyi.uwex.edu/grazres Contact Rhonda Gildersleeve: (608) 723-6243
University of Wisconsin-Extension Publications http://learningstore.uwex.edu/
Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers (WSBDF)– UW Madison. Provides pasture-based dairy and livestock farming educational courses. Offers distance learning opportunities in seven additional locations. Download the latest issue of the WSBDF newsletter. UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course, 116 Agriculture Hall, 1450 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706; (608) 265-6437 www.cias.wisc.edu/dairysch.html
PERIODICALS
Graze Magazine A monthly magazine offering production information on dairy, beef, sheep, hogs and poultry. $30 for one year (10 issues). To subscribe or for a free sample, contact: Graze, P.O. Box 48 Belleville, WI 53508; (608)455-3311 www.grazeonline.com
The Stockman Grass Farmer A monthly magazine devoted to the art and science of making a profit from grassland agriculture. $32 for one year (12 issues). To subscribe or for a free sample contact: The Stockman Grass Farmer, P.O. Box 2300, Ridgeland MS 39158-2300; (800) 748-9808 www.stockmangrassfarmer.com
BOOKS
Grass Productivity by Andre Voisin. 1959. New York. Philosophical Library. 353 Pages. The classic book that revolutionized grazing.
GrassWorks Grazing Guide (2010) is a compilation of some of the best information available on managed grazing in the Midwest. Revised and expanded 3rd edition, produced by GrassWorks. Click here for order information and to take a look inside.
Greener Pastures on Your Side of the Fence: Better Farming with Voisin Grazing Management by Bill Murphy 4th edition. Arriba Publishing. 380 pages. Voisin style grazing management written in laymen’s terms. One of the best how-to books for managed grazing, covering design and management of the grazing system. (800) 639-4178
Management Intensive Grazing: The Grassroots of Grass Farming by Jim Gerrish. Green Park Press. 1st edition. 2003. 320 pages. Written by one of the premier grazing researchers in the U.S. This book, like Murphy’s is another excellent how-to guide for managed grazing. (800) 748-9808.
Pasture Perfect by Jo Robinson. Vashon Island Press. 150 pages. Summarizes the research on health benefits of grassfed meats and dairy products. Excellent for direct marketers. www.eatwild.com
Pasture Soil Health and Grazing Network Toolkit. Developed in 2017 by Bauer, R.B. and K. Jurcek with funding from North Central Regional Sustainable Agriculture, Research, and Education (NCR-SARE) Professional Development Program Grant #PDP15-004. The handbook organizes grazing knowledge that is evidence-based in a way that is relevant to conservation planners and farmers.
Salad Bar Beef; You Can Farm, Pastured Poultry Profits; Family Friendly Farming. All titles by Joel Salatin. These books cover small-scale pastured meat production and marketing. (800) 748-9808 or www.amazon.com.