NOW NEWS

Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants Awarded

Central Wisconsin Farmers Cooperative proudly lands second grant from DATCP

The latest round of Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants has been awarded to 36 farmer groups by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Farmers will use the funds to work with conservation organizations to address soil and water issues specific to their local watersheds. Seven of the groups are first-time recipients. Six Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA)member farms in Central Wisconsin joined together, in 2021, to protect the watershed that includes the Little Plover River and a portion of the Wisconsin River. With leadership from Plover River Farms, the Central Wisconsin Farmers Cooperative includes Feltz Family Farms, Firkus Farms, Myron Soik & Sons, Okray Family Farms and Worzella & Sons. With matching funds from the WPVGA and working closely with the University of Wisconsin (UW) Extension and the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, the group was successful in securing a second grant, this time for $33,600, from DATCP for more conservation work in 2022. One new farm was also recruited to join the effort: Hamerski Farms of Plover. This partnership envisions a healthy and productive working landscape in Wisconsin’s Central Sands region.

INNOVATIVE STEWARDSHIP

Through on-farm conservation and collaborative partnerships, the Central Wisconsin Farmers Cooperative seeks to promote innovative stewardship practices that benefit the watershed, landscape and land managers themselves. Conservation practices employed by the group include the extensive use of cover crops, prairie and pollinator plantings, and no-till/minimum till practices. Together, the 36 groups will receive the full $1 million included in the state budget. Grants range from $3,250 to $40,000 for conservation practice incentives, education and outreach, on-farm demonstrations, and water quality testing and monitoring efforts. Farmers continue to find value in the program and by collaborating with other growers on conservation solutions.

Above: Highlighted in blue are areas where farmers are working with conservation organizations via Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants awarded by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

“The grant program has kept our group together and motivated to do more,” says Brian Malszewski, member of the Buffalo-Trempealeau Farmer Network. “It not only has opened doors to more communication on cover crop practices amongst the group, but with other groups throughout the state.” “It has personally held me accountable, and because of this program, our team of farmers has gone above and beyond,” Malszewski

adds. This is the seventh round of grant awards since funding was first made available in the 2015-’17 state budget. The 2021-’23 budget authorized annual program funding totaling $1 million. Grant requests for 2022 totaled nearly $1.2 million.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants give financial support to farmers willing to lead conservation efforts in their own watersheds. The emphasis is on innovation and practices not already covered by other state and federal programs, and the intent is that participating farmers will help other farmers adopt conservation practices by offering incentives and through peer-to-peer education and outreach activities. “As an agronomist and a farmer, I feel it’s very important that we share our knowledge about practices that improve the soil, limit erosion and make our world better,” says Jake Kaderly, CCA, member of Farmers of the Sugar River. “The grant gives us that opportunity to locally share that knowledge through having events with speakers, in-field demonstrations and keeping the thought that soil health comes first,” Kaderly states. Groups must partner with a county land conservation department, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, or another nonprofit conservation organization on their projects. Funds cannot pay for real estate, loans, equipment or lobbying, and the program places caps on funding for staff support to the groups. Each group must start with at least five farmers in the watershed. More information about the farmer groups and their accomplishments can be found at https://datcp. wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/ ProducerLedProjects.aspx.

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continued from pg. 39 Reinke Recognizes Roberts Irrigation

Central Wisconsin company named a top 10 dealership in the U.S. and Canada

Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, has recognized Roberts Irrigation as a top 10 dealership for total sales and a top five parts dealer in the United States and Canada.

Located in Plover, Wisconsin, Roberts Irrigation was also recognized as the top dealer in the northcentral territory and earned a Diamond Pride award for its success last year. “We are proud to honor the team at Roberts Irrigation with these awards,” says Chris Roth, Reinke president. “Through the years, they’ve dedicated themselves to supporting the growers in their area.” “We appreciate those efforts,” Roth remarks, “as Reinke continues to develop and implement irrigation equipment and technology designed to increase agriculture production.” Reinke dealerships from across the United States and Canada come together annually for the company’s sales convention to recognize select Reinke dealers for their hard work and commitment to serve growers. The Reinke Pride awards are determined as part of an incentive program that distinguishes superior achievement levels according to an evaluation based on a dealership’s exterior and interior housekeeping and maintenance, indoor and outdoor displays, safety, retail environment, merchandising, professionalism, promotions, event participation and market share.

Above: Reinke Manufacturing President Chris Roth (left) and Reinke Northcentral Territory Manager Vern Hinnenkamp (right) congratulate, from left to right, Barry Graham, Chase Parr, Luke Abbrederis and John Herman of Roberts Irrigation, Plover, Wisconsin, for being a top 10 dealership and earning a Diamond Pride award for its success.

For more information on Roberts Irrigation, visit www. RobertsIrrigation.com. For further information on Reinke or to locate a dealership, visit www.Reinke.com.

Schools Receive Pollinator Habitat Grants

Students to add native wildflower diversity to the agricultural landscape

Imperiled insect pollinators and monarch butterflies will get some help from high school students this year. Sand County Foundation is awarding pollinator habitat grants to agriculture and science programs at 12 high schools. Each school will receive native wildflower seeds and seedlings, a training webinar and consultation. Eight first-time grantees will receive $1,000 for the school district or FFA chapter to offset project expenses. The selected schools are: • Jane Goodall Environmental

Sciences, Maple Lake, Minnesota • Johnston High School,

Johnston, Iowa • Menomonie High School,

Menomonie, Wisconsin • Mt. Horeb High School,

Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin • Nekoosa High School,

Nekoosa, Wisconsin • Northwest Education Services,

Traverse City, Michigan • Owatonna High School,

Owatonna, Minnesota • Randolph High School,

Randolph, Wisconsin • Reedsville High School,

Reedsville, Wisconsin • Thomas Edison High School,

Minneapolis, Minnesota • Union Grove High School,

Union Grove, Wisconsin

• West Lyon Community School

District, Inwood, Iowa “Our objective is to engage students in adding native wildflower diversity to the agricultural landscape for the benefit of pollinators,” says Parker Witt, Sand County Foundation agricultural conservation specialist. “Pollinators are essential for crop pollination and ecological diversity, but the numbers of wild bees, honeybees and monarch butterflies have dropped, partly because of the loss of native wildflower habitat near farmland,” Witt notes. To qualify for the grants, schools need greenhouses or suitable indoor growing areas to germinate and raise the nearly 600 seedlings of milkweed, prairie blazing star, wild bergamot and other species they will receive this month (March). They are also required to identify and prepare a location to transplant the native wildflowers in the spring and

Students from Lodi High School plant native wildflowers to benefit pollinators. Photo courtesy of Casey Langan

tend to them through the summer. In addition to the wildflowers they transplant, schools are given prairie seed for sowing to increase biodiversity at the planting site. “We encouraged applicants to find a site on or near agricultural land,” Witt says.

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PLIGHT OF POLLINATORS

“From the interest in this program, it’s clear that teachers, students and landowners in the Midwest care about the plight of pollinators and monarchs,” he adds. Pollinator habitat grant program sponsors include Enel Green Power, Syngenta and Dairyland Power Cooperative. Educators and landowners interested in becoming involved in the project are encouraged to contact Parker Witt at pwitt@sandcountyfoundation. org for more information. In addition to the grant program, all teachers can access a Pollinator Habitat Curriculum Guide developed through a partnership between Sand County Foundation and Earth Partnership at the University of Wisconsin.

The guide’s 28 activities, aligned with state and national education standards, engage students in planning, establishing, managing and monitoring prairie habitat for insect pollinators and grassland birds. The guide is available for free to download at https://bit.ly/2JHdq1u.

BASF Donates to Tornado Relief

Goal is to help families, workers and community members struggling during crisis

BASF has donated $30,000 to help survivors in need after a series of tornadoes devastated communities across the Midwest, in December 2021. In addition, the company is matching employee donations to disaster relief organizations, continuing the commitment to corporate and social responsibility. “Our thoughts have been with the individuals who lost so much during these storms,” says Paul Rea, senior vice president of BASF Agricultural Solutions North America. “To support those most in need, we’re donating $10,000 to the Kentucky FFA Foundation, and we’re also giving $10,000 each to Feeding Kentucky and the Arkansas Food Bank.” “Our goal is to help the families, workers and community members who are struggling during this crisis receive the resources they need the most,” Rea adds. “We also hope our donations inspire others to help in any way possible.” An important aspect of social responsibility is how BASF supports the communities where we as a people live and work. The company is committed to advancing science education, environment, health and safety and other programs and initiatives that are important to the

After tornadoes devastated communities across the Midwest, in December 2021, BASF donated $30,000 to those most in need.

quality of life in local communities. BASF’s involvement with fighting hunger exemplifies the company’s values and its commitment to a sustainable future.

“During these challenging times, it’s especially important to support non-profits like the Food Bank, so adequate assistance is provided for those who need it most,” says Scott Kay, vice president, U.S. Crop, BASF Agricultural Solutions. BASF’s goal continues to be to inspire other businesses and individuals year-round to get involved with the fight against hunger by: • Providing individual food donations • Conducting company-wide food drives • Giving individual financial donations • Holding corporate fundraising drives • Volunteering • Serving on the Board of Directors or advisory committees To read highlights of BASF’s community relations activities across the North American region, visit https://www.basf.com/us/en/ who-we-are/community/communityoutreach.html.