Join fellow farmers, agronomists and conservationists to learn from Rick Clark about innovative cropping and tillage practices to build soil health, improve yields, farm profitably, and protect water quality. After that, The Clean Farm Families and Ozaukee County's Demo Farmers will report on their activities and experiences after lunch.
Rick Clark: Rick Clark is a 5th generation farmer from Williamsport, Indiana, who specializes in cover crops and nutrient cycling to improve soil health. Rick has incorporated a no-till system into his farm for 15 years and runs his own farm like a never-ending experiment. Rick learns more and more every year on how to minimize inputs while maximizing yields, soil health, and soil structure. His farm is 100% Non-GMO, 100% No-Till, 100% cover cropped, and is currently being transitioned into an end goal of 100% organic. Rick is building a system that will be viable and sustainable for generations to come; and Rick works hard to share his approach to regenerative farming so others may find the same success he has.
Time & Location
Feb 11, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Brian Karrels - Farm Shop, 1522 Lake Dr, Port Washington, WI 53074, USA
- RSVP here by February 8th,
- Bob Roden | (262) 689-1037 | robncinfarms@gmail.com
- Or Andy Holschbach | (262) 284-8271 | aholschbach@co.ozaukee.wi.us
|
 The 2021 Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention
will be a virtual event and it is now part of a larger (the first ever) Wisconsin Water Week!
The Lake Michigan Watersheds conference on Thursday March 11 will feature a kickoff keynote by author and journalist Judith Schwartz. She has traveled the world documenting both traditional an innovative ways that agricultural communities protect water quality. Staff from Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership and Sweetwater are collaborating to develop morning and afternoon sessions highlighting projects underway in the Lake Michigan coastal region of east and southeast Wisconsin. Talks will highlight the newly developed Coastal Resource Hub, a new tool to help local groups message around stormwater management and other topics. Another session will summarize the importance of tree cover for protecting streams and lakes as well as progress addressing forest loss to emerald ash borer. There will be a concluding keynote from Tia Nelson, daughter of Senator Gaylord Nelson, summarizing lessons learned by bringing together diverse groups to address the threat of climate change. A luncheon keynote will feature Adam Reimer from the National Wildlife Federation discussing new ways to approach farmers and producers regarding healthy soils practices.
This live and interactive event starts at 9am and is completely online; you can join from your tablet, PC, laptop or even your phone. Registration is only $20 with all proceeds coming back to the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership. This regional event is one of many things happening during Wisconsin Water Week. Explore the full agenda and register at:
https://wisconsinwaterweek.swoogo.com/wisconsinwaterweek/873597
Sector Team Updates
The Nutrient and Pest Management Program (University of Wisconsin-Madison) is offering a virtual training for farmers interested in writing their own nutrient management plans. This training will provide both the basics of nutrient management and an introduction to SnapPlus.
The same training will be offered on 3 different dates:
- February 3 (Wed)
- February 16 (Tue)
- March 1 (Mon)
Please register online at least three days in advance of the training date you plan to attend: https://go.wisc.edu/9ozj4l
In the 2020 Annual Report, you will see snapshots of our approach in getting conservation practices on the ground to use our land productively. You’ll learn about conservation results and highlights of the work we do, which is strongly focused on meeting Farm Bill responsibilities. Read the Annual Report
Jointly sponsored by UW Madison Division of Extension's Conservation Professional Training Program and Wisconsin DNR, these workshops are designed for livestock operations near or at WPDES permit size (CAFOs) -- owners/management and key staff, their agronomic and engineering consultants, and agency staff and others who work with these operations.
NEW FOR 2021: The format has changed due to the pandemic. There are four sessions that you can join remotely. Each session is held 9:30 - 11:30am. To view a detailed agenda of each session, use the link below: https://www.browncountywi.gov/departments/extension-brown-county/agriculture/forms/
* Feb 2 is for farms who do not yet have a permit but might consider one in the next few years.
* Feb 3 focuses on Nutrient Management
* Feb 4 focuses on Production Area Management
* Feb 5 focuses on Managing for the Future
|
Join Tall Pines with their special guest, Michael Perry, on February 25th at 6:30, for a night of entertainment and to learn more about exciting land conservation efforts in Lake Country.
An Evening with Michael Perry, presented by vonBriesen, supports farmland conservation and water-quality initiatives in Lake Country. Gather your favorite beverage and snacks, cozy up on the couch and join us as we lighten your load with Michael's Midwestern story-telling. We'll also check in with Kyle Zwieg and Liesel Eschweiler Lavery, who will share how preserving their land with TPC has not only positively impact their family, but the entire community. And, you'll learn about some exciting new projects for 2021!
Michael is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Humorist, Singer/Songwriter and Intermittent Pig Farmer who will tell stories of life on the farm from New Auburn, Wisconsin. He also produces the popular audio newsletter “Michael Perry’s Voice Mail,” hosts the nationally-syndicated “Tent Show Radio,” and performs widely as a humorist.
|
Every two years, the DNR reviews, updates, and publishes the "Impaired Waters List" (often called the "303(d) list"). The Clean Water Act requires states to submit an impaired waters list and surface water quality report by April 1 of even-numbered years. This year, 2021, is the second year of the biennial surface water quality assessment two-year cycle.
During the first year of the assessment cycle the listing methodology is updated, the public has a chance to comment on the updates and the public is asked to submit any water quality data they would like used in the assessments.
During the second year the assessments are done, the regional DNR biologists review the draft list, the public has the opportunity to comment on the draft list and DNR staff write a report on the state of the state's surface waters.
During the assessment process, the public is given three opportunities to participate.
Learn More: Surface Water Quality Assessment Process
|
Wisconsin Salt Wise is hosting a free, online Smart Salting for Roads training on either Thursday, February 11 or Thursday, February 23. Join managers, applicators and others involved in the world of winter maintenance to learn about simple practices that can save you time, budget and protect our waters. Municipalities that have attended previous trainings have cut salt use by 30-70% without impacting public safety. The training will be co-taught with public works staff.
February 23 – Smart Salting for WI Roads
The training will cover:
- best management practices to keep paved surfaces safe,
- benefits of transitioning to liquids (anti-icing, prewetting and pretreated salts),
- guidance on how to determine the right amount of salt to use, and
- case studies from Wisconsin communities
All workshops will be led by Fortin Consulting. Visit the WI Salt Wise website for more information or to register.
Contact Allison Madison, allisonm@madsewer.org with questions.
The Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) Tier 1 Storm Water Associated with Industrial Activity (WI-S067849-5) and Tier 2 Storm Water Associated with Industrial Activity (WI-S067857-5) general permits are tentatively proposed to be reissued. The DNR will accept written comments until Feb. 12, 2021. Comments may be submitted electronically to DNRSWPermits@wisconsin.gov or mailed to: Suzan Limberg – WT/3, Wisconsin DNR, 101 S. Webster St., P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.
The documents (Public Notice of Intent, draft permits and fact sheets) are available here: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Wastewater/PublicNotices.html.
Storm water discharges to waters of the state from certain industrial activities in the categories listed below may be covered by the corresponding general permits. These proposed general permits contain requirements specified under ch. NR 216, Wis. Adm. Code. Chapter NR 216 states how storm water from industrial operations can be discharged so that waters of the state will be protected. These proposed general permits will apply to discharges to waters of the state throughout the state.
The general permits proposed for reissuance are as follows:
- Tier 1 Storm Water Associated with Industrial Activity (WI-S067849-5) - The Tier 1 general permit covers the industrial activity listed in s. NR 216.21(2)(a), Wis. Adm. Code, including a variety of "heavy" type industries and bulk storage facilities.
- Tier 2 Storm Water Associated with Industrial Activity (WI-S067857-5) - The Tier 2 general permit covers the industrial activity listed in s. NR 216.21(2)(b), Wis. Adm. Code, including a variety of "light" industries, certain transportation facilities, mining operations, steam electric generating facilities, cement product manufacturers, and asphalt paving mix facilities.
|
DNR Wastewater Permit - 2021 Update
Looking forward to the 2021 permit year, the following Wisconsin wastewater (WPDES) permits are scheduled to be reissued this year with new TMDL-based effluent limits:
- Six minor industrial permits
- 3 in the Kinnickinnick,
- 2 in the Menomonee, and
- 1 in the Milwaukee watersheds, respectively.
- Four municipal POTW permits in the Milwaukee watershed
Previously, we shared the following progress for data from January 2016 - August 2020:
- 46% of monthly Total Phosphorus Waste-load Allocations are being met, on average.
- 86% of monthly Total Suspended Solids Waste-load Allocations are being met, on average.
These numbers are all inclusive - with zero-loads excluded from total.
|
Grant Information
Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water (UNPS & SW) Planning Grant applications for planning projects beginning in 2022 are now available on the Department of Natural Resources’ UNPS & SW webpage.
Cities, villages, towns, counties, regional planning commissions, tribal governments and special purpose lake, sewage, or sanitary districts have until April 15, 2021 to submit applications for 2022 planning projects. UNPS & SW construction grant applications will not be solicited in 2021 but will be solicited again in 2022.
This grant program offers local governments competitive grants to control pollution that is carried by storm water runoff from diffuse urban sources. The grants reimburse costs of planning projects that control this type of pollution. Eligible planning projects include:
- Storm water management planning for urban areas
- Preparation of local ordinances affecting storm water discharge (construction site or post-construction erosion control, pet waste or illicit discharge management)
- Evaluating alternatives for local financing of urban runoff control programs
- Administrative costs for the initial establishment of local storm water management funding programs
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination program planning
- Public information and education activities
The DNR and UW-Madison Division of Extension will host a UNPS Application Webinar 1 – 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2021. The webinar offers an overview of the UNPS-Planning grant program, what's changed since the last grant cycle and what makes a good planning project.
Register in advance for the webinar here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Starting January 12th, 2021, we invite public, not-for-profit, and private sector organizations within eligible municipalities to apply for funding from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) to create new rain gardens, bioswales, green roofs, and a variety of techniques that help capture and harness rain and melting snow.
The program offers incentive funding on a per-gallon-captured, reimbursement basis for green infrastructure strategies designed to capture and clean water where it falls. Applications are scored based on an established set of criteria focused on the applicant’s ability and commitment to implement, maintain, and promote their project. MMSD is seeking partners that will foster the acceptance and implementation of green infrastructure as a viable means of managing water where it falls
The Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) program is soliciting proposals to benefit fish, wildlife, habitat and water quality in the Great Lakes basin. The program will award approximately $8.5 million in grants in 2021 to improve and enhance: 1) stream, riparian and coastal habitats; 2) water quality in the Great Lakes and its tributaries, including a focal area within Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan Watershed. Details about this funding opportunity are provided in the Request for Proposals. The submission deadline for pre-proposals is February 16, 2021 Additional application information is available at www.nfwf.org/greatlakes.
In 2021, grant funding will be awarded in six categories:
- Restore and Enhance Stream and Riparian Habitat
- Restore and Enhance Coastal Habitats
- Expand Green Stormwater Infrastructure in Great Lakes Communities
- Maintain and Enhance Benefits of Habitat Restoration through Invasive Species Control
- Restore and Preserve Natural Areas and Biodiversity in Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan Watershed
- New in 2021: Accelerate Implementation of Conservation Practices and Regenerative Agriculture on Working Lands
To be eligible for funding, projects must occur within the Great Lakes basin. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and state, tribal and local governments.
|
|
