MFAI>>Work>>Farm & Food Education>>Whole Farm Workshops

All workshops held at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute unless otherwise specified.

Soil 101
This workshop focuses on the physical properties of soil and how soil is impacted by the addition of organic matter and tillage. Special emphasis is placed on problem solving.
  Farmer Faculty: Jim Stute – Crops & Soils Educator at UW Extension Rock Co.
  February 5 from 9:00am – Noon $40 Register

Soil Sample Analysis
We focus on interpreting a soil sample report and using the information to design a soil fertility program. (This class is a follow up to Soil 101, but anyone with soil sample results is welcome to register.)
  Farmer Faculty: Jim Stute – Crops & Soils Educator at UW Extension Rock Co.
  February 5 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm $40 Register

Biological Gardening through Soil Enrichment
How to analyze and accelerate the soil using a systems approach is explained with local soil samples. The workshop includes a description of Biological Gardening and how to implement this system of growing nutrient-dense produce.
  Farmer Faculty: Tim Williams – Midwestern Bio-Ag Staff Consultant
  February 6 from 9am-noon $40 Register

MFAI Hosts: Food Safety for Market Farms
Get practical information and useful tips on helping ensure the safety and quality of the fresh fruits and vegetables you take to market at this day-long workshop. Receive the latest updates and useful resources to help you navigate state and federal food safety programs and regulations in this session geared toward small-scale fresh produce growers.
  Farmer Faculty: Presenters include University specialists, USDA food safety inspectors, and growers who are food safety certified
  February 10 from 9:00am – 4:00pm Register through the USDA

MFAI Hosts: Working Lands Initiative for Farmers
Join us for discussion of some Wisconsin programs available to farmers including farmland preservation tax credits for landowners. The statewide purchase of agricultural conservation easement grant program (PACE) and the agricultural enterprise area (AEA) program are reviewed.
  Farmer Faculty: Lisa Schultz and Vicki Elkin, Dept. of Agriculture, Trade, & Consumer Protection
  February 11 from 9:00am-Noon Free, but registration is required. Register

Greenhouse Management for the Market Gardener
The lecture covers fundamental principles of greenhouse management. Topics include light, temperature, ventilation, timing, soil, containers, fertilizing and space requirements. Alternatives and techniques for saving energy are also discussed.
  MFAI Faculty: Janet Gamble, Farm & Food Education Director
  February 12 from 9:00am – Noon $40 Register

Managing Organic Matter
Exploring organic matter and understanding how it influences soil health and fertility will be the topic of this three–hour workshop. Sustainable farming strives for long–term profitability by maintaining quality soils that can provide long–term stable yields. The key to quality soil health is in the quantity of organic matter it contains.
  MFAI Faculty: Dr. Walter Goldstein – Crop & Soil Research Director
  February 12 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm $40 Register

Pest & Disease Management/Solanaceous
Take an in–depth look at pest problems as they relate to crops in the Solanaceous family. Participants learn strategies for dealing with disease and pest problems in potatoes, eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes.
  Farmer Faculty: Dr. Erin Silva – Organic Specialist, Dr. Amanda Gevens, Plant Pathologist, Dr. Russ Groves – Entomologist, all from UW-Madison
  February 19 from 9:00am – Noon $40 Register

Starting a Pig CSA
Share our experiences in starting a pork Community Supported Agriculture program. We discuss the overall structure of our pork CSA program, how we market it and some of the questions that have come up. We also talk about communications with CSA members, how we raise our pigs and some of the challenges we had in our first season.
  Farmer Faculty: Jeff & Jen Miller, Dea Dia Organics
  February 20 from 9:00am-Noon $40 Register

Innovative Farmers’ Market Models
Learn about time saving farmers’ market approaches for market growers. Fueled by a growing desire for locally gown foods, farmers markets have seen a remarkable 84% growth over the last decade. While often an excellent opportunity for small-scale growers, farmers markets also require significant time, marketing and planning efforts that often place a strain on farmers and farmers’ market managers. The Innovative Farmers’ Market Report highlights innovative market models that hold many of the benefits of traditional farmers markets while gaining some of the efficiencies of time and marketing offered by other sales methods. A brief overview of theses models will be presented.
  Farmer Faculty: John Hall, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Amy Bruner Zimmerman, Green Link Consulting
  March 5 from 9:00am – Noon $40 Register

Managing Weeds for Vegetable Production
Vegetable producers gain new strategies for weed management in a diversified operation. Learn from an experienced farmer how to develop a comprehensive look at challenges and solutions for managing weed problems in agriculture.
  Farmer Faculty: Mike Noltnerwyss – Primrose Community Farm
  March 5 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm $40 Register

Managing and Marketing a Meat CSA
Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm is a diversified small–scale livestock operation. The farm utilizes a multi–species grazing approach incorporating beef, poultry and pork into the operation. In this workshop, participants gain an understanding of the organization and management of their 250 share meat CSA and learn the marketing techniques that have helped them succeed.
  Farmer Faculty: Beth Osmund – Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm
  March 6 from 9:00am-Noon $40 Register

Tractor Safety I
This workshop is geared for those who have purchased or are planning to purchase farm equipment to operate on their farm. Participants learn basic safety rules and operational procedures. There is also a discussion focused on purchasing equipment.
  Farmer Faculty: Les Niles, Independent Agronomic Consultant for Specialty Crops, Vegetable Crops, Row Crops and Forages
  March 13 from 9:00am – Noon $40 Register

Getting Organized for Organic Certification
Do you find yourself daunted with the task of becoming Organic Certified? No more worries. This course will ease your transition into a certified organic operation with the guidance of an organic inspector, educator, and long time organic farmer. Learn the details of successful organic production as well as organic certification requirements. This course will help you develop the organic systems and organizational skills you will need to manage your certified organic farm.
  Farmer Faculty: Harriet Behar – MOSES Organic Specialist
  March 19 from 10:00am – 4:00pm $80 Register

Introduction to Beekeeping
Learn the basics of beekeeping care and maintenance. Find out about how to site a hive, basic beekeeping equipment, hive management skills, marketing your products and your initial start–up costs. Visit the hives (weather permitting) at Michael Fields.
  Farmer Faculty: Petra Ahnert, WI Honey Cooperative and Dan O’Leary, MFAI beekeeper
  March 20 from 9:00am-Noon $40 Register

Berry’licious
This workshop offers an introduction to strawberry, raspberry and currant production. There are hands–on components that include pruning, thinning, fertilizing and propagating. Participants will be able to take home their own currant bush and raspberries.
  MFAI Faculty: Janet Gamble, Farm & Food Education Director
  March 26 from 9:00am – 2:00pm $60 Register

Tractor Safety II
Get out into the field and onto the tractors to apply the information you learned in part I of Tractor Safety. Participants will practice procedures for driving, hooking–up and taking off implements in the field.
  Farmer Faculty: Les Niles, Independent Agronomic Consultant for Specialty Crops, Vegetable Crops, Row Crops and Forages
  April 10 from 9:00am – Noon (rain date is April 24) $40 Register

Grant Writing
Need money to help organize a farmers' market, start or expand an on-farm business, conduct research or start a community garden? Resources are out there if you know where to look, and how to ask. This workshop is designed to help you find grant money and write grant proposals in an effective way.
  MFAI Faculty: Margaret Krome – Public Policy Director
  April 16 from 9:00am-Noon $40 Register

Soap Making
Goat milk soap will not only make your skin soft and beautiful but will add value to your farm based enterprise. Join Tracey Hall in a morning of exploration through soap making techniques, benefits of hand made soaps, and marketing strategies.
  Farmer Faculty: Tracey Hall – Grace Note Farm & Roseberry Soaps
  April 23 from 9:00am – 2:00pm $60 Register

Introduction to Biodynamic Agriculture
Join us for an introduction to the comprehensive ecological methods behind the Biodynamic farming movement inspired by Rudolf Steiner. We'll explore the farm, learning how soils, plants, animals, and people together form a dynamic living organism. Hands-on activities will include preparation-making, applications to compost and fields, plant observations, and learning how to use planetary calendars. Angelic Organics' own Farmer John will discuss the inspiration, evolution, and vision of this farm, as well as his experiences visiting Biodynamic farms around the world. Please bring your own lunch. WORKSHOP HELD AT ANGELIC ORGANICS LEARNING CENTER 1547 Rockton Rd. Caledonia, IL 61011
  Farmer Faculty: Co-hosted with Angelic Organics Learning Center and Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
  May 22 from 9:00am – 5:00pm $80 Angelic Organics is handling registration here

Dairy Processing
We will begin by meeting Tracey Hall from Grace Note Farm. Tracey will bring fresh goat’s milk to the kitchen and share her knowledge on making a variety of goat milk products such as Chevre, Yogurt, and Ricotta.
  Farmer Faculty: Tracey Hall – Grace Note Farm
  June 11 from 9:00am – 2:00pm $60 Register

Managing Cover Crops Profitably
Join us to cover the basic principles of cover cropping including uses, species selection and management.
  Farmer Faculty: Jim Stute – Crops & Soils Educator at UW Extension Rock Co.
  August 20 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm $40 Register

Soil Sampling Basics
This hands–on workshop explores the theory and practical aspects of getting representative soil samples.
  Farmer Faculty: Jim Stute – Crops & Soils Educator at UW Extension Rock Co.
  October 23 from 9:00am – Noon $40 Register

Online registration is now available. Find out more about our Farmer Faculty. You may also register by mail by indicating your workshop choices and sending a check to:

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
W2493 County Rd ES
PO Box 990
East Troy, WI 53120
Phone: 262-642-3303
Fax: 262-642-4028

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a public, non-profit institute for education and research in sustainable agriculture, which admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin.