Contact: Laura Paine 608-224-5120
MADISON – Three workshops for veterinarians and dairy support professionals interested in the growing organic dairy sector are planned across the state in February and March. “Organic Dairy 101: A Workshop for Dairy Support Professionals” will focus on dairy herd health for veterinarians and other dairy farmer advisors. In addition, the state of Minnesota is offering four general organic dairy sessions January through March in Minnesota.
“Wisconsin leads the nation in organic milk production and is home to about one fourth of the nation’s organic dairy cows,” said Laura Paine, organic and grazing specialist at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. “We’re hoping organic farmers will invite their veterinarians to participate to learn about this rapidly growing dairy sector.”
All workshops will run from 9:30 to 3:30 on the following dates at these locations in Wisconsin:
Feb. 6 – Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Madison
Feb. 22 – Radisson Hotel, La Crosse (in conjunction with the Midwest Organic Farming conference)
March 13 – American Legion Hall, Loyal
Training will emphasize scientific understanding as well as practical experience. Topics at these daylong professional development workshops include:
– An overview of organic dairy in the state based on research conducted by the University of Wisconsin Program on Agricultural Technology Studies
– A Toolbox for Managing Animal Health in Organic Systems
– Treatments and Disease Management on Wisconsin Organic Dairy Farms
– A panel of farmers
Presenters will vary by location and feature local experts, including certified dairy producers, regionally and nationally-known experts.
The Wisconsin workshops cost $30 per person and include lunch; late registration $40. For a brochure and registration form visit www.cias.wisc.edu/organic_farming or call 608-224-5120.
Minnesota’s general organic dairy sessions will be held:
– Jan. 17 in St. Cloud
– Feb. 5 in Marshall
– March 25 in Rochester
– March 27 in McIntosh
Organic Dairy 101 for Dairy Support Professionals is sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; the University of Wisconsin Extension Service; the Minnesota Department of Agriculture; the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota and numerous local partners. Funding is provided through a grant from the North Central Region SARE Professional Development Program and the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota, with assistance from Minnesota Dairy Initiative regional teams.
