Growing Wisconsin’s Grazing Future: Results of the Blue Sky Greener Pastures Consultation Process

Posted July 2012

For a wide variety of economic, environmental and social reasons, it makes good sense to regard the practice of managed grazing as an effective system for strengthening dairy and livestock farming in Wisconsin. The UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) partnered with GrassWorks, Inc. to develop a statewide, participatory discussion about managed grazing that they called “Blue Sky Greener Pastures” (BSGP). Funded by the UW-Madison Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, the objective of the project was to generate new initiatives and imaginative ideas (Blue Sky) to extend managed grazing and its benefits (Greener Pastures) to more producers, businesses, educators, consumers and communities.

This report synthesizes the discussions from the BSGP regional listening sessions. The analysis is organized around six recurring themes: education for established graziers, education for beginning and transitioning farmers, networking, research, marketing and policy.

Download Growing Wisconsin’s Grazing Future (PDF)

Wisconsin Farm to School Summit

Register now for the Wisconsin Farm to School Summit in La Crosse on June 26th and 27th. This event will showcase current farm to school efforts across the state, as well as new resources for farm to school practitioners and advocates. Information and online registration

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CIAS in the community

CIAS works with Driftless Region partners on emerging forest crops

CIAS is working with Rooted Spoon Culinary, New Forest Farm, the Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative and the Midwest Aronia Association on the production, processing and marketing of three forest crops: hazelnuts, aronia and wild mushrooms. These forest products can help chefs create locally-sourced signature dishes, and can help landowners supplement and diversify their income. A June 27 workshop will connect growers with Driftless Region chefs interested in purchasing and using these crops. More information here.

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