|
|
|
|
| Home | What is a Foodshed? | Farms | Articles | Directory | Atlas | Links | About | Contact | Site Map | |||
|
University Centers and Programs |
|||
University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives (UWCC)The University of Wisconsin’s Center for Cooperatives’ (UWCC) mission is to study and promote cooperative action as a means of meeting the economic and social needs of people. The Center works in rural and urban settings in the United States and internationally. It develops, promotes, and coordinates educational programs, technical assistance and research on the cooperative form of business. The UWCC serves as facilitator for faculty and staff within the University System who have educational, research and extension activities involving cooperatives. Contact: Greg Lawless Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS)The Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) is the sustainable agriculture research center at the University of Wisconsin’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The center was created in 1989 to build UW sustainable agriculture research programs that involve farmers and citizens in setting research agendas. CIAS fosters activities in several areas: regional food systems, grazing-based dairy systems, and research combining the biological and social sciences. The regional food systems program emphasizes value-added marketing, alternative agricultural opportunities for small- to mid-size farms, and improving the food system to make it more sustainable, secure, and just. Contacts: Steve Stevenson, John Hendrickson Madison Food System Project (MFSP)The Madison Food System Project (MFSP) works to inform citizens and public officials about the Madison area and Dane County food system. Project goals are to: (1) to increase understanding and awareness of how the food system functions in Madison and Dane County, (2) to establish partnerships and collaboration between Madison area community groups, university faculty, and students to research and take action towards a food system that is healthful, sustainable, and just for all residents of the county, and (3) to develop specific strategies for improving food security for low-income residents of Dane County. The MFSP partners with numerous non-profit organizations on research and action projects. Contact: Mark Stevens, Jerry Kaufman, or
Marsha Caton-Campbell Program on Agricultural Technology Studies (PATS)The Program on Agricultural Technology Studies conducts research and outreach to ensure that the future of Wisconsin includes a strong agricultural economy that is supportive of family farming, of the role of farm families in strengthening rural communities, and of land stewardship. PATS researchers use surveys and input from farmers and citizens to assess the social and economic implications of technologies and public policies for Wisconsin’s family farmers. In this way, Wisconsin’s family farmers are provided a voice in important technology and policy developments. PATS publishes research reports on technology assessment, expansion trends, structural changes in agriculture, agricultural biotech issues, farmers’ environmental attitudes and practices, land use policies, farm transfer, and other topics. Contact: Douglas Jackson-Smith, Brad Barham,
Co-Directors The Wisconsin Food System Partnership (WFSP)The Wisconsin Food System Partnership is a project of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The project links university faculty and students with community farm and food organizations. The project has worked in four different areas: (1) providing support to community organizations in order to develop partnerships with University faculty, (2) promoting K-12 science education, (3) developing a community scholars program (service learning) for University undergraduates, and (4) working within the College of Agriculture to increase involvement with underserved constituents, such as lower-income residents and agricultural workers. Contact: Ken Shapiro Wisconsin Integrated Cropping System TrialsThe Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial is a long-term research project (begun in 1989) comparing the productivity, profitability, and environmental impacts of a range of cropping systems. Our question: can increasing the diversity of cropping systems (the number of crops included in a rotation) allow a reduction in purchased chemical inputs? By diversifying, can we reduce potential negative environmental impacts of agriculture while maintaining or increasing profitability and productivity? The six systems studied range from a high-input monoculture to a low-input cash grain system and several forage rotations. WICST has extensive data on yields, weeds, nitrate leaching, energy use, profitability, soil nutrient levels, soil biodiversity, etc. Contacts: Josh Posner |
 |
 |
Foodshed Directory
|
|