WICST EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH 2001 and 2002

As in previous years we used the WICST trials as an excellent visual tool to demonstrate and discuss issues of sustainability such as crop rotation, environmental stewardship, economic sustainability, and bio-diversity.  In addition to field tours, we have disseminated the WICST research to local and regional events and scientific meetings.  Table 1 summarizes the outreach and educational activities for WICST in 2001 and 2002. 

On-station.  Several groups of students visited the WICST plots for hands-on learning throughout the growing seasons of 2001 and 2002.  For example, WICST helped sponsor the annual Science field day for 250 DeForest 8th graders in early autumn.  This was an interactive hands-on field day enjoyed by all.  Students moved among five different stops, which included presentations and activities on soil profile descriptions, groundwater and soil water movement, rainfall simulation and soil erosion, soil bio-diversity and crop production and nitrogen.  Each student had to collect data, which was later used for future discussion, quizzes and exams in the classroom. 

Other activities included Prairies Jubilee Field Day and several Agronomy Field Days at Arlington.  WICST helped sponsor Prairies Jubilee Field Day with the Madison Audubon Society, which attracted an audience of over 500 people.  A poster was presented describing WICST prairie restoration efforts.  Two presentations were given at the 2001 Agronomy Field day on economic and environmental aspects of the systems and our display board was setup inside with other data.  Four oral presentations and four posters were presented at the 2002 Agronomy Field Day including work on prairie establishment on the WICST plots, leaching of agricultural chemicals into tile drains, economics of expanding corn-soybean rotation and yield and yield variability, earthworm populations in different cropping systems, and a 10-year energy summary on WICST. 

Field tours were given several times a year to several groups including extension agents, local farmers, and UW students and foreign visitors.

In June, a field day called ‘Your Farm Your Future’ was organized at the Elkhorn site in an effort to raise awareness on important farming issues.  This was dual celebration of the 150 anniversary of the farm and the 100^th anniversary of 4H.  Posters were displayed and project staff was on hand for discussion with attendees as well as other family events.

Local/Regional.  WISCT participated in the Food For Thought Festival in downtown Madison in both years.  We set up a display to inform the audience about agricultural practices and effects on soils and water and food quality.  Seven presentations (both oral and poster) were also given at the ASA, CSSA, SSSA meetings in Charolette, NC and two at the Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference in LaCrosse.  Dissemination of WICST efforts was also to state and federal agencies such as USDA-ARS, NRCS and DATCP.  On campus, WICST data was shared at the Agronomy Colloquium to faculty, staff and students.

Table 1.  Educational and Outreach Activity Listing for WICST

In collaboration with CIAS, we now a website developed about WICST and all of its spin-off projects.  This is a collection of past and present projects and data from WICST.  See www.wisc.edu/cias/wicst.  We hope this will reach the greatest audience of all.

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