A stream runs through a lush farm field on a sunny day.

Partnering with Wisconsin farmers to solve water quality challenges through research, collaboration, and education.

Celebrating 25 Years of Discovery Farms

Latest Articles

Grassed Waterways Protect Soil and Water in Kewaunee County

Grassed Waterways Protect Soil and Water in Kewaunee County

Areas where the natural topography causes runoff water to come together in a temporary stream are particularly vulnerable. Grassed waterways are a classic conservation practice that can help protect these sensitive areas while safely moving water off the field.

From Survey to Strategies: Tailoring Programs to Address Non-Point Source Contamination​

From Survey to Strategies: Tailoring Programs to Address Non-Point Source Contamination​

This article shares highlights from a social indicator survey project designed to understand the level of farmers’ self-perceptions of their ability to improve water quality and major programming and incentive needs from farmers to change farming practices.

Wider Windows for Manure Application

Wider Windows for Manure Application

The 360 RAIN system allows for leachate and manure spreading while a crop is growing to uptake the nutrients during warmer, drier months. Opening up the summer spreading window has the potential to improve water quality risks as well as take the pressure off spreading large amounts of manure in the non-growing season.

News

Wisconsin Water and Soil Health Conference Returns December 15–16, Offers 90 Scholarships for First-Time Farmer Attendees

Wisconsin Water and Soil Health Conference Returns December 15–16, Offers 90 Scholarships for First-Time Farmer Attendees

The Wisconsin Water and Soil Health (WWASH) Conference returns December 15–16, 2026, at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI.

How to Improve Groundwater Quality in Potato Systems Field Day – August 25 in Custer

How to Improve Groundwater Quality in Potato Systems Field Day – August 25 in Custer

Learn about interseeding cover crops and the most recent UW–Madison research on promising practices and water quality monitoring at the Potato Field Day August 25 in Custer, WI.

Who are we?

The Agriculture Water Quality Program helps to address the water quality challenges facing agricultural producers in Wisconsin. Our Program adds support and structure for collaborations and initiatives to conduct research and education to improve water quality related to agricultural production for farmers, crop advisors, and conservation professionals.

We build on the research, knowledge, and experience of faculty and staff in Extension that have been working on this issue, including Extension’s very successful Discovery Farms® Program.

Contact our Extension Agriculture Water Quality Program team at agwater@extension.wisc.edu