Discovery Farms
Discovery Farms
Discovery Farms® is a farmer-led research and outreach program within UW-Madison Division of Extension.
We conduct studies on private farms across Wisconsin to better understand the complex relationships between agricultural practices and water quality. We partner with farmers, county land conservation departments, and the US Geological Survey to gather credible and unbiased water quality data from monitored sites.
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Our Mission
Research
Discovery Farms works with a wide range of agricultural enterprises to determine the environmental impacts of production agriculture, and what various farms contribute in terms of environmental enhancement or degradation. We maintain a reliable database that includes not only environmental data, but management practices and financial conditions that allow for determining the cost of implementing environmentally sound practices.
Outreach
We partner with the Agriculture Water Quality Program and connect with agricultural producer groups; environmental groups; consumers, the University of Wisconsin; Division of Extension; the Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection; the Department of Natural Resources; the Natural Resources Conservation Service; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; County Land Conservation Departments; and agricultural businesses and cooperatives.
Farmer-Led
Discovery Farms is governed by a Steering Committee. This farmer-led group identifies program priorities and participates in the selection of research locations. Duties of the Steering Committee do not stop at the board meeting door. Farmer leadership is a crucial component of Discovery Farms. The Steering Committee, as well as farmer cooperators, stay involved year-round.
