WIRED Agriculture Sector

WIRED Agriculture Projects

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection

The Future Fields Initiative builds and delivers job readiness and search services to farmers in need of non-farm opportunities.  The WIRED investment supports the establishment of local, sustainable peer networks of community resources to assist farmers and also support volunteer training and materials for on-farm delivery of services. 

Learn more at www.datcp.state.wi.us

Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition

The Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition (MACSAC) Peer Network delivers coordinated training, resource sharing and networking opportunities to direct market growers.  Network members participate in Farm Field Days, Grower Gatherings, farmer-led mentorships and one-on-one consultations.  The WIRED investment enabled expansion of these opportunities and created alignments with technical college training programs.  The REAP food group (www.REAPFoodGroup.org) is a collaborator.

Learn more at www.macsac.org

Southwest Community Action Program

The Agriculture & Agri-Business Peer Network links member farmers with economic development experts, education providers, entrepreneurs and businesses. Training is delivered through a combination of web-enhanced technologies and hybrid delivery methods.  Collaborators include UW-Madison, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Madison College, Iowa County Extension, Southwest Regional Planning, Heartwood Farm and Renaissance Farm.

Learn more at www.swcap.org/

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Annie’s Project empowers women to become better farm managers through training and local support networks.  With WIRED funds, the program added risk management and entrepreneurship training.  Collaborators include University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Blackhawk Technical College, UW Center for Dairy Profitability, and the First National Bank of Platteville.

Learn more at www.swtc.edu

University of Wisconsin-Madison

WIRED’s investment in the Beginning Dairy program expanded the offerings of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Farm and Industry Short Course to include business planning coursework, mentoring and distance education.  The investment also supported the development of a classroom facilitator guidebook for sustainability of the distance education delivery model.  Collaborators include Organic Valley, Farm Service Agency, UW-Extension, UW-Platteville and Town and Country Resource Conservation and Development, Inc.

Learn more at www.wisc.edu