Wisconsin's seven NRCS Demonstration Farm Networks showcase the best, leading-edge conservation practices to reduce phosphorus and sediment from entering watersheds vital to our nation's drinking water supply.
NRCS Demonstration Farm Networks showcase the best, leading-edge conservation practices to reduce phosphorus and sediment from entering watersheds vital to our nation's drinking water supply. There are seven demonstration farm networks exist across Wisconsin, each comprised of conservation and soil health-minded farmers leading the way in partnership with local agencies and NRCS. These networks of farms are demonstrating new approaches and sharing experiences with other farmers to move conservation forward to protect the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River Basin. These network farmers demonstrate that soil health practices like no-till, cover crops and low disturbance manure applications can work with the right management and time frames. Demonstration Farms are trying new practices and approaches to existing practices that farms can implement on the ground, where NRCS offers assistance to make their goals reachable. Networks also offer field days and opportunities for farmer-to-farmer interactions.
Mississippi River Basin Initiative Demo Farms Networks
Dane Demo Farms Network
BRAND NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2023, Dane Demo Farms is a network of farmers that demonstrate and research leading edge conservation practices that improve water quality and soil health throughout Dane County. Their efforts help reduce nutrients and sediment from entering our waters and build healthy soil. The partnership is the first of its kind in the Mississippi River basin and currently consists of three farmers within Dane County, their crop consultants, Dane County Land & Water Resources Department, the University of Wisconsin - Madison Division of Extension, and NRCS.
Mississippi River Basin Initiative - Wisconsin
Through the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watershed Initiative (MRBI), NRCS and its partners help producers in selected watersheds voluntarily implement conservation practices that control nutrient runoff, improve wildlife habitat, and maintain agricultural pro
Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative
The Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watershed Initiative (MRBI) is accelerating voluntary, on-farm conservation investments and focused water quality monitoring and assessment resources in the Mississippi River watershed.
Great Lakes Restorative Initiative Demo Farms Networks
Between the Lakes Demo Farms Network
Northeastern Wisconsin’s Manitowoc-Sheboygan Watershed is home to a network of farms demonstrating the best conservation practices to protect water sources that flow into the Great Lakes. Calumet County Land and Water Conservation and the NRCS are tackling this effort in partnership with Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Manitowoc counties. These farmers are demonstrating conservation practices and systems used to reduce non-point source pollution. The network highlights implementing traditional conservation practices that protect water quality, while also trying and highlighting new technologies on participating farms.
Door-Kewaunee Watershed Demo Farms Network
Northeastern Wisconsin’s Door-Kewaunee Watershed is home to a network of farms demonstrating the best conservation practices to protect the Great Lakes. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the NRCS are tackling this effort in cooperation with Peninsula Pride Farms, a farmer-led organization. Groundwater and surface water quality are top priorities for the farmers of this network, who contend with shallow, fractured bedrock that can provide a direct path for contaminants to groundwater.
Green Bay West Shore Demonstration Farms Network
The NRCS and Oconto County Land & Water Conservation Department, in partnership with Marinette and Shawano counties, have entered an agreement to launch a new network, the Green Bay West Shore Demonstration Farm Network. This is the sixth Demonstration Farm Network in Wisconsin that NRCS has collaborated with conservation partners to establish. The new partnership will support a network of farms demonstrating the best conservation practices to reduce phosphorus and sediment into local water sources that flow into the Great Lakes. The network will demonstrate proven traditional and new, innovative conservation practices on farms that are both viable and sustainable for farm owners and the environment.
Lower Fox Demonstration Farms Network
The Lower Fox Demonstration Farms Network (“Fox Demo Farms”) is an off-site project designed to showcase and demonstrate leading edge conservation practices that improve Great Lakes water quality by reducing phosphorus and sediment from entering Green Bay and Lake Michigan. The partnership was the first of its kind in the Great Lakes region and within the Fox River Basin. Partners include farmers, their crop consultants, Brown and Outagamie County Land and Water Conservation Departments, the NRCS, University of Wisconsin–Extension and the Great Lakes Commission.
Ozaukee Demonstration Farms Network
Ozaukee County is home to a network of Demonstration Farms that are trying and demonstrating the best conservation practices to protect the Great Lakes by reducing phosphorus and sediment from entering Lake Michigan through Sauk Creek, Sucker Creek and the Milwaukee River. Ozaukee County Land and Water Management and the NRCS are tackling this effort in cooperation with Clean Farm Families, a farmer-led conservation organization. Major focuses are improving soil health and condition, encouraging innovative land management that reduces costs and increases profits and improving the conservation systems used to reduce non-point source pollution. Network farmers are working to keep ground and surface water clean to protect local streams and rivers feeding the Great Lakes.
Upper Fox-Wolf Demonstration Farms Network
Waupaca County is home to a network of farms demonstrating conservation practices to protect the Great Lakes. Waupaca County Land and Water Conservation and the NRCS are tackling this effort in partnership with Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, and Winnebago counties and the Green Lake Association. This large partnership is testing the effectiveness of current conservation systems used to reduce non-point source pollution. The network will demonstrate to farmers and the public that the right combination of traditional conservation practices and other new, innovative technologies functioning on the landscape can produce viable and sustainable economic and environmental benefits.
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - Wisconsin
Since 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has served as a catalyst for unprecedented federal agency coordination to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world.
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Since 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has served as a catalyst for unprecedented federal agency coordination to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world.
NRCS Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Priority Watersheds Maps
On this page find general and detailed maps of USDA NRCS Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Priority Watersheds.
