Each year, agricultural producers consider how to make the most of their land and other resources in order to optimize farm yields, profits, and sustainability. Many factors influence how farmers determine their crop mix, whether to plant cover or perennial crops, and what the most productive uses are for manure and agricultural residues, which can be used either as fertilizer or as raw materials for new bio-based energy and other products.
Join us via Zoom on Tuesday, November 11 at 4:30 p.m. CT as our expert panel explores how these decisions are made as well as emerging opportunities to advance farm efficiency, environmental stewardship, and a circular bioeconomy.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Click here to register.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a barrier free campus and is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. If you need an accommodation for this event please let us know by emailing outreach@energy.wisc.edu or calling 608-890-0946. Requests made with less than 3 weeks’ notice will be honored when possible.
Moderator
Sarah Lloyd, Food Systems Scientist, UW-Madison
Sarah Lloyd farms with her husband Nels Nelson outside Wisconsin Dells. She works off-farm as a value chain coordinator for the University of Minnesota Forever Green Initiative and the Grassland 2.0 Project. Lloyd also does work on development for the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative (WFHC), the farmer-led cooperative founded in 2012 focusing on fresh local and regional produce, owned by the farmers and the Wisconsin Farmers Union. Lloyd has a PhD in Rural Sociology from UW-Madison and a Masters in Rural Development from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. She is president of the Columbia County Farmers Union and president of the board of the Wormfarm Institute, a non-profit organization that works at the intersection of arts and agriculture.
Panelists
Tara Greiman, Director of Conservation and Stewardship, Wisconsin Farmers Union
Tara Greiman is the Wisconsin Farmers Union director of conservation and stewardship. In this role, she connects the many conservation-focused projects of the WFU to help promote win-win scenarios that benefit farmers and the ecological communities around them. This includes working in water protection, soil health management, renewable energy system work, and uplifting how responsible farmers are protecting their communities and environment. She also works with state partners, rural town boards, and local WFU chapters to promote the policy created by WFU members to promote responsible renewable energy transition that enhances rather than extracts from rural communities. A former shepherd and fiber farmer, Greiman has a degree from the University of Minnesota Morris in environmental studies and psychology. Greiman lives in Pierce county Wisconsin.
Joe Bragger, Bragger Family Dairy, president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation
Joe Bragger farms with his wife, Noel, and brother, Dan Bragger, along with a dedicated team of employees. Bragger Family Dairy maintains a herd of 300 dairy cows and 32,000 pullets. The family also grow 1,400 acres of crops consisting of corn, corn silage, alfalfa, soybeans, winter rye and malting barley. In 2011, the Bragger family received the Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award, which recognizes those who inspire other landowners and help the public understand the vital role that private landowners can play in conservation success. Joe also was recognized as the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association’s Conservation Farmer of the Year and was recognized by the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association’s for environmental stewardship. Joe Bragger serves as president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation where he's been on the Board of Directors since 2010. Joe also is the President of the Rural Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors. Joe has served on many committees and organizations including: Past treasurer, president-elect and president of the Wisconsin Soybean Association and vice chair and committee chair for the Wisconsin Discovery Farms Steering Committee.