www.CalumetBusiness.com, Calumet County, WI Economic Development

Agribusiness Technical Resources

The following are known general technical resources available to farm operators. For financial assistance be sure to see our Agribusiness Financial Assistance page.

In addition, please refer to our General Financial Resources and General Technical Resources pages. If you are also a minority, in addition to these general resources, please refer to the Minority Financial Resources and Minority Technical Resources pages.

[ Technical Assistance ] [ Marketing ] [ Young Farmers Programs ] [ Environmental Regulation Assistance & Programs ]

Technical Assistance AGRABILITY OF WISCONSIN -- AgrAbility of Wisconsin is a partnership program between UW-Extension, Cooperative Extension and the Easter Seals Wisconsin FARM Program. AgrAbility works to promote success in agriculture for people with disabilities through the development of a customized assistance plan based on the type of farm operation, type of disability, and the needs of the individual with a disability and his/her family. This plan could include: equipment and worksite modification, farm job restructuring, community and health care coordination, peer support involvement, etc. Contact Sheri Hicken at (608) 262-9336 or slhicken@wisc.edu.

CENTER FOR DAIRY PROFITABILITY -- The Center for Dairy Profitability develops, coordinates and conducts effective interdisciplinary educational and applied research programs, emphasizing business management, human resource management, production systems, finance and marketing systems that enhance dairy profitability. In keeping with this mission statement, the Center's website has a variety of software programs, spreadsheets, and CD-ROMS to improve production efficiency and profitability. The Center also has a real-time internet financial benchmarking site. Contact: Jenny Vanderlin at (608) 263-5665 or email dairyprofit@calshp.cals.wisc.edu.

DAIRY 2020 INITIATIVE -- A state, business, and education partnership that works to enhance the competitive edge of the Wisconsin dairy industry. Contact Tim Griswold (608) 266-7370 or tgriswold@commerce.state.wi.us.

DAIRY BUSINESS INNOVATION CENTER -- The DBIC is a non-profit Wisconsin corporation offering technical assistance to dairy producers and cheese processors for product development, business planning, market development and other services. The Center boasts a team roster of more than 15 world-class dairy experts and is led by a stakeholder board. Contact Kathy Brown at (888) 623-2269 or email info@dbicusa.org.

MILK MONEY -- Milk Money is an Extension outreach program of the University of Wisconsin Department of Dairy Science supported by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and offered to all Wisconsin dairy producers. Milk Money uses the "team" management concept to help producers improve milk quality. Contact Sevie Kenyon at (866) 867-6455 or by email at skenyon@wisc.edu.

WISCONSIN AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL -- The Wisconsin Agribusiness Council (WAC) is a statewide trade association for agribusinesses. We protect, promote and support Wisconsin's agricultural industry through lobbying and educational initiatives. Contact Amy Winters at (608) 294-5450 or awinters@wisagri.com.

WISCONSIN DAIRY ARTISAN NETWORK -- The Wisconsin Dairy Artisan Network assists current and future Wisconsin dairy food artisans through education, promotion of the craft, and regulatory advocacy. A dairy artisan makes cheese or other dairy products using milk (from goats, cows or sheep) possibly, but not necessarily, farmstead. Artisan foods capture the flavor of the environment where they are produced. Farmstead milk is milk produced on the artisan's own farm. If the milk is not farmstead, the artisan can tell you where the milk came from and how the animals are cared for. The dairy artisan's cheeses, and other products, are often handmade or made using relatively small scale specialty techniques in small batches. "Artisan" captures the uniqueness and special identity of each product as well as the artisan who makes it. Examples of dairy artisan products include: butter, ice cream, packaged milk, ice cream and yogurt. Contact Norm Monsen at (800) 942-2474 or norm.monsen@datcp.state.wi.us.

WISCONSIN FARM CENTER -- The Wisconsin Farm Center offers a convenient resource for farmers and their families. In addition to serving as an information clearinghouse, we provide services in the areas of financial counseling and analysis, mediation, employment and training, farm succession and two-generation linking, legal information related to FSA programs and Rural Electric Power Services. Our staff of professionals, who come from farm backgrounds, is assisted by more than 150 volunteer advisors and mediators around the state. We invite you to take advantage of our services. Contact Gwen Garvey by phone at (800) 942-2474 or by email at gwen.garvey@datcp.state.wi.us.

WISCONSIN FARMERS' RESOURCE GUIDE -- Welcome to the Wisconsin Farmers' Resource Guide, a directory for farmers and rural citizens to find helpful information and services offered by public and private agencies across the state. Whether you need legal aid or want to apply for a loan, seek job training or financial counseling, this guide will help you find the right person to talk to.

Marketing SAVOR WISCONSIN -- Savor Wisconsin is an online directory and resource to connect producers and consumers across the world to find food and agricultural products and services.

WISCONSIN COMMON MARKET -- A new internet cybermall developed to help up to 400 Wisconsin members owning very small businesses to increase their markets through e-commerce sales. Contact Dace Zoltners (715) 836-7511, ext. 174 or zoltners@westerndairyland.org.

Young Farmers Programs FARM LINK -- The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Farm Link Program provides farm succession information and assistance linking farmers with other farmers and beginning farmers. Contact: Gwen Garvey at (800) 942-2474 or by email at gwen.garvey@datcp.state.wi.us.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION YOUNG FARMER PROGRAM -- Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer program is a leadership program for farmers under the age of 35. The Young Farmer Program provides leadership and skills development opportunities, along with the chance for young farmers to meet and network with other young farmers. Program also includes a Discussion Meet contest and Achievement Award contest. Contact Kelly Soczka at (608) 828-5714 or at ksoczka@wfbf.com.

WISCONSIN YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM -- Governor's Work-Based Learning Board Youth Apprenticeship is a rigorous one- or two-year program for high school students. The program combines classroom instruction with paid, mentored, on-the-job experience. Contact Aaron Apel at (608) 261-4592 or at apelaa@dwd.state.wi.us.

Environmental Regulation Assistance & Programs DISCOVERY FARMS -- Discovery Farms is a University of Wisconsin program designed to address the environmental research needs of agricultural producers. Through addressing those needs, Discovery Farms is working to assure a healthy environment and a healthy farm economy. Discovery Farms is part of UW-Extension and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at UW-Madison, and we have a relationship with the Wisconsin Agriculture Stewardship Initiative (WASI), as does UW-Platteville’s Pioneer Farm. Contact Dennis Frame at (715) 983-5668 or email drframe@wisc.edu.

WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE -- Offers programs to increase the energy efficiency of farming operations. For more information contact Gary Delveau at (920) 431-1105.